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required reading jack holland highly recommend read this book well written well researched men and women history of misogyny overview of the history recommend this book book about misogyny historical woman ancient prejudices civilization enlightening human important society
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PenroseTribar
5.0 out of 5 stars Every civilization's original sin
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2018
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Misogyny is the one area of history rarely taught in schools or talked about even among girls and women. Yet, it was invented and perniciously survived for thousands of years through today for one reason: it works; sexism and misogyny have always been an effective, purposeful control (and harm) of females worldwide. This is an interesting, highly readable overview of history and how each civilization evolved socially, legally, politically, and religiously - while not pointedly not evolving for half the population that's female, thereby holding hostage all of humanity. Societies today choose to get lost in the fragmented other -isms and prejudices: racism, homophobia, etc... that affect smaller groups of society. Because most societies still are not inclusive of females, their health, safety, well-being and economic independence that would mitigate the free labor and sexual slavery males have enjoyed for millennia.

How to finally rid the human species of this venal self-defeating cancer is the challenge of all of us today. Misogyny straight up harms the entire planet, destroys females as well as males. Everywhere, those invented chains perpetuate superstitions , violence against females, codes of silence and behaviors that all humans need to break free from. Want to know the taproot to almost all of human ills and pathologies: read this book. Ignorance is not bliss.
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George J Desnoyers
5.0 out of 5 stars Will be on my short list of all-time favorite books
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2019
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I'm so happy to see the glowing tributes from other reviewers. This book is going to stay on my short list of all-time favorite books, right up there with "Eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven" by Uta Ranke-Heinemann, which is a fabulous book about misogyny in Christianity.

Profuse thanks to the children of Jack Holland for seeing that his book got published following their father's death. The book has 286 pages and includes acknowledgements, forward, and introduction along with nine chapters. To that is added three-pages of suggestions for further reading, 19 pages of notes, and a 10-page index. I'm sure many readers will choose to keep the book as a useful reference.

I knew it was going to be a fabulous book while reading Chapter 1 on ancient Greece, and I was never disappointed from beginning to end. The author acknowledges that misogyny had its beginning long before the Greeks, but it makes a lot of sense to begin the history as he does, from the creation of the Pandora myth in the 8th century BC. Two other of my favorite chapters were the second chapter, on ancient Rome, and Chapter 5 which is titled "O Brave New World: Literature, Misogyny and the Rise of Modernity." I feel the author did a wonderful job in selecting the literature to discuss in that chapter, and I particularly liked the part of the chapter on William Shakespeare. The last chapter is titled "Conclusion: Making Sense of Misogyny."

This is truly a wonderful little book, and I hope a lot of folks read it!
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Anneke P.
3.0 out of 5 stars Its heavy, so is the writing
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2018
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A very complete and detailed historical account. Very well researched.
The author draws very heavily from original records therefore it is lengthy, slow moving and obviously quite depressing to read as you would guess from the title! The author does not insert opinions or arguments, and to me it feels much more like a school history book which leaves you to draw your own conclusions on what we need to do to raise our son and daughters to improve our society. Thought provoking, depressing and potentially inspiring.
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Katherine Rutledge
5.0 out of 5 stars Even-handed and engaging explanation of the world's most persistent prejudice
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2018
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Holland writes clearly, using his deep knowledge of history lightly, and selects anecdotes well. The story he tells has a broad, global reach, befitting the pervasiveness of his subject. Most importantly, his analysis and explanations are persuasive, answering the questions we all have. Women are physically weaker than men, which doesn't explain the contempt, the anger, that male-dominated systems and societies rest upon. Holland is thoughtful in weaving his evidence to a conclusion that makes psychological sense. He ends on a modestly hopeful note, but the fundamental fears and stereotypes he describes warrant the conscious awareness of both men and women to overcome them. This is not a polemic or a condemnation of men. I recommend this book highly to any thoughtful person who is looking for deeper understanding of ourselves and our world.
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Cate
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting reading
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2021
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It was hard to deal with emotionally as a woman. I ended up reading one chapter per day just for the sake of processing. We've gone from being considered uncontrollable animals to the slave of slaves to children to finally being merely inferior. I guess that's progress ....? Everyone should read the book for the sake of history and human evolution.
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Helen Aigen
5.0 out of 5 stars well written and dealing with a very difficult subject that can so easily make people apprehensive and hostile
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2014
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I found the book very informative, well written and dealing with a very difficult subject that can so easily make people apprehensive and hostile. The historical perspective and the analysis of societal prejudices against women is presented as a matter of fact, in a simple but, nevertheless, very convincing way. Every woman inevitably experiences some misogynistic attitudes from both - men and, ironically, women. It is easy to get upset, when somebody abuses or attempts to abuse you as a person. It is much harder to understand that some abuse comes to you for a sole reason of being a woman, to realize that you are not at fault there, that the reason of what you go through is systemic, and pervasive, and rooted so deeply in our world history that the only way to beat the monster of misogyny is with a consistent systemic change, which can't happen by itself: women need to open their eyes and see what's happening to them, the positive things too, of course, but also a lot of horrific eventuality of the injustice of ages. And this book is just that incredible guide that can help women do that. I enjoyed the writing, the factual richness, the passion, and the intelligence of this book. I highly recommend it to both women and good men, because we need their help in order to become whole again. Thank you, Jack Holland! You are a good man.
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ariseis
4.0 out of 5 stars Holland is subtly funny, succinct and carries comparisons well
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2017
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At first I was hesitant toward a book on misogyny written by a man, but I was pleasantly surprised on the first page of the prologue.
Holland is subtly funny, succinct and carries comparisons well.
Getting a different point of view on known historical figures and cultures and how they felt about women was enlightening to say the least.
The book is a bit Euro-centric. India, China and Japan get little mention, and almost exclusively in comparison to Europe or how Europe reacted to the various views on women in Asia, whereas those in Europe are told of independently. Hence I gave "only" a four star review.
This, however, should not discourage from purchasing the book. It is a very worthwhile read; it will make you laugh, it'll change your perspective, it'll turn you cold with disgust and then enrage you and let you see our cultures in a new light.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars All of it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 6, 2021
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Absolutely Brilliant book !! A story that needed to be told and a complete eye opener.! Couldn't put it down. EVERY WOMAN should read this !!
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kalw
5.0 out of 5 stars Rational, eye-opening account
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2013
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A well-researched, unbiased work that is surprisingly easy to read. Refreshing that this book is written by a man (with the help of his wife and daughters.) Jack Holland gives a sometimes shocking account of the prejudice and abuse suffered by women from classical times through to the 21st century. Whether it is political, religious or social attitudes, all are impartially scrutinised to reach a very interesting conclusion.
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Ellie
5.0 out of 5 stars Would definitely recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 16, 2021
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GREAT book that I first listened to on Audible and then decided to buy a hard copy of in order to be able to underline it and digest it even more. Would definitely recommend
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SEHS
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2021
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Fact based, interesting takes on history. Well worth a read
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