Twelve Feminist Lessons of War - Paperback

by Cynthia Enloe (Author)

Renowned scholar-activist Cynthia Enloe lays out the lessons that women activists have drawn from their immediate experiences of war.

Twelve Feminist Lessons of War draws on firsthand experiences of war from women in places as diverse as Ukraine, Myanmar, Somalia, Vietnam, Rwanda, Algeria, Syria, and Northern Ireland to show how women's wars are not men's wars. With her engaging trademark style, Cynthia Enloe demonstrates how patriarchy and militarism have embedded themselves in our institutions and our personal lives.

Enloe reveals how the social and political influences that shape war--from military recruitment and economic collapse to sexual assault and reproductive rights (and their denial)--are deeply gendered and pervade women's lives before, during, and in the aftermath of war. Her razor-sharp analysis, at once accessible and provocative, highlights how women's emotional and physical labor is used to support government policies and how women's rights activists--against all odds--remain committed in the midst of armed violence. Twelve Feminist Lessons of War is the gritty and grounded book we need to understand what is happening to our world.

Back Jacket

"Once again Cynthia Enloe makes plain as day what should be, but isn't, obvious to anyone who cares about war and conflict, namely that without a feminist lens we can never break out of the vicious cycles of violence that have held our culture in thrall for millennia. I am so grateful for Cynthia Enloe's clarity of vision and moral compass. We are all so much richer for her long and storied work."--Abigail E. Disney, filmmaker, activist, and philanthropist

"Cynthia Enloe provides an unflinching feminist critique of the devastating consequences of war across time and space. She gives voice and visibility to lesser-known feminist activists and scholars, particularly in Ukraine. Twelve Feminist Lessons of War, like Enloe's other pathbreaking scholarship, sets the standard for addressing pressing political issues with compassion, integrity, and generosity."--Amrita Basu, Paino Professor of Political Science and Sexuality, Women's, and Gender Studies, Amherst College

"There is no one comparable to Cynthia Enloe when it comes to writing from the heart as she delves into the everyday survival of women affected by war. And no one covers this subject in the inimitable way that she does, documenting victimization that women experience while also making space for enduring forms of resistance."--Marsha Henry, Associate Professor, Department of Gender Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science

"Original, thought-provoking, and appealing to scholars of international relations and gender alike--as well as to a general audience both inside and outside the academy."--J. Ann Tickner, Distinguished Scholar in Residence, American University

"If you had to choose one book from Cynthia Enloe's vast collection, read Twelve Feminist Lessons of War. It's comprehensive, probing, and hard-hitting with the finest feminist analysis, and written in a thoughtful and accessible way to guide the reader at every stage of their understanding of militarism and war. As someone who is deeply embedded in feminist peacebuilding work, Enloe's twelve lessons are worth reading and rereading."--Christine Ahn, Founder and Executive Director, Women Cross DMZ

"With incredible historical breadth and depth of analysis, Cynthia Enloe takes us on a worldwide exploration of the gendered dynamics of militarization and the gendered causes and consequences of war. From Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Nicaragua to Fiji, Israel, and Turkey, Enloe draws from decades of research, her constant feminist curiosity, and powerful clarity and engaging writing to investigate issues from the wielding of masculinities to ensure boys and men keep joining the military, to asking searing feminist questions about the causes and consequences of sexual violence during conflict. As this inspirational book powerfully argues, staying curious about women's (and men's) lives means we are more realistic about war and the causes of war. And as Enloe concludes, feminist lessons are for everyone and 'kindling to fuel a fire of thinking.'"--Daniel Conway, Reader in Politics and International Relations, University of Westminster

"In her usual straightforward, thoughtful, and passionate way, Enloe has reminded us about the importance of feminism to the study of war, violence, and peacebuilding in today's complex world. The twelve lessons she articulates concisely and clearly build on conversations, curiosities, and incisive analyses of war in different registers with different histories and inter/multi-disciplinary engagements. The thirteenth feminist lesson that she suggests accepts that new imaginings, speaking, and listening is tiring and needs stamina, but can continue with building feminist solidarities. This is a book for those who are concerned about the consequences of war and peace."--Shirin M. Rai, Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Politics and International Studies, SOAS, University of London

"Cynthia Enloe is a force to be reckoned with and utterly tireless. She repeatedly questions what things society pays attention to and what we consider insignificant. She is an inspiration."--Laura Bates

"War is the ultimate human failure. Twelve Feminist Lessons of War is about preventing war, shortening war, and understanding how women experience war differently. This is a book about holding accountable those who rape, exploit, and abuse women in wartime. It's about the pain of losing lovers, family, and home. Cynthia Enloe is one of the most inspiring and brilliant feminist thinkers of our time. Her penetrating insights, humanity, and wisdom make this book an essential tutorial for now--and before we reduce the world to rubble."--Baroness Helena Kennedy of the Shaws KC, Member of the Legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine

"No one has studied the subject of women and war with as much originality and scrupulous attention to detail as Cynthia Enloe. Enloe focuses relentlessly on women's lived experiences of some of the bloodiest conflicts of our time, including Russian's recent invasion of Ukraine. Read this book and you will never think of war in the same way again."--Melissa Benn, writer and campaigner

"By methodically deconstructing the dominant narratives on war and urging us not to forget what will come after, Cynthia Enloe draws out a powerful feminist framing of war that's much needed at this time of history."--Ruri Ito, Professor Emerita, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo

"This book is a testimony of Cynthia's extraordinary ability to lovingly, carefully, and insightfully document some of the most difficult lessons feminists have learnt during countless struggles for peace, equality, and justice. She documents not to judge any of the choices made but to bring to light the importance of our collective body of feminist knowledge and experience so that, as we move forward, we know where we came from."--Nela Porobic, feminist and peace activist, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom

"In difficult times we need to be reminded of how resilient, brave, creative, and determined we are as feminists. Cynthia gives us hope that while there will be more lessons, and if we believe strongly enough, the last lesson will be short and titled: 'We did it!'."--Madeleine Rees OBE, Secretary General of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
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"This is a book that is urgent and necessary for any and all of us concerned about the state of the world and the deep-rooted reasons that have led us here."--Sunny Singh, author

Author Biography

Cynthia Enloe is Research Professor at Clark University and author of fifteen books, including Bananas, Beaches and Bases: Making Feminist Sense of International Politics. In 2018, Enloe's name was installed on the Gender Justice Legacy Wall at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.