The State of Women in the World Atlas (Penguin Reference)

Rating:
Summary: Mandatory aqusition for all libraries everywhere
Review: Certainly, the facts presented are nothing new to individuals and groups aware of sociopolitical reality, but the presentation format makes an appealing platform for those people unlikely to read a non-graphics laden report on essentially the same matter.

In compiling this work, Seager understood the most effective feminist activism comes from sources readily accessable and decipherable to the masses. An author can have the best presentation in the world, but it will not acheive it's transformative potential if shunted to a relatively contained collegiate academic community, who would already be predisposed to read such works anyway.

The color charts also help hardened political scientists such as myself who are already familiar with the information, but have difficulty remembering through more traditionally dry presentations. The pages are ideal 'flashcards' when used in supplement with the afformentioned standardized global feminist treatments.

Finally, since they continue to underteach women's history and present in the 21st century, this would be an ideal gift for the public school systems. The presentation and arrangement of the book information is likely to win points with department chairs and librarians who would otherwise be skeptical about the appropriatness for their community. Consequently, a student in search of statistical information on women may subsequently emerge from their project research with a broadened political spectrum and genuine commitment to social justice.

The only readily apparent flaw is the already outdated publication date. An ever-changing global environment means the information reflected in this book may not be wholly up-to-date, even though women's collective global status remains basically unchanged.

Rating:
Summary: Things still suck - SEE for yourself
Review: I have analyzed every map in this book for my Contemporary Feminist Thought class, and it is incredibly revealing and startling to see how sexism and gender roles are so embedded in cultures all around the world. By the way, after going through this atlas, does anyone else think that Sweden is looking like a pretty decent place to escape to?

Rating:
Summary: Succinct yet descriptive
Review: I wrote several papers for both my bachelor's and master's degrees using data from this book. I am very much hoping to see a revised version in the near future.