Customer Reviews

Gendering European History1780-1920

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Other reviews complain that this text is "boring" to which I reply... it is a HISTORY book. By definition, it is ~supposed~ to be laden with facts. I found the feminist perspective refreshing and interesting. The authors really highlight the role of women throughout history that have been downplayed or neglected by traditional historians. Topics are much broader than just women's suffrage and discuss women's roles both within and outside of the home, as well as the psychological and sociological ripples that radiated outward from nuclear family units to affect and shape society as a whole.

I discussed this book with a male reader who felt somewhat attacked by the authors, thinking that it "unfairly blamed men for women's problems." I can see why he might feel awkward reading it, but as a female reader I thought it was a fair assessment of the historical facts. I think any reader, regardless of gender, who is open to the idea of this as a fresh historical analysis rather than feminist finger-pointing will get something out of it. However, don't pick this up for light reading or entertainment value, as the subject matter is both historical and intellectual.

Its a kind of feminist tract that is highly ideological and in the end really heavy-handed and, dare I say it, BORING?

Its a kind of feminist tract that is highly ideological and in the end really heavy-handed and, dare I say it, BORING?