List of Size-Acceptance Books:
Most of these books are from a former website called Frequently Asked Questions and Publications for Big Folks, along with their commentary; others were collected by N. Feldman. You can find the more recent books at good bookstores, at Amazon.com or, for used or out-of-print books, from independent booksellers, an excellent resource being Bookfinder.com. [If you access Amazon.com through the website Overeating.com, they get a small kickback which they pass on to the women's campaign to end body hatred and dieting.]
Information on Belgrave House's trade paperback and ebook of An Abundant Woman is below.
Atrens, Dr. Dale M. *Don't Diet*. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1988. A very clear, detailed (but, oddly, un-footnoted) scientific study of post-dieting findings about why people are obese, what obesity does (and doesn't) mean to our health, and what can and can't be done about it all. Also some sound comments about societal aesthetics and attitudes about fat, including an interesting critique of Susie Orbach's *Fat is a Feminist Issue*. Recommended. [blb]
Beller, Anne Scott. *Fat & Thin: A Natural History of Obesity*. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1977. The best summary of older studies that pointed all along to causes of obesity other than simple overeating. Some of the studies have since been refuted, others may not seem totally relevant--but all of it is worth knowing about, and the cumulative effect is strong. Sensible arguments and detailed reference to specific medical studies. Excellent bibliography. [blb]
Bennett, William and Joel Gurin. *The Dieter's Dilemma: Eating Less and Weighing More*. New York: Basic Books, 1982. The first book about anti-dieting findings concerning set-point and other metabolic considerations. A source of accurate scientific information about what does and does not define one's appropriate weight, it is clearly written and fully explanatory. Highly recommended. Part of this book was reprinted as "Do Diets Really Work?" by Bennett and Gurin, *Science 82*, March 1982, 42-50. [BLB]
Berg, Frances. *Afraid to Eat: Children and Teens in Weight Crisis*. Healthy Weight Journal, 1997. ISBN 0-918532-55-5. $24.95 (includes postage and handling) to Healthy Weight Journal, 402 South 14th Street, Hettinger, ND 58639. Fax: (701) 567-2602. E-mail: FMBerg@aol.com. "Berg summarizes the current weight and eating crisis in a model that demonstrates how parents and others work at cross-purposes, giving out conflicting messages and allowing the negative aspects of culture to exert a more powerful influence on our children....The second half of her book is devoted to how we can rectify this situation." -- Joanne P. Ikeda. Recommended.
Berg, Frances. *Health Risks of Weight Loss* Email: FMBerg@aol.com
Bordo, Susan. *Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture & the Body*. University of California Press, 1993. Heavily theory-oriented feminist analysis.
Bovey, Shelly. *The Forbidden Body: Why Being Fat is not a Sin*. Pandora Press, 0-04-440871-4, $12.00.
Brown, Laura S. and Esther D. Rothblum, Ed. *Overcoming Fear of Fat: Fat Oppression in Psychotherapy*. Harrington Park Press, 0-918-393-71-X, $14.95. Articles by feminist therapists.
Brownmiller, Susan. *Femininity*. New York: Fawcett Columbine, 1984. About societal expectations and the symbolism in/behind actions and appearance that are considered to be stereotypically "feminine," with some parallel material about masculinity. Especially good material about size and shape in the first chapter, but all the material is thought-provoking and often useful in understanding the impact of gender on how we feel about our bodies. [blb]
Brumberg, Joan Jacobs. *Fasting Girls: The History of Anorexia Nervosa*. New York: New American Library, 1989. A detailed and copiously documented, yet very readable book, covering the history of this phenomenon from the 1300s to the present. Brumberg shows that our views of the body and of fasting are shaped by a number of cultural factors, from religion to economics; some connections are made between the pathological fasting of any era and its "normal" view of the body. Interesting reading for everyone. Documentation in endnotes. [blb]
Bruno, Barbara Altman, Ph.D. *Worth Your Weight*. Rutledge Books, 1-800-278-8533 (1-800 2 RUTLEDGE).
Cannon, Geoffrey and Hetty Einzig. *Dieting Makes You Fat*. New York: Pocket Books, 1987. Argues against calorie-reduction dieting and in favor of a whole-foods diet, high in fiber and without refined white flour or (especially) sugar; also proposes that exercise may decrease weight and certainly will increase health and energy. Good discussion of social attitudes about weight, fat- directed hatred and self-hatred, including praise of strength and freedom in women. Definitely has its own dietary axe to grind, but presents much valuable information. Some in-text documentation. [blb]
Carlson, Nancy. *I Like Me*. Puffin Books, 0-14-050819-8, $3.99. Children's book. A little pig talks about how much she likes herself (including her curly tail, her round tummy, and her little feet). [skw]
Chapkis, Wendy. *Beauty Secrets: Women and the Politics of Appearance*. 1986, South End Press, 0-89608-280-2, $12.00. Addresses looksism in general.
Chernin, Kim. *The Obsession: Reflections on the Tyranny of Slenderness*. New York: Harper and Row, 1981, 0-06-092505-1, $12.00. A ground-breaking feminist study of the demands which society makes on women to be thin, and the ways in which this is both cause and effect of woman's alienation and disempowerment; an examination of what eating and appetite mean in our society, using and critiquing a number of texts. Footnote documentation. Highly recommended. [blb]
Chernin, Kim. *The Hungry Self: Women, Eating, and Identity* New York: Times Books, 1985, 0-06-092504-3, $12.00. A feminist, psycho-sociological study of eating disorders, especially in the context of expectations of and for women today. Interesting discussion of eating and the mother-daughter relationship. Some footnote documentation. [blb]
Charlotte Cooper. *Fat and Proud: The Politics of Size* (The Women's Press, 1998). ISBN 0 7043 4473 4. http://www.the-womens-press.com/cat2/nonfic.htm#fat
Edell, Dean, M.D. *Eat, Drink and Be Merry* http://www.healthcentral.com
Ehrenreich, Barbara and Dierdre English. *For Her Own Good: 150 Years of the Experts' Advice to Women*. (New York: Anchor Books, 1978). A classic feminist analysis. Not about fat per se, but about general attitudes toward women and women's bodies.
Emme, et al. *Positive Attitudes and Practical Tips from the World's Leading Plus-Size Model*
Epstein, Diane and Kathleen Thompson. *Feeding on Dreams: Why America's Diet Industry Doesn't Work--And What Will Work for You*. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co, 1994. Noteworthy both for a highly detailed critique of American commercial diet programs and for a stunningly middle-of-the-road discussion (unusual in such a polarized field) of healthily and happily lowering setpoint and living better, without all the "dieting" effects including self-hatred and obsession with food. Good discussion of self-acceptance, learning true hunger needs, and enjoying movement. Highly recommended. [blb]
Erdman, Cheri, Ed.D. *Live Large!* ISBN 0-06-251345-1. Affirmations and activities for size esteem.
Erdman, Cheri, Ed.D. *Nothing To Lose: A Guide to Sane Living in a Larger Body*. Harper San Francisco, 0-06-251253-6, $18.00. Erdman is a professor and counselor at the College of DuPage in Illinois. *Nothing to Lose* describes practical ways to move toward a healthier, happier life as a fat person.
Ernsberger, Paul and Paul Haskew. *Rethinking Obesity: An Alternative View of its Health Implications*. Monograph issue of *The Journal of Obesity and Weight Regulation*, v. 6 n. 2 (Summer 1987). A well-researched, well-reasoned refutation of the NIH statement Health Implications of Obesity," arguing that the health risks of obesity may be less than often supposed, that there may be some health benefits to obesity (as seen in less risk of some kinds of cancer, for instance), and that effective and/or unsafe attempts at lowering weight pose a hitherto largely unacknowledged health risk. Recommends increased emphasis on nutritional counseling and exercise training rather than any more extreme treatments. Covers all the bases. Highly recommended. [blb]
Estroff, Hara. *Style Is Not a Size: Looking and Feeling Great in the Body You Have*. New York: Bantam Books, 1991. Second to Nancy Roberts' book in *joie de vivre*, but more detailed in historical background and in analysis of the visual effects of various pieces of clothing. Her aesthetics are more traditional than Roberts's, emphasizing slimming lines and so on, but *not* self-hating or anti-fat. In fact, there is a good section on how to improve appreciation of one's own appearance. Highly recommended. [blb]
Fallon, Patricia: Feminist Perspectives on Eating Disorders
Farro, Rita. Life Is Not A Dress Size. Available from Nancy's Notions, 800-833-0690. $16.95 Tips on how to dress with style, regardless of size. Color photos. Appendix on sewing clothing and accessories.
*Fat Underground: The Original Radical Fat Feminists*, Largesse Presse, PO Box 9404, New Haven, CT 06534, $7.50. Sourcebook with historical information about the Fat Underground.
Fraser, Laura. *Losing It: America's Obsession With Weight and the Industry That Feeds on It.* Dutton: 1997. ISBN 0-525-93891-5. $25.00. History and expose of the weight loss industry and medical field. Very highly recommended.
Foster, Patricia, ed. *Minding the Body: Women Writers on Body and Soul*. Anchor Books, 0-385-47167-X, $11.00. A book of writings by women on the physical nature of their bodies. Three essays are of particular interest: a fat-positive essay by Sallie Tisdale, an essay about growing up thin (and therefore ugly) in Beirut by Hanan Al-Shaykh, and an essay about anorexia by Jenefer Shute.
Freedman, Rita. *Beauty Bound* Lexington Books, 1986. Addresses body size, make-up and beauty pageants. More political than Bodylove.
Freedman, Rita. *Bodylove: Learning to Like our Looks and Ourselves, A Practical Guide for Women*. New York: Harper and Row, Publishers, 1988. How to change our psyches in order to truly love our physical selves as we are. The book is both theoretical and practical, examining why women are so critical of their bodies and presenting specific ways to remedy that, including general approaches and exercises, both physical and psychological. It addresses all-over issues of self-concept and sensuality, and specific problems of bodylove such as weight or age. Highly recommended. [blb]
Friedman, Sandra Susan. *When Girls Feel Fat: Helping Girls Through Adolescence*. Toronto, Ontario: HarperCollins, 1998. $20. Helps girls deal with the underlying feelings that prompt them to feel fat. Advice for parents and others is practical. Ends with a well-organized list of resources for further assistance.
Gaesser, Glenn A. *Big Fat Lies: The Truth About Your Weight and Your Health*. Ballantine Books, 0-449-90941-7, $23.00 (hardcover). Debunks the myth of the height/weight chart and turns upside down the standard belief that fat causes heart disease with evidence that fat in some areas of the body actually protects from heart disease. Advocates a new definition of fitness that focuses on insulin sensitivity, light to moderate physical activity, and a low-fat diet (not for weight loss).
Garrison, Terry Nicholetti. *Fed Up! A Woman's Guide to Freedom from the Diet/Weight Prison*. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc., 1993. Some good research, but mainly a self-help book for people who want to feel good about themselves, at any weight, instead of inadequate and guilty. The tone may be a bit cute for some, but the material is solid and important (and the energy is nice). Advocates learning the facts about anti-fat prejudice, confronting it in ourselves and others, and seeking mutual support. A good book for beginners at size acceptance, but will provoke new thoughts in anyone. Good list of resources. Recommended. [blb]
Goffman, Erving. *Stigma: Notes on The Management of Spoiled Identity.* Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1963. Classic sociology text with some relevance to fatness.
Goodman, W. Charisse. *The Invisible Woman: Confronting Weight Prejudice in America*. Gurze Books. Analyzes modern fat-negative writings and (among other things) compares them to attitudes about Jews in Nazi Germany. You will be angry when you finish this book.
Gossett, Harry. *Fat Chance!*. Alexandria, VA: Independent Hill Press, 1986. Some personal history and a nice general summary of revisionist (fat-acceptance) views concerning societal anti-fat pressure, how to feel good, and most of all weight and health. Frustrating lack of bibliography and even footnotes, but does mention books and articles in the text. Good to see a book like this from a man, also. Recommended. [blb]
Grosswirth, Marvin. *Fat Pride: A Survival Handbook*. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1971. This "non-diet book for a more attractive, confident, successful, and happier you" is almost impossible to find, but worth it. Lots of practical advice on grooming, dress, career, self-esteem, and even sex; some material on what does (and does not) cause obesity. I just loved the waspish tone of this book. Mr. Grosswirth is a snob, as concerned with appearances as any slender person, mincing no words when it comes to what is or is not appropriate in behavior or dress. Since many fat liberationists reject other traditional snobberies as well, this is refreshing. Bibliography. Highly recommended. [blb]
Hall, Lindsey, ed. *Full Lives: Women Who Have Freed Themselves from Food & Weight Obsession*. Carlsbad, CA: Gurze Books, 1993. The focus of the pieces here are more on eating disorders than on dieting or fat, but it contains ideas of use to anyone, about realistic body image, acceptance, and a healthy attitude about food. Only one contributor (Marcia Germaine Hutchinson) writes about coming to terms with these issues as a fat woman. [blb]
Head, Sandy Summers. *Sizing Up: Fashion, Fitness, and Self-Esteem for Full-Figured Women*. New York: A Fireside Book, Simon & Schuster, 1989. Most traditional of the plus-size fashion books, including much more material about makeup and an endorsement of dieting for weight-loss (though sanely). Some good material about positive attitude and sound advice on building a wardrobe. Strongest point is copious, often lovely photos of larger women (from XL to maybe XXXL). More for the feminine than for the feminist. [blb]
Herman, C. Peter and Janet Polivy. *Breaking the Diet Habit*.
Higgs, Liz Curtis. *One Size Fits All and Other Fables*. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993. Simple but entertaining and inspiring debunking of myths, including "all fat people are lazy," "you'll never get a man," "you'll love yourself more if you lose weight," and "all it takes is a little willpower." Also interesting personal history, including an admirable confession of her days leading a Christian dieting group (and a good explanation of why the Bible is actually in favor of you enjoying your food). [blb]
Hillman, Carolynn. *Love Your Looks: How to Stop Criticizing and Start Appreciating Your Body*. Simon & Schuster, 0-684-81138-3, $12.00 US, $16.00 Canadian.
Hirschmann, Jane R. and Carol H. Munter. *Overcoming Overeating* Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 1988. A self-help/psychology book that should be of interest to everyone and of most help to those who have mild-to-moderate problems with overeating due to emotional causes and previous deprivation. The authors provide a program of freeing oneself from dieting, feeding oneself on demand, and finding out what is true hunger and what eating is based in needs that might be better met in other ways. Some discussion of self-image and body-image. A moderate, useful approach. Recommended. [blb]
Hirschmann, Jane and Carol Munter. *When Women Stop Hating Their Bodies*. Fawcett Columbine, 1995). Encourages feeding on demand.
Hirschmann, Jane R. and Lela Zaphiropoulos. *Are You Hungry? A Completely New Approach to Raising Children Free of Food and Weight Problems*. New York: Random House, 1985. Hirschmann's (and Munter's) idea of demand feeding applied to children, so that hunger and satiation are learned and food is made a practical issue rather than an emotional or ethical one. Useful for anyone, perhaps necessary reading for parents or prospective parents. [blb]
Hutchinson, Marcia Germaine. *Transforming Body Image: Learning to Love the Body You Have*. Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press, 1985. Physical and psychological exercises for exploring body image and changing it, by a bodyworker (Feldenkrais Method). Some material specifically related to weight (including discussion of cultural attitudes), but mostly general advice about enjoyment and appreciation of the body, useful to everyone--including people who are and/or feel fat. Recommended. [blb]
Ikeda, Joanne, RD, and Priscilla Naworski, MS. *Am I Fat? Helping Young Children Accept Differences in Body Size*. ETR Associates, $14.95. (800) 321-4407
*International No Diet Coalition Directory of Resources*. Willendorf Press, PO Box 407, Shady, NY 12409. $10 + $2.50 postage. 200 entries with contact information and descriptions of groups in the anti-diet, size-acceptance movement.
Jasper, Karin. *Are You Too Fat, Ginny?* Is Five Press. Self-acceptance book for girls.
Johnston, Joni E. *Appearance Obsession: Learning to Love the Way You Look*. Health Communications, Inc., 1994. Not about fat per se, and uncritically accepts standard definitions of obesity, but useful for examining the ways social conditioning affects people's feelings about their bodies.
Johnson, Carol. *Self Esteem Comes in All Sizes*. Written by the founder of Largely Positive, a fat-acceptance group in Wisconsin.
Kano, Susan. *Making Peace with Food*. New York: Harper and Row, Perennial Library, 1988, $13.00. Readable, practical, inspiring--subtitled, "Freeing Yourself from the Diet/Weight Obsession," this book helps the reader "overcome yo-yo dieting, binge eating, food anxiety, body anxiety, and self-defeating guilt." It contains a summary of anti-dieting, setpoint findings, then proposes methods for increasing one's self-esteem and living in accord with one's own natural and healthy hungers, complete with step-by-step workbook format. Good list of suggested further readings and resources--the latter ranging from programs for those with eating disorders to a listing for NAAFA, the National Association to Aid Fat Americans, an activist and educational group. Highly recommended. [blb]
Kaplan, Jane Rachel, ed. *A Woman's Conflict: The Special Relationship Between Women and Food* Prentice-Hall, 1980.
Kaufman, Miriam, M.D. and Teresa Pittman. *All Shapes and Sizes*. Harper Collins, 0-00-638020-4. A sensible book about kids and weight.
Klein, Richard. *Eat Fat*. 1996. Klein is a French professor who writes books about personal pleasures that annoy other people. His last book was called "Cigarettes Are Sublime." *Eat Fat* is about society and attitudes towards fat people (especially women). The book discusses, in a wandering, personal, semi-poetic way, cultural references and publications such as *FaT GiRL*, *Bulk Male*, *Plumpers*, and *Big Women*. It includes a history of fat and attitudes toward fat, discussions of the scientific literature on weight, fat beauty, fatphobic doctors, and the "Fat-Free" craze. Some folks are suspicious that this book is some kind of elaborate joke against fat people. Others value it and say Klein has good fat-acceptance credentials.
Lamb, Wally. *She's Come Undone*. Washington Square Press, 1996. ISBN: 0671003755. $14. About a girl who is fat, but weight is not a central issue in the book. "How she deals with her weight is just another part of her neurosis. Now, does the author touch on some pretty intense weight-related feelings that I as a fat person have experienced? Hell yes. Does he paint a fairly three-dimensional character whose life *does* include a weight issue? Yes again. Does he limit her to it? Thank god, no."
Langer, Stephen with James F. Scheer. *Solved: The Riddle of Weight Loss*. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 1989. Completely believing that one must weigh the "normal" amount, it grinds its axes without any self-consciousness. I include this book here because it does at least mention some of the major possible causes of unnecessary weight gain now being investigated: thyroid disorder, yeast (Candida albicans) infestation, hypoglycemia, food allergies, adrenal stress. Take this book as a starting point for your own investigations. [blb]
Lidell, Lucy. *The Sensual Body*. New York: Simon and Schuster, Inc., A Fireside Book, 1987. In the opening section, the author explains that although various cultural trends alienate us from our bodies, bodily experience actually is the source of some of the most important things in life. The rest of the book discusses and presents ways to recapture bodily experience, awareness, and identity, from massage and breathing techniques (outlined in detail) to teaching systems such as aikido, t'ai chi, African dance, chakra breathing (from kundalini yoga), and others. Exercises in listening, looking, voice, touch, smell, and taste are also included, as are discussions of ways to think and communicate, to experience trust or release tension in the "bodymind." Highly recommended, especially as a sourcebook of possibilities to investigate
further. [blb]
Lippincott, Catherine. *Well Rounded: Eight Simple Steps for Changing Your Life...Not Your Size* By a plus-size model. Recommended self-acceptance book.
Logue, A. W. *The Psychology of Eating and Drinking*. New York: W. H. Freeman and Company, 1986. I suppose this might be a textbook. It certainly reads like a textbook—but then I *like* reading some textbooks. The book covers basic research on all areas related to psychology and food or drink, from what might be the primary odors (much more debated than primary colors or tastes) to genetic elements in taste-preferences, or the effects of food and non-food substances on hyperactivity. Good sections on eating disorders and on obesity, with current research and fair discussion of the different sides of any controversy. Copious footnote documentation. (Did you know there's a medical journal called *Appetite*?) Highly recommended. [blb]
Louderback, LLewellyn. *Fat Power*. Respected work from the early days of the size acceptance movement.
Lynn, Thom N. et al. "Prevalence of Evidence of Prior Myocardial Infarction, Hypertension, and Diabetes with Obesity in Three Neighboring Communities in Pennsylvania." *The American Journal of the Medical Sciences*, October 1967, 385-391. A study of a geographical area in which obesity is prevalent but is not accompanied by the expected frequency of health problems usually associated with obesity, such as high blood pressure. Along with Stout (see below), these findings suggest that in places in which fat is not stigmatized, it may not be accompanied by as many health problems; in
Lyons, Pat and Debby Burgard. *Great Shape: The First Fitness Guide for Large Women*. Bull Publishing Co, 0-923521-01-1, $14.95. Notes: Excellent, excellent, excellent. They talk about fitness and movement as a right. They talk about barriers that keep people (particularly fat women) from exercising. Probably also applicable to men. [skw] More of a theory and encouragement book than a how-to book.
Mann, Dr. George. "The Influence of Obesity on Health." *New England Journal of Medicine*, July-August 1974. Suggests that obesity may not be the health problem that it is thought to be, and that weight loss certainly is not as advantageous as it is often said to be. [blb]
Marano, Hara Estroff. *Style is Not a Size*. Notes: Practical clothing tips, brand names. Highly recommended. [eb]
Mayer, Ken, *Real Women Don't Diet!*. Silver Spring, Maryland: Bartleby Press, 1993. An opinionated and sometimes wonky, but basically good-hearted, discourse on why our society suppresses fat women--whom the author is attracted to and also admires/respects. Also everything else wrong with the world. Some lovely photos of large women (clearly fat, but midsize rather than supersize). Enjoyable. [blb]
Millman, Marcia. *Such a Pretty Face: Being Fat in America*. New York: Berkley, 1981. Painful, angry, wise, strong--these are very moving analyses and memoirs of what it means to be fat in America, from the hungry embarrassment of summer diet camp to accounts of finally making peace with oneself in NAAFA. Issues discussed include sexuality and obesity, compulsive and non-compulsive eating, alienation that fat people experience from themselves and from a society that rejects them. Accompanied by wonderful photos of lovely, beautiful fat people. Highly recommended. [blb]
Milne, A.A. *The World of Christopher Robin*. Notes: Contains a charming poem "Teddy Bear" written from Pooh's perspective about being short and fat and handsome. [skw]
Murray, Linda. *Larger Than Death*. ISBN 0-9642949-0-7. Orloff Press (1-800-724-8078). $23.00. Size-acceptance mystery novel. Lee Martindale of Rump Parliament called it a "tightly-paced, well-crafted page turner."
Naidus, Beverly. *One Size Does Not Fit All*. Aegis Publications, 1449 W. Littleton Blvd, #200 Littleton, CO 80120. (303) 730-6232. $15. Notes: Original art and collage exploring women's struggles with weight and food.
Nanfeldt, Suzan. *Plus Style: The Plus-Size Guide to Looking Great*. 1996 Penguin Books, 0-452-27596-2, $19.95 (softcover). Guide to career-appropriate dressing for mid-sized women who mostly conform to several standard body types (e.g., "pear," "apple"). Includes a list of clothing and fat-acceptance resources.
Newman, Leslea. *Fat Chance*. 1994 G.P. Putnam Sons, 0-39-922760-1, $15.95.
Newman, Leslea. *Some Body to Love*. Third Side Press, 1-879427-03-6, $12.95. Writing exercises plus an anthology of writings.
Newman, Leslea, ed. *Eating Our Hearts Out: Personal Accounts of Women's Relationship to Food*. Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press, 1993. Poetry, fiction, and (mostly) personal essays by women on topics from anorexia to fat-acceptance, love of good food to deep psychological issues like family or sexuality. Many voices, all clear and distinct, often deeply moving. Recommended. [blb]
Newman, Leslea and Michael Willhoite. *Belinda's Bouquet*. Allyson Wonderland, 1-55583-154-0, $6.95. Notes: Children's book. Belinda is teased for being fat, decides to go on a diet, and later decides she's fine just the way she is. [skw]
Northrup, Christiane, M.D. *Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing*.
Notkin, Debbie and Laurie Toby Edison. *Women En Large: Images of Fat Nudes*. Books in Focus, P.O. Box 77005, San Francisco, CA 94107. (800) 463-6285, (510) 297-4012. 1-885495-00-5, $24.95 plus $2 shipping (Californians add $2.10 tax). Canada $33.95 plus postage. Web site: http://www.igc.apc.org/BooksinFocus/ Notes: Photographs of nude fat women, accompanied by radical text. Essays by and photos of several a.s.b-f regulars. [skw]
O'Gaden, Irene. *Fat Girl: One Woman's Way Out*. Harper San Francisco, 0-06-250727-3, $12.00. Notes: I found the description of O'Gaden's relationship with food and with her body painful to read. I suppose it is supposed to be. I really liked the sketches of O'Gaden at different weights (she's beautiful at all of them). She subscribes to the "you overeat for protection, once you stop overeating you will be thin" school of thought, which I don't agree with. [skw]
Ogden, Jane. *Fat Chance! The Myth of Dieting Explained*. London and New York: Routledge, 1992. This well-researched, readable book is entirely about dieting, but manages to cover all the bases: why it mostly doesn't work, why we do it anyway, and how to be happy without it. Some gender analysis, including a much-needed chapter on men and dieting. Unfortunate lack of notes or full bibliography, but does give author and year of studies in the text. Recommended. [blb]
Orbach, Susie. *Fat Is a Feminist Issue*. New York: Berkley Books, 1978. There are ways in which more recent books have superseded this, but they may not have been possible without it. Most of all, this book sometimes confuses compulsive eating with (possibly metabolically- or genetically- determined) overweight, and still assumes that a lower weight is automatically desirable. On the other hand, the book offers an examination of what fat means socially and psychologically, especially to women, which is universally useful, and does promote self-acceptance in both weight and eating. Footnote documentation and bibliography of further readings. Recommended. [blb] Notes: More concerned with eating disorders than size acceptance. She seems to say that if you don't eat compulsively, you won't be fat. Which is questionable. [skw]
Orbach, Susie. *Fat Is a Feminist Issue II: A Program to Conquer Compulsive Eating*. New York: Berkley Books, 1982. A more narrow focus than its predecessor makes the book more accurate (by not pathologizing all fat people) but may lessen its force as a radical social critique. Promotes self-love and freedom from guilt as a way to non-disordered eating, much like Hirschmann and Munter's work (all three of them worked together in the past). Some good exercises to enhance feelings and acceptance. Recommended. [blb]
Pinkwater, Daniel. *The Afterlife Diet*. Notes: Sci-fi, humor, fat-positive book. Great reading!
Poulton, Terry. No Fat Chicks: How Big Business Profits Making Women Hate Their Bodies-How to Fight Back. ISBN: 1559724234. Birch Lane Press, 1997. $21.95. Journalist Terry Poulton focuses on the huge profits of the diet industry, the glorification of emaciation, and the weight loss struggles of famous women.
Roberts, Nancy. *Breaking All the Rules*. New York: Viking Penguin, Inc., 1987. A guide to feeling good, and above all looking good, for large women. Part personal memoir, part historical-cultural discussion, and mostly a fashion and beauty guide--this book just bubbles over with disregard of senseless rules and regard for oneself, with life and style. Highly recommended. [blb] Notes: A delightful book with a lot about looking good *and* fat. Also includes information about exercise.
Rodin, Judith. *Body Traps: Breaking the Binds that Keep You from Feeling Good About Your Body*. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1992. Not a book of specific exercises, but much material to help one re-think one's body-image and feelings about the body. The book combines social critique, cultural analysis, and concrete psychological advice, perhaps better than any book on body image I've seen. By a founder of the Eating Disorders Clinic at Yale, this book is for anyone. Especially will appeal to those who often find self-help books too cloying. Highly recommended. [blb]
Rose, Laura. *Life Isn't Weighed on the Bathroom Scales; Don't Be a Victim of the Thinness Conspiracy*
Roth, Geneen. *Breaking Free from Compulsive Eating*. New York: Signet, 1984. A recovering compulsive eater and then anorexic herself, Roth presents a moving, insightful study of what it means to eat compulsively and how it is possible to reclaim a natural and properly hunger-based approach to eating. She presents exercises from her Breaking Free workshops which one can often try oneself; this book is an excellent depiction of the experiences and feelings of others, but also a way to discover one's own experiences and feelings more fully. Specifically helpful to those with eating disorders, the book also holds insights regarding weight and eating for all.
Roth, Geneen. *Feeding the Hungry Heart: The Experience of Compulsive Eating*. New York: Signet, 1982. Some very moving writing, by Roth and others, about the personal experience of compulsive eating--and also of normal eating, overweight, dieting, and other experiences which I can't help wishing Roth had distinguished from compulsive eating just a bit more carefully. Still, a moving and interesting set of documents, no matter how you look at them. The contents include memoir, poetry, prose-poem, fiction, and even a dialogue between a woman and her fat. [blb]
Rush, Anne Kent. *Getting Clear: Body Work for Women*. New York: Random House, 1973. Almost exclusively by and for women, this is a great sourcebook on how to be fully human. The grounding in theory is evident, but the presentation is practical: exercises in body-awareness and body-acceptance, relaxation, relating well to food, sensual enjoyment of all kinds, communication, self- love in both the euphemistic and non-euphemistic use of the term. Highly recommended. [blb]
Sabo, Sandie. *Sandie's Clothesline*. $15.95 to Sandie Sabo, PO Box 257, Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007. Small clothing and fashion resource guide for plus-sized and supersized women (compiled by Dimensions magazine fashion editor). Retail stores, outlet stores, catalogs, manufacturers, designers, vendors and specialty item sources. Focus on small and independent store/company. 200 listings.
Sabo, Sandie. *So you want to be a model!*. $14.95 to Sandie Sabo, PO Box 257, Cardiff by the Sea, CA 92007. Short guide on how to break into plus- and supersized fashion and "adult" modeling. Includes agents.
Schoenfielder, Lisa and Barb Wieser, Ed. *Shadow on a Tightrope: Writings by Women on Fat Oppression*. Aunt Lute Books, 1-879960-25-7, $9.95. A collection of some of the strongest writings to come out of the early feminist fat-liberation movement. Some of it is too imbued with radical anger for my tastes; on the other hand, the experiences are all real, fierce, and important. Good first-hand accounts and studies of all sorts of aspects of oppression of fat people, and some examination of how things could be better. Also, some good, well-documented presentations of revisionist views of fat and medical issues. Footnote documentation in some articles; bibliography for further reading. Highly recommended. [blb] Notes: A fantastic collection of essays. One of the first fat activist works. [skw]
Schroeder, Charles Roy. *Fat Is Not a Four-Letter Word*. Minneapolis: Chronimed Publishing, 1992 .$14.95. ISBN 1-6561-000-8. A Ph.D. physiologist discusses mostly medical aspects of weight, dieting and health, but also things like fat rights and the history of the aesthetics of fat. Excellent material on use and misuse of statistics. Small but excellent endnotes and bibliography. Note: coins acronyms FATISTs (Fat Abhorring, Terribly Insulting, Sadistic Tormentors) and MAGGOTs (Money Acquisitive, Grotesquely Greedy Obesity Tyrants). Highly recommended. [blb] Notes: The tone of this book is reportedly somewhat lecherous, but it has some good information in it.
Schwartz, Bob. *Diets Don't Work*.
Schwartz, Hillel. *Never Satisfied: A Cultural History of Diets, Fantasies, and Fat*. New York: The Free Press/Macmillan, Inc., 1986. Fascinating, excellently researched, and highly readable study of American attitudes about food and weight control, from the early 19th century to the present. Includes material on various fads (from funny to horrific), general historical trends, and the cultural ideas and symbolism behind these. Final chapter leaves the voice of an objective historian to advocate some fat-acceptance views for today's readers. Copious, great endnote documentation. Highly recommended. [blb]
Seid, Roberta Pollack. *Never Too Thin: Why Women Are at War with Their
Bodies*. New York: Prentice Hall Press, 1989. Excellent historical study of the quest for thinness, with some perspective back to antiquity but concentrating on America from 1930 to the present. Impeccably researched and clearly argued, the book both promotes accurate understanding of complex events and offers some societal critique (including scathing analysis of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company weight-charts). Endnotes with documentation to die for! Highly recommended. [blb]
Seligman, Martin E. P. *What You Can Change...And What You Can't: The Complete Guide to Successful Self-Improvement and Learning to Accept Who You Are*. Notes: A good chapter on weight -- supportive of many of the arguments advanced by the fat-acceptance movement about the ineffectiveness of weight-loss dieting, and well documented.
Shaw, Carole and Hank Nuwer. *Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are*. Los Angeles: American R. R. Publishing Company, 1982. By the woman who started *BBW*, this covers some of the same ground as the magazine, but better. Includes personal history, fashion advice (debunking many myths about what's "flattering") including hair styling, encouragement to feel and be one's best, how to get good health care, tips on travel, discussions of being fat and sexy--not research or analysis, but sound advice with a good attitude. Highly recommended. [blb]
Sommers, Abigail. *Love in the Pyramid*. Rubenesque Romances, PO Box 534, Tarrytown, NY 10591-0534. (800) 211-1660. 1-888038-04-7, $6.95. Comes in a photocopy shop plastic binding.
Stacey, Michelle. *Consumed: Why Americans Love, Hate, and Fear Food*. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994. Detailed and interesting study of current American beliefs about food, rational and irrational, with some background from the late 1800s. Final chapter suggesting we should relax and enjoy food more in a guilt-free way. The ideas are good and often compelling, and the book is well-researched, but may have too much food-business trivia for some. Endnotes. [blb]
Stimson, Karen. *Fat Feminist Herstory*. Largesse Presse, PO Box 9404, New Haven, CT 06534. $0.75. Pamphlet.
Stimson, Karen. *Room To Grow*. Largesse Presse, PO Box 9404, New Haven, CT 06534. $5. Booklet containing "nine poems of size" by Karen Stimson.
Stinson, Susan. *Belly Songs: In celebration of fat women*. PO Box 433, Northhampton, MA 01060. $9. Book of poems.
Stinson, Susan. *Fat Girl Dances with Rocks* (Spinster's Ink, 1994)A fat 17-year-old girl get a summer job in a nursing home and meets people with various bodies and abilities. She comes to terms with her lesbian sexuality and her body.
Stout, Clark et al. "Unusually Low Incidence of Death from Myocardial Infarction." *Journal of the American Medical Association*, v. 188, n. 10, 845-849. A study of unusually low rates of obesity-related heart-attacks in Samoa, where fat is positively valued. See entry for Lynn, above. [blb]
Stuart, Mary S. and Lynnzy Orr. *Otherwise Perfect: People and Their Problems with Weight*. Pompano Beach, Florida: Health Communications, Inc., 1987. Short and readable, a good general guide to psychological factors in weight and eating disorders, physiological determiners of weight (including set-point and genetics), how to productively make and follow through with choices to lose or to maintain weight. Bibliography. Recommended. [blb]
Stuart, Richard B. and Barbara Jacobson. *Weight, Sex & Marriage: A Delicate Balance*. New York: Simon & Schuster, a Fireside Book, 1989. This book tried to look at all sides of the issue, and does counsel self-love rather than self-hatred, but it mostly just assumes that fat is inherently unattractive, so the analysis of how spouses react to fat and weight loss is perhaps too skewed and certainly severely incomplete. If you do have issues like those discussed here, the book could help; certainly interesting. [blb]
Stunkard, Albert J., M.D. *The Pain of Obesity*. Bull Publishing Co., 1976. States that fat is not a psychological disorder. Discusses how society needs to accept large people.
Sullivan, Judy. *Size Wise*. Avon Publishing, 1997. http://www.sizewise.com
Resources for people size 2X and up.
Sward, Sharon. *You Are More Than What You Weigh: Improving Your Self Esteem No Matter What Your Weight*. Wholesome Publisher. ISBN 0-9648874-0-1. $16.95. Practical guide for improving self-esteem.
Thomas, Pattie. *Before and After: Living Fat in a Thin Society*. PO Box 8507, Clearwater, FL 34620-8507. $5 donation requested. Email: dylancat@grove.ufl.edu
Notes: Collection of essays and poems from a feminist perspective about the author's experiences as a big woman.
Thone, Ruth. *Fat--A Fate Worse Than Death? Women, Weight, and Appearance* (Haworth Press, 1997). ISBN: 1560239085.
Walker, Elizabeth Neff. *An Abundant Woman* (Belgrave House, 1998, www.belgravehouse.com). ISBN: 0966064372. Compassionate, witty, romantic novel with a size-acceptance theme. [Available on this website--as a trade paperback or an ebook]
Wann, Marilyn. *FAT!SO? : Because You Don't Have to Apologize for Your Size* (1998)
Wiley, Carol, ed. *Journeys to Self-Acceptance: Fat Women Speak*. Freedom, CA: The Crossing Press, 1994, 0-89594-656-4, $9.95. A well-researched, brief essay by the editor introduces two dozen short personal essays on topics from clothing to dance, family patterns of fat to self-perception. Interesting and often inspirational. Contains my piece "Some Painful and Healing Words." Recommended. [blb]
Wolf, Naomi. *The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women*. William Morrow & Co., 1991. Very well known and well done feminist analysis of the way society approaches feminine beauty.
Wooley, O. W., S. W. Wooley, and S. R. Dyrenforth. "Obesity and Women--I. A Closer Look at the Facts" and "Obesity and Women--II. A Neglected Feminist Topic." *Women's Studies International Quarterly*, 2 (1979), 69-79, 81-92. Feminist analysis of society's prejudice against fat and the connection it has to female oppression. "Compared to non-obese women, overweight women are much less likely to achieve a higher socioeconomic status, and much more likely to achieve a lower status than their parents." [blb]
Yetiv, Jack Z. *Popular Nutritional Practices: Sense and Nonsense*. New York: Dell, 1988. This author seems to hold only one thing sacred: experimental research. He clearly does have his own opinions--which, regarding eating or obesity, are more traditional than most sources in this bibliography--but he feels duty-bound to report all research accurately, and he is often swayed by it to somewhat revisionist conclusions. Copious footnote documentation. [blb]
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