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Summary: This book had such an impact on me!
Review: I absolutely love this book. It really inspired me, because I am a virgin, and intend to be one until I'm married. So I absolutely love reading a book that reminds why I'm remaining a virgin until marriage. I don't agree with the chapter on how women are overmedicated, but I can overlook that based on how awesome this book really is! Everybody, buy and read!
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Summary: Good read, not just for women
Review: My girlfriend recommended this after she read it, and I enjoyed it, especially since I picked up a used copy for less than [$$$]. It is a nice contrast to some of the norms that are increasingly accepted by society. I hadn't really thought about some of them until she pointed them out. I think it's interesting that she thinks that both women and men are responsible for how women are mistreated today.
There are plenty of interesting anecdotes, and while they don't prove her case conclusively, they keep your interest. It takes an open mind to enjoy this. If you think that the sexual revolution has been nothing but good, you probably won't enjoy this, but if you have your doubts, this will likely help refine your opinion on what as been good and what has been bad about the changing attitudes towards sex in the last few decades.
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Summary: Clearing Things Up
Review: Regarding the ongoing controversy of Wendy Shalit supposedly coming on our show and saying she was living with someone, and hoped to marry the guy: Wendy Shalit never appeared on "The John and Ken Show." We rarely interview authors, and even then it's only about books that involve major news events. As good as her book probably is, it's not the kind of subject matter we've ever covered with any author. It's easy to lie on the Internet to discredit someone you disagree with -- this is a great example. John Kobylt
"The John and Ken Show"
KFI-AM 64, Los Angeles
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Summary: Immodesty caters to the worst male impulses....
Review: Shalit's book is a must-read whether or not you come from a Judeo-Christian background. She conclusively argues that immodesty (what feminists call "sexual freedom") has only made women less respected and cared for than ever before. I found the chapters on what goes on between the sexes in the modern university shocking and truly disturbing. Now that women have been "liberated," men expect them to act like alleycats and give out whatever men want. The in-your-face sexuality of women's magazines has made modesty odd and even countercultural. But, as Shalit demonstrates through her wide reading, thorough research and personal interviews, modesty protects womanhood and surrounds the modest woman with an aura of respectability. I can attest from personal experience that modesty and femininity in dress does achieve what Shalit claims it will -- men open doors, speak respectfully, halt uncivil or uncouth language and suddenly seem to recall that a woman is something to be cherished, honored and adored rather than cheapened, pawed over and, finally, disdained. Powerful reading, especially from one so young. I look forward to Shalit's future work.
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Summary: Essential reading for 20-something men & women
Review: Shalit's witty writing uncovers the excitement which comes with a God-honoring understanding of attraction & sex. I found this to be a page-turner -- with each chapter unveiling more of the mystery and excitement which come from unencumbered sex, love, and romance. She gives the subject justice and proclaims a series of revolutionary [but quite old] thoughts in a way that subtly shouts their truth. The best book I've read in a long time and a stimulating read. Also recommended as an accompaniment: "The Closing of the American Mind" by Allan Bloom.
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Summary: Call it "Reviving Solame"
Review: Shortly after I got in to it, I said I had to stop reading Wendy Shalit's "Return to Modesty". The case studies and excerpts from popular literature/magazines the author sites were just stomach churning. I got very depressed. However, I have decided to persevere after I passed the opening arguments in her case for modesty. I noted that the author draws heavily on the case studies of Mary Pipher, who wrote "Reviving Ophelia" I read this book. I was glad that Pipher "uncovered" the dark world that a lot of teenage girls live in: sex, self mutilation, okay... but I agree with Shalit. Pipher remains clueless as to what's really going on. To her, these girls are pathetic Ophelia figures that are suicidal victims of some sexual drama that is happening outside themselves. They just need to snap out of it and get some confidence in their own sexuality. I was discussing the JonBonet case with a friend recently, and the idea that mothers often push sensuality on their daughters. The images alone of Jon Bonet all made up are shocking and sick. It's like this little girl was killed off before she was murdered. Well, it struck me that all of us girls in this generation (born after mid 1960's) are pushed towards sensuality by other WOMEN. These "mother figures" can be psychologists like Pipher, our professors, magazine advice columnists, whoever. Anyway, the idea is that we are supposed to boldly live the dreams of sexual equality that the women of the past have constructed. I cant help thinking that this is less like the drama of Hamlet's Ophelia and more like Salome. You know Salome: the young girl that asked Harod for the head of St John the Baptist. Salome's mother is so angry about having her sexual sins revealed that she wants St John silenced in the most morbid way. So she encourages her daughter to perform an erotic dance to seduce Harod into a horrible act of violence. The girl now becomes a participant, not an innocent victim, in the drama. All so the sins of the mother can continue without the judgment of the Saint. I think Salome dies from a sort of decapitation, a violent separation from her own body, when her mother offers her up to the Male Tyrant (Harod, the baby-killer). Someone should write a book called, "Reviving Salome". Wendy Shalit's "Return to Modesty" may be that book.
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Summary: Every Woman and Man Should Read This Book
Review: Thank you Miss Shalit for this truthful and inspiring book. I am 23 year- old woman who had almost given up with this society. But you have proved to me that being "a good girl" is a positive thing! The media, enterainment, and everyday people always try their hardest to make me feel like I am the weirdo--but all along I had a hunch that there was something wrong with them. Modesty is the answer to so many of today's problems. If only it were possible to leave a copy of this book on every American's doorstep! After reading it, I instantly wanted to become the most virtuous woman I could be. I certainly have respect for myself and I don't advertise it by wearing tube tops that have the words "hottie" or "tease" printed on them. As Wendy mentioned, being "mature" or "comfortable" about immodesty only paves the way for serious problems for women and men alike. Women might not want to face reality, but men depend on us to be honorable. It we change our ways, men will change theirs.
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Summary: A Must for Women of all Ages
Review: This book really changed my life. It changed the way I looked at things and it gave me pride in the fact that I am a woman. Wendy Shalit reveals controversial issues around femininity and why women are the way they are. I read this book right after a tumultuous time as a college Freshman. At that time, I did not even know why I acted the way I did. After reading her book, I figured out how the treatment of women prompted me in my reckless behavior and, also, that I did not need to feel guilty for it.. I just needed to take a step back and learn from my mistakes.
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Summary: Wendy, a Woman After My Own Heart
Review: Wendy Shalit is a definite breath of fresh air. With a very uncompromising voice lifted in outrage at what the modern woman is expected to be, act and feel, she provides a very cogent statement to other women. Her first bit of good fortune was to miss the standard fourth grade (and beyond) sex education that is foisted on American children in public schools. By being able to remain outside the experience of the current form of boy-girl teasing and harassment that goes on, she was able to take a divergent path in being able to perceive the landmines in the landscape. She takes on the 'accepted' views of today's feminists, as well as the minimalization of conservatives, and scores point after point. She backs up her ideas and thoughts with numerous citations that leave the reader feeling that she is sure Ms. Shalit knows what she is talking about. Her humor is very enjoyable, not many true belly laughs, but plenty of light moments. Still, she is able to drive home, forcefully, the very serious problems that have been plaguing our young women. The insight into the problems and ability to connect with the reader are particular points of merit in this book. I'm sure there are going to be a number of older, crusty people who will chivvy her because of her youth, arrogance, presumption, etc., etc., etc. Don't listen to them. Read the book and make up your own mind... don't be held in thrall by modernistic ideas that end up being millstones around the necks of our young, adult women.
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Summary: A Modest Proposal
Review: Wendy Shalit's breezy cultural essay makes the modest proposal that modesty might not be such a bad thing after all. Engagingly written and insightful, A RETURN TO MODESTY challenges the conventional wisdom of the sexual "revolution." Give Shalit lots of credit for her courage to go public with the notion that for women anyway less might actually be more. You may not be convinced by her argument, but she gives us a lot to think about. Shalit found a picture of "modest" women, standing chastely by their fiancés, with a mysterious twinkle in their eyes. She wanted to know where that twinkle came from, and embarked on an exploration of her cultural milieu and a hodgepodge of sources both past and present to find out. Her conclusion is that it just might be that modesty is a great aphrodisiac. We can huff and puff about how we liberated folk know better about such matters than the repressed folk of the past. But that does require that we think that the vast majority of human beings (who held modesty to be a virtue) were idiots. Shalit quietly asks whether it might be we who are mistaken. The sexual revolution is a new experiment, and all the data are not yet in. Time will tell whether or not it is all it was cracked up to be. Skyrocketing divorce rates; rising female poverty; an increase in sexually transmitted disease and infertility problems all suggest that the sexual revolution hasn't exactly been paradise for women. In the meantime, A RETURN TO MODESTY gives us a fresh new perspective on the matter. As for me, I'll just sit back grumbling with envy about how such a young women (Shalit is in her early 20's) could have written such a fun and thoughtful book.
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