Betty Friedan and the Making of the Feminine Mystique: The American Left, the Cold War, and Modern Feminism

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Focusing on Betty Friedan's early life and career, this biography reveals that her commitment to feminism was shaped by experiences beyond her portrayal as a discontented housewife. Daniel Horowitz utilizes extensive research, including Friedan's own papers, to explore her formative years in Peoria and her activism during college and as a writer for radical labor journals. By placing Friedan in a broader cultural context, the book challenges traditional views of "second wave" feminism and uncovers connections to its historical roots.