50 years of Ms The best of the pathfinding magazine that ignited a revolution

This thoughtfully curated and zestful celebration of the first 50 years of Ms. would be fascinating under any circumstances, but given the renewed assaults on women's rights it's all the more compelling. Opening pieces by Gloria Steinem, executive editor Katherine Spillar, and publisher Eleanor Smeal chronicle the mission and evolution of this revolutionary magazine. The first issue appeared in January 1972 and sold out in eight days, then thousands of letters poured in, establishing an ongoing dialogue. This "best of" collection proceeds decade-by-decade, showcasing the magazine's arresting covers, page layouts, and a treasury of rigorous, vibrant, insightful, witty, and powerful reporting, analysis, opinion, profiles, advice, poems, short stories, and those all-important letters. Diverse writers cover topics ranging from abortion to welfare, body image, getting male partners to do their share of the housework, rape, domestic violence, pornography, divorce, gay rights, Anita Hill's testimony against Clarence Thomas, women's history, women in sports, women with disabilities, women in politics, women in prison, and Black Lives Matter. The illustrious contributors include Susan Brownmiller, Gina Barreca, Angela Bonavoglia, Brittany Cooper, Angela Davis, Barbara Ehrenreich, Bay Fang, Joy Harjo, Martha Mendoza, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Alice Walker, and Patricia J. Williams. Ms., long a not-for-profit endeavor, continues to lead in the long battle for gender equality, an essential element in a thriving democracy.

Spillar, the executive editor of Ms. magazine, takes a lively and inspiring look at the pioneering feminist periodical. Debuting in 1972 after a preview issue in New York magazine, Ms. "emerged to fill a gap between a determined, vibrant movement and the continued curtailment of women's rights in virtually every aspect of American life." Each chapter of the book is devoted to one decade of the magazine's existence, with short introductory essays contextualizing the periodical's challenges and accomplishments. In its founding era (the 1970s), writers for Ms. reported on gendered double standards around grooming and body hair removal, surveillance of domestic activists by the FBI, and Shirley Chisholm's candidacy for president, among other issues. In the ensuing decades, the magazine tackled such topics as no-fault divorce and date rape (1980s); misogyny and feminism in rap and the rise of "hate radio" hosts such as Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern (1990s); intersectional feminisms and the militarization of American culture after 9/11 (2000s); same-sex marriage and the Black Lives Matter movement (2010s); and most recently, the carework emergency during Covid-19 and the judicial dismantling of Roe v. Wade. The selections feature plenty of well-known writers, including Angela Davis and Barbara Ehrenreich, and the ample inclusion of letters from readers--some supportive, some critical--help to convey how Ms. connected with ordinary people. This thorough survey makes a persuasive case for the magazine's continued importance. (Sept.)

Ms. magazine executive editor Spillar offers a spirited look back at the feminist magazine's first 50 years since the inaugural issue, which was published in 1972. With chapters devoted to each decade of the magazine's storied past, the book offers selected essays documenting how U.S. women began to confront misogyny, made financially gratifying career choices, and determined how, when, and whether to raise children. These essays and reflections, engagingly narrated by a full ensemble, including Hillary Huber, Imani Jade Powers, Nikki Massoud, and others, record how Ms. writers and publishers highlighted critical topics affecting women, from same-sex marriage to reproductive rights to music, talk radio, and more. In addition to fiction, essays, poetry, illustrations, and letters, listeners will also learn more about the magazine itself, including insight into how the publication navigated issues relating to ad sales, subscription revenue, readership, and more. VERDICT A chorus of voices brings to life the writings, reflections, and history of a groundbreaking magazine. Pair with Stuff Mom Never Told You by Anney Reese and Samantha McVey.--Sharon Sherman