Customer Reviews

Gender in World History (Themes in World History)

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I've read quite a few books on women in the West, so it was refreshing to read this short book, which provides a concise and clear introduction to global gender history. Instead of starting with the Greeks, we get to see the Greeks in a broader context, including with premodern Japan, where women had more of a role, especially in culture. One of the things I especially liked about the book was how the author uses direct quotes to give a sense of how individuals either experienced or expressed gender. The second part of the book deals with modernization, with case studies of Russia and Japan, and the impact of the West on the globe from the 19th century. Starting with a global perspective helps to broaden the entire narrative.

There aren't any footnotes, but there are useful suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter. This is a great place to get oriented to gender history in a global context.