Hi Underthegreenwood
I think you being angry is the main starting point! And not sure what knowledge would be more useful to you than you thinking about the reasons you are angry. And as yet I dont think there is a book that has been written that explains how for every small gain we make, society gradually erases it.
For instance in the early days of women's liberation (which was more influenced by hippy alternative culture than socialism or academia) was an idea that "equality" would result in (dont laugh) everyone working part time so that adults in whatever relationship would share child care and domestic duties. But this idealistic dream was manipulated by capitalism to the extent that women entering the work force created the opportunity to increase the cost of housing and basic living costs so that one full time or two part time wages could not sustain a household! Sold as "having it all" it just meant women ended up with the double burden of paid and unpaid work.
I dont know if you are in London, but if you are or can get to London, a visit to the Feminist Library would probably be very interesting as you could then access the published material that was probably more influential than actual books, eg newsletters and self/group published magazines. ie a pre digital version of the feminist discussions that happen on mumsnet, facebook and networks.
If you were interested in following through how feminists ideas have developed and changed, you could read (if you haven't already) the books that many women refer to as the ones that changed / informed them. Off the top of my head and not saying this is a complete list here are some of the titles post WWII (primarily white, western feminism).
The Second Sex is said to be the start of second wave feminism.
The Feminine Mystique which reflected the impact of women being sent back into the home having experineced relative freedom during WWII, creating the problem with no name.
The big surge in what became women's liberation ideas was primarily through pamphlets and conference papers which via snail mail, were exchanged across the atlantic. This is an example www.jofreeman.com/joreen/bitch.htm
The Dialectic of Sex teoriaevolutiva.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/firestone-shulamith-dialectic-sex-case-feminist-revolution.pdf
In the UK more socialist feminist books got published and may not have influenced local women's groups and activists but in terms of how political policy and funding of women's groups happened was influential. Sheila Rowbotham was (is) one of these www.bl.uk/people/sheila-rowbotham
Some women have found novels to be their turning point. For me it was the Edible Woman which I dont think Margaret Atwood intended as a feminist text and I am not sure whether the world it reflects is still the same today. Other women found the Women's Room (Marylin French) the book that changed them for its accurate portrayal of male violence.
Sorry - not sure if this is in anyway helpful, but also I have just seen the time and must stop.
Am happy to come back with some other titles, although I am sure other mumsnetters can add to your reading list.
