Feminist Theory, Fourth Edition: The Intellectual Traditions

This first major study of feminist theory, revised and updated here in its fourth edition, now takes the reader into the twenty-first century. It addresses the basic question, "What is feminism?'' by outlining the various strands of feminist theory: liberal, cultural, Marxist-socialist, Freudian, and radical. This fourth edition brings the discussion up-to-date, integrating the developments in feminist theory that have emerged in the last two decades, such as ecofeminism, multiculturalism, postmodernism, and global feminism—including new material since the publication of the third edition (2000).

Table of Contents:
Preface to the Fourth Edition (2012) Preface to the First Edition (1985) 1. Enlightenment Liberal Feminism 2. Nineteenth-Century Cultural Feminism 3. Feminism and Marxism 4. Feminism and Freudianism 5. Feminism and Existentialism 6. Radical Feminism 7. The Moral Vision of Twentith-Century Cultural Feminism 8. Into the Twenty-First Century Notes Selected Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Josephine Donovan is Professor Emerita of English at the University of Maine, USA. She is the author or editor of twelve books, including the groundbreaking Feminist Theory (Continuum, 3rd ed, 2000), Women and the Rise of the Novel, 1405-1726 (St. Martin's Press, 1999), and After the Fall (Pennsylvania State University Press, 1989).

Review :
"A masterful survey of the philosophical and intellectual roots of contemporary feminism. The author provides lucid comprehensive discussions of the main intellectual traditions of feminist theory. Intelligent, balanced, accurate, and informed, Feminist Theory is a major addition to the canon of feminist literature."-- Choice (also named An Outstanding Academic Book in Choice) "A superbly intelligent, lucid guide to one of the great movements of the modern world."--Ptofessor Catharine Stimpson, Rutgers University  "Most fascinating. A book that will function as an important safeguard against the re-disappearance of our feminist heritage."--Booklist "Not only an impressive piece of research, but an invaluable research guide. Donovan's construction is insightful, original, and compelling."--Women's Review of Books "....very appropriate for introductory women's studies courses."--Herizon, June 2002 "A teachable book that recognizes the complexity of feminist theory and offers us a powerful vision of a transformed world." --The Women's Studies Review "Donovan's approach will make feminist theory accessible to a wide range of individuals. Her ability to write comfortably about so much of Western thought will enable her to introduce such scholars to the richness and complexity of feminist thought. Moreover, those already well acquainted with feminist theory will find this book a useful reference and teaching tool." --Signs "Josephine Donovan brings the American feminist intellectual tradition to life in all its subtlety and complexity.  Written with clarity and verve, Feminist Theory provides a comprehensive account that situates feminist thinking in relation to the history of political thought, Enlightenment ideals, revolutions and counter-revolutions of the past three centuries, and women's continuing struggles for rights, dignity, respect, and equitable life chances." -- Mary Hawkesworth, Professor of Political Science and Women's and Gender Studies, Rutgers University. "An indispensable resource--extraordinary in its grasp of history and theory; thoughtful, elegant, vibrant, and inspiring. With Josephine Donovan as our guide, we are in excellent hands!" -- Carol J. Adams, author of The Sexual Politics of Meat The publication of Josephine Donovan’s revised and expanded fourth edition of Feminist Theory: The Intellectual Traditions seems as timely today as it did when it first appeared in 1985. Indeed, the debates over women’s rights, the struggle for gender equality, and even the definition of feminism itself have continued unabated in the course of the past thirty years, despite the repeated claims of the movement’s untimely demise in the popular press. [...] One of the volume’s many strengths is its lucid presentation of the trajectory of American feminism at a level readily accessible to undergraduates. [...] [T]his readable introduction to feminist theory manages to cover a remarkable amount of material in 200 pages with insight, verve, and intelligence. This fine resource belongs in the collection of the next generation of feminists as an invaluable primer on the history of the intellectual roots of the movement.