All the Single Ladies

Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation

De: Rebecca Traister, Rebecca Traister - introduction

Narrado por: Candace Thaxton

The New York Times bestselling investigation into the sexual, economic, and emotional lives of women is “an informative and thought-provoking book for anyone—not just the single ladies—who want to gain a greater understanding of this pivotal moment in the history of the United States” (The New York Times Book Review).

In 2009, award-winning journalist Rebecca Traister started All the Single Ladies about the twenty-first century phenomenon of the American single woman. It was the year the proportion of American women who were married dropped below fifty percent; and the median age of first marriages, which had remained between twenty and twenty-two years old for nearly a century (1890–1980), had risen dramatically to twenty-seven.

But over the course of her vast research and more than a hundred interviews with academics and social scientists and prominent single women, Traister discovered a startling truth: the phenomenon of the single woman in America is not a new one. And historically, when women were given options beyond early heterosexual marriage, the results were massive social change—temperance, abolition, secondary education, and more. Today, only twenty percent of Americans are married by age twenty-nine, compared to nearly sixty percent in 1960.

“An informative and thought-provoking book for anyone—not just single ladies” (The New York Times Book Review), All the Single Ladies is a remarkable portrait of contemporary American life and how we got here, through the lens of the unmarried American woman. Covering class, race, sexual orientation, and filled with vivid anecdotes from fascinating contemporary and historical figures, “we’re better off reading Rebecca Traister on women, politics, and America than pretty much anyone else” (The Boston Globe).

Reseñas de la Crítica

PRAISE FOR ALL THE SINGLE LADIES

“Entirely engaging …a singularly triumphant work of women presented in beautiful formation.”
-- The Los Angeles Times

"Traister brings a welcome balance of critique and personal reflection to a conversation that is often characterize more by moral policing than honest discussion . . . Perhaps one of the most important aspects of [her] narrative is her acknowledgement that the experiences of single women are far from identical . . . An informative and thought-provoking book for anyone--not just the single ladies--who want to gain a greater understanding of this pivotal moment in the history of the United States."
-- New York Times Book Review

“[Traister is] one of the nation’s smartest and most provocative feminist voices.”
-- The Boston Globe

“An invigorating study of single women in America with refreshing insight into the real life of the so-called spinster.”
-- Publishers Weekly

“Traister’s comprehensive volume, sure to be vigorously discussed, is truly impressive in scope and depth while always managing to be eminently readable and thoughtful.”
-- Booklist, starred review

“This fast-paced, fascinating book will draw in fans of feminism, social sciences, and U.S. history.”
-- Library Journal, starred review

"The enormous accomplishment of Traister's book is to show that the ranks of women electing for nontraditional lives...have also improved the lots of women who make traditional choices...This rich portrait of our most quietly explosive social force makes it clear that the ladies still have plenty of work to do."

-- Slate

"Part social and cultural history, part anthropological and journalistic investigation, part memoir, and total investigation into the phenomenon and political power of single womanhood."

-- Flavorwire

PRAISE FOR REBECCA TRAISTER

"Visionary."
-- The New York Times Book Review

"One of the most powerful voices in a new generation of American feminist writers."
-- Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs

"The most brilliant voice on feminism in this country."
-- Anne Lamott, author of Bird by Bird

"A clear-eyed, whip-smart observer of the political scene."
-- Daphne Merkin, author of The Fame Lunches

"Brilliant."
-- Maureen Corrigan, NPR's Fresh Air

"Clever, caustic, [and] wickedly funny."
-- Slate.com

"The heir to the tradition of Mary McCarthy and Joan Didion."
-- Eric Alterman, author of The Cause

"Provocative and insightful."
-- Curtis Sittenfeld, author of American Wife

At the top of my all-time favourites list

What made the experience of listening to All the Single Ladies the most enjoyable?

Traister writes charmingly and with a depth of knowledge on the various aspects of what it means to be single in both the U.S. and, to an extent, the larger world. In this one book, Traister cohesively brings together the inputs and outputs that make unmarried life desirable, challenging and (un)intentional, articulating how it all connects and the resulting implications.

If you could give All the Single Ladies a new subtitle, what would it be?

It already belongs to the subtitle it needs.

Any additional comments?

Beyond the remarkable execution, this book speaks to everything that is in me; it voices my hopes, fears, and the realities that inform the life that I've cultivated and have observed in the women that I most respect. Traister (and Candace Thaxton for her audio presentation of the material) has my deepest and hearty thanks.

Best book I’ve read so far this year!

I can’t stop talking about this book! I’ve been telling all my friends about it. It’s phenomenal! Go read it!

Information, Educational, and Without Apology

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The sheer detail and compelling nature of the stories and histories provided

What does Candace Thaxton and Rebecca Traister - introduction bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Inflection in terms of irony and empathic moments are enunciated well and performed clearly even when the source material runs long in the wording or phrasing.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A not-so-secret society of single women integral to the fabric of America, and how they are more than what they are told to be.

Any additional comments?

Fantastic, sometimes hard to hear, very informative and helpful to know and hear options for improving the future.

A must read for all the single ladies

I love this book so much that I’ve sent it to two other family members(under 30). I am a 33 y.o southern woman, but knew the nuptials in the south were not for me, neither did I want a man with the same southern mentality (gender roles). This book has completely changed my perspective on relationships and marriage. It’s reaffirmed my no-fucks-given personality about patriarchal society’s idea of a “healthy” marriage.

Buy the book, thank me later and have sister circles for discussion.

Put Your Hands Up

This book is phenomenal and Rebecca Traister is a TRUE feminist. Not only does she throughly and thoughtful catalog the history and lives of single women in America, she makes sure that this book could represent a majority of women, even in small ways. I recommend this book to every feminist (that means men too!)!!!

Repetitive.

Clearly written during the Obama administration. Feels like this bk is actually promoting single-hood. Over the top on feminism.

Life Changing

This book has completely rocked my world and I keep wishing it could be some form of required reading. After rapidly consuming it in a weekend I already feel extremely relieved about not finding long term partners when many of my friends have, validated in my suspicion towards extravagant weddings, thankful for being raised by surprisingly egalitarian parents (my mom being the main breadwinner), and passionate about working towards female equality in our society. I highly recommend it as a high school or college graduation present for women.

'Fantastic , well researched , inspirational.

I have already recommended this book to my daughter, my two nieces and several girlfriends , my therapist and last but not least my loving husband . Thank you Rebecca .

What a revelation

This book was a whirlwind of emotions for me as I really got to grips with feminism and marriage and what being single and CHOOSING it means. I cannot recommend it enough to women in their late teens and early twenties. What a freeing way to choose yourself and your career as men have for generations.

Worthwhile if you are a feminist

If you are a feminist and left leaning, you will like this book. If you aren't, I suggest a different text.