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Anatomy of Female Power: A Masculinist Dissection of Matriarchy
Anatomy of Female Power--Powerful and must read!!
135 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
36 people are currently reading
640 people want to read
About the author
Chinweizu
8 books40 followersChinweizu is an institutionally unaffiliated Afrocentric scholar. A historian and cultural critic, his books include The West and the Rest of Us (1975), Second, enlarged edition (1987); Invocations and Admonitions (1986); Decolonising the African Mind (1987); Voices from Twentieth-century Africa (1988); Anatomy of Female Power (1990). He is also a co-author of Towards the Decolonization of African Literature (1980). His pamphlets include The Black World and the Nobel (1987); and Recolonization or Reparation? (1994) He lives in Lagos, Nigeria.
He was was educated at Government Secondary School, Afikpo and later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and SUNY, Buffalo. While studying in America, during the civil rights era, Chinweizu became influenced by the philosophy of a black arts movement. He is commonly associated with Black orientalism.
He was was educated at Government Secondary School, Afikpo and later attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and SUNY, Buffalo. While studying in America, during the civil rights era, Chinweizu became influenced by the philosophy of a black arts movement. He is commonly associated with Black orientalism.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 19, 2018
Are you 'a "feminist-minded female or pussy-whipped male'? There are some authors and their supporters who attempt to stop criticism of their books by insulting and denigrating their critics in the hope that will shut them up. Calling women 'feminists' as an insult and men who agree with that philosophy 'pussy-whipped' ie. not real men, not masculine men, not the sort of men other men would respect and admire, but only the sort some awful, horrible, ball-breaking 'feminist' women who deny their innate submissive natures before all Men, might like,
This book is an intellectual appeal to men that there are only three types of women and they are all awful in their various ways. All of them put men down into the role that all the gods have decreed women should occupy rather than worship men as those gods. If it's such an awful thing to be, subservient in every way to a woman, why would a decent man want the women in his family to have to live like that?
This is a quote from a review by KaMau-Mau (whoever that may be), it speaks for itself:
"Even without feminism, women are trained to use their biology to manipulate men to get men to do what they want, generally without the men knowing it is even happening. His analysis of feminism, and categorization of women into matriachists (men's ordained role is to serve women), tomboys (wish they were men) and termigants (whose purpose is taking pleasure in lording it over her man) has the latter two categories migrate towards feminism (which is in the eyes of the matriarchialist killing the egg-laying goose) with the tomboys elbowing their way into male spaces and the termagants who form the ranks of the 3rd wave with its focus on microagressions, victim blaming, manspreading, and the current trend towards affirmative consent in sexual relations."
He also says that the book was banned in the US, I couldn't find it on any banned list. KaMau-Mau is just saying that to pretend that America is dominated by "pussy-whipped' men and feminist women!
This book is an intellectual appeal to men that there are only three types of women and they are all awful in their various ways. All of them put men down into the role that all the gods have decreed women should occupy rather than worship men as those gods. If it's such an awful thing to be, subservient in every way to a woman, why would a decent man want the women in his family to have to live like that?
This is a quote from a review by KaMau-Mau (whoever that may be), it speaks for itself:
"Even without feminism, women are trained to use their biology to manipulate men to get men to do what they want, generally without the men knowing it is even happening. His analysis of feminism, and categorization of women into matriachists (men's ordained role is to serve women), tomboys (wish they were men) and termigants (whose purpose is taking pleasure in lording it over her man) has the latter two categories migrate towards feminism (which is in the eyes of the matriarchialist killing the egg-laying goose) with the tomboys elbowing their way into male spaces and the termagants who form the ranks of the 3rd wave with its focus on microagressions, victim blaming, manspreading, and the current trend towards affirmative consent in sexual relations."
He also says that the book was banned in the US, I couldn't find it on any banned list. KaMau-Mau is just saying that to pretend that America is dominated by "pussy-whipped' men and feminist women!
January 6, 2016
This is a controversial and provocative work; it is also a scholarly and intellectual contribution. The author apparently believes that women run the gauntlet of controlling and manipulating men. A plethora of eclectic references and allusions and comments are cleverly served up to convince us of the overt and covert powers of the fairer sex. Reality, sleight of hand, or 'bunkum' so to speak? Perhaps it depends on the reader, the race, society, class etc. As an African, I'd be reluctant to believe women are as powerful as this - the facts show that even in modern times most women are not only suppressed or oppressed in the continent but are actually cruelly treated, viciously raped, kidnapped, abused, especially in war-torn areas and in many rural communities. Polygamy is fairly common in Africa too, with many educated women finding themselves part of the harem of rich, powerful, and or even average men. Would one describe such women as having unbridled powers over their men; or that they are enjoying the situation they find themselves in? Or perhaps the author has western women and their ilk in mind; liberated women wearing the trousers at home? If only it were that simple - we tend to forget that even in the "civilized" world women were certainly at least second class citizens until comparatively very recently in world history. Africans perhaps who might doubt this can examine the themes of just two classics of literature in the western world. In The Mayor of Casterbridge (Thomas Hardy) a western man actually sells his own wife! Also consider The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Anne Bronte) where what seems simple now – a western woman "closing the door" on, and leaving a most debased, shocking husband was regarded as a revolutionary deed at the time! So yes, it has not been all roses for women, even if one concedes in our modern world that ladies are (in theory at least) every inch "equal" to men. The author here takes intellectual pains in explaining, delineating types of men and women, and how some women even gloat about their power over men! One suspects that all this is exaggerated and despite the physical attractions and allure of women, men cannot be such suckers...at least on a permanent level. But this is not to deny that women can be very powerful in their own way too; many men have fallen by the wayside because of the opposite sex, but it runs both ways. These days brazen, shameless female prostitution is multiplying in our societies, and can this by any stretch of the imagination be depicted as women manipulating or using men? Or are women victims; to a large extent hapless? On the whole, this work is intellectually intriguing and satisfying, a brilliant extended essay. But one has doubts about the conclusions the author apparently draws...
June 22, 2015
Best book I've ever read about Women so far.
In this amazing book Chinweizu literally dissects the sources of female power over men, explains with logical arguments how men are conditioned by women to serve women and be their slaves for lifetime. After reading this book, everything you witness but can't understand will make sense to you, why is your wife acting like this? why did your female colleague get the promotion instead of you? is it really a Woman's world?
This book is one of the True "Eye-opening" books. It will change your perspective about every female around you for good. And eventually you'll be like "My Whole Life is a Lie."
In this amazing book Chinweizu literally dissects the sources of female power over men, explains with logical arguments how men are conditioned by women to serve women and be their slaves for lifetime. After reading this book, everything you witness but can't understand will make sense to you, why is your wife acting like this? why did your female colleague get the promotion instead of you? is it really a Woman's world?
This book is one of the True "Eye-opening" books. It will change your perspective about every female around you for good. And eventually you'll be like "My Whole Life is a Lie."
April 2, 2017
Outstanding! One of the best books on female nature and feminism I've ever read. I recommend every man read this book.
February 12, 2020
Wish I had read this book in my late teens..
Before getting involved with women etc... Now I know how/why my life was ruined. We men foolishly think we are clever, superior to women...we are worse than fools.
Before getting involved with women etc... Now I know how/why my life was ruined. We men foolishly think we are clever, superior to women...we are worse than fools.
December 2, 2016
Very thought-provoking. When I started the book, I thought it was hilarious for someone to say that women were the one in charge and men the slaves. But as I got further into the book, I realised the author was making some serious sense. At some point in the book, I was almost at the point of anger considering what the womenfolk have done to the men folk. The bright side to this is that I now have a nuclear weapon in my arsenal of arguments against feminism.
May 11, 2020
This is a concise, well-written book where the author makes a solid case for his claim that female power is, and has likely always been, the supreme power in society. To sum it up as simply as possible using a quote from the first chapter; "men may rule the world, but women rule the men who rule the world". Female power is 'hidden in plain sight' and this short book will give the reader the discernment to see these power dynamics.
I notice that the most "liked" review is a one-star reviewer who clearly hasn't bothered reading the text; the fact she quotes comments from other reviewers, and not the text itself, illustrates how worthless her review is. She can't dismantle the thesis put forward in the book, so instead she resorts to witless attacks. I suspect she'd have a lot to lose if her cherished worldview came crumbing down were she ever to read this book with an honest and open mind.
I notice that the most "liked" review is a one-star reviewer who clearly hasn't bothered reading the text; the fact she quotes comments from other reviewers, and not the text itself, illustrates how worthless her review is. She can't dismantle the thesis put forward in the book, so instead she resorts to witless attacks. I suspect she'd have a lot to lose if her cherished worldview came crumbing down were she ever to read this book with an honest and open mind.
September 9, 2020
Anatomy of female power is a profound book that tries to bridge the gap between chauvinism and feminism and presents a picture of how the society has evolved in reference to the role of the female. He argues that women have historically exercised control over the kitchen, cradle and the womb and in a way exercise a lot of control over the mind and actions of the male- as a mother, partner and a wife. This digs deeper into the role of male as a provider for the house and the role of the female as a keeper of the house and children.
Towards the end, the author argues that true feminism is equality in all aspects of life and work and with it, busts the myth of the 'oppressed domesticated woman'. He argues that true feminist is actually a friend of a masculinist who strives for equality in all aspects of life unlike a chauvinist( or a Termagant feminist) who wants dominance over the other sex.
One thing that I believe is that most of the gender roles in the society have evolved over centuries and is not a conspiracy hatched by matriarchs to control men as is hinted sometime in the book.
Peace Ho! :)
Towards the end, the author argues that true feminism is equality in all aspects of life and work and with it, busts the myth of the 'oppressed domesticated woman'. He argues that true feminist is actually a friend of a masculinist who strives for equality in all aspects of life unlike a chauvinist( or a Termagant feminist) who wants dominance over the other sex.
One thing that I believe is that most of the gender roles in the society have evolved over centuries and is not a conspiracy hatched by matriarchs to control men as is hinted sometime in the book.
Peace Ho! :)
Read
January 15, 2021Must read for any man beginning at 14 years old.
November 22, 2020
#1-General first impression:
i discovered this book through the recommendations of someone, and judging by the social "context" in which the recommendation was given, well one can say that this is one of the books that you have to mentally brace yourself for some heavy stuff to come.
#2-Core idea & Analysis:
are women truly the weak and oppressed gender? or are they really as oppressed as they say they are?
this is basically the core question that this book tries to answer, and it puts a considerable amount of analysis -both logical and social- into dissecting the notion of female power , from 3 stand points :mother power, bride power & wife power.
so, although many will initially dismiss the usage of term matriarchy is perceive it as an absurd possibility, this book simply begs to differ. and i really don't want to go any further in the analysis lest i spoil any of the "juicy" parts for the possible future reader.
#3-Cohesiveness:
this is a very well structured well laid out book, and all of the topics flow "smoothly" from one area to another. except for the epilogue which was a somehow different message.
#4-Side notes:
the topic of gender is a pretty inflammatory topic indeed, so its very difficult to agree or disagree completely with any case in this area, especially in the more gray areas, or case when generalization is made about the opposite gender.
but in a nutshell i think its safe to assume that the situation of human society is kinda like a game of rock paper scissors, where women control men, men control society & society controls women.
#5-difficulty of text:
well from a "reading" point of view, the book isnt difficult to keep with at all and can be finished in one setting in fact, but from a "grasping" point of view, i think some of the information which may cause many people who are victims to the WAW effect to become quite disillusioned which can be a rather difficult experience.
#6-The need to reread:
one read is enough, because you either:
A-dismiss the whole premise of the book and disagree completely, so you wont bother to come again.
B-you are surprised to learn about some of these life facts, and so the eye opening lessons are likely to stick with you.
C-you are already familiar with the material and it that case nothing here will surprise you.
#7-I would recommend to:
any open-minded male or female(mostly men), especially the younger generations.
#8-Quotes i liked:
-in human society, it is not male power but female power which is supreme. Or rather, to change the imagery, however great male power may be, it is to female power what that one-seventh of an iceberg which is visible above water is to the six-sevenths which lies below the water line.
-A man can be controlled by the hunger in his belly, and by the other hunger which flares up just below his belly.
-To secure his emotional commitment, a woman will train a man to attach his feelings inseverably to herself. His jealousy and her cantankerousness are great instruments for this task. The more jealous she makes him, the more strongly the heat of his own jealousy bonds his heart to her
i discovered this book through the recommendations of someone, and judging by the social "context" in which the recommendation was given, well one can say that this is one of the books that you have to mentally brace yourself for some heavy stuff to come.
#2-Core idea & Analysis:
are women truly the weak and oppressed gender? or are they really as oppressed as they say they are?
this is basically the core question that this book tries to answer, and it puts a considerable amount of analysis -both logical and social- into dissecting the notion of female power , from 3 stand points :mother power, bride power & wife power.
so, although many will initially dismiss the usage of term matriarchy is perceive it as an absurd possibility, this book simply begs to differ. and i really don't want to go any further in the analysis lest i spoil any of the "juicy" parts for the possible future reader.
#3-Cohesiveness:
this is a very well structured well laid out book, and all of the topics flow "smoothly" from one area to another. except for the epilogue which was a somehow different message.
#4-Side notes:
the topic of gender is a pretty inflammatory topic indeed, so its very difficult to agree or disagree completely with any case in this area, especially in the more gray areas, or case when generalization is made about the opposite gender.
but in a nutshell i think its safe to assume that the situation of human society is kinda like a game of rock paper scissors, where women control men, men control society & society controls women.
#5-difficulty of text:
well from a "reading" point of view, the book isnt difficult to keep with at all and can be finished in one setting in fact, but from a "grasping" point of view, i think some of the information which may cause many people who are victims to the WAW effect to become quite disillusioned which can be a rather difficult experience.
#6-The need to reread:
one read is enough, because you either:
A-dismiss the whole premise of the book and disagree completely, so you wont bother to come again.
B-you are surprised to learn about some of these life facts, and so the eye opening lessons are likely to stick with you.
C-you are already familiar with the material and it that case nothing here will surprise you.
#7-I would recommend to:
any open-minded male or female(mostly men), especially the younger generations.
#8-Quotes i liked:
-in human society, it is not male power but female power which is supreme. Or rather, to change the imagery, however great male power may be, it is to female power what that one-seventh of an iceberg which is visible above water is to the six-sevenths which lies below the water line.
-A man can be controlled by the hunger in his belly, and by the other hunger which flares up just below his belly.
-To secure his emotional commitment, a woman will train a man to attach his feelings inseverably to herself. His jealousy and her cantankerousness are great instruments for this task. The more jealous she makes him, the more strongly the heat of his own jealousy bonds his heart to her
March 20, 2018
Provocative, eye opening and intriguing - informative read.
February 10, 2020
fantastic read
Read
July 9, 2021Glad to see that, all men are not stupid!
September 7, 2025
Anatomy of Female Power: A Masculinist Dissection of Matriarchy offers a controversial reinterpretation of gender relations by positing that power structures historically viewed as patriarchal are, in fact, matriarchal in nature. Chinweizu argues that women hold a covert but potent form of power over men, exercised through control of foundational aspects of life such as reproduction, domestic spheres, and psychological influence. This inversion challenges the dominant feminist narrative by asserting that women’s influence is rooted in their control of what he terms the “five pillars” of female power — control of the womb, the kitchen, the cradle, men’s psychological immaturity, and men’s sexual vulnerabilities.
The book examines these power dynamics through a life-stage framework that reveals how women exert influence over men at critical points, from infancy through adulthood. By framing motherpower, bridepower, and wifepower as stages where women strategically manage men’s development, desires, and social roles, Chinweizu highlights how such influence shapes men’s behavior and positions within society. This perspective shifts the understanding of gendered power from one centered on overt political or economic dominance to one grounded in psychological and relational control.
Chinweizu’s analysis also delves into the psychological dimension of gender relations, depicting men as comparatively immature and emotionally dependent on women. This portrayal underpins his argument that women’s capacity to dominate emotionally and psychologically is often overlooked in traditional discussions about power. Furthermore, his interpretation of love as a transactional force, where women’s expressions of love are construed as tactics for social and material gain, stands in stark contrast to more idealized views of romantic relationships.
While Anatomy of Female Power has sparked significant debate and critique, especially for its reduction of complex gender relations to biologically and socially deterministic roles, it presents a masculinist counterpoint that provokes reconsideration of assumptions regarding oppression and power. Chinweizu’s work invites readers to explore how power can manifest in subtle and less visible ways, complicating the binary portrayal of men as oppressors and women as victims.
Overall, this book challenges prevailing gender discourses by arguing that men, in significant respects, are subjected to forms of control that undermine the conventional understanding of patriarchal dominance. Through this lens, Anatomy of Female Power calls for a nuanced dialogue about how power, control, and influence operate within intimate and societal relationships, emphasizing psychological and symbolic dimensions over institutional authority.
The book examines these power dynamics through a life-stage framework that reveals how women exert influence over men at critical points, from infancy through adulthood. By framing motherpower, bridepower, and wifepower as stages where women strategically manage men’s development, desires, and social roles, Chinweizu highlights how such influence shapes men’s behavior and positions within society. This perspective shifts the understanding of gendered power from one centered on overt political or economic dominance to one grounded in psychological and relational control.
Chinweizu’s analysis also delves into the psychological dimension of gender relations, depicting men as comparatively immature and emotionally dependent on women. This portrayal underpins his argument that women’s capacity to dominate emotionally and psychologically is often overlooked in traditional discussions about power. Furthermore, his interpretation of love as a transactional force, where women’s expressions of love are construed as tactics for social and material gain, stands in stark contrast to more idealized views of romantic relationships.
While Anatomy of Female Power has sparked significant debate and critique, especially for its reduction of complex gender relations to biologically and socially deterministic roles, it presents a masculinist counterpoint that provokes reconsideration of assumptions regarding oppression and power. Chinweizu’s work invites readers to explore how power can manifest in subtle and less visible ways, complicating the binary portrayal of men as oppressors and women as victims.
Overall, this book challenges prevailing gender discourses by arguing that men, in significant respects, are subjected to forms of control that undermine the conventional understanding of patriarchal dominance. Through this lens, Anatomy of Female Power calls for a nuanced dialogue about how power, control, and influence operate within intimate and societal relationships, emphasizing psychological and symbolic dimensions over institutional authority.
February 26, 2024
I came across this book years ago and didn't get around to reading it until this week. I'm familiar with 'The West And The Rest of Us,' and so, of course, I was expecting this book to be rigorous and insightful. Wow! It's a joke! It reads like satire, and I do not think Chinweizu wrote this in earnest.
Let me give you a snapshot of the book. BEWARE: Women are dominating our global matriarchy by: 1. nurturing the sons they birth, 2. cooking, knowing that men eat food, 3. needing something from the man who wants to wed or bed her, 4. being attractive while also having a vagina, knowing men like these things, 5. needing something from male family members, 6. asking questions, asking for clarification, critiquing other men and women, or influencing anyone
Nah, brother Chinweizu wasn't serious. This book was a writing exercise for funsies.
Let me give you a snapshot of the book. BEWARE: Women are dominating our global matriarchy by: 1. nurturing the sons they birth, 2. cooking, knowing that men eat food, 3. needing something from the man who wants to wed or bed her, 4. being attractive while also having a vagina, knowing men like these things, 5. needing something from male family members, 6. asking questions, asking for clarification, critiquing other men and women, or influencing anyone
Nah, brother Chinweizu wasn't serious. This book was a writing exercise for funsies.
July 5, 2025
Ok for me, the book was kinda confusing. Nearly everything in the book is about degrading & demeaning women without any logical explanation as to why things are the way the are. Yes, some women are manipulative & all that...but that doesn't mean all are. There's a science to it & I believe Chinweizu or whoever the author is doesn't understand that or hasn't figured that part out.
I believe the book would've been more helpful in explaining ways to avoid the kinds of traps from the opposite gender leaving the reader with the ability to make a choice instead of hammering & complaining about the bad side of women.
Chinese philosophy points out that there's a Ying & a Yang to everything under the Heavens. And that every good thing has a bad side to it so instead of looking at the bad side why not focus on ways of avoiding or falling into the bad side?
I believe the book would've been more helpful in explaining ways to avoid the kinds of traps from the opposite gender leaving the reader with the ability to make a choice instead of hammering & complaining about the bad side of women.
Chinese philosophy points out that there's a Ying & a Yang to everything under the Heavens. And that every good thing has a bad side to it so instead of looking at the bad side why not focus on ways of avoiding or falling into the bad side?
October 19, 2020
My only advice if you’re considering reading this book, read with an open mind. Especially if you consider yourself a feminist and you’re fighting for women liberation from oppression.
As a feminist myself, I had a good time reading this book and I’ll recommend it to anyone out there. It’s an amazing read.
As a feminist myself, I had a good time reading this book and I’ll recommend it to anyone out there. It’s an amazing read.
April 7, 2021
ooh don't teach men how to cook for you gonna lose your power. the power of manipulation, taking chores, looking beautiful, and withholding sex.
for him apparently, rape is as bad as taking someone's wealth
some call the book "controversial", which sounds funny really as it has some true but some more bulshit. it's a book for insecure men to get a pat on the shoulder.
for him apparently, rape is as bad as taking someone's wealth
some call the book "controversial", which sounds funny really as it has some true but some more bulshit. it's a book for insecure men to get a pat on the shoulder.
September 12, 2017
i would encourage all boys and men to arm themselves with the knowledge contained in this book. I wish i had discovered this at age 12, maybe even sooner than that.
Read
December 5, 2019A great book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2022
First book completed this year and what an opener it was! Chinweizu unsentimentally dissects the nature of women and how men against their interest, have been fooled by it.
November 23, 2023
Male of the world, unite! You have nothing to lose lol
March 8, 2024
Provocative 🧐
August 24, 2025
This book gave me a 360 comprehensive view about women
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews