A Brief History of Misogyny

by Jack Holland

Genres: Feminism

Paperback

Published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Vanshika Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book not expecting a lot. I just thought it would give me a bit more of an understanding of misogyny and I love learning about history. But this book was more than that. It surprised me in ways I couldn’t imagine. The chronological order of events thats shaped misogyny in the current world was very interesting to read. The author clearly did a lot of research into different philosophers, authors, poets and influential figures in each era and described each detail without much bias. At points, there were arguments which the author could have clearly shaped into something favourable or unfavourable to society but he stuck to facts for most parts of it which was nice. I didn’t have the feeling to constantly second guess what he was stating as an opinion because it was backed by texts and wordings from past texts. I enjoyed learning through this book. It did make me feel uneasy at times as well because I just did not realise the extent of misogyny that existed/exists and that was like stomach hurling.

I wouldn’t say this book is a fun read or an easy read because it most definitely isn’t, but I do recommend it because it teaches you. Education is at its best when shared so I want to share this book with my friends and encourage them to read it. Though I would say there is a lot of text that people who are religious may feel offended by, not because the book says something bad about it but it does critique some things here and there. There are also political mentions so read it knowing there will be stuff that might make you slightly uncomfortable but it is so well written.

To be honest, it makes me question misogyny in the current world and now anything I see and read, I think to myself, “oh, is this because of such and such actions of the past”.

[Full Metal Rabbit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially had reservations about this book because it was written by a man. I suspected a horror of mansplaining. I was happily disabused of this notion fairly rapidly. It turns out that this is a good introduction to the subject. In consequence, I recommend it highly. Unfortunately, the author's hopes for a better future have fallen into the sewer. We are living amid yet another nasty, misogynistic backlash. Having lived through the post second wave feminism backlash and seen the wonderful strides we have made since, I want to believe that the post Roe world is not the harbinger of an entrenched Andrew Tate-like toxic masculinity, a Trumpian nightmare, and a fundamentalist religious dark age, but merely a particularly abhorent blip on the landscape on the road to equality. It can only be achieved when misogyny is fully understood and eliminated ... I suspect that's like imagining a world without war - an aging hippie dream. Sob!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Managed to finish this before the end of 2024.

This is a book explaining the world’s oldest prejudice : Misogyny.

From Plato and Aristotle, to Tertullian and St.Thomas Aquinas, to Rousseau, Nietzsche, and Hitler. To Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and General Zia ul-Huq, Khomeini and Taliban.

All have in one way or another their actions and their obsessions reveal only their own inability to relate to sexually mature women.

[Jasmin Brar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, makes me want to get something more extensive on misogyny! Would recommend to anyone.