- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre / Not Applicable; 1st edition (Jan 1 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0374240825
- ISBN-13: 978-0374240820
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14.9 x 2.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 445 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #635,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
This earnest roundup of anecdotes, interviews, statistics and remarks about hair and self-image among women in postwar America is engaging enough, but there's not much news here. Apart from a short historical survey at the beginning that includes a few suggestive facts, the only really informative part of this book is the chapter called "At the Salon" where we learn a good deal about the profession of hairdressing: who does it, what its economics are, how its distinctive caste system works. To be fair, information is not really Arizona State University sociologist Weitz's aim. Her main goal is to authorize a common feminine obsession with hair (her own included, of course) as a subject of serious discussion. It is also, worthily enough, to make the discussion more inclusive than other books like this often are. Weitz interviews many minority women, children, lesbians and older women, but her analysis of this rich material suffers from insufficient depth of cultural perspective. Weitz avers that hair is a uniquely powerful medium of self-presentation, but makes no attempt to distinguish between hair and dress, say, or between head and facial or body hair. Observing that the typical black hair salon functions not as a feminine preserve but as a community meeting place, she finds little large-scale significance in its public and private constructions of the activity of coiffing. Similarly, she alludes to different meanings attached to long hair, short hair or hairlessness mostly in terms of different individual experiences. The overall effect is diverting, well-intentioned light reading (including 16 pages of b&w photos) that doesn't quite fulfill the subtitle's promise.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Hair has provided the inspiration for everything from Bible lore to Broadway scores, from fairy tale fantasy to artistic imagery. Whether long or short, straight or curly, blonde or brunette, a woman's hair can be everything from her crowning glory to the bane of her existence. Indeed, the shape, style, and substance of a woman's coiffure communicates volumes to the world at-large and defines her own self-image as perhaps no other physical attribute can. Far from being a frivolous matter of purely personal hygiene, this heightened concern about her hair's appearance affects a woman's life on social, economic, and cultural levels, often determining professional success and personal acceptance. In a meticulous examination of the history, psychology, and sociology behind women's hairstyles, Weitz explores the various ways in which hair dominates a woman's existence, and the far-reaching ramifications of her choice of length, style, and color. Weitz's approach is both broadranging and specific, and she provides fresh insights into hair's public and private influences. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
Across cultures and down the centuries, women's hairstyles have varied wildly, from the ankle-length false braids worn in twelfth-century England to the chin-length "bobs" of 1920s flappers. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
Across cultures and down the centuries, women's hairstyles have varied wildly, from the ankle-length false braids worn in twelfth-century England to the chin-length "bobs" of 1920s flappers. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cultural history of women's hair,
By
This review is from: Rapunzel's Daughters: What Women's Hair Tells Us about Women's Lives (Hardcover)
A fascinating look at women and their relationship with their hair. Weitz conducted many interviews and personal research to provide the nine interesting and thought-provoking chapters. She begins with a short history of women's hair, touching briefly on some ancient, medieval and early modern sources and pictures. Most of the book focuses on modern women and the advances within the past one hundred years such as chemical treatments for straightening and relaxing the hair, as well as permanent waves and dyeing treatments. She devotes special portions of the book to African hair, and other ethnic/cultural hairstyles, and how hair makes up the identity of many women. Some particularly interesting styles she mentioned were the Mexican-American "chola" style, dreadlocks, and lesbian hair styles. Why do women dye their hair? How are women affected when they lose their hair (whether they have alopecia, chemotherapy, or a voluntary buzzcut?) What are women's relationships like with their stylist? You will find out some very interesting answers to these questions when you read the book!
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's so good it hurts,
By James "xsemajx" (Tempe, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rapunzel's Daughters: What Women's Hair Tells Us about Women's Lives (Hardcover)
Seriously people, buy this book.I've had to read many scholarly publications, and I've learnec to avoid them at all costs, lest my eyes start hemorraghing. This book is quite a different story. Everything it promises it delivers on. Dr. Weitz has done quality research, and doesn't stop there. She covers enough history of feminism and haircare to make the rest of the book intelligible, and well contexed. She then procedes on to provide insight into the multifacted culture which women's hair expresses. Not being a woman, many things about the female expirience are strange and incomprehensible to me, but in the depths of this book, volumes of information were gleaned. I think it is quite well written, easy to read, and in-depth enough to answer all the readers questions. It has reached that ever critical balance point where any more information would be superfluous, but any less would be annoying. I for one, want everyone to read it. It's not just about hair, it's a refreshing glimpse into modern woman's struggles and triumphs. In essence, it's about humanity as it stands today.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Let Down Your Hair,
By takingadayoff "takingadayoff" (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Rapunzel's Daughters: What Women's Hair Tells Us about Women's Lives (Hardcover)
Although Rapunzel's Daughter is apparently a book meant for university-level cultural studies, it is readable and entertaining enough for a general audience. Refreshingly free of academic jargon, it's filled with examples and insights into the meaning of women's hair at various times and in different cultures. Black and white photos illustrate.In an especially interesting profile, Weitz describes an American woman who fell in love with an Egyptian Muslim while studying in England. They married and returned to the United States, where she learned about Islam and eventually converted. Then she started covering her head, even though her husband was adamantly against it. She continues to cover her hair and wear the hijab robe against her husband's wishes, because she likes the way men treat her when she is covered. One suspects there is a lot more than hair involved in this vignette. Other interesting topics covered include hair loss and the culture of the beauty salon. Enthusiastically recommended.
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