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mythicreader 's review for:
The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule
by Angela Saini
informative
reflective
slow-paced
AD: PR Gift from 4thEstate
"The history of humankind is one of constant movement: we can see that in patterns of migration, back and forth, transporting new ideas, cultures, technologies. But it's also the story of pressure and coercion, of people trying to get other people to do what they want."
When I saw #ThePatriarchs by @angeladsaini on the table of books at #4thEstateLive, I knew I had to grab it. I wanted to learn more about the history behind our society and about feminism and this seemed like a great place to start - and it was!
Exploring the science, archaeology, philosophy, anthropology and history of patriarchy, Saini is searching for the answer of how we have ended up in such a patriarchal society. Was it genetic like some argue (the answer is Ofc not), has it always been this way (no), did one event cause it (no). This exploration into the past, with comparisons to today, explore how we've (society) put these narratives in place to explain the past without actually reading it. You put your own beliefs on archaeological evidence when you need to go into it with a blank canvas. We can look at our closest animal ancestors (primates) and see female primates taking charge. We can go into the past and find evidence of matriarchal societies, there are even a few about today!
If you can't tell I learnt SO MUCH from this book. Did you know who legalised abortion first? Soviet Russia in 1920 (though they did revert back in 1936 🙄). Who was the first female prime minister? Sirimavo Bandaranaike in Sri Lanka in 1960. I learnt about places like Catalhöyük - an important UNESCO site that started a debate about equality in past societies and how we read archaeological evidence. I could write a massive list of all the different societies, historical moments, scientific evidence and philosophical thought that I learnt about whilst reading this book - but it wouldn't fit in the caption.
If you're looking for a non fiction read that will fill you brain with so much wonderful facts and insight about the patriarchy and the fight against it - then this is the book for you. It's out 2nd March.