Down Girl

The Logic of Misogyny

By: Kate Manne

Narrated by: Lauren Fortgang

Misogyny is a hot topic, yet it's often misunderstood. What is misogyny, exactly? Who deserves to be called a misogynist? How does misogyny contrast with sexism, and why is it prone to persist - or increase - even when sexist gender roles are waning? This book is an exploration of misogyny in public life and politics by the moral philosopher and writer Kate Manne. It argues that misogyny should not be understood primarily in terms of the hatred or hostility some men feel toward all or most women. Rather, it's primarily about controlling, policing, punishing, and exiling the "bad" women who challenge male dominance. And it's compatible with rewarding "the good ones," and singling out other women to serve as warnings to those who are out of order. It's also common for women to serve as scapegoats, be burned as witches, and treated as pariahs.

Manne examines recent and current events such as the Isla Vista killings by Elliot Rodger, the case of the convicted serial rapist Daniel Holtzclaw, who preyed on African-American women as a police officer in Oklahoma City, Rush Limbaugh's diatribe against Sandra Fluke, and the "misogyny speech" of Julia Gillard, then Prime Minister of Australia, which went viral on YouTube. The book shows how these events, among others, set the stage for the 2016 US presidential election. Not only was the misogyny leveled against Hillary Clinton predictable in both quantity and quality, Manne argues it was predictable that many people would be prepared to forgive and forget regarding Donald Trump's history of sexual assault and harassment. For this, Manne argues, is misogyny's oft-overlooked and equally pernicious underbelly: exonerating or showing "himpathy" for the comparatively privileged men who dominate, threaten, and silence women.

©2018 Oxford University Press (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

crucial

so sharp, so important. a crucial book. deeply clarifying. not a happy book...but often witty.

Excellent take on how misogyny works on a deep level

The author impressively shows how misogyny is still very rampant even though women have achieved much in equality, resources, and external things. She shows how it’s a matter of the expectation of us women being givers, and when we refuse, bringing shame and disgust from others. In all too common cases, this means she may get abused, raped, and/or murdered.

If, in the external world, she tries for something previously reserved for men, such as high political office, commentators start in on how “greedy” she is and how shrill her voice is. Lest you think that only happened to Hillary Clinton, the author is originally from Australia, and the EXACT same thing happened there to their prime minister race. Many Americans, both on the news and in my personal sphere, commented on how annoying Hillary’s voice was and how grasping she was. When I would ask as opposed to Trump’s harsh, grating tones, and clear long record of corruption and greed, they had no logical answer and voted for him.

Women who refuse to do the expected giving, such as women who choose not to become wives and/or mothers, or who do not defer to men, comfort them, or keep them from feeling negative emotions, are severely censured in society, even modern Western ones.

This is a very important book and I wish was required reading.

A much needed book.

This is a wonderful analysis of what Misogyny is and why the dictionary definition is not only inadequate but the antithesis of helpful. Kate Manne does a good job of citing scientific studies in addition to giving historical, literary or contemporary examples to support her positions. This is an important read for all in this age. Part of the solution is learning why we have this problem in the first place.

A brilliant philosophical overview of Misogyny,

this book is a brilliant overview and analysis of mysogyny and all the myriad manifestations of it in US society. Most poignantly, the author address the relationship between mysogynism and racism. Also very apparent is how a level of narcessism is required for it to be prevalent. As a person that has been actively researching sexism and racism the past few years, this is a book that is a must read and one that I highly recommend.

Timely and Thoughtful

Well thought out and argued. Incredibly important must read for feminists of any generation. Highly recommend also for any woman contemplating a run for political office.