Virginity or Death!: And Other Social and Political Issues of Our Time

Through presidential administrations Democratic and Republican, Katha Pollitt has observed and exposed the inconsistencies and illogic of those who stand in the way of progress solely to hold on to their power. In defense of human rights and equality, she assails the corrupt and educates the misguided with compassion, Swiftian wit, and complete literary authority.

In this compelling collection, Pollitt skewers one hypocrite after another. She suggests, for example, that creationists be permitted to oppose the teaching of evolution only so long as they agree to forgo the benefits of the theory — such as flu vaccines. She gently wonders if those who denounced the decision to allow Terri Schiavo to die in peace would themselves be satisfied to be video-diagnosed by Senator Bill Frist. And in the title essay about fundamentalists' antagonism toward sex education and STD prevention, she asks, What is it with these right-wing Christians? Faced with a choice between sex and death, they choose death every time.

Pollitt is one of the most eloquent and persuasive voices in American political conversation of this or any other era, and Virginity or Death! Is a marvelous demonstration of her keen insight, mordant humor, and sense of justice.

"This second collection of Pollitt's columns in the Nation offers more lively and penetrating discussion of political, social and cultural trends from one of the country's finest left commentators and feminist stalwarts. Picking up in early 2001 where her previous collection (Subject to Debate) left off, the 84 taut essays — invariably witty, astute and relentlessly logical — together chart the progress of right-wing policies under the Bush administration before and after the flash point of 9/11, while engaging such urgent and related issues as the attack on abortion rights, the health-care crisis, the rise of the Christian Right, expanding war and militarism, gay marriage and the perpetual 'demise' of feminism in the mass media. Selections include perhaps her most infamous essay, 'Put Out No Flags' (Oct. 8, 2001) — an account of an argument with her teenage daughter over displaying the U.S. flag at home after 9/11 — but there are also dozens of incisive, frequently hilarious gems here. While no conservative interested in public debate should ignore so formidable an opponent, this book will appeal mostly to progressive readers (fans of Barbara Ehrenreich or Molly Ivins are only the most obvious match). (June 13)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"As this book...makes clear, Katha Pollitt, who is famously a feminist, is also a humorist, a moralist and a most hilarious, wise, and incisive observer." Victor Navasky, author of A Matter of Opinion

"Katha Pollitt has long and rightly been hailed for her brilliance, wit, and great insight into politics, social issues, and women's rights. As with all of her work, I am enormously grateful for Virginity or Death!, and also deeply jealous." Anne Lamott, author of Traveling Mercies

"Conservatives will find much to dislike, especially a piece on abortion that seems to ignore completely the life of the fetus. On the other hand, liberals will feel vindicated in their dislike of the Bush administration and its policies, particularly those that deal with the Iraq war, religion, or science." Library Journal

"Should be required reading for the left and the right: You may not agree with Pollitt, but you can't dismiss her." Kirkus Reviews

"Pollitt asks why women seeking abortions must be subject to a litany of possible...health risks but are never advised of the greater risks of continuing a pregnancy....She critiques the myriad other ways that women's rights have come under attack, from bogus research on the harmful effects of day care on children to popular books purporting to show that career women are unhappy." Booklist

In this compelling collection, Pollitt skewers one hypocrite after another. She suggests, for example, that creationists be permitted to oppose the teaching of evolution only so long as they agree to forgo the benefits of the theories such as flu vaccines.

“As this book, which is greater than the sum of its brilliant parts makes clear, Katha Pollitt, who is famously a feminist, is also a humorist, a moralist and a most hilarious, wise, and incisive observer.”

–Victor Navasky, author of A Matter of Opinion

Through presidential administrations Democratic and Republican, Katha Pollitt has observed and exposed the inconsistencies and illogic of those who stand in the way of progress solely to hold on to their power. In defense of human rights and equality, she assails the corrupt and educates the misguided with compassion, Swiftian wit, and complete literary authority.

In this compelling collection, Pollitt skewers one hypocrite after another. She suggests, for example, that creationists be permitted to oppose the teaching of evolution only so long as they agree to forgo the benefits of the theory–such as flu vaccines. She gently wonders if those who denounced the decision to allow Terri Schiavo to die in peace would themselves be satisfied to be video-diagnosed by Senator Bill Frist. And in the title essay about fundamentalists antagonism toward sex education and STD prevention, she asks, “What is it with these right-wing Christians? Faced with a choice between sex and death, they choose death every time.”

Pollitt is one of the most eloquent and persuasive voices in American political conversation of this or any other era, and Virginity or Death! Is a marvelous demonstration of her keen insight, mordant humor, and sense of justice.

“Katha Pollitt has long and rightly been hailed for her brilliance, wit, and great insight into politics, social issues, and womens rights. As with all of her work, I am enormously grateful for Virginity or Death!, and also deeply jealous.”

–Anne Lamott, author of Traveling Mercies

Katha Pollitt writes the bimonthly column, "Subject to Debate" for The Nation. She is the recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim and Whiting Foundations, a grant from the NEA, a National Magazine Award in Essays and Criticism and a National Book Critics Circle Award. She lives in New York City.