Elizabeth Reis

Elizabeth Reis is a professor of Gender and Bioethics at Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York, specializing in the history of medicine, gender studies, and sexuality. Her research focuses on intersex conditions, medical ethics, and the historical treatment of people with atypical bodies and gender identities. Reis is best known for her book "Bodies in Doubt: An American History of Intersex," which examines how doctors and society have responded to people with ambiguous genitalia from the colonial period to the present. Her work has been influential in both medical ethics discussions and gender studies discourse. She has published extensively on reproductive rights, medical history, and religious culture in early America. Her other notable works include "Damned Women: Sinners and Witches in Puritan New England" and numerous articles in academic journals examining the intersection of gender, medicine, and society. The scholar's research has contributed significantly to understanding how medical and social attitudes toward sex, gender, and the body have evolved over time in American history. Her work continues to influence contemporary debates about medical ethics and gender identity in healthcare settings.

Readers value Reis's thorough research and clear explanations of complex medical and social issues. Her academic writing maintains accessibility while addressing sensitive topics with respect and nuance. What readers liked: - Clear presentation of historical medical practices and attitudes - Balance between academic rigor and readability - Respectful handling of sensitive subject matter - Well-documented research with extensive primary sources What readers disliked: - Some sections become dense with medical terminology - Higher price point for academic press books - Limited availability of digital versions - Academic tone can feel dry for general readers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "Bodies in Doubt" - 4.1/5 (87 ratings) Amazon: "Bodies in Doubt" - 4.5/5 (12 reviews) "Damned Women" - 4.3/5 (8 reviews) Reader quote: "Reis manages to handle difficult historical material with sensitivity while maintaining scholarly objectivity" - Goodreads reviewer Note: Limited review data available as works are primarily academic texts with smaller distribution.

Bodies in Doubt: An American History of Intersex (2009) A historical examination of how American medical practitioners and the general public have understood and treated people with intersex conditions from the colonial period to the present day.

Damned Women: Sinners and Witches in Puritan New England (1997) An analysis of gender and religious beliefs in colonial New England, focusing on how Puritan theology influenced perceptions of women's spirituality and moral nature.

American Sexual Histories (2012) A collection of primary and secondary sources documenting the history of sexuality in America from colonial times through the twentieth century.

Dead End Gene Pool: A Memoir (2010) A personal account exploring the intersection of gender, medicine, and identity in American society through the author's own experiences and family history.

Anne Fausto-Sterling writes about gender, sexuality, and the intersection of biology and society. Her work examines how medical and scientific views shape cultural understanding of sex and gender, similar to Reis's focus on medical history and intersex conditions.

Alice Dreger researches the history of medicine with emphasis on intersex and variations of sex development. Her books explore medical ethics and treatment of people with atypical bodies through a historical lens.

Susan Stryker documents transgender history and medical approaches to gender variance. Her research covers the evolution of medical treatment and social responses to gender nonconformity across different time periods.

Joanne Meyerowitz studies gender and sexuality in American history, focusing on medical institutions and social movements. She examines how doctors and society have approached gender variance throughout different eras.

Margaret Gibson analyzes medical ethics and decision-making in cases of bodily difference and intersex conditions. Her work investigates the relationship between medical authority and patient autonomy in treatment decisions.