13 Feminist books for the women’s history buff

9. Freedom from biased public policy

Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Womenby Susan Faludi. Faludi called it in 1991: American women were in for a massive push back on every major front — media, politics, fashion, psychology, work and reproductive health care. Sigh. She was so right, and we are still being pushed around. (Google Books, $4)

10. Equality in political power

The Republican War Against Women: An Insider’s Report from Behind the Lines by Tanya Melich. Melich was the first to fully document the moment in the history of the Republican Party’s decision to include an unprecedented anti-abortion plank in the 1980 convention’s platform — the same convention that nominated Ronald Reagan for president. Given the number of republicans serving on the U.S. Supreme Court about the hear a crucial case on access to abortion services, it is well-worth understanding the political calculation that continues to be central to the republican election strategies. (Google Books, $14)

11. Freedom to decide what is news

The Girls in the Balcony by Nan Robertson. If you ever wondered why a nation’s most influential news media ignore or mishandle stories, events and trends concerning women’s lives, this is the place to start boning up on the history of women in journalism. (Amazon, $18)

12. Equality in the workplace

Strange Justice: The Selling of Clarence Thomasby Jill Abramson and Jane Mayer. The team’s full account of the 1991 Congressional hearings into Anita Hill’s accusation that Thomas had sexually harassed her when he was her boss at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Strange Justice documents not only the Congress’ motives for trashing Anita Hill on national television, but also the political paybacks behind Thomas’s nomination and appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. The conduct of the members of Congress during the hearings sparked what became the “year of the women,” when record numbers of women were elected to the House and the Senate and the creation of multiple organizations to boost women’s representation in elected public office. (Amazon, $5)

13. Equality and freedom under the law