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Recommended book. "Women and Power" by Mary Beard

Updated: Oct 3, 2023

In this book, Mary Beard explores the ways in which women have been excluded from positions of power throughout history, from ancient Greece and Rome to the present day. She argues that this exclusion is not due to any inherent limitations on women's abilities but rather to cultural and societal attitudes that have historically prevented women from achieving equal status with men in public life.


Beard also offers a critique of the traditional model of power, arguing that it is based on a hierarchical, top-down structure that favors the powerful over the powerless. She suggests that we need to rethink our understanding of power and develop new models that are more inclusive, collaborative, and egalitarian.


It is important to note that there is not a single, monolithic feminist position on Mary Beard's book "Women and Power: A Manifesto" (2017), as feminist perspectives can be diverse and multifaceted. However, many feminists have praised the book for its incisive analysis of the ways in which women have been excluded from positions of power throughout history.

Beard's book has been particularly well-received for its focus on the cultural and societal attitudes that have historically prevented women from achieving equal status with men in public life. This resonates with feminist theories that emphasize the ways in which patriarchal norms and values can limit women's opportunities and experiences.


Moreover, Beard's call for a rethinking of traditional models of power and the development of new, more inclusive models that are collaborative and egalitarian is in line with many feminist critiques of existing power structures. Feminist theorists have long argued that the traditional model of power is hierarchical, patriarchal, and exclusionary, and that alternative models that prioritize the voices and experiences of marginalized groups are needed.

Overall, many feminists have found Mary Beard's book to be a valuable contribution to feminist discourse on power and gender, as it offers important insights into the historical and cultural factors that have shaped women's experiences and offers a compelling vision for a more inclusive and equitable future.






Who is this remarkable woman ?

Mary Beard is a prominent British classicist and historian, as well as a writer and television presenter. She was born on January 1, 1955, and is known for her expertise in ancient Roman culture and history. She is currently a professor of classics at the University of Cambridge and has written numerous books, articles, and essays on ancient history and classical studies.

Beard is also known for her public speaking and appearances on television programs, including documentaries on the BBC and her own television series, "Meet the Romans with Mary Beard." She has received numerous awards for her contributions to scholarship and has been recognized as one of the most influential public intellectuals in the world. In addition to her academic work, Beard is an active commentator on contemporary issues, including feminism and politics.


Mary Beard has written several books on topics related to ancient Rome and classical studies. Some of her most well-known works include:

  1. "SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome" (2015)

  2. "The Roman Triumph" (2007)

  3. "Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town" (2008)

  4. "Confronting the Classics: Traditions, Adventures and Innovations" (2013)

  5. "Women and Power: A Manifesto" (2017)

  6. "The Parthenon" (2010)

  7. "The Invention of Jane Harrison" (2000)

  8. "The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found" (2008)

  9. "Classics: A Very Short Introduction" (1995)

These books have received critical acclaim and have been widely read by scholars, students, and the general public alike. They offer insights into ancient Roman history, culture, and society, and provide a fresh perspective on contemporary issues.



Curator Mulllonch

Pic by Mary Beard'

Sources

  • Beard, Mary. "Women and Power: A Manifesto." Profile Books, 2017.

  • "Mary Beard: Women and Power." London Review of Books, 2017. https://www.lrb.co.uk/v39/n24/mary-beard/women-and-power

  • "Mary Beard's 'Women and Power: A Manifesto' Wins 2018 PROSE Award." Harvard University Press Blog, 2018. https://harvardpress.typepad.com/hup_publicity/2018/02/mary-beards-women-and-power-a-manifesto-wins-2018-prose-award.html

  • "Mary Beard: Women and Power." BBC Radio 4, 2017. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09jbrx1

  • "Women and Power: A Manifesto." The Guardian, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/nov/25/women-and-power-a-manifesto-mary-beard-review

Biography

  • Beard, Mary. "Women and Power: A Manifesto." Profile Books, 2017.

  • Hooks, Bell. "Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics." South End Press, 2000.

  • Mohanty, Chandra Talpade. "Feminism Without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practicing Solidarity." Duke University Press, 2003.

  • Scott, Joan Wallach. "The Fantasy of Feminist History." Duke University Press, 2011.

  • Smith, Barbara. "Towards a Black Feminist Criticism." The University of Chicago Press, 1985.


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