Routledge - Reducing Bodies: Mass Culture and Female Figure

Explore the evolution of beauty and gender in the years following World War II with Reducing Bodies: Mass Culture and the Female Figure in Postwar America. This Routledge publication examines how women refashioned their physical appearance through various methods, including exercise, reducing diets, and plastic surgery. By analyzing unique and previously untapped sources like insurance industry records, this study provides a deep look into how changing beauty standards reflect broader gender dynamics. The text connects historical shifts to modern-day topics, offering essential context for the rise of fat studies and current discussions surrounding the obesity epidemic. It is an engaging read for those interested in the intersection of health, race, and gender history in postwar America.