The Creation of Patriarchy

By: Gerda Lerner

Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley

A major new work by a leading historian and pioneer in women's studies, The Creation of Patriarchy is a radical reconceptualization of Western civilization that makes gender central to its analysis. Gerda Lerner argues that male dominance over women is not "natural" or biological, but the product of an historical development begun in the second millennium BC in the Ancient Near East. As patriarchy as a system of organizing society was established historically, she contends, it can also be ended by the historical process.

Focusing on the contradiction between women's central role in creating society and their marginality in the meaning-giving process of definition and interpretation, Lerner explores such fascinating questions as: What can account for women's exclusion from the historical process? What could explain the long delay - more than 3,500 years - in women's coming to consciousness of their own subordinate position?

She goes back to the cultures of the earliest known civilizations - those of the ancient Near East - to discover the origins of the major gender metaphors of Western civilization. Using historical, literary, archaeological, and artistic evidence, she then traces the development of these ideas, symbols, and metaphors and their incorporation into Western civilization as the basis of patriarchal gender relations.

©1986 Gerda Lerner (P)2021 Tantor

Essential Text

Great if you liked When God was a Woman or Cosmic Mother. Very factual and non biased. Also includes thorough explanations of biblical texts in regard to patriarchy.

Essential reading for all women

This was such an important book for me to discover. The author was so insightful and so knowledgeable. I love what she taught me.

Must read!!!!

this book was insightful, exciting, thought provoking and a must read for every person male and female!!!!

Excellent scholarship

Gerda Lerner was an amazing scholar and this book, part one of a trilogy on patriarchy and feminism is an amazing example of her rigor and insight.

Eye opening to decenter men

It’s is easy to understand although thought provoking but it would give you an insight to patriarchy