Ever since the release of her seminal first book, Sexual Personae, Camille Paglia has remained one of feminism's most outspoken, independent, and searingly intelligent voices. Now, for the first time, her best essays on the subject are gathered together in one concise volume. Whether she’s calling for equal opportunity for American women (years before the founding of the National Organization for Women), championing a more discerning standard of beauty that goes beyond plastic surgery’s quest for eternal youth, lauding the liberating force of rock and roll, or demanding free and unfettered speech on university campuses and beyond, Paglia can always be counted on to get to the heart of matters large and small. At once illuminating, witty, and inspiring, these essays are essential reading that affirm the power of men and women and what we can accomplish together.
“Fiercely erudite, freewheeling and sex-drenched . . . Paglia is a fearless public intellectual and more necessary than ever.” —The New York Times
“Polemical, thought-provoking, enraging, funny, and brave. And today [Paglia’s essays] sound prescient.” —VICE
“Compelling. . . . Thought-provoking. . . . Put[s] an intellectual spin on lowbrow entertainment and turn[s] more obtuse academic topics into something relatable and enthralling.” —BUST
“Inspirational in its tone and its message that freedom belongs to both sexes. . . . Paglia is a brilliant thinker on culture and human nature.” —The New Criterion
“[Paglia] is one of the most fascinating (and individualistic) writers on feminism and gender extant.” —Buffalo News
“Feminist and culture critic Paglia is at her feisty, full-throated best in this series of short manifestos that spans her career. . . . One does not have to agree with her theories about masculinity, femininity, and sex to enjoy Paglia’s bracing intellect and scrappy attitude.” —Publishers Weekly
“The best single-volume introduction to Paglia’s thought. . . . Presented in a stunning prose style. . . . No one with the slightest interest in its issues can afford to overlook Paglia’s treatment of them here, which compels the consideration of her shrillest critic and ardent devotee alike.” —American Conservative
“Impressive. . . . [Paglia] uses new insight to dissect issues relating to feminism. . . . She argues for feminism to become an umbrella of people with differing political views, sexual orientations, and religions who seek to strengthen women. . . . Intriguing and thought provoking for readers interested in different perspectives of feminism.” —Library Journal
