Women's words: The feminist practice of oral history

by Sherna Berger Gluck

Examines through the eyes of 18 scholars, critical questions confronting oral history as a feminist methodology. The authors address political, academic and cultural issues as they relate to oral history, including the ethical dilemma of academic women reinterpreting other women's oral tradition.

Genres: Feminism, Oral History, Womens Studies, Writing, Nonfiction

234 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Sherna Berger Gluck (b. 1935) is an American activist and oral historian, and Director Emerita of the Oral History Program at California State University, Long Beach. Her first book, From Parlor to Prison (1976), is an oral history of the women's suffrage movement. An advocate for the Palestinian people, she is a co-host of the Radio Intifada show on KPFK; her most recent book is An American Feminist In Palestine. Her historical work led to the recognition of women's oral history as a distinct discipline. Gluck received her undergraduate education at Shimer College in Illinois, where she enrolled at age 15 through the early entrance program. She later received advanced degrees from UCLA and UC Berkeley. (from Shimer College Wiki)

Reviews

[J]

Good introduction to feminist perspectives on research, though it could have been more comprehensive.

[Laurens Monster]

very cool collection of essays. lots to think about. lots of theory that i will soon be putting into practice (very hyped). most of this writing came out of the liberal tradition, which resulted in sloppy handling of class as a concept. one of the two marxists that were mentioned favourably in the entire book, and the irony here made me laugh out loud, was althusser. kill your wife and ten years later feminist scholars will still use your theories to make some valid points.

[Valerie Brett]

All of these articles (chapters) are very good & still relevant & I’ll be citing it a ton in my thesis. But it needs a better title or something... it’s mostly if not completely comprised of pieces about specific projects and very highly reflective & critical of the practice itself.

[Lynna Goldhar Smith]

academic text book. A study of female oral tradition Not an easy read but a worthwhile one.