All About Wearing High Heel, reader feedback

Reader Feedback

"The definitive reference book...." Classic Pumps

Hi JJ,

...I brought your book (like i mention before in the last email) and it's very good and helpfull...

Y.K. - 09 Apr 2002

Hi JJ--

Thank you for your wonderful book--I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

A.W. - 15 Feb 2002

To A.W., Thanks!

I always enjoy good feedback, as I worked very hard on the book and did my best to make it helpful and unbiased.

J.J. - February 18, 2002

Just finished reading your book, "Why Women Wear High Heels", and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I was aware of some damage that could occur to the feet, legs, back, etc., from prolonged wearing of high heels, I was NOT aware of the 2nd stage irreversible damage. I have noticed country entertainer Dolly Parton on occassion taking off her spikes, and her feet retaining the same shape as the shoe, as if she were still wearing them, it just didn't occur to me what was happening.

I have been an avid admirer of high heels for some time, AND the women who can wear them. They have a very erotic appeal to me, and are kind of a FETISH for me, as any woman wearing them, and the sound they make on hard surfaces when being worn, will definitely turn my head. Also, I always stop and let women wearing them pass in front of me when I'm driving.

Thanks again.

R.K. - 13 May 2001

To R.K., Thanks for the feedback.

The book is titled "All About Wearing High Heels" and it was actually intended for women rather than men. However, I am glad that you "thoroughly enjoyed it".

Also, I did not use the word "irreversible" in discussing the shortened Achilles tendon and calf muscle problem. However, in very extreme cases, the condition can be considered as "irreversible" or close to it (in lack of a better term to use). Stretching simply does not work anymore and can easily lead to painful Achilles tendonitis as well as a torn Achilles tendon. So, it is usually better for those with this problem to just stay up in heels, as high as needed.

I do not know if Dolly Parton has this problem, but it would not surprise me if she did. I have never seen her wear anything other than high heels.

I just finished reading your book. It is excellent and a much needed resource.

B.H. - January 28, 2001

I think you did a worthy thing, even if it wasn't the pro-heels propaganda I was expecting.

C.O. - January 25, 2001

A unique feature of your book is an extended treatment of the shortened Achilles tendon problem. It has some valuable information not found elsewhere. as you rightly point out, the problem with shortened Achilles tendons becomes much more acute as people age. Your discussion of that and of the alternatives that people should be aware of is valuable. Degenerative changes take place and, as you point out (p. 106-7), the Achilles tendon loses its elasticity and its length becomes locked in for whatever heel height the person is used to at that time, forcing her to wear shoes of that exact heel height or risk rupture of the tendon. That is an extremely important point to make and if the reader carries away just that thought and thinks about it you will have performed a valuable service.

You also correctly point out (p. 136) that the biggest problem with high heels is getting shoes that fit. Podiatrists also keep harping about getting shoes that fit but they seem to be oblivious to the fact that high heels are made only in one width. This means that not more than half the population of wearers can ever hope to find shoes that fit them. As a consequence, large numbers of women are forced to wear shoes that are too narrow for them, psyched into believing that high heels must be uncomfortable.. And then those same podiatrists come out with the brilliant observation that almost all the foot problems women have can be traced to wearing too-narrow shoes! They know very well that high heels are here to stay. If they made a big issue of manufacturers’ responsibility we just might get some results but they apparently don’t because they would then seem to be advocating those hated shoes that make them rich. The situation is scandalous and you could have made more of it than to just mention in passing (p. 32) that all those who do not have a B width will have a problem getting high heeled shoes.

Your suggestion that a high heel wearer should learn to dance (p. 97) is excellent advice. Wearing high heels is an athletic skill and learning to dance is a good way to hone that skill. I just looked at an International Sport Dance Competition on public television and was truly impressed by the agility and grace of the tango dancers who seemed to wear three inch heels. The foxtrot dancers, on the other hand, were in what looked like medium heels.

On the whole the book serves a useful purpose for a beginner if you ignore the excessive disclaimers and warnings.

A.A. - January 8, 2001

To A.A., Thanks!

This page was last edited on April 21, 2002.
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