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Misogyny: The World's Oldest Prejudice By Jack Holland ( Running Press )
Release Date: 2006-08-17
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List Price: $14.95
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Product Description
In this compelling, powerful book, the late Irish journalist and essayist Jack Holland set out to answer a daunting question: how do you explain the oppression and brutalization of half the world's population by the other half, throughout history? The result is an eye-opening journey through centuries, continents and civilizations as it looks at both historical and contemporary attitudes to women. Misogyny encompasses the Church, witch hunts, sexual theory, Nazism, pro-life campaigners, and finally, today's developing world, where women are increasingly and disproportionately at risk because of radicalized religious beliefs, famine, war, and disease. Extensively researched, highly readable and provocative, this book chronicles an ancient, pervasive and enduring injustice. The questions it poses deal with the fundamentals of human existence — sex, love, violence — that have shaped the lives of humans throughout history, and ultimately limn an abuse of human rights on a nearly unthinkable scale.
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Socially accepted prejudice ( sunganani )
Its amazing that this book was written by a man. This is a must read for every female especially those who take the many freedoms they have today for granted.Misogynistic practices,behaviors and attitudes are entrenched in many cultures(some more extreme than others)and it would be wise to take note that freedoms were fought for(not just generously handed over by kind hearted men)and that we have made a little progress in some areas but still have a long way to go to eliminate deeply rooted prejudices against women everywhere.
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 So, maybe I'm just *old*. ( 7kitties )
This book didn't exactly rock my world. In full disclosure, I am a feminist (meaning, I don't think anyone's better or worse than anyone else based on what's between their legs), and have been reading feminist books and theory for a long time. The reviews of this book made me think, maybe, a REALLY long time. It was a very readable (I hesitate to say 'enjoyable') study over the long span of human history about the institutional and cultural biases against women. Holland is right: it's outrageous that 51% of the human race has been discriminated against for all of written history, but there's been no major outrage. It's accepted as 'common sense'. Just think of your reaction to me stating I was a feminist. I'm sure someone reading this review conjured an image of a hairy legged flannel shirt wearing manhater. Why? Because 'we all know' that women who complain are weird.
Holland's honestly at his best with the more modern events. He mumbles some facts--all crusaders were male (ummm, Eleanor of Aquitaine?) he says. Also, he seems to think Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for witchcraft. She was sentenced, actually, for the 'crime' of refusing to wear women's 'proper' clothing. I could go on, but you get the idea. Little squibs that detracted from my enjoyment of his historical broad view, but nothing that would directly contradict or nullify his claims (the Joan of Arc thing would have actually *strengthened* his point). But, it's a huge task to cram the whole of history into under 300 pages, so we'll cut him a break.
The reason this isn't five stars for me is that really, there's nothing NEW here. If you've read _History of Women_ or _History of Their Own_ or _Chalice and the Blade_, etc, there's really not much that's going to make paradigms shift. If you've read current feminists like Faludi or Kilbourne's work on advertising, again, nothing particularly new. So, if you read feminist books as a hobby, most of this book might be...unsatisfying. If you're new to the stuff, this is as good an introduction as I can think of. And his coverage of recent history, ranging from the Taliban to abortion clinics in the US, is quite good. It's useful for bringing together between two covers the 'cliff's notes' of historical feminism.
If you would like to have your thoughts stirred up more, in the same 'grand overview of history' scheme Leonard Shlain's _Alphabet Versus the Goddess_ is my pick.
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Every Womyn (and Man) Must Read and Share this Book! ( quickwitwoman9 )
So much beauty and horrific honesty in this book with prose like poetry, I find it difficult to some up all I've learned from this extrodinary book in a single reveiw. But for those of you who are considering buying it I strongly urge you to do so - it will change your perspective on our world and your own place in it. I, personally, plan to purchase a copy of this book for every womyn in my family and share this wealth of knowledge - which reads easily and makes it hard to put down. A moving and disturbing look at the other half of the human race - Womynkind. You are a fool to let this beauty and this history pass you by. Like I said, it will change your world and your view of your place in it - be you womyn or be you man. Best book I've ever read...ever. I'm so very thankful a MAN WROTE THIS BOOK so that other men who might be threatened by an account of crimes against Womynkind have no way to bash the author as "a man hater" or "old bitter spinster" as they did with my second most favorite book "Are Men Necessary" by Maureen Dowd. Goddess bless the womyn behind the man that brought this book into being. All my gratitude and my future generations gratitude - for this book will no doubt be passed down thru generations in my family. Thank you for giving us a voice, Jack Holland, and rest in honor as well as in peace!
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A Real Eye Opener
This is a terrific book. Very informative and well written. It's making me a little angry though as it drives home the fact that some women around the world have such terribly tough lives. Even in western society there are still so many inequalities. We should all be aware of them so that they can be eventually overcome.
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Powerful, Essential Reading
I agree with other reviewers--Jack Holland's book should be part of the world's curriculum. In MISOGYNY, THE WORLD'S OLDEST PREJUDICE, Holland writes an intelligent, well-researched, and gripping narrative, covering the many manifestations of misogyny from ancient to modern times, in the religious, social, scientific, and political spheres. Holland clearly illustrates the dangers of the two-valued orientation, with its appeal to the dogmatic, who have persecuted women throughout human history.
Beyond the heartbreaking and horrifying examples of misogynistic cruelty, Holland presents an insightful analysis of the core of this oldest of prejudices and offers a glimmer of hope for its transcendence.
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Addiction
