Chris47 reviewed A Physical Education by Casey Johnston
A refreshing view of what strength has been, and can become again.
4 stars
I first heard about this author on Adam Conover's podcast youtu.be/HdpDsWd1I44?si=72TnFS_PO9hBuVH5
This book includes a through line of narrative about the author's personal journey from dieting and jogging to strength training, and how it improved her life, but also the challenges in a society that pushes people, especially women to being subservient.
Mixed into the narrative was history of how our culture came to where it is now, and how - among other things - capitalism, christianity, fascism, and militarism have taken strength training from everyday people, and organized labor, and co-opted it for their purposes to the point that being strong is more strongly associated with violent ideologies than people protecting their collective interests.
Casey does a good job of arguing for reclaiming strength from the hypermasculine, authoritarian place it has become, and reclaiming it for women especially, but also everyone who values community, kindness, and …
I first heard about this author on Adam Conover's podcast youtu.be/HdpDsWd1I44?si=72TnFS_PO9hBuVH5
This book includes a through line of narrative about the author's personal journey from dieting and jogging to strength training, and how it improved her life, but also the challenges in a society that pushes people, especially women to being subservient.
Mixed into the narrative was history of how our culture came to where it is now, and how - among other things - capitalism, christianity, fascism, and militarism have taken strength training from everyday people, and organized labor, and co-opted it for their purposes to the point that being strong is more strongly associated with violent ideologies than people protecting their collective interests.
Casey does a good job of arguing for reclaiming strength from the hypermasculine, authoritarian place it has become, and reclaiming it for women especially, but also everyone who values community, kindness, and cooperation.
