Altogether twenty three women take part in this, with chapters varying from a fat fourteen pages to a miniscule three. It is mostly vigorous, freewheeling stuff though there are a couple of more thoughtful and considered pieces. Some of the pieces have some hope for men, others do not. If you want to know what real male-bashing looks like, see the chapter by Hattie Gossett. If you want to know what hope looks like, see the chapter by Margo Adair. She says:
Last fall I was invited to facilitate an alliance building session at the twelfth biannual California Men's Gathering, which was to revolve around the theme of 'Confronting Racism'. I was pleasantly struck by the open display of affection at the event. In the kind-hearted atmosphere of the CMG, everyone was accepted - straight, gay or bisexual. Throughout the gathering, I had an uncanny sensation; I didn't know what to attribute it to. Then I realized I felt completely safe. Here I was, one of only a half-dozen women, at a camp with hundreds of men. The only thing I can compare it to is the sensation one has right after receiving a massage - you realise how tense you were after the tension is gone. It was a profound and unfamiliar experience to be surrounded by men and feel safe.
Unfortunately, almost all of this book is a reaction to Robert Bly and his cohorts, rather than the men's movement in all its forms. There are some references to the anti-sexist men's movement, but they are few and far between. The best-informed chapters seem to be those by Starhawk, Riane Eisler and Z Budapest.
The hidden message in all this seems to be - 'Robert Bly is really important!' I am not so sure that he is, and it is a pity that the book gives this impression so strongly. Other authors include Jane Caputi, Phyllis Chesler, Elizabeth Dodson Gray, bell hooks, Ursula le Guin, Vicki Noble, Rosemary Radford Ruetber and Charlene Spretnak. There is a foreword by Gloria Steinem.
John Rowan
Copyright © Achilles Heel Collective
