Nonfiction Feminist Books for Examining Patriarchy and Misogyny

1. "Feminism Unmodified: Discourses on Life and Law" by Catharine MacKinnon - Originally published in 1987, this book is considered a classic work of feminist legal theory. MacKinnon argues that patriarchal power is built into the legal system and that the law has been used to uphold misogyny and oppression of women. She also argues that feminist legal theory must be grounded in women's experiences, and that the law must be changed in order to achieve equality.

2. "Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future" by Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards - Originally published in 2000, this book is a powerful exploration of the ways in which patriarchal power operates in everyday life and how young feminists can work to dismantle it. The authors draw on their own experiences as well as those of other young feminists to provide a comprehensive examination of the issues facing women today.

3. "The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love" by bell hooks - Originally published in 2004, this book is a powerful exploration of the ways in which patriarchal power shapes men's lives and relationships. hooks argues that men must be willing to examine their own privilege and work to dismantle patriarchal structures in order to create a more just and equal society.

4. "Why I Am Not a Feminist: A Feminist Manifesto" by Jessa Crispin - Originally published in 2017, this book is a critical examination of the feminist movement and its failures. Crispin argues that feminism has become too focused on individual rights and choices, and that it needs to be more radical and intersectional in order to effectively challenge patriarchal power.

5. "The Second Sex" by Simone de Beauvoir - Originally published in 1949, this classic work is considered one of the most important feminist texts of the 20th century and continues to be widely read and discussed today. de Beauvoir's groundbreaking analysis of the ways in which women are socially constructed and oppressed is still highly relevant today.