"I have no hesitation in describing "Bananas, Beaches and Bases" as the most significant book in contemporary feminist International Politics. Each time I re-visit it, I am taken aback by its profound implications for both feminism and International Politics. The deceptively provocative question at its core--'where are the women?'--irrevocably transforms our views about what the central and important landscape of global politics is. In my view, it is the essential text not only for feminist International Politics courses ...
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"I have no hesitation in describing "Bananas, Beaches and Bases" as the most significant book in contemporary feminist International Politics. Each time I re-visit it, I am taken aback by its profound implications for both feminism and International Politics. The deceptively provocative question at its core--'where are the women?'--irrevocably transforms our views about what the central and important landscape of global politics is. In my view, it is the essential text not only for feminist International Politics courses but for anyone interested in starting to understand just how International Politics really works."--Marysia Zalewski, author of "Feminism After Postmodernism: Theorising Through Practice" "A new edition of "Bananas, Beaches, and Bases" is cause for cosmic good cheer. This trailblazing treatment of the gender politics of global market and military projects is a feminist classic. Always ahead of the curve, before globalization had achieved cache in academic circles Enloe was there, cajoling Western feminists out of our political parochialism. There is no more creative, insightful, engaging feminist guide to international politics. Cynthia Enloe is an international feminist treasure, and "Bananas, Beaches, and Bases" her signature work."--Judith Stacey, author of "Brave New Families" ""Bananas, Beaches, and Bases" is both a 'Pandora's Box' and a roadmap: It unleashes questions and insights that many conventional students of International Politics are accustomed to ignoring or overlooking about the dynamic between gender and international political life, and it guides us to see how both are mutually constitutive. As the "magna carta" of Feminist International Relations, it has helped create a new generation of women and men in the world of international relations."--Katharine Moon, author of "Sex Among Allies" "Cynthia Enloe writes with passion, conviction, intelligence and verve as she makes such good feminist sense of international politics that the world never looks quite the same again. Innovative and a great read, "Bananas, Beaches and Bases" continues to be an outstanding example of the difference gender makes in social analysis. This is a book which provokes discussion with students, colleagues, friends and family. It is a book which has set the standard form much that followed. A classic."--Diane Bell, author of "Ngarrindjeri Wurrurwarrin: A World That Is, Was, and Will Be" "With this volume, Cynthia Enloe single-handedly carved out a major new field. Combining contemporary political insight and historical sensitivity, "Bananas, Beaches and Bases "revealed the gendered workings of high politics, without which the entire machinery of war, diplomacy and governance would have long since collapsed. A pioneering tour-de-force."--Philippa Levine, author of "Victorian Feminism, 1850-1900"
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Excellent, fun read. It was first published in the 1990s and it's held up well (not like stepping into a time capsule), but consider pairing it with another book or two that are newer. The field has changed (in a good way).
