Perseus Publishing

This cutting-edge reader demonstrates the multiple ways in which the universe of gender is socially, culturally, and historically constructed. The selections focus on gender itself - how gender operates socioculturally, exists, functions, and is presented in micro and macro interactions. In order to avoid balkanization, the authors examine the various ways in which culture intersects with individuals to produce the range of presentations of self that we call 'gender', from people born male who become adult men to lesbian women to transmen, and everyone else on the diverse gender spectrum.

Book News
Plante (sociology, Ithaca College) and Maurer (founding coordinator of The Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Education, Outreach, and Services at Ithaca College) present a course anthology that, rather than examine the relation of gender to some particular social institution, focuses on gender itself, i.e. "how gender operates socioculturally, exists, functions, and is presented in micro and macro interactions." The 48 readings presented are organized into chapters addressing gender diversity and the binary, the "doing" or "enacting" of gender, constructing the gendered body, gender and sexualities, gender diversity at home and at work, gender and critical thinking about structures and institutions, and gender and social change. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)