
IN DEFENSE OF WOMEN - by H. L. Mencken
CONTENTS
Introduction
I. The Feminine Mind
1. The Maternal Instinct
2. Women’s Intelligence
3. The Masculine Bag of Tricks
4. Why Women Fail
5. The Thing Called Intuition
II. The War Between the Sexes
A sharply observed essay collection, this work tackles the cultural assumptions surrounding women with the same relentless curiosity that marked the author’s earlier critiques of society. Beginning with a probing look at what the writer calls “the feminine mind,” the author dissects topics ranging from maternal instinct to intuition, all while wielding a blend of sarcasm and earnest analysis. The tone is unapologetically provocative, inviting listeners to consider how ideas about gender have been molded by tradition, biology, and the politics of the era.
The second half expands the focus to marriage, the suffrage movement, and the shifting values of the early twentieth‑century world. Through vivid anecdotes and pointed arguments, the author questions prevailing notions of courtship, the role of the woman voter, and the future of domestic life. Listeners will find a blend of historical context and incisive commentary that both challenges and illuminates the ongoing conversation about gender and society.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (243K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Joseph Gallanar and David Widger
Release date
1998-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1880–1956
Known for his sharp wit and fearless opinions, this Baltimore journalist and critic became one of the most recognizable American voices of the early 20th century. His writing mixed satire, reporting, and cultural criticism in a way that still feels lively and provocative.
View all books
by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken

by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken, George Jean Nathan, Willard Huntington Wright

by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken

by George Jean Nathan, H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken

by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken

by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken

by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken

by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken, George Jean Nathan