The Feminine Mystique

By: Betty Friedan

Narrated by: Parker Posey

Length: 15 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

First published in 1963, The Feminine Mystique ignited a revolution that profoundly changed our culture, our consciousness, and our lives. Today it newly penetrates to the heart of issues determining our lives - and sounds a call to arms against the very real dangers of a new feminine mystique. The underlying issues raised by Betty Friedan strike at the core of the problems women still face at home and in the marketplace. As women continue to struggle for equality, to keep their hard-won gains, to find fulfillment in their careers, marriages, and families, The Feminine Mystique remains the seminal consciousness-raising work of our times.

As an added bonus, when you purchase our Audible Modern Vanguard production of Betty Friedan's book, you'll also receive an exclusive Jim Atlas interview. This interview – where James Atlas interviews Naomi Wolf about the life and work of Betty Friedan – begins as soon as the audiobook ends.

This production is part of our Audible Modern Vanguard line, a collection of important works from groundbreaking authors.

©2001 Betty Friedan (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[ The Feminine Mystique] now feels both revolutionary and utterly contemporary....Four decades later, millions of individual transformations later, there is still so much to learn from this book....Those who think of it as solely a feminist manifesto ought to revisit its pages to get a sense of the magnitude of the research and reporting Friedan undertook." (Anna Quindlen)

"If you want to understand what has happened to American women over the last half-century, their extraordinary journey from Doris Day to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and beyond, you have to start with this book." ( The New York Times Magazine)

"One of those rare books we are endowed with only once in several decades." (Amitai Etzioni)

Wow, Betty Friedan was such a visionary

I’m left speechless after reading Friedan’s words and message and know that eventually, all that’s swirling in my head will find it’s way into my art. Of course, that’s after I figure out how, why, when and where it has touched my life. After all, that’s what great literature and art are all about. A thought provoking valuable must read!

Good story

….. but best left for the first few chapters. The reader drones on and on .. almost a Whitney voice. I endured 6 chapters then quit.

interesting book, horrible narrator

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

yes, it is a modern classic and I can now see why

How did the narrator detract from the book?

was extremely monotone; used no inflection and had inappropriate pauses

Just download it already!

This book is one of the best books I have ever read/listened to. You don't have to be born in the 50s or even be a woman to appreciate this text. It's timeless and eye opening and I am recommending all the people (not just women) in my life read it.

Important Book

The book is interesting, well-researched and is one of the basis of feminist thought. Everyone interested in the matter should read it. It is easy to follow and understand, although it is somewhat repetitive at times, and definitely very long. Some things are not current anymore, but the reader should know it was written in 1963. The performance is flat and definitely doesn't add anything to the book. I have never heard the words feminine fulfillment this many times in my life.

Not the eye-roller I thought it'd be!

I wasn't looking forward to listening to this book. I knew it was controversial, and I expected raging hatred and outrageousness to spew forth. Not so. Not so at all. I actually agreed with Friedan's perspective, and cheered her on throughout the book. I'm glad I gave this one a chance!

cross it off your list

awesome for study and appreciation purposes. a bit dull and repetitive...and limited in it's scope of the female experience cross culturally and economically

Just remarkable book

Stay at home dad for 13 years!
This book made me understand my own personal experiences,as well as imagine what women have gone through!

Very interesting

This was a very interesting and important book to read. However, I wish it hadn’t been narrated by Parker Posey. I had to force myself to continue listening, even though I couldn’t stand listening to the narrator.

Seems rough to be a woman

Very insightful would like to see how it compares to things today with modern research.