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The Beauty Myth

How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women

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The Beauty Myth

By: Naomi Wolf
Narrated by: Suzy Jackson
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About this listen

The bestselling classic that redefined our view of the relationship between beauty and female identity.

In today's world, women have more power, legal recognition, and professional success than ever before. Alongside the evident progress of the women's movement, however, writer and journalist Naomi Wolf is troubled by a different kind of social control, which, she argues, may prove just as restrictive as the traditional image of homemaker and wife. It's the beauty myth, an obsession with physical perfection that traps the modern woman in an endless spiral of hope, self-consciousness, and self-hatred as she tries to fulfill society's impossible definition of "the flawless beauty."

©2002, 1991 Naomi Wolf (P)2013 Audible, Inc. Body Positivity Gender Studies Social Sciences Inspiring Discrimination Health Mental Health
All stars
Most relevant  
Wish I had listened to this book before the age of 46. Make me realise how much I’ve been played over the years for others to make money off my man-made insecurities. Great book.

Eye Opener

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So accessible, relevant, and valuable for both genders. I loved it. I was really surprised - I thought it would be uncomfortably preachy, feminist or blaming, but it was thought-provoking, grounded, honest and intelligent. it's about so much more than beauty, it's about the invisible burden of inequality and how it affects women in many areas of life - I think this a hard thing for both genders to conceptualize and/or verbalise, because it's socialised from so young by all aspects of society. This book illuminates so many life experiences, it's valuable and important reading for everyone - and I never say that kind of thing. The narration is great. I highly recommend

Valuable for men and women

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I wish this book was taught to me at school. I want to share it with everyone I know.

An absolute must read (or listen)!

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I would recommend this book to all women and men, eye opening and life changing. Excellent narration.

Every woman (and man!) should be aware of this

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This book was written yet Captures the topics are still so relevant for women today. There are amazing examples, and lots of great media quotes. On the hall, even though it is dense with lots of information, I couldn't get it out of my mind. A great story of how society acts to block women's confidence and choices and freedom, win we would get so much more out of supporting each other and being ourselves. Highly recommended.

Rethink the world

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An at times gut wrenching examination of a topic that continues to be highly relevant decades after it was originally published that I found morbidly fascinating as a woman, who lives with this reality everyday, that I can now thankfully see through courtesy of the beautiful writing of this gifted author who explains the narrative with incredible eloquence that had me absolutely riveted from start to finish. Excellent.

Fascinating.

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This is the greatest book I’ve read and so necessary to all, especially to women

Everyone must read this book

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While a lot of information from the past is incorrect, I feel it needs to be updated to reflect current information and research.

good but outdated information

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.