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.