Book Review

by Sheila (30-B-2) FPE

WOMEN and Sometimes MEN, by Florida Scott-Maxwell, 143pp, Popular Library, New York, 1963. Paperback, K-50, 40¢. Originally Alfred A. Knopf, 1957, hardback @ $3.50.

This book falls into a class with ASCENT OF WOMAN (Tvia #26) and FEMININE MYSTIQUE (to be reviewed) in that all of them are studies by very modern and in- telligent women of themselves, women in general, and the masculine forces within them. Here credit is given to C. G. Jung, whose theoretical concepts are basic to all three. Mrs. Scott- Maxwell does not hesitate in telling the girls to recognize, utilize and ENJOY the man within them; one cannot help feeling that she would approve of our reciprocal efforts to accept the girl with- in us. Her Chapter V, "The Man in Our Nature", could be made into an excellent imitation of a TVia editorial merely by reversing the She and He.

A few quotes are in order: "it is most uncomfortable to be a paradox", "we cannot fail to notice...the man sunk gracefully into his feminine side" (p 18); "We must have the courage to say to (our masculine side); 'You and I are two, not one, but I ask to know you for I need you'. (p 56) (p 56) "If man does not turn and form a whole with the feminine side of his own nature he is lost in very truth, cut off from his own enriching sources." (p 65) "Both boys and girls need great help in differen- tiating their secondary sex characteristics...it has been done to excess. All that was feminine was thought to be bad for the boy...and the distortion...began in earn- est. (p 108) Frankly, it is not ALL that good, there are dull (to me) chapters, and a little more clarity of language would be welcome in many places, However, with a little patience any TV will find this a gold-mine of understanding of him/herself, and also of the wife who may be trying to help. The wives who are NOT trying if they can be induced to read it, may find themselves shaken right down to their hob-nailed soles!!!!!

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30-B-2 SHEILA,

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FPE