Ecofeminism

by Greta Gaard (Editor)

Discusses the relationships among human begins, the natural environment, and nonhuman animals. This book rejects the nature/culture dualism of patriarchal thought and locates animals and humans within nature. Among the issues addressed are the conflicts between Green politics and ecofeminism, various applications of ecofeminist theory, and more.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Gender, Philosophy, Environment, Politics, Essays

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a necessary read, I believe, as both a feminist and a vegan.  Each chapter of this book discusses something different, such as the rejection of the anti-nature view in China, the link between women and animals, and the romanticization of women and nature.  And that's just putting it really shortly and pretty vaguely in comparison to these chapters.  Each author is so incredibly well-versed and offers so many resources.  

Honestly, this niche of feminism is one that I think everybody should at least have some basic knowledge of.  For me, personally, this is a niche I want to analyze more and pursue.  Everything about it--the land justice, the animal liberation, the deconstruction of nature and industry--it's all so intriguing to me.  There's hundreds of years and industries and cultures and lands to be unpacked, and this book only scratches the surface despite how in-depth the essays are.  It's mind boggling and amazing.

I read this every chance I got while on public transportation, and I not only learned so much, but I also felt myself despairing and reinforcing the reasons why I care about animals and the environment.  It's sad to notice how little practices in factory farms have changed in literally the entirety I've been alive, but these authors have amazing calls to action and suggestions and ideas.  

When I finished reading Ecofeminism, I felt a multitude of emotions ranging from despair to hope to bitterness to optimism.  This topic is a complicated, nuanced, and upcoming one (still), and I think it's one that we should all learn more about.

Review cross-listed here!

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are surely better anthologies out there now than this one from '93. Or I really hope so. A few all right essays in the middle, but most of the pieces were redundant even as they addressed different topics (at one point I thought, 'perhaps I should just be reading Carolyn Merchant rather than ten different pieces quoting Carolyn Merchant...')

For someone who hasn't read anything on ecofeminism before, though, it would probably be useful.

[Rhonda Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent collection of essays addressing ecofeminism by examining the relationships of human beings with each other, with their environment and with animals. The text isn't one-sided: it also addressed the limitaions of ecofeminism. Janis Birkeland's essay in the text does an excellent job of serving as a primer on the subject of ecofeminism, and presents us with a term I love: "Manstream Theory," which addresses patriarchy.

Recommended.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far it is very interseting.