A conservative friend of mine suggested this book to me, and to my surprise, I found myself agreeing with much of what Wendy Shalit had to say. A lack of modesty on women's part does seem to lead to a lot of heartache, objectifcation by men towards women, and a general sense of "if you aren't doing it, something is wrong with you." I had my share of heartache and feeling like I was nothing but a sex object in my young adulthood, and I can see now in the way teens and young adult women dress and act that modesty is something sorely lacking in society.

That said, I have to wonder how pervasive this problem really is, especially with "older" women (by older, I mean past mid-20s), and in areas of the country that are not overrun with urbanization. Most of my friends are married, and either had no other sex partners but their husbands, or at most one or two others. I know far more women who saved their virginities for someone special, than those who had sex early and often. (Though I have to agree with Wendy that those who waited are generally happier!)

I am glad that Wendy thought to include men's thoughts on the matter. That made the book much more authentic!

Bravo. Finally, a book which reveals not just that women want to feel beautiful, to be courted, to be cherished, and dare I say it, to be "committed to" by men...but which also reveals that for this to happen successfully, it helps to call upon the natural sense of modesty with which nature endowed females. The entire natural kingdom seems to know that courtship is an intricate dance designed to benefit both sexes, except our generation of "liberated" and sadly, disappointed, women. I think of all the girls dumped in college, all the "walks of shame" we laughed about with friends while feeling slightly depressed inside when "he didn't call," all the 30 year old women still waiting for that ring, all the single mothers, and all the anorexic, razor cutting, prozac popping teenage girls who attempt to embrace a ton of double standards to no avail, and I can only advise you to read this book and share it with others. And also, let's think about the men. Holding a little back promotes the notion that what they are going after is special, rare, worth valuing, worth caring about in the long run, and in this way, provides them with an even richer happiness when they finally experience a much truer form of intimacy, as well as an enhanced sense of confidence, pride even. So many people joke in groups about the prudish, naive and ridiculous nature of concepts like Shalit's, but don't be fooled, in their mockery lies fear-- fear that such voices may be correct. It is in the one to one conversations that individuals, male and female alike, whisper that for a 'naive' young woman fresh out of college, Shalit is quite simply, right.

At only 23, Wendy Shalit is wise beyond her years. In this book she exposes the cruel lie told to modern young women --namely that they must be "just like men, have many lovers, lose their virginity, give up modesty, and get over it." Loss of innocence has been made into a virtue by our culture with disasterous results. Anorexia, bulimia, self mutiliation are the results of young girls being made to feel they are worthless sex objects.

Radical feminism has been no friend to modern woman. Radical feminism's idea of freedom has led to women's unhappiness in a world where she is not respected and made to feel left out and "weird" if she chooses not to take part in the sex roulette game.

As Marmie says in LITTLE WOMEN, "To be loved by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman; and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience." Too many women in our modern culture have been denied this experience.

A RETURN TO MODESTY: DISCOVERING THE LOST VIRTUE shows how we can begin a new sexual revolution and regain the happiness and self respect due us as daughters of God.