Beacon Book of Essays

This excellent compilation features essays by women writers of varying ethnic backgrounds, age, class, sexual orientation and religion. With the exception of Mary McCarthy's 1951 piece about the significance of names, the contributions were written over the last 30 years and provide an overview of the cultural impact of the women's liberation movement. Poet Adrienne Rich examines her separate identities as a Jew, a woman and a lesbian, and author Alice Walker credits feminist ideology with freeing her to understand the sexist behavior of her father and brothers. Several essays deal with reproductive issues, including fertility (Carolyn Coma), abortion (Mary Gordon) and the struggle to conceive (anthropologist Margaret Meade). Insight and humor characterize Susan Faludi's article on her fear of public speaking, and pioneer feminist Betty Friedan shares her thoughts on becoming a grandmother. An engrossing and lively collection. (Feb.)