From Publishers Weekly
The autonomy of women is more intimately tied to industrialization and cultural definition than even many feminists acknowledge, according to the author. This sweeping 650-page social history by a Wesleyan professor of social sciences claims that only in the affluent U.S. did a "women's sphere" of home and self-definition develop. In Italy, women provided cheap labor for fascism, while the postwar Italian woman was valued largely for her service to the family as wife and mother. The Swedish feminist movement merged with unions and political parties, but, despite a strong welfare state, women there never put their own needs uppermost. Stalin outlawed feminism, and, although Soviet women rose in the professions, issues of male chauvinism and sexuality were ignored socially. Meyer writes incisively about Strindberg's misogyny and Russia's lack of a modern literature about women. His analysis of the split between NOW and lesbian feminists, and of the current debate over whether equality for women means "becoming like men" in a corporate jungle, adds fuel to the fire. (July
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
In this sweeping study Meyer argues that the history of modern women is best told as parts of the histories of separate nations, and his work makes a well documented case. Throughout Meyer strives to bring what was specific and particular to each country into sharp focus and asserts that national histories are central, but do not constitute straightjackets. Rather, he shows clearly that the national focus helps feminist history fulfill its task of gathering all of women's lives into mainstream history. For Meyer feminist history's subjects are not women, but men and women, and always within the context of a particular culture. This is a fascinating and rich text, though somewhat turgidly written. Still, highly recommended for women's studies collections. Sheila R. Herstein, City Coll. of CUNY Lib.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
