Global Obscenities: Patriarchy, Capitalism, and the Lure of Cyberfantasy

A noted feminist and professor of politics at Ithaca College, Eisenstein (The Female Body and the Law) here combines concern for Third World women and girls with political statistics designed to jar First World readers out of what she sees as deplorable apathy. Striving to investigate global capitalism, patriarchy, new media and feminism's place in a technologically focused society, Eisenstein also explores sex scandals, Princess Diana memorabilia, Marxism, dysfunctional families, state parks, Chernobyl and cyber-anonymity. Her insight and carefully directed rage surrounding topics such as sweatshops and telecommunications law is obscured by diatribes about Gennifer Flowers and Pizza Hut. After these lengthy harangues, she switches from accuser to hopeful dreamer, outlining possibilities for worldwide gender and economic equality and cyber equity, citing advances such as the rise of the ""grrrl movement"" and electronic spaces for women such as FemiNet Korea. Although her passion is admirable and her research impeccable, Eisenstein's ambitious, all-inclusive method and penchant for rant tend to drown the messages she is trying to convey, and prevent deep analysis. She proves adept at delineating the political and economic issues surrounding cyberspace, but will have a tough time here with the unconverted. (Nov.)