Fels, Anna. Necessary Dreams: Ambition in Women's Changing Lives. New York: Pantheon Books, 2004. 256 pp.

by Nicole Braun

Necessary Dreams: Ambition in Women's Changing Lives is divided into four sections: Women and Ambition; Recognition and Ambition in Women's Lives; Women and Mastery; and Careers, Marriage, and Family. Fels, a liberal feminist remarkably uncritical of what constitutes conventional "success," argues that women today are at a historical juncture: they have more opportunities but more emotional conflict. According to Fels, sociological and technological advances have paradoxically made women's lives both easier and harder. Fels explores the ways in which women struggle with these seemingly contradictory issues of ambition and success while negotiating, defining, and redefining women's traditional roles. The strengths of this book are obvious: it draws from myriad sources and scholarship, and it is interesting to read. Case stories from women artists, academics, politicians, and those in other occupations are included, as well as stories from Fels's own life. The text has been well received from progressive feminist scholars who endorse the book as original; however, some caution must be used when using the text in the classroom.