In the opening chapters of her book, Assiter provides a lucid exposition of contemporary postmodern feminism. She analyses the writings of some of its most influential theorists, and places them in the wider context of postmodern and post-structuralist theory as developed, for example, by Lyotard and Derrida. Assiter then develops a citique of the antirealist stance that unites postmodern thinkers and makes a powerful argument for epistemological realism.

In later chapters, Assiter goes on to outline a 'modernist' feminist epistemology based on communities rather than the individual; she asserts that a version of the humanist subject based on bodily identity can be defended against postmodernist deconstructions; and she demonstrates that we can indeed make claims about women that are universally true. Enlightened Women argues for retaining the distinction between sex and gender and concludes with an alternative reading of the theory of sexuality.

Enlightened Women provides a clear and concise overview of postmodernism and French feminist thought; at the same time it argues, against received opinion, for a partial return to modernist values.