Gender in history : global perspectives

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Wiesner-Hanks accomplishes a remarkable feat by reviewing the construction of gender and women's lives across all cultures throughout human history. The work is both theoretically sophisticated and accessible to students. It brilliantly explores the influence of gender constructs in political, social, economic, and cultural affairs. The extensive cultural, geographical, and chronological range of research is matched by the clarity and nuance of the analysis, offering a valuable global perspective on gender roles. Over the past two decades, gender considerations have transformed historical studies, yet many works remain limited to specific time periods or regions. This updated edition provides a concise overview of gender construction from the Paleolithic era to modern times, addressing topics such as primates, slavery, colonialism, masculinity, and transgender issues. Material is presented thematically, revealing connections between gender and structures like family, economy, law, religion, sexuality, and the state. Wiesner-Hanks investigates the historical meanings of being a man or woman and how these roles were shaped by various institutions. The chronological presentation within each chapter highlights the evolution of gender structures over time. This edition offers rich insights into gender roles throughout world history, complemented by a companion website for further exploration.