Betty Friedan and the Making of the Feminine Mystique: The American Left, the Cold War, and Modern Feminism

Focusing on Betty Friedan's early life and career, this biography reveals that her commitment to feminism was shaped by experiences beyond her portrayal as a discontented housewife. Daniel Horowitz utilizes extensive research, including Friedan's own papers, to explore her formative years in Peoria and her activism during college and as a writer for radical labor journals. By placing Friedan in a broader cultural context, the book challenges traditional views of "second wave" feminism and uncovers connections to its historical roots.