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Title: a unique take on the history of women's bodies
Review: This book examines the history of women's bodies in Chinese culture, and the impact of sports on the liberation of women's bodies. The author begins by describing the ideals of Confucian philosphy that led to the practice of footbinding and the shifts in idealogy which led to the elimination of the practice and the increased physical activity of Chinese women, a process which was begun by western missionaries. She demonstrates that while women's participation in sports was in many ways beneficial to women, the Nationalist and Communist movements which set these changes into motions were not necessarily motivated by the desire to further the cause of women's emancipation. This is a very interesting and well researched book, with a very tight focus. It is important when reading it to remember just how tightly focused it is in order to avoid falling into the trap of not being able to see the forest for the trees.
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