Vostral (gender and women's studies, U. of Illinois) examines the social history of menstrual hygiene, explaining that menstrual hygiene is primarily a technology, and that women had to learn that technology to continue to pass as non-bleeders suitable for continued responsible employment and a successful social life. She examines this technology of passing as evidence of a politics of secrecy, which considers the marketing of commodities, the creation of public policies related to private technologies, the regard of virginity, the involvement of the industry in sex education, and the expansion of options as women's rights expanded. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)