Product Description

Our culture believes that women are not naturally aggressive. And yet, every day evidence proves otherwise: women kill their children, their husbands, their lovers, and their lovers' mistresses. Women join their lovers in torture and killings, women are psychopaths, women are terrorists and violent criminals. In this highly provocative book, Patricia Pearson demonstrates over and over again that the idea (ideal?) of female innocence is pure myth. She argues that the two main culprits of the tendency to overlook extreme behaviour in women are feminists who have claimed victimhood for women and male society which finds it impossible to see women as powerful. Weaving the stories of violent women - from Myra Hindley and Rose West, from a mother who smothered eight of her children, from nurses who murdered their infant charges, to husband beaters - with the findings of criminologists, anthropologists and psychiatrists, Patricia Pearson makes a compelling case for redefining the debate about female violence and power.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #656361 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Review
'Effectively cremates the myth of innate female innocence by parading a female chain gang of gals gone wrong ... compelling' VANITY FAIR 'Gripping, controversial material' KIRKUS REVIEWS 'She is a fine writer who knows how to combine graceful narrative with provocative zingers. I found much to agree with - and much to disagree with, but my tilt was definitely in her favour' Susan Brownmiller 'This book breaks into taboo ares.' SCOTSMAN 'Punchily written...fascinating reading.' THE TIMES 'Deserves serious attention.' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY

KIRKUS
'Gripping, controversial material'

SUSAN BROWNMILLER
'She is a fine writer who knows how to combine graceful narrative with provocative zingers.'

Customer Reviews

Informative, entertaining and an alternative look at females
As a University student, bored with text books and dribble about this theory and that, this book made a refreshing change. Though the focus of the book is in the US, it provides excellent case studies of a variety of crimes commited by female criminals, famous and not so famous. Pearson looks at what, where, when, why and how, which makes this book interesting and comprehendable. This book is not just for students, or those interested in crime or feminist thought, I really feel it will be of interest to everyone!

SHORT, SHARP & SNAPPY.
Short, sharp and snappy. This punchily written fascinating read holds you firmly by the hand as this clever lady leads you through her powerful realisations, each backed up with thoroughly researched observations and beliefs. Elizabeth Wurtzel 'Bitch' fans will be in for a treat. However, a brisk and breezy read it is not. I found that a few months rest in between chapters made for a much more pleasant ride. Packed with the message that women are not always what they seem Pearson demonstrates that the idea of female innocence is pure myth.

excellent...
recommended by venus : the dark side authors,learn about how modern women refuse to accept accountability for their own actions and hide behind "vocabulary of motives" - victimizers who turn to victims of society when found out to be sociapths(emotional abuse) or pschopaths(emotional and violent)...excellent book!!!!