Reviews article index >> Manifesta Young Women, Feminism, and the Future Young women today live by feminism's goals, yet feminism itself is undeniably at a crossroads; "girl power" feminists appear to be obsessed with personal empowerment at the expense of politics, while political institutions such as Ms. and NOW are so battle weary they've lost their ability to speak to a new generation. In Manifesta, Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards examine the snags in the movement – from the dissolution of Riot Grrrls into the likes of the Spice Girls, to older women's hawking of young girls' imperiled self-esteem, to the hyped hatred of feminist thorns like Katie Roiphe – and prove that these snags have not, in fact, torn feminism asunder. In contrast, they show the vibrance with which the movement has evolved, detail important political goals that still need to be achieved, and spell out what a world with true equality would look like. With its spirited and assured mix of history, politics, and popular culture, as well as extensive activist resources, Manifesta is a book every young woman should own. Author Jennifer Baumgardner is a former editor at Ms. and writes for The Nation, Jane, Nerve, and Out. Amy Richards is a contributing editor at Ms. and co-founder of the Third Wave Foundation, an activist group for young feminists. Reviews "At last, Gen X takes on feminism and revamps a feminist manifesto for a new era. Manifesta is readable, well informed, and necessary to any young woman– or man – who craves gender equality." –Naomi Wolf "Manifesta is another step toward the empowerment of women. If caring about women matters, this book matters. " –Andrea Dworkin "Manifesta puts forth the dualities, contractions, and schisms of conscious women with intelligence, humor, and passion. Bless the young feminists, we need them to keep peeling back the layers of our denial and our liberation. " --Eve Ensler "Amy Richards and Jennifer Baumgardner have sorted out the fruits of this wave of feminism – intended and unintended, media mess and truth -- for a new generation. With wit and honesty, Manifesta shows us the building blocks of the future of this longest revolution." –Gloria Steinem "Great news from the front – feminism lives! Bold, independent, generous, and cautionary, Manifesta leaves no doubt that for a new generation of women the F-word is not only speakable but shoutable and singable." -Alix Kates Shulman "Manifesta is an exciting and important contribution to the growing body of Third Wave literature. Richards and Baumgardner speak the language of a new generation of feminists, proving once again that young women are committed to continuing to work passionately for social justice." –Rebecca Walker, editor of To Be Real: Telling the Truth and Changing the Face of Feminism "Richards and Baumgardner have spent years as participants in and observers of the feminist movement, and now they have their say, asking new questions and coming up with provocative answers. They do it with wit, confidence, and superior insight. Manifesta will reinvigorate armchair feminists and recharge activists of all ages." – Barbara Findlen, editor of Listen Up: Voices from the Next Feminist Generation Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux; October 2000; $15.00US/$24.95CAN; 0-374-52622-2 Copyright © 2000 Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards Buy this book at Amazon.com! Reviews article index >> News I Health I Wellness I Exercise I Profiles I Business I Links I Women ROCK! Product Review I To the Point I Contact I Home Created by: Art Street Design Studio. © Concerning Women Communications, Inc. all rights reserved.