Review of 'Women, Fire and Dangerous Things: What Categories Reveal About the Mind' on 'GoodReads'
3 stars
As an academic study Lakoff's book is highly regarded as groundbreaking. Unfortunately, not having expertise in linguistics, it is also difficult to read as the author has an overly reliant focus on long lists, and on the use of terminology that is specific to this domain. The book presents reasoned arguments (particularly on the long discussion against objectivism in scientific theory) and carefully blends linguistics with philosophy and psychology with social linguistics, which at times is fascinating. Not an easy read, but worthwhile and thought-provoking, and better for the case studies included at the end of the book.
