Good and Mad

The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger

By: Rebecca Traister

Narrated by: Rebecca Traister

*Updated with a new introduction*

Journalist Rebecca Traister’s New York Times bestselling exploration of the transformative power of female anger and its ability to transcend into a political movement is “a hopeful, maddening compendium of righteous feminine anger, and the good it can do when wielded efficiently—and collectively” (Vanity Fair).

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 its crucial role in 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.

“Urgent, enlightened…realistic and compelling…Traister eloquently highlights the challenge of blaming not just forces and systems, but individuals” (The Washington Post). In Good and Mad, Traister tracks the history of female anger as political fuel—from suffragettes marching on the White House to office workers vacating their buildings after Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court. Traister explores women’s anger at both men and other women; anger between ideological allies and foes; the varied ways anger is received based on who’s expressing it; and the way women’s collective fury has become transformative political fuel. She deconstructs society’s (and the media’s) condemnation of female emotion (especially rage) and the impact of their resulting repercussions.

Highlighting a double standard perpetuated against women by all sexes, and its disastrous, stultifying effect, Good and Mad is “perfectly timed and inspiring” (People, Book of the Week). This “admirably rousing narrative” (The Atlantic) offers a glimpse into the galvanizing force of women’s collective anger, which, when harnessed, can change history.

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.

The perfect book for October 2018.

I've been listening to Good and Mad all day ... it's like having my best friend speaking into my ears, full of wisdom and savvy and, yes, rage. This is the book we need, now and for the foreseeable future. I already plan to give copies to everyone I can think of. It's somehow both soothing and energizing, both infuriating and deeply comforting. Things are put into context and thus it becomes possible to confront them.

(As it happens, my real best friend died of multiple myeloma in the summer of 2016. She didn't live to see Trump elected, or Sally Yates fired, or Elizabeth Warren told on the senate floor to shut up. She missed the whole MeToo movement. She didn't witness Parkland or the March for Our Lives. She didn't see Bill Cosby get convicted of rape. She never knew what it's like to wake up every day and be disgusted at the spectacle we face, or afraid that it may get worse. She probably never heard of Brett Kavanaugh, but I know she'd have liked Christine Blasey Ford. She was a lifelong ball of fury when it came to issues of justice and equality, and until I started listening to Rebecca Traister read this book, I didn't even know how much I still miss her.

I'm sharing all that to let you know that it feels like Good and Mad might be one of those books that's more than a book ... it might be the catalyst that launches an unstoppable reaction. Get it. Read it. Listen to it. Share it!)