Good and Mad

How Women's Anger Is Reshaping America

By: Rebecca Traister

Narrated by: Rebecca Traister

From Rebecca Traister, the New York Times best-selling author of All the Single Ladies - whom Anne Lamott called “the most brilliant voice on feminism in this country” - comes a vital, incisive exploration into the transformative power of female anger and its ability to transcend into a political movement.

In the year 2018, it seems as if women’s anger has suddenly erupted into the public conversation. But long before Pantsuit Nation, before the Women’s March, and before the #MeToo movement, women’s anger was not only politically catalytic - but politically problematic. The story of female fury and its cultural significance demonstrates the long history of bitter resentment that has enshrouded women’s slow rise to political power in America, as well as the ways that anger is received when it comes from women as opposed to when it comes from men.

With eloquence and fervor, Rebecca tracks the history of female anger as political fuel - from suffragettes chaining themselves to the White House to office workers vacating their buildings after Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court. Here Traister explores women’s anger at both men and other women; anger between ideological allies and foes; the varied ways anger is perceived based on its owner; as well as the history of caricaturing and delegitimizing female anger; and the way women’s collective fury has become transformative political fuel - as is most certainly occurring today. She deconstructs society’s (and the media’s) condemnation of female emotion (notably, rage) and the impact of their resulting repercussions.

Highlighting a double standard perpetuated against women by all sexes, and its disastrous, stultifying effect, Traister’s latest is timely and crucial. It offers a glimpse into the galvanizing force of women’s collective anger, which, when harnessed, can change history.

©2018 Rebecca Traister (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Rebecca Traister's steady and powerful narration lends strength to her chronicle of women's anger.... It is a deeply researched study, and Traister's narration clearly reframes key moments in history from a perspective different from those typically taught in history class." (AudioFile)

Released new clarity and power in myself

Thank you for writing this book. My 35 year old daughter sent me an article by you , telling me you were one of her favorite journalist . I always pay attention to what my daughter recommends to me . I looked up more about you after loving the article , finding out you just released a new book , got it immediately and was riveted. It is an important message for this 65 year old me , one who could not call myself a feminist until very very recently , though raised in CA and where my own mom identified as such when I was my daughter's age. Some things take a long time to learn! Now I identify more as a 35+ year old . Your book is a guide for me .

Allow more words

A great explanation of female perspectives that as an old white man I was clueless.

Seen the Matrix

I’ve never said this before about a book, but Good and Mad has changed my life, changed me, irrevocably. And I could not be more grateful.

Fuck yes.

Inspiring and confirming. I will be giving this book to my daughter when she is older.

Hits the nail on the head

One of the most inspiring and enlightened books I've ever listened to. Precise and succinct in the description of rage and anger felt by so many in todays tumultuous political climate. The women's movement of today feeds off of and continues the fight from the suffrage movement at the turn of the 20th century to the revolution in the 60s and 70s. Progress is made and then slows. One step forward and two back, but the fight continues as women rise up and now run for and win political races. Inspired reading, highly recommended.

great book

one of the best researched books I've read and it added a depth to my understanding of feminism and the rage behind it that I'll remember for a long time.

Put into words EXACTLY what I was feeling

Such a well written book, providing the history and broad view that’s so necessary for women (and men) of all races to understand and appreciate the part we all play in where we are right now. This requires a re-read and then discussion with friends.

For ALL Women of Every Age

After viewing an interview with Journalist, Rebecca Traister, I was so impressed by her knowledge, poise and articulation of her research that the next day I ordered a copy from Audible. Traister has compiled a fascinating, informative, entertaining and meticulously documented description and history of the trials and triumphs of the Women's Movement beginning before the time of Women's Suffrage. But far from being a dry list of names, dates and events, Ms. Traister brings the events to life interjecting personal anecdotes about the various women leaders involved in furthering the rights of women. She details the evolution of the early years of the United States Constitution that declares, All men are created equal with justice and liberty for all...when, in fact, women were tacitly excluded from the freedoms afforded to men of that era. It is a testament to Ms. Traister's determination to complete this stunning work and publish it in such a short period of time that she was able to make it available while the #MeToo movement is going on, the controversial nomination of Brett Kavanaugh was happening, and the renewed demand for women's rights that again seem to be under siege during the Trump administration. What also made this book even more enjoyable for me was that she is the narrator reading her own words. It is an impassioned work that is inspiring, uplifting and singularly enlightening in a most palatable way. It is NOT a male-bashing tome, rather an insightful conversation about where the Women's Movement began, how it progressed, how it has empowered women of all ages and ethnicities, where we are in 2018 and how we can proceed from here. I give it my highest recommendation for all women and for any men who really care about and are interested in supporting equality for women.

Now more than ever

This is poignant look how women are the backbone of America ignore at your peril.

Empowering. Evocative. Affirming

This book must be read!! I’ve been mad since the ‘70’s as an out lesbian feminist but since 2016 I’ve been an angry woman-sick of the harassment and abuse I’ve both experienced and witnessed. I am a congenial, likeable person but I’ve often been accused of being “so angry”. Thank you, Rebecca Traister for not only affirming that anger but giving the historical and contemporary context in which to UNDERSTAND and USE it!! Highly recommended to every woman with a pulse.