Women & Power

by Mary Beard
Women & Power cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Politics and Current Affairs
Technical:
  • ID: 640
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781782834533
  • Publisher: Profile Books
  • Published: 2017-11-02
  • Reviews: 3

Mary Beard, Britain's best-known classicist and a vocal feminist, revisits the gender agenda with her signature wit and insight. She examines how history has treated powerful women, from the classical world to the modern day, and delves into the cultural underpinnings of misogyny. Beard explores the public voice of women, societal assumptions about their relationship with power, and how powerful women resist being confined to male templates. /n/nIn the wake of the #MeToo movement, Beard also considers how discussions around rape, consent, and the narratives men construct to justify their actions have evolved. Using examples from ancient and modern history, she argues compellingly that it's time for a change—now more than ever.

Reviews
Aminas Bookshelf · 2021-12-03
thought-provoking 4.00

The essays provide a compelling comparison between ancient and modern examples of how women are silenced in public discourse. The book is both informative and thought-provoking.

Aminas Bookshelf's reviewer praises 'Women & Power' for its insightful comparison of historical and contemporary instances of women being silenced. They find the essays to be well-researched and thought-provoking, highlighting Beard's ability to draw parallels between the past and present. The reviewer appreciates the book's depth and its contribution to the ongoing conversation about gender equality.

Quick quotes

    Contains two non-fiction essays comparing ancient and modern examples.

    A compelling comparison of historical and contemporary silencing.

    Thought-provoking and informative.

Los Angeles Review of Books · 2018-02-11
admirable 4.20

Beard's refusal to simplify the complexities of gender equality is admirable. The book serves as a cautionary tale against oversimplifying the past, present, and future of gender issues.

The Los Angeles Review of Books reviewer admires Mary Beard's approach in 'Women & Power' for not oversimplifying the intricacies of gender equality. They appreciate Beard's nuanced exploration of the past, present, and future of gender issues, noting that the book serves as a valuable cautionary tale. The reviewer finds Beard's insights to be both profound and necessary for understanding the complexities of power dynamics.

Quick quotes

    Refuses to uncomplicate the past, present, and future of gender equality.

    A valuable cautionary tale.

    Profound and necessary insights.

The Guardian · 2017-11-05
persuasive 4.50

The book feels deeply relevant in the wake of current events, highlighting the persistent issues of muting women and the brutality of men. It is a convincing exploration of power dynamics.

The Guardian's reviewer finds Mary Beard's 'Women & Power' to be a timely and persuasive read, especially in the context of recent scandals like the Harvey Weinstein case. They emphasize how Beard effectively connects historical examples of silencing women to contemporary issues, making a strong case for the ongoing struggle for gender equality. The reviewer appreciates the book's relevance and its ability to shed light on the cultural underpinnings of misogyny.

Quick quotes

    It seems utterly, dreadfully convincing.

    Mute women; brutal men; shame as a tool.

    A modern feminist classic.

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