Virginity or Death!

April 17, 2006
This second collection of Pollitt's columns in the Nation
offers more lively and penetrating discussion of political, social and cultural trends from one of the country's finest left commentators and feminist stalwarts. Picking up in early 2001 where her previous collection (Subject to Debate
) left off, the 84 taut essays—invariably witty, astute and relentlessly logical—together chart the progress of right-wing policies under the Bush administration before and after the flash point of 9/11, while engaging such urgent and related issues as the attack on abortion rights, the health-care crisis, the rise of the Christian Right, expanding war and militarism, gay marriage and the perpetual "demise" of feminism in the mass media. Selections include perhaps her most infamous essay, "Put Out No Flags" (Oct. 8, 2001)—an account of an argument with her teenage daughter over displaying the U.S. flag at home after 9/11—but there are also dozens of incisive, frequently hilarious gems here. While no conservative interested in public debate should ignore so formidable an opponent, this book will appeal mostly to progressive readers (fans of Barbara Ehrenreich or Molly Ivins are only the most obvious match).

May 15, 2006
This volume is a collection of 84 of Pollitt's columns from the "Nation" over the past five years. Keen, insightful, and sarcastic, Pollitt takes on the hot issues of recent years, from childcare availability and the proposed privatization of Social Security to abortion and Howard Dean's campaign. Reading these essays after they were first published offers readers a chance to revisit critical events. Pollitt's post-9/11 essay condemning knee-jerk reactions seems almost prescient in light of the current situations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Conservatives will find much to dislike, especially a piece on abortion that seems to ignore completely the life of the fetus. On the other hand, liberals will feel vindicated in their dislike of the Bush administration and its policies, particularly those that deal with the Iraq war, religion, or science. These essays are certainly not objective or unbiased, as Pollitt's writings lean decidedly to the Left, but this collection deserves a place in any balanced political commentary section. Recommended for most public libraries and some high school and undergraduate institutions where students have a strong interest in political debate." -Erica L. Foley, Flint P.L., MI"

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2006
Noting that the editorial staff likes to observe that while George Bush "has been a disaster for the nation" he has been great for the " Nation," columnist Pollitt offers a collection of the many ways the administration has provoked her wry observations. Arranged in chronological order, this collection provides an acerbic look at a wide range of social and political issues from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to Catholic priests sexually abusing children. Pollitt asks why women seeking abortions must be subject to a litany of possible--and unsubstantiated--health risks but are never advised of the greater risks of continuing a pregnancy, as conservatives cover their antiabortion positions under the guise of protecting women's health. She critiques the myriad other ways that women's rights have come under attack, from bogus research on the harmful effects of day care on children to popular books purporting to show that career women are unhappy. Her column cautioning Americans against the impulse to engage in flag-waving jingoism after 9/11 is also included in this thought-provoking collection.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)