A History of Their Own: Women in Europe from Prehistory to the Present, Vol. 2

by Bonnie S. Anderson, Judith P. Zinsser

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 Two covers the fifteenth century to the present. Topics include the roles of female monarchs and women of the court; the application of the new tools of the Scientific Revolution to prove traditional views of women; the salons and parlors of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and wealthy women's contributions to the arts and social services; the impact of city-living and the Industrial Revolution on women's roles and family life; and the emergence, evolution, and impact of the modern feminist movement.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Feminism, Womens, Womens Studies, Historical, Reference

634 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Becca Housden · Rating 3 out of 5]

It provided a good and interesting overview into the lives of women in Europe throughout the centuries. A lot is covered, but at times it reads more like a list of examples than a book examining the position of women in society. Different aspects of society are examined, but there is a reliance on using women as examples. Most women only have a couple of sentences, which means that general claims are sometimes made, limiting the nuance and specifics of the lives of the women.
However, the book does provide a lot of overall information, and serves as a good jumping off point for further study into specific areas.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A complete history of Europe is a bit of a huge undertaking and makes for some summary-filled reading. Because the book was organized by different types of women, you read about the same historic events and times multiple times from different POVs. Anyway, I bought this for a few passages in the medieval section, but I'm glad I read it through to the end. I learned a lot about the 18th and 19th centuries in particular that I had not known.

[Elizabeth]

I already have vol one.