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Simone de Beauvoir
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The Second Sex Paperback – 3 October 1997

by Simone de Beauvoir (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 1,881 ratings
Of all the writing that emerged from the existentialist movement, Simone de Beauvoir's groundbreaking study of women will probably have the most extensive and enduring impact. It is at once a work of anthropology and sociology, of biology and psychoanalysis, from the pen of a writer and novelist of pennetrating imaginative power.THE SECOND SEX stands, five decades after its first appearance, as the first landmark in the modern feminist upsurge that has transformed perceptions of the social relationship of man and womankind in our time
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  1. Print length
    880 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    VINTAGE ARROW - MASS MARKET
  4. Publication date
    3 October 1997
  5. Dimensions
    12.9 x 4.4 x 19.8 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    9780099744214
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0099744214
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  1. For all those suffering from an inferiority complex, this is a miraculous liniment; no one is more arrogant toward women, more aggressive or more disdainful, than a man anxious about his own virility.
    Highlighted by 1,174 Kindle readers
  2. No group ever defines itself as One without immediately setting up the Other opposite itself.
    Highlighted by 1,130 Kindle readers
  3. Nature does not define woman: it is she who defines herself by reclaiming nature for herself in her affectivity.
    Highlighted by 731 Kindle readers
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Review

"A masterpiece" ― Vogue

"Discovering The Second Sex was like an explosion in my skull, shattering illusions bred in a conventional fifties childhood...Re-reading the book now I realise how much of it is still entirely relevant, and that (despite advances) women are as much in need of liberation as ever" -- Bel Mooney

"De Beauvoir was not just a genius as a theorist. She dared to live it. Challenging conventional marriage and sexual practice, she used her own experience to explore the emotional costs of jealousy, attachment, monogamy, bohemianism, sexuality, of love" -- Susie Orbach

"A fine piece of work, a lucid translation" ― Independent

"A fresh, much expanded, more intelligible book which repays re-reading by adherents of the old version, and cries out for attention from young women who have not been exposed to this most powerful of feminist thinkers" ― Irish Times

About the Author

Simone de Beauvoir was born in Paris in 1908. In 1929 she became the youngest person ever to obtain the agrégation in philosophy at the Sorbonne, placing second to Jean-Paul Sartre. She taught at the lycées at Marseille and Rouen from 1931–1937, and in Paris from 1938–1943. After the war, she emerged as one of the leaders of the existentialist movement, working with Sartre on Les Temps Mordernes. The author of several books including The Mandarins (1957) which was awarded the Prix Goncourt, de Beauvoir was one of the most influential thinkers of her generation. She died in 1986. Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany-Chevallier have lived in Paris for over forty years and are both graduates of Rutgers University, New Jersey. Borde was on the faculty of the Institut d'Etudes Politiques and has been chair and vice-chair of American Democrats Abroad. Malovany-Chevallier was a full- time faculty member at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques and continues to teach American literature. They have been translating books and articles on social science, art and feminist literature for twenty-five years and have jointly authored numerous books in French on subjects ranging from grammar to politics to American cooking.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 009974421X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ VINTAGE ARROW - MASS MARKET
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 3 October 1997
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 880 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780099744214
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0099744214
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 630 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.9 x 4.4 x 19.8 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 1,881 ratings

About the author

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Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir

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Simone Lucie Ernestine Marie Bertrand de Beauvoir (/boʊvˈwɑːr/; French: [simɔn də bovwaʁ]; 9 January 1908 – 14 April 1986) was a French writer, intellectual, existentialist philosopher, political activist, feminist and social theorist. Though she did not consider herself a philosopher, she had a significant influence on both feminist existentialism and feminist theory.

De Beauvoir wrote novels, essays, biographies, autobiography and monographs on philosophy, politics and social issues. She is known for her 1949 treatise The Second Sex, a detailed analysis of women's oppression and a foundational tract of contemporary feminism; and for her novels, including She Came to Stay and The Mandarins. She is also known for her open relationship with French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by unknown. uploader Claudio Elias [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

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4.6 out of 5 stars
1,881 global ratings

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Top reviews from Australia

  • Deirdre E Siegel
    5.0 out of 5 stars A book for all seasons
    Reviewed in Australia on 15 February 2023
    Is it not nice to know that generally nothing has changed since this book was published in 1949,
    to me via an equal opportunity upbringing… the second sex is a state of mind.
    As long as population growth is controlled by women with access to God’s pharmacy and or legal abortion,
    man is an appendage, be it a millstone, handbag or coat of armour, choose wisely.
    Thoroughly enjoyable listen, thank you Simone de Beauvoir, much appreciated. :-)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Stepho
    5.0 out of 5 stars Still Relevant
    Reviewed in Australia on 23 August 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I read this at school and always meant to get another copy, and I'm glad I did. This book is a masterpiece and is still relevant today. I think it should be a mandatory read for all women!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Cliente de Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Llego nuy rápido y en buen estado
    Reviewed in Mexico on 31 August 2023
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Excelente libro
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  • Mami
    5.0 out of 5 stars Increíble
    Reviewed in Spain on 25 September 2023
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Pedazo de libro. Encantada.
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  • Aliesha
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books
    Reviewed in India on 16 October 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I wish more people would read this. Not just women, but men too. Everyone should. This book really showcases and expands on what a woman's life is like not just by herself, but in relation to man as well. It's perfect.
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  • Paulina Marín Cruz
    5.0 out of 5 stars a must read!
    Reviewed in the United States on 4 June 2025
    Verified Purchase
    One of my favorite feminist philosophers who happens to also be bisexual and polyamorous! Of course this book is so good!
    A must read for feminist people and especially non-feminist people
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  • PIAGET5
    5.0 out of 5 stars Females viewpoints with the another universalism
    Reviewed in Japan on 6 December 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Through English translation,I attemt to decode the logic of the universal maternity in terms of the mercy. French author's original is being learnt for my Francaise and the proffessional sense.
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