Gender and History in Western Europe (review)

Abstract

For those who teach the history of the world, the advent of women's history has brought a whole new critical perspective on the meaning of the past. Assumptions about the universality of men's experiences, the ways in which we think of epochs and their significance, and the primacy of the mind over the body have all been debated. As a teacher seeking to introduce this critical perspective to students, many of whom have read little about issues of gender, I eagerly seized Gender and History in Western Europe, edited by Robert Shoemaker and Mary Vincent. Here in a single volume are some key texts. The book begins with a thoughtful introduction reviewing the development of women's history and the more recent field of gender studies. The readings are organized into six sections: theory and method, the body and sexuality, separate spheres, religion, politics, and work. The editors have provided useful introductory comment for each section, and an index assists with cross-referencing.