When Everything Changed
Gail Collins
2009
471 pages
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Oh FTC, you’re gonna love this one: I bought this book (in hardback, no less) because it looked so awesome. And then I won a copy as part of BBAW. But I gave my extra copy to a friend. Whattaya gonna do about that, huh?
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Synopsis (from Barnes and Noble):
Picking up where her previous successful and highly lauded book, America’s Women, left off, Gail Collins recounts the sea change women have experienced since 1960. A comprehensive mix of oral history and Collins’s keen research, this is the definitive book about five crucial decades of progress, told with the down-to-earth, amusing, and agenda-free tone this beloved New York Times columnist is known for. The interviews with women who have lived through these transformative years include an advertising executive in the 60s who was not allowed to attend board meetings that took place in the all-male dining room; and an airline stewardess who remembered being required to bend over to light her passengers’ cigars on the men-only ‘Executive Flight’ from New York to Chicago.
We, too, may have forgotten the enormous strides made by women since 1960–and the rare setbacks. “Hell yes, we have a quota [7%]” said a medical school dean in 1961. “We do keep women out, when we can.” At a pre-graduation party at Barnard College, “they handed corsages to the girls who were engaged and lemons to those who weren’t.” In 1960, two-thirds of women 18-60 surveyed by Gallup didn’t approve of the idea of a female president. Until 1972, no woman ran in the Boston Marathon, the year when Title IX passed, requiring parity for boys and girls in school athletic programs (and also the year after Nixon vetoed the childcare legislation passed by congress). What happened during the past fifty years–a period that led to the first woman’s winning a Presidential Primary–and why? The cataclysmic change in the lives of American women is a story Gail Collins seems to have been born to tell.
Months ago I started listening to the audio book of The Feminine Mystique. While initially interesting, after what seemed like eons later (but was really only 5 hours of listening) I realized that it felt like I was hearing the same stories over and over (Friedan includes a lot of commentary from women that she interviewed). And Parker Posey’s (the narrator) voice was Extremely Irritating. Also, the term preaching to the choir is applicable here. So the thought of listening to 10 more hours of Parker reciting even more anecdotes was just more than I could bear. Even though this a feminist classic that I felt like I should read.
But then I saw When Everything Changed in the bookstore and I thought it would be the perfect alternative. And it was. Although it is a bit similar in style (it is filled with first hand accounts), which had the unfortunate consequence of me hearing Parker Posey’s voice as I was reading. Aaaaaggghhh!! I swear I was probably 1/3 of the way through the book before I could shake her. However, the big difference was this book has variety. And it’s current, as it looks at the past 50 years of women’s history. In contrast, Friedan’s book, although revolutionary in the 1960s, was a reaction to women’s lives in the ’50 and ‘60s, and is therefore somewhat dated. When Everything Changed, on the other hand, is not a reaction. It is history, but an interesting history comprised of first hand accounts that provide a powerful illustration of how much has changed.
There is a TON of information in this book, making it somewhat difficult to review (and also, occasionally, just a wee bit clunky to read…but only occasionally!). However, I highly, highly recommend it, especially if you’re participating in the Women Unbound Reading Challenge.
I love Parker Posey! Have you ever seen Party Girl? It is one of my favorite movies ever!
rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Review of Scream for Me by Karen Rose
isn’t it agonizing when you don’t like the voice of the narrator on an audiobook?! i can totally relate and feel your pain. couple that with repetitive anecdotes and it’s a recipe for disaster!
‘when everything changed’ sounds like an educational read with lots of info and insight. i love reading books that contain lots of factoids!! (i’m a nerd like that.)
glad you enjoyed it and loved the snippets you included. scary to think these things were happening so recently!
I’m so glad you have this book as I have the sort-of prequel, America’s Women, which I think goes up to the 40s and is by the same author. Plan to read it for Women Unbound!
Aarti´s last blog ..A Rant Against Victorian Women
Sounds like a great and interesting read. I haven’t read much non-fiction since I received my degree, but actually have quite a lot on my shelves. On all kinds of subjects.
Louise´s last blog ..Burning for Revenge by John Marsden
Can I just say one more time how much I enjoy your FTC disclosures? …And the book sounds great, too.
JoAnn´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesdays – Mrs. Dalloway
I’m glad to finally read a review of this! I received a copy of it and it’s been sitting on my desk for a couple months until I get motivated to read it. I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for someone else who has read it. Thanks!
Kari´s last blog ..Back to School: A Victorian mockery
Wow, this book sounds great! Having the first-hand accounts of the times probably makes it even more accessible. I’ll add it to my TBR!
By the way, I LOVE your FTC disclosures.
Helen´s last blog ..Review and give-away: Invisible Lives (Banerjee)
I got a copy of this at SIBA because all the Hachette reps there were raving over it. I’m glad to see it’s good.
Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Cleaving
I’m almost halfway done with reading this on my Kindle. I think it’s a must-read for anyone doing the Women Unbound challenge, so the fact I’m really enjoying it makes it that much better! I’m so glad you recommend it – but it’s going to be tricky for me to review, too, since there’s so much to it.
Florinda´s last blog ..Tuesday Tangents: TV Edition
Sounds like an interesting one for Women Unbound. I like the variety that you talked about. And how annoying not to get that narrator’s voice out of your head!
Beth F´s last blog ..Today’s Read: Battle Royal by Koushun Takami
This book sound fascinating! The anecdote about the advertising executive immediately made me think of Mad Men. Have you ever seen that show?
EL Fay´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesday
Yeah… I don’t see Parker Posey as having the ideal voice for an audio book reader.
Jenners´s last blog ..Review: Gemma by Meg Tilly
WoW I did not know Parker Posey narrated anything. I like her, but in bit parts. Key words: bit parts.
She was extremely annoying though in Scream 3. I wonder now if she picks annoying characters to play?
I can see why books like these with tons of information would be difficult to review. Sometimes for me it’s even difficult to read through them, but the book sounds really interesting.
Side Note: I see your reading Reading Like A Writer. Loved that book. Hope your enjoying it so far.
MillyMarie´s last blog ..Short Story Tuesday: William Faulkner’s ‘A Rose For Emily.’
This sounds interesting. I’m still toying with the idea of the Women Unbound challenge, so I’ll keep this title in mind.
Dreamybee´s last blog ..Tying Up Loose Ends
I’d definitely like to read this one, but I’m going to wait for the paperback. I have a ton of big books in hardback now and they’re killing my shoulder. Glad you liked it!
J.S. Peyton´s last blog ..Why, Hello 2010: A Retrospective
Just got to say that I LOVE your FTC comments – clever!!
Stephanie´s last blog ..Book club call in with Lisa See!
Corsages vs lemons?! The cheek of it! I’ve just been reading a chapter on women in interwar Britain in We Danced All Night by Martin Pugh and I’m simultaneously shocked at how some of the issues faced by women then are still current and also thankful that there have been some changes in society’s treatment of women (although still not enough).
Sakura´s last blog ..Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett
I saw this in the bookstore and was intrigued. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Akilah´s last blog ..Favorite New Reads of 2009