Book+Reviews+-+December+2010



toc ** Book Reviews **

= From Diplomas to Doctorates =
 * The Success of Black Women in Higher Education and Its Implications for Equal Educational Opportunities for All. **
 * V. Barbara Bush, Crystal Renee Chambers and Marybeth Walpole, editors; Kassie Freeman (foreword), Wynetta Y. Lee (afterword)[[image:bush.jpg align="right"]]**

> Education-Philosophy and Social Aspects; Educational equalization; Social Science-Women’s studies
 * Reviewed by: Sadie Jones**
 * ** Paperback: ** 208 pages
 * ** Publisher: ** Stylus Publishing (May 2010)
 * ** ISBN-10: ** 1579223575; ** ISBN-13: ** 978-1579223571
 * ** Subjects: ** African American women-Education (higher) and Social Conditions; Discrimination in higher education-United States; Education- General; Education-Higher
 * ** Special Features: ** tables and references


 * //From Diplomas to Doctorates//** was written to inform people about the complexities of providing equal opportunities for black women in their quest through higher education.

The intended audience is education providers such as teachers or mentors; the content is even applicable to the work of school counselors. The information in the book can be a bit dense at times, making it harder for the everyday person to read (for example the intense use of statistical jargon to back up claims made by the data). Although there is substantial use of statistical explanations, it can be very helpful for the people who understand and can find ways to implement the data in their own education system.

//From Diplomas to Doctorates// provides an interesting point of view for black women going though the education system because of the analysis of other black women and comparisons of differing routes to reaching the Ph.D goal. The book is organized chronologically in three parts by explaining issues that come up for young black women in high school and then works through the different issues that arise as higher education progresses. Then, within the chronological development of the book it is explained topically as ideas are presented in chapters. The book starts off with part one and young black women in high school. The second part analyzes the experiences of black women in pursuing their bachelors degree. The final part of the book explains the process of gaining the Ph.D.

The book opened up my eyes by allowing me to see the different struggles a black female would have trying to attain a Ph.D. It provided me an introspective look into my own goals and struggles toward my accomplishment of a Ph.D. The book does not provide a cookie cutter answer on how to aid black women in their process through higher education to a Ph.D, but it does have some insight on the different backgrounds of the black women that have attained a Ph.D.

I would recommend //From Diplomas to Doctorates// to others because it gives helpful information on the subject matter. I would recommend this book to not only other black women but to everyone, to highlight the struggles that people go through in going through the education process. If the information provided in the book is spread to others it could make the education process for black women, minorities, for everyone, less isolating. As for black women or people that are involved with the life of a black woman, this book can make someone aware of the hardships and isolation of going through the education process.

=The Madame Curie Complex=
 * The Hidden History of Women in Science**
 * Julie Des Jardins**


 * reviewed by: Mary Jinglewski**
 * Paperback: 321 pages
 * Publisher: The Feminist Press at the City University of New York (March 2010)
 * ISBN-10 : 1558616136; ISBN-13: 978-1-55861-613-4
 * Subjects: Women scientists - Biography; Women engineers - Biography; Women in science; Women in engineering; Sex role - United States - History; Spouses


 * //The Madame Curie Complex: The Hidden History of Women in Science//** addresses the long-time existence of institutionalized sexism in science through biographical portraits and historical context. Des Jardins profiles both well-known female scientific greats such as Marie Curie, Lillian Gilbreth, and Jane Goodall as well as those almost forgotten, such as the women of the Harvard Observatory and the Manhattan Project, to provide a compendium in a rarely explored area of women's history. While many of the women profiled were recognized scientists in their own right, other women focused upon include the “computers” of the Harvard Observatory and the wives of important Manhattan Project scientists, who had educations in the sciences but were barred from obtaining jobs as legitimate scientists and choose different alternatives.

Organized in chronological order by eras in scientific development, pages are quickly turned as biographical history combines with science and feminist theory to form a fascinating examination of womens history in science through the careers and lives of women within the scientific world. By exploring her subjects' lives through personal papers and contemporary sources, Des Jardins also explores the historical and cultural context of these women and the impressive contribution they had on science and American society.

Minimal technical and scientific jargon is present within the text, and the references to scientific theory and discovery are accessible to the reader. Also, the focus within //The Madame Curie Complex// is more on the human element present within these scientific developments than on the science itself. Female scientists from the fields of astronomy, chemistry, engineering, physics, and biology are featured, which contributes to a well-rounded view of the societal barriers and systematic sexism experienced in pursuing science.

While interest in learning about the lives of these historical figures propel the reader along in the beginning, the historical foundation laid in the first half of the book provides context to understanding the persistent barriers and challenges female scientists face even now. As time progresses during the reading, the effects of the first, second, and third feminist waves upon science and the theory behind feminist science are examined in increasing detail. While this shift may dismay readers expecting further detailed profiles of women in scientific history, continued reading leads to deeper understanding of the gendered state of science.

//The Madam Curie Complex// is recommended for collections interested in an interdisciplinary text integrating women's studies, history and science. Also this text is recommended for individual readers of high school level and up, especially for female students in college who are experiencing challenges within their science major. Des Jardins gives insight into the challenges that female scientists faced yet overcame and inspiration to those in the present to continue pushing boundaries and repeal the Madam Curie complex in which women are still expected to outperform men in order to be seen as equals.

= Glamour = Women, History, Feminism
 * Carol Dyhouse **


 * Reviewed by: Kelli Kramer[[image:http://jacketupload.macmillanusa.com/jackets/high_res/jpgs/9781848134072.jpg width="294" height="453" align="right"]] **
 * Hardcover :  238 pages
 * Publisher: Zed Books (April 27, 2010)
 * Language: English
 * ISBN-10: 184813407X; ISBN-13: 978-1848134072
 * Subjects: Women's clothing-Social aspects-20th century; Women-Social conditions-20th century; Beauty, Personal-Social aspects-20th century; Aesthetics, Modern; Feminine beauty (Aesthetics)-20th century; Fashion-Social aspects-20th century; Glamour-History-20th century


 * //Glamour: Women, History, Feminism//** by Carol Dyhouse gives the reader insight into why women have always had an unceasing desire for the attainment of glamour. She describes how this term has been defined as well as the negative and positive connotations that have been associated with it throughout the years. Unlike the typical beliefs that are associated with women of glamour, Dyhouse says that “glamorous women have often expressed an attitude of self possession and assertiveness in conflict with femininity rather than in conformity with them.” (p.167) She presents the case that glamour is not something that belittles women but something that empowers them. To her, glamour should not be defined by aesthetics alone. It is more than that; it is something within a woman that invokes a certain sense of confidence and allure. Dyhouse does a good job of showing how the history of women and feminism can be mapped out through clothing and similar feminine products. From luxurious furs to exotic perfumes, she takes the reader through the trends of the decades and what they meant for women. At one point she describes how a simple application of lipstick could make a woman feel feminine yet in control.

Overall, Dyhouse does an excellent job of covering the essentials on such a broad topic. The downside is that she relies very heavily on outside sources and does not generate many new ideas or viewpoints. Also, she often seems to wander from her main argument. For example, at one point she spends an entire chapter covering the fur industry. At times it is hard to understand what the connection is to feminism. Her true opinions are only visible when looking at the topics that she chooses to cover and the ones she chooses to leave out. That said, it is obvious that Dyhouse has done her research and knows what she is talking about with regards to feminism and glamour. This book can be very useful to a wide range of people, because it covers a topic that has affected all of us at some point. Women, in particular, would definitely benefit from reading //Glamour: Women, History, Feminism.//