The Cult of Thinness

by Sharlene Hesse-Biber

Book Overview

Whether they are rich or poor, liberal or conservative, religious or atheist, thriving or stagnant, most American women have one thing in common--they want to be thin--or thinner. And they are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to get that way, even to the point of starving themselves. Why are America's women so preoccupied with weight? Is there more to this preoccupation than weight alone? What has caused record numbers of young women--even before...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195178785
• ISBN13: 9780195178784
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.7" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Excellent for beginners, not so useful for researchers

"Am I thin Enough Yet?" is a very well-written book, and I strongly recommend it to women (and men!) living in the Western World, where thinness is what defines a woman's self-worth. The author's interviews with college women are fascinating and useful in terms of showing how common subclinical levels of eating disorders are in this particular population. But if you are a therapist/scholar (e.g., eating disorders is my primary research area), or have read books on sociocultural aspects of eating disorders, this book will not add much to your knowledge.

wonderfully informative

Dr. Hesse-Biber was my professor for a course I took, and we read this book for the class. I found the book to be personal, yet objective, and very informative. Hesse-Biber clearly outlines the causes of the 'cult of thinness' and does so in an organized manner. I recommend this book to ANY woman/mother/sister/daughter, etc....I also highly recommend MEN to read this book, and for everyone to be aware that the cult of thinness is not just a woman's issue.

Just the tool for my first step in healing!

I found that "Am I Thin Enough" was just the thing i needed to bring my disorder out into the open. I read passages out of this book and thought, "Oh my gosh! That's what i am feeling!" I knew that others felt like this, but i had never seen it on paper. This book has helped me understand my problem and now i am seeking help. I know I can't do it on my own, but with God's help I plan to overcome my battle. I know you can too!!! Goodluck!

Praise for Sharlene Hesse-Biber

Hesse-Biber's book does an amazing job outlining the issues surrounding our cultures destructive preoccupation with women and weight. The combination of pre-existing literature and empirical research emphasizes how and why so many become a part of the cult of thiness. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in opening their eyes to the reality and attempt to break free from the cult.

Honest book on the creation of preoccupation with thinness

One of the few books I have read on the preoccupation with thinness in our society which admits thinness is encouraged and being overweight is stigmatized. If you are interested in the obsession with weight and beauty you will most likely enjoy this book