The Ministry of Thin: How the Pursuit of Perfection Got Out of Control

(Paperback)

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Losing weight has become the modern woman's Holy Grail Everything will be better when we're thin. In the 21st century, being thin, even more than being rich or happy, sends a clear message of success to the outside world. No wonder then that disordered eating is on the rise and we're increasingly unhappy with our bodies. The Ministry of Thin takes a controversial, unflinching look at how our desire to lose weight is out of control; at the widespread depression that results, the tyranny of celebrity culture and the dangerous extremes-including drip-diets and cosmetic surgery to which we will go to be skinny. From those who would like to be a few pounds lighter to those who starve or binge in secret, we are all affected. How did we get to the point where we hate our own bodies, and is it futile to hope that we might one day be able to like ourselves again, just as we are AUTHOR: Emma Woolf, author of An Apple A Day, has become a spokesperson on body image issues and eating disorders since beginning her popular column by the same name in The Times, appearing on BBC2's Newsnight, BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour and Channel 5's 5 News. The great niece of Virginia Woolf, she has contributed to a wide range of newspapers and magazines. SELLING POINTS: Emma will be an investigative presenter on the new series of Supersize vs Superskinny A recent UK survey found that one in four women would choose depression, alcoholism and herpes over being overweight. A US study found that one in six women would rather be blind then obese Emma's growing media profile makes her the ideal spokesperson for this highly topical subject. She has received thousands of messages from 'normal' readers who say, 'I feel this way too.'

Reviews

A very honest, intelligent reflection on the causes and effects of society's obsession with thin. * Dr Linda Papadopoulos *
The Ministry of Thin is frank, funny, and fascinating - I wanted to shout "hear, hear" at the end of almost every sentence. * Anne H. Putnam, author of Navel Gazing: One Woman's Quest for a Size Normal *
A brilliant and brutal look at the world of thin, by a writer who knows too well the damaging effects of such a persuasive club. Think you are immune to their rhetoric Then think again. * Dr Christian Jessen *
She talks much sense having been through 10 years of anorexia. * The Bookseller *
this book might make you a little more conscious when dealing with patients who may be battling with body image problems, or an eating disorder. * Student BMJ (British Medical Journal) *
Thoughtfully written and incisive, Emma Woolf looks at the darker side of our obsession with dieting... * Ian Marber *
Woolf sets her stall out with brio... a hypnotist's finger-click signalling women to wake up. * The Observer *

Author Bio

Emma Woolf is the great-niece of Virginia Woolf. After studying English at Oxford University she worked in publishing, before becoming a full-time writer. She is a columnist for The Times and also writes for The Independent, The Mail on Sunday, Harper's Bazaar, Red, Grazia and Psychologies. She was a co-presenter on Channel 4's Supersize vs Superskinny; other media appearances include Newsnight, Woman's Hour and Radio 4's Four Thought. Emma's first book, An Apple a Day: A Memoir of Love and Recovery from Anorexia was published in 2012 and shortlisted for the Beat Award for Recovery Inspiration. She was also nominated for Mind's Journalist of the Year. She lives in London. You can follow Emma on Twitter: @ejwoolf. Review of The Ministry of Thin in the Observer: "Woolf sets her stall out with brio." "Woolf's skill in is in adding intellectual and emotional ballast to the debates that interest her. In its best moments, this book emerges as a hypnotist's finger-click signalling women to wake up."