Rating: 
Summary: Fast Paced Read on an Interesting Topic....
Review: "The Body Project" is a quick study of the plights, lives and loves of adolescent girls throughout the years. Stories are split up into sections, inviting the reader to re-experience their own teenage and early adult lives. The information is presented clear, unoffensive and well written. The author obviously went through several sources, such as diaries to collect different opinions on certain subjects. All of the subjects discussed are essential discussions in today's society, and one would hope that the candor and open ways of budding sexuality will remain with us over the years. People tend to protect their daughters for too long of a time, not acknowledging their fears, hopes and dreams. Is it better to ignore the problems, ("The less I know the better"), rather than face them before embarrassment turns to resentment? A good book for all ages to explore the psyche of young women through a historical and contemporary perspective.
Rating: 
Summary: 100 years = billions of $$$
Review: A billion-dollar industry sprang up over the 20th century by making both men and women believe their bodies need constant improving or worse, they are "dirty" if we don't buy and use certain products. This book analyzes the history behind all aspects of body improvement -- bras, sanitary napkins, acne products i.e. people would not be hired for jobs if they had acne because it was believed acne was caused by masturbation and therefore they were immoral. It is fascinating!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Brumberg hits the Adolescents life with a near bulls-eye
Review: As an adolescent female myself, I loved the truth that this book conveys. Brumberg hits the nail on the head wether discussing the 'hymen' and it's role or zits and hair. If people plan on raising adolescents, spend time with adolescents, or are adolescents this book is a must read. I LOVED IT.
Rating:
Summary: Just What I Was Looking For
Review: As someone who has lived with an eating disorder, and started a support group for those who still suffer, I'm always searching to find information about women's changing roles, changing bodies, and changing minds. This book looked carefully at the issues leading up to the current body-obsession - and makes a compelling statement about the need to start saving the souls of younger women before it's too late. Though I would have liked to see more information about how to resolve these issues, short of turning back time, I recognize that this book was an academic examination of the issues, not a "how-to" guide for solving the problem. It was completely worth the time spent reading, and has given me much to think about.
Rating:
Summary: Great Social History of Women
Review: Brumberg built a strong reputation with her book on anorexia, and the body project was an even stronger follow up. As a historian utlizing the book for research in several projects, including a thesis I found her research skills to be in accordance with the type of research she is doing (ie when you're talking about a very private thing such as menstruation, there are very few sources other than diaries if you're trying to get individual experiences...this is considered good research within the profession) her documentation useful, and some of her views very interesting. As a student teacher, when I am trying to add in gender to an otherwise male centered class, Brumberg is a source I often cite and advise my students to read, because although I'm reviewing it as a historian, from a general viewpoint you don't need the background of a historian to like the book. It is a easy and often amusing read. Anyone interested in how women became so obsessed with our bodies to the point of obsession, or even if you're just interested in how we used to handle such issues such as menstruation and loss of virginity this is a great read. Highly reccomended.
Rating:
Summary: Shift from era of Victorian values to culture of obsession
Review: Brumberg concludes that young girls today are concerned with their physical appearance as a "primary expression of their individual identity." American girls are preoccupied with having the perfect skin, are involved with body projects (such as body piercing) and this modern age is also marked with the disappearance of virginity. Adolescent girls in the Victorian era, were sexually repressed, wore corsets, recognizing that virginity as the highest value in womanhood.Brumberg felt that the decline of parental supervision, the emerging consumer culture and other factors contributed to the different values of adolescent girls. Mothers and daughters should definitely read this book to understand the complex problems that arise as girls deal with peer pressure and society that place importance in having the "perfect" physical appearance.
Rating:
Summary: Shift from era of Victorian values to culture of obsession
Review: Brumberg concludes that young girls today are concerned with their physical appearance as a "primary expression of their individual identity." American girls are preoccupied with having the perfect skin, are involved with body projects (such as body piercing) and this modern age is also marked with the disappearance of virginity. Adolescent girls in the Victorian era, were sexually repressed, wore corsets, recognizing that virginity as the highest value in womanhood. Brumberg felt that the decline of parental supervision, the emerging consumer culture and other factors contributed to the different values of adolescent girls. Mothers and daughters should definitely read this book to understand the complex problems that arise as girls deal with peer pressure and society that place importance in having the "perfect" physical appearance.
Rating:
Summary: A Discussion Facilitator for Women's Studies Courses
Review: Brumberg's work details the changes in cultural constructions of the adolescent body in the twentieth century, focusing on how young women create, maintain, and alter body images (and ultimately, body shapes/appearances). I use this book as the first monograph assignment in my introduction to women's studies course. Although the book has a strong theoretical framework, the descriptive examples in the chapters help to facilitate discussion in the class, which really sets the tone for the rest of the semester. College women find the book engaging, and they are very personally affected by the stories that relate so well to them. I find it an extremely informative, very useful book.
Rating:
Summary: Accurate, Scholarly Portrayal of American Women
Review: Having studied the historical implication of feminine self-image in the past few centuries, it is my opinion that this text provides a wonderful springboard for the casual historian. The Body Project brings to the surface the ongoing role of the media in feminine self-image, as well as woman's conscious and unconscious cooperation in perpetuating "falsely" established norms for dress, appearance, and behavior. A comfortable, informative 1-3 day read.
Rating:
Summary: A Fellow Cornellian!
Review: I actually bought this book because Dr. Brumberg was a professor at my college (well, when I was there 6 months ago.) She's just a brilliant person, and the book flows very nicely. If you are female, know anyone who is a female, or ever knew a male who could use a little empathy for females, then this is the book! It's just a hot topic now anyway, and it lets you believe that it's okay to be you, whoever that may be.
|
