A History of Their Own: Women in Europe from Prehistory to the Present, Vol. 2 [Paperback]

Bonnie S. Anderson (Author), Judith P. Zinsser (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195128397 | ISBN-13: 978-0195128390 | Publication Date: September 16, 1999 | Edition: Rev Sub

This classic two-volume history is an exciting and revolutionary look at women's history from prehistoric times to the present. Its unique organization focuses on the developments, achievements, and changes in women's roles in society. Rather than examining women's history as an inevitable progression of events along a strict timeline, this text is organized within a loose chronology, with chapters focusing on women's place and function in society. This revised edition provides a new introduction, an updated epilogue on women's lives in Europe since 1988, and a completely revised bibliography that includes recent scholarship. A History of Their Own restores women to the historical record, brings their history into focus, and provides models of female action and heroism. Lively and engaging, this new edition takes readers on a fascinating journey through women's history and the changing roles they have played. In addition it is an ideal text for general courses in women's studies and women's history and more specialized courses focusing on women in European history.
Volume Two covers the fifteenth century to the present. Topics include the roles of female monarchs and women of the court; the application of the new tools of the Scientific Revolution to prove traditional views of women; the salons and parlors of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and wealthy women's contributions to the arts and social services; the impact of city-living and the Industrial Revolution on women's roles and family life; and the emergence, evolution, and impact of the modern feminist movement.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Combining superb scholarship and sheer readability, this is a revelatory, much-needed survey of women in European history. Women took to the barricades in the uprisings of 1848, defending short-lived republics in Paris, Vienna, Rome, Berlin. Names like Black Anna and Jeanne Hachette attest to the prominent roles women played in peasant revolts, bread riots and union organizing. Thousands of female Soviet soldiers saw active combat and helped defeat Hitler. Women in the Middle Ages and Renaissance were troubadours, courtiers, singers, composers, writers; excluded from men's painter guilds, women found ways to practice art. All these accomplishments were achieved under the double burden women facehousehold chores plus the need to earn additional money for one's family. The authorsAnderson teaches at Brooklyn College, Zinsser teaches at the U.N. International Schoolfocus on the centuries after 1600 and end with a responsible history of feminism in its mainstream, socialist and lesbian varieties. Reading this book is an education. Photos.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Organized around the thesis that "gender has been the most important factor in shaping the lives of European women," this sweeping history describes women's experience in terms of social groups and work, with chronology secondary. The approach, which revealed interesting themes in volume 1 ( LJ 5/1/88), is inadequate for the rapid changes of the 19th and 20th centuries. More minor flaws mar this volume. The section on prostitution flows directly into that dealing with performing arts, perpetuating an unfortunate old association. Women's struggles to organize trade unions are greatly oversimplified. Only partially successful. Mary Drake McFeely, Univ. of Georgia Lib., Athens
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 634 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Rev Sub edition (September 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195128397
• ISBN-13: 978-0195128390
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #768,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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4 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Coming From a Woman who is a History Major, May 13, 2009

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Delia Scriptor (oklahoma city, oklahoma United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A History of Their Own: Women in Europe from Prehistory to the Present, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

If I could give this book zero stars I would. I had to read this book for my Women's History class. If the class wasn't bad enough this book made it even worse. The writers have no true understanding of history. Just by reading the book I get the feeling that the authors studied Women's Studies rather than and kind of history. The reader gets the feeling that women have never been happy and that everything is to be blamed on men.

There is no true structure. The book is not even in chronological order. Taking a test off of the information that I'd read was practically impossible. Luckily there was an index because reading it strait through can only leave the reader confused about what they read.

It's is sad that this book is one of the more prevalent women's history books. I don't even know if there are any other significant books on the subject. It is no wonder men have no interest in the subject. It is because of books like this that ruin the subject.

Students and authors need to realize that not all women in history suffered under men. Also, any kind of female writes activities are cyclical. It has definitely not been one single struggle throughout history against men.

It was winter when I finished the class and this book. I seriously contemplated throwing the book in the fire that was going in the fire place.