A History of Their Own: Women in Europe from Prehistory to the Present, Vol. 1 - Softcover

Anderson, Bonnie S.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195128389 ISBN 13: 9780195128383

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1999

Synopsis

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 One covers women's history from the prehistoric period to the seventeenth century. It includes topics such as the treatment of and attitudes about women during earliest recorded history; the alternating forces of empowerment and subordination imposed on women by ancient religions and the emergence of Christianity; peasant women's daily experiences of childbirth, family life, and field labor; women's religious lives; and the contrast between the lives of noblewomen and the lives of townswomen in early modern Europe.

About this title

About the Author:

Bonnie S. Anderson is at C.U.N.Y. Brooklyn College. Judith P. Zinsser is at Miami University.

Review:

Praise for the previous edition

"These erudite, celebratory volumes belong on every woman's bookshelves."--Joan Smith, in The Guardian

"Bonnie Anderson and Judith Zinsser undertook a formidable task: to write a history of women in Europe scholarly enough to serve as a text in women's history courses, yet lively enough for the general reader. That the authors succeeded in writing such a book is surprising; that they produced
more than 800 pages of continual fascinating narrative is a cause for rejoicing."--Cissie Fairchilds, Syracuse University

"This study demonstrates that one could successfully teach Western Civilization from the perspective of women's experience without in any way neglecting topics crucial to both genders as well as to the format of the conventional survey: the rise of the modern state, class formation, and the
impact of modern warfare. This study is equally successful as an introduction for the inquiring nonacademic reader.--The American Historical Review

"Reading A History of Their Own is a real pleasure. It is extremely well written and lively; it keeps the readers attention. The work succeeds in explaining material so that both the graduate and undergraduate can understand. I like the balance between real women's lives and the explanations
of the larger cultural ideas and practices that shaped women's lives. The work is also filled with details that truly give the reader a sense of the reality of women's lives."--Mary E. Chalmers, Kenyon College

"I have adopted this book for course use for about 4 or 5 years. There is really no other single work one can assign which does as many things as well. The writing is clear and interesting, the scholarly coverage broad and up-to-date, and the text is full of quotations from primary sources
which give it an authentic and lively feeling. Students have frequently commented on how much they enjoy reading it."-- Nancy Partner, McGill University

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0195128389
• ISBN 13: 9780195128383
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 654