Bad Shoes & the Women Who Love Them is a lighthearted wake-up call to women to make informed decisions when buying and wearing fashionable shoes. Arming the reader with essential facts, citing medical literature as well as leading podiatric surgeons and orthopedists, Tanenbaum covers the history of high heels, Chinese foot binding, the controversy over cosmetic surgery of the foot, and what Freud had to say about women's shoes and sex.
Illustrated by artist Vanessa Davis throughout, Bad Shoes & the Women Who Love Them also includes hilarious anecdotes from women who love shoes. And yes—it is possible to make smart footwear decisions without sacrificing style! Tanenbaum shows you how. “As a feminist writer, it seems only natural for [Tanenbaum] to tackle the phenomenon of perfectly sensible women wearing shoes that are unhealthy in the name of fashion and feeling feminine … Overall the book is not a call for us to burn our heels but for us to become more informed consumers.” –Juxtapoz


“There are not enough books out there on the choice many women make everyday—between sex appeal, attractiveness and comfort, health. And Tanenbaum explores the implications of wearing heels with a critical eye but avoids preaching because she identifies with the motivations for wearing 'high, high heels.' Best of all, her pace is quick and witty like a fashion magazine.” –Psychological Books blog


“Bad Shoes and the Women Who Love Them should be a prerequisite for all shoe-enthusiasts. The book offers practical advice that can easily be incorporated into even the most fashionable of wardrobes.” –Feminist Review