Connecting Spheres

Book excerpt: Integrating the discoveries of the new feminist scholarship with the main themes of Western civilization, this much-needed volume finally puts women back into history. From Italy to Kenya, from Britain to Russia, the text examines the impact of religious reformation, political centralization, scientific, industrial, and political revolutions, world markets, and welfare states on women of diverse backgrounds, occupations, and classes. The book's unique format combines three overview chapters of summary and analysis with thirteen original case studies by leading historians of women, enabling students to focus on a national history, a period, or a particular theme. Throughout, these essays explode prevalent myths about women's history--for example, that women have existed in a private sphere apart from the public lives of men, and that individual achievement stands apart from social responsibility--and demonstrate that women have indeed had a profound influence on the course of Western history during the last half millennium. Features: * Innovative and scholarly: It thoroughly integrates the history of women and the history of Western civilization * Comprehensive: It examines women's historical connections to and influence on religion, politics, economics, science, society, and culture throughout the Western world alongside those of men * Self-contained: Three independent overview chapters provide a summary and analysis of women's historical experience in the Western world from 1500 to the present. Thirteen original, concise case studies illustrate the questions, sources, and interpretations developed by leading historians of women today * Easy to use: It covers the period from 1500 to the present in three manageable segments -- 1500 to 1750, 1750 to 1890, 1890 to the present * Flexible: The combination of overview chapters with readings allows instructors to focus on a particular period, nation, or issue