What was it like to grow up in a Jewish family in medieval Ashkenaz? What was it like to raise children? Baumgarten reveals both what was distinctive What was it like to grow up in a Jewish family in medieval Ashkenaz? What was it like to raise children? Baumgarten reveals both what was distinctive about Jewish family life in the high and later Middle Ages, and how Jewish and Christian neighbors influenced each other and even helped each other raise their kids. A great example of how to use comparative history to highlight one story while illuminating a broader picture--and a fascinating look at a never-before-studied aspect of medieval Judaism....more
The foundation for scholarship on women in Islam, both in historiography terms and as a historical take. Ahmed starts her story in medieval Arabia, shThe foundation for scholarship on women in Islam, both in historiography terms and as a historical take. Ahmed starts her story in medieval Arabia, showing how Islam represents both change and continuity from earlier traditions. She traces the development of Muslim scholars' thoughts on women and gender over time, focusing not just on the texts themselves but on how they were interpreted in different times and places. This is essential reading for anyone interested in Islam, Islamic history, or women's studies....more
While male scholastics were debating in Latin, holy women (and their male advisors) were using vernacular poetry and their own bodies to create an altWhile male scholastics were debating in Latin, holy women (and their male advisors) were using vernacular poetry and their own bodies to create an alternative model of saintliness. This book, which broke open the world of medieval religious women to modern audiences, features a great introduction to the roles of medieval women in the Church before focusing more specifically on what made a few standout women particularly holy--and why....more
A master class in how to find and tell women's stories when the sources don't want you to. In addition to uncovering the life and death of a world of A master class in how to find and tell women's stories when the sources don't want you to. In addition to uncovering the life and death of a world of women who brewed ale in medieval England for their families and as a profession, Bennett explains in depth how she used different types of court records, civic ordinances, art, guild archives, and literature to build her argument....more
Evans looks at the origins of the Women's movement in the civil rights protests of the 1960s.Evans looks at the origins of the Women's movement in the civil rights protests of the 1960s....more
Gordon's history of welfare is essential reading for those interested in both women's history and in the history of welfare.Gordon's history of welfare is essential reading for those interested in both women's history and in the history of welfare....more
Epic overview of the "movement(s)" of the sixties - the new left, civil rights, black power, and women's movement are all viewed together. This is oneEpic overview of the "movement(s)" of the sixties - the new left, civil rights, black power, and women's movement are all viewed together. This is one of the best general overviews of "the sixties" out there....more
A very interesting history of the post-war family, women's roles, and the fifties-era cult of "domesticity." A classic, and a very interesting read.A very interesting history of the post-war family, women's roles, and the fifties-era cult of "domesticity." A classic, and a very interesting read....more
Anderson's is the classic account of women on the home front - along with Meyer's book (below) it provides a useful expansion/complication of the imagAnderson's is the classic account of women on the home front - along with Meyer's book (below) it provides a useful expansion/complication of the image of "rosie the riveter" and similar images....more
Classic study of the emergence of "woman's sphere" during the early republic.Classic study of the emergence of "woman's sphere" during the early republic....more
Ulrich uses the diary of Martha Ballard to paint an incredibly detailed picture of life in the early republic, with emphasis on women and domestic lifUlrich uses the diary of Martha Ballard to paint an incredibly detailed picture of life in the early republic, with emphasis on women and domestic life....more
This book explores industrialization in Canada through a case study of two local histories: Paris and Hanover. Parr presents a post-structuralist critThis book explores industrialization in Canada through a case study of two local histories: Paris and Hanover. Parr presents a post-structuralist critique of categories such as class and gender, and attempts to illustrate the duality of capitalism/patriarchal oppression. In terms of workers’ experiences in these communities, Parr argues that class and gender were equal in their contributions to social identity....more
Joan Sangster applies an historical materialist approach to the postwar period to deepen our understanding of women’s labour in Canada. She argues thaJoan Sangster applies an historical materialist approach to the postwar period to deepen our understanding of women’s labour in Canada. She argues that class interpenetrated both gender and social relations, and that lessons can be drawn from the ways in which Canadian women “experienced” this reality....more
This book used to be really hard to find, but now that it's a PBS miniseries it's substantially easier. Anyways, Jennifer Worth was a midwife working This book used to be really hard to find, but now that it's a PBS miniseries it's substantially easier. Anyways, Jennifer Worth was a midwife working in the East End of London in the 1950s (1957 - 59, I think), and her writing explores both the medical profession in the 1950s and the poverty of the East End. Worth doesn't get into issues of class the way she probably could have - Worth was a middle-class woman working in decidedly working-class condition - but they are there, and worth thinking about....more
One of the first studies on women's history of any place or period, this book was revolutionary when it was published, and is still seminal today.One of the first studies on women's history of any place or period, this book was revolutionary when it was published, and is still seminal today....more
Primary source collection. Letters, all transcribed and easy to read. Famous women and un-famous women. It's wonderful, you can pick it up, read one oPrimary source collection. Letters, all transcribed and easy to read. Famous women and un-famous women. It's wonderful, you can pick it up, read one or two, put it down, or curl up with it for hours. Some letters will really just break your heart. ...more