Sep 4
Bodies of Subversion, Second Edition: A Secret History of Women and Tattoo
Posted on Friday, September 4, 2009 in Tattoo Information
Review
An indelible account of an indelible piece of cultural history. — Barbara Kruger, artistAn outstanding read, and long-overdue addition to the growing body of literature on tattooing — Intertnational TattooingBodies of Subversion is a comprehensive and clear-eyed account of tattooing and women in Western society over the past century. Margot Mifflinfurthers understanding of this complex art as it exists among women. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the subj…
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As a heavily tattooed woman, I am constantly searching out the archives for great books regarding the subject. I’ve read some pathetically boooooring books in my day, but not only was this book exciting, but incredibly accurate as well. I particularly enjoyed the vintage photos of the earliest women to experience the needle…I am a first-hand example of familiarity with the stigma attached to beautiful women with beautiful tats, I can’t even imagine the stigma held in the early 1900’s…A great read for females AS WELL AS MALES just looking to brush up on some inkin’ history or seeking out a career in the industry…
Margot Mifflin’s book is an amazingly well-documented and thoroughly acurate telling of the secret history of tattooed women and women tattoo artists in America. I was interviewed extensively for this subject, and throughout the year she was gathering material I watched as Mifflin’s knowledge and understanding of her subject matter grew.
Contrary to another UNSIGNED review posted here, I believe the women quoted are proud to have been included and I have not heard ONE of my peers complain about it.
Many people feel that tattooing has experienced a huge upsurgence of popularity in the last decade, but until this book most will not have had the perspective to realise just how common it was for your Grandma to have slipped off to get a wicked little something, possibly a secret only she and her husband shared. It is women’s willingness to boldly display their tattoos, NOT their enthuisiasm for body art, that has changed.
Margot Mifflin brought her experience as an investigator with a feminist perspective to the organization of a vast wealth of material, helped by many of the important members of the tattoo community. We knew that this was unlikely to be a book one of us would write, and it most definately needed to be written.
From the circus ladies who chose to exhibit themselves as art to the educated graphic artists of today who choose tattooing as their art medium, the women of ink are grateful.
As a relatively newly tattooed woman, I have embraced the culture and am looking to learn more about it. This book showed me what it was like for women with tattoos through the ages. The book is extremely well written and researched and the photos are fabulous. If you are a woman who has tattoos or is thinking about getting one, I highly recommend this book. I work in an extremely conservative environment and was brought up to believe tattoos are evil and dirty, so I struggled with my decision to get my tattoos, but this book not only made me feel more comfortable with my decision, it helped me with new ideas for my backpiece
5.0 out of 5 stars
beautiful!
I can’t say enough great things about this book! It is filled with fascinating stories of women in the past and present.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect!
This book was exactly what I needed for my college research paper. It gave me exactly the kind of information I needed to discuss the history of women and tattoos.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Photos, Wonderful book for anyone interested in the History
This is my favorite Coffee Table Book. Has a lot of great old Pictures. Always stirs up a conversation with house guests.
1.0 out of 5 stars
old book
This book seems so outdated. The intentions of this book are great but there is still plenty more great information about tattoos and women out there.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful and Revealing
This is a must-read for anyone interested in getting a fuller history of tattooing. The book does an excellent, well-balanced job of weaving biographies and social commentary…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting info on two fascinating subjects
Ok, I love women and I love tattoos. While my “woman” history is nobody’s business but my own, I can say that I got my first tattoo at age 52 (8 years ago–you do the math) and…
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Tattoo Book For Women
As a relatively newly tattooed woman, I have embraced the culture and am looking to learn more about it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seldom Told History
For some reason, the art and culture surrounding tattoo is still considered a male interest. Seeing as most of my friends interested in and displaying tattoos are female, this…
5.0 out of 5 stars
An important history of a secret enthusiasm
Margot Mifflin’s book is an amazingly well-documented and thoroughly acurate telling of the secret history of tattooed women and women tattoo artists in America.
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Best Books I’ve Ever Read!
This book was fascinating : it documented women and tattooing for 100 years. It was an illistrated guide to the signifigance of tattoos to women and society, how and when…