Big Girls Don't Cry

In Big Girls Don't Cry, journalist Rebecca Traister examines the 2008 United States presidential election through the lens of gender and feminism. The book tracks the campaigns and media coverage of key female figures including Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama, and Elizabeth Edwards. The narrative encompasses both political analysis and personal reflection, as Traister documents her evolution from John Edwards supporter to Hillary Clinton advocate. The text also explores the roles of prominent women in media during the election, including journalists Katie Couric and Rachel Maddow, plus the impact of Saturday Night Live's campaign coverage. Traister investigates how gender affected campaign dynamics, media coverage, and public discourse during this historic election. She focuses on previously unreported stories and confronts instances of sexism and racism that emerged throughout the campaign season. The book stands as a record of a pivotal moment in American political history when women's roles in national politics underwent significant transformation. Through its examination of the 2008 election, the work addresses broader questions about power, representation, and the evolving nature of feminism in American society.

Readers value this book's detailed analysis of gender and politics during the 2008 election, with many highlighting Traister's reporting on Hillary Clinton's campaign and Sarah Palin's impact. Readers appreciated: - The behind-the-scenes campaign coverage - Historical context of women in politics - Clear writing style that balances personal perspective with journalism - Examination of media bias and sexism in political coverage Common criticisms: - Some found it too focused on defending Clinton - Several readers noted repetitive points - A few felt it needed tighter editing - Some wanted more analysis of race dynamics Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (120+ reviews) One reader on Goodreads noted: "Thorough research but gets bogged down in minutiae." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Important documentation of a historic campaign, though occasionally veers into excessive detail about minor events."

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🗳️ Hillary Clinton's 2008 campaign inspired an unprecedented surge in political donations from women, with over 2.5 million women contributing to presidential campaigns that year. 📚 Rebecca Traister began her journalism career as an assistant at Talk magazine before becoming a staff writer at Salon.com, where she covered the 2008 election extensively. 👥 The book's release in 2010 coincided with a record number of women running for Congress, with 298 female candidates seeking office that year. 🎭 Traister interviewed over 100 voters, activists, and political figures while researching "Big Girls Don't Cry," traveling across 13 states during the campaign season. 📺 The 2008 election saw Sarah Palin become the first female Republican vice-presidential nominee, generating more media coverage in her first month than either presidential candidate.