THE SECOND SEX

This is a masterpiece that belongs with the handful of the world's great books on sex and human personality. It deals with the development of the female body, with sexual life, with the growth of personality, with the social position of woman, and with love and marriage. Mme de Beauvoir challenges some of the interpretations of women and her destiny offered by others. She examines a number of typical myths of women. Then she depicts on a large canvas the life of contemporary woman in frank and fascinating detail, drawing on unimpeachable literary sources, diaries, and intimate journals. Finally she offers a noble and inspiring concept of woman, existent in her own right, independent, cultured, capable, and proud. -- From publisher's description.