Woman: An Intimate Geography
by Natalie Angier
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Book Summary Information
Author: Natalie AngierEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-02-15
ISBN: 0385498411
Number of pages: 464
Publisher: Anchor
Book Reviews of Woman: An Intimate Geography
Book Review: Very personal and detailed
Summary: 5 Stars
Natalie Angier's "Woman An Intimate Geography," takes the reader into an area that is often taken for granted, not talked about openly at all, and definitely misunderstood- the female body. Throughout the book Angier takes the reader on a journey that explores the vast complexity and intimacy of a woman's body, covering topics that might normally be considered taboo- menopause, orgasms, breast feeding, etc. Besides describing the biological aspects of these topics, Angier discusses the importance of women in a broader context. She covers the myths, stereotypes, and double standards that are placed on women that keep such subjects in a vault of secrecy, making the reader aware of the ways in which women are often categorized and labeled. A great example of this is the double standard she poses of men whose sexual promiscuity is something that is often praised by other men and thought of as `normal,' whereas a woman who is sexually promiscuous is seen by both men and women in a negative manner as a slut or a whore. Women are left to supposedly tackle this contradictory area on their own of being sexually active and pleasing to men, but not go too far or else be subjected to a wall of slanderous thoughts and comments. Angier tackles this dilemma by showing how women should embrace their sexuality and that sex is something wonderful that does not need to be categorized in such a way.
Angier starts off by explaining the basic purpose of her book as a celebration of the female body from its anatomy and chemistry to its evolution. She mixes things that are commonly thought of in a woman's body (the egg, breasts, the uterus, etc.) with things that are not and are almost always associated with men (aggression, strength, and movement). I specifically liked chapter 16 titled "Cheap Meat: Learning To Make a Muscle." I have been active in sports all my life from soccer and cross country, to martial arts and breakdancing and have always heard women in the same sports when complimented about their strength complain that they do not want to gain too much muscle and look like a man, they just want to be toned and `fit.' Angier talks about encountering the same opinions of women when she talks to them about the benefits of strength training. She describes how hard it is for her personally to gain in muscle size even though most women are surprised at her strength because her body does not show it. She then argues what's wrong with women having muscles in the first place? "Muscles are beautiful. Strength is beautiful. Muscle tissue is beautiful. It is metabolically, medically, and philosophically beautiful." I could not agree more.
Angier's book is definitely a must read especially for anyone interested in women's studies or for someone who is exploring their feminist beliefs. This book is not a male-bashing affair (which is not the purpose of feminism in the first place), it is instead an insightful look at a woman's body and how such a magnificent structure should be embraced and exposed to the world in all its glory rather than be left unspoken about just because we as a society are not comfortable talking about menopause or child birth. Her style of writing is passionate, witty, and filled with humor that makes reading through all of the biological level details much easier for someone who is not a biology major. She also adds her personal experiences throughout the book which is fitting for a book that dives into the geography of a woman's body at such a personal level and makes it more comfortable for a reader who might otherwise get lost in the complexity of all that is being described.
Summary of Woman: An Intimate Geography
With the clarity, insight, and sheer exuberance of language that make her one of The New York Times's premier stylists, Pulitzer Prize-winner Natalie Angier lifts the veil of secrecy from that most enigmatic of evolutionary masterpieces, the female body. Angier takes readers on a mesmerizing tour of female anatomy and physiology that explores everything from organs to orgasm, and delves into topics such as exercise, menopause, and the mysterious properties of breast milk.A self-proclaimed "scientific fantasia of womanhood." Woman ultimately challenges widely accepted Darwinian-based gender stereotypes. Angier shows how cultural biases have influenced research in evolutionary psychology (the study of the biological bases of behavior) and consequently lead to dubious conclusions about "female nature." such as the idea that women are innately monogamous while men are natural philanderers.
But Angier doesn't just point fingers; she offers optimistic alternatives and transcends feminist polemics with an enlightened subversiveness that makes for a joyful, fresh vision of womanhood. Woman is a seminal work that will endure as an essential read for anyone intersted in how biology affects who we are?as women, as men, and as human beings.
Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, as far as the health care profession is concerned the standard operating design of the human body is male. So when a book comes along as beautifully written and endlessly informative as Natalie Angier's Woman: An Intimate Geography, it's a cause for major celebration. Written with whimsy and eloquence, her investigation into female physiology draws its inspiration not only from scientific and medical sources but also from mythology, history, art, and literature, layering biological factoids with her own personal encounters and arcane anecdotes from the history of science. Who knew, for example, that the clitoris--with 8,000 nerve fibers--packs double the pleasure of the penis; that the gene controlling cellular sensitivity to male androgens, ironically enough, resides on the X-chromosome; or that stress hormones like cortisol and corticosterone are the true precursors of friendship?
The mysteries of evolution are not a new subject for Angier, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biology writer for the New York Times whose previous books include The Beauty of the Beastly and Natural Obsessions. The strengths of Woman begin with Angier's witty and evocative prose style, but its real contribution is the way it expands the definition of female "geography" beyond womb, breasts, and estrogen, down as far as the bimolecular substructure of DNA and up as high as the transcendent infrastructure of the human brain. --Patrizia DiLucchio
Women's Health Books
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