This two-volume survey of the history of women in western civilization spans prehistory to the present. While devoting attention to women of all classes; religions; and ethnicities; the text examines political; economic; intellectual; and social history through the lens of gender. The narrative emphasizes women's agency over oppression and makes cutting-edge scholarship in women's history accessible to a wide audience. Five major themes run throughout the narrative: the relationship between key historical events and ideas and women's lives; the history of the family and sexuality; the social construction of gender; cultural assumptions about women (versus their actual lives); and self perception and women's place in western societies. A rich collection of primary sources and biographies reinforces these themes.
#1220155 in Books 2010-09-07 2010-09-07Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .83 x 5.31l; .63 #File Name: 0061776726368 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A Bit DisappointingBy Autumn SkyI was intrigued by this book because; while I've read many accounts of Holocaust survivors; I'd never read about the effects that experience would have on the subsequent generations. The book is divided into two parts: the story of Rita; a child who hid with her family in an attic for two years and the story of Leslie; her daughter. Rita's story was horrific and heartbreaking; as are all accounts of that time. Even though she was only 4 when her family went into hiding; she remembered quite a bit and other older family members were able to fill in the blanks. Similar stories usually end with the end of the war; but Rita's also tells of how her family wandered for years after; from one Displaced Persons camp to another and her recovery from near starvation. Finally; they are emigrate to America. I found all of that fascinating; but sad. It's Leslie's story that I found disappointing. She had a wonderful childhood in a loving family; but while trying to explain how her mother's past affected her she just comes across as self-absorbed. She keeps mentioning the research done on children of survivors; but never really tells what that research was and how it applies to her. That was why I wanted to read the book and she just never got around to it. So I give the first half of the book; Rita's story; the stars.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Bending Toward the Sun: A Mother and Daughter Memoir: Purchased at .comBy depDefinitely one of the most interesting books I have ever read. The first part is in the voice of Rita Lurie; a Holocaust survivor who; survived as one of a group of fourteen relatives hidden in an attic in Poland for two years. Sadly; her mother and younger brother perished in the attic. The second part is in the voice of Rita's oldest daughter; Leslie. The third part is a combination of the two women; plus an addition by Leslie's daughter Mikaela. There is a lot of information to take in in this book; it really makes you think. Because the years that Rita spent in the attic were between five and eight; those were the ages that held the most trauma for her. It explained why at times she acted inappropriately for her age. Basically; she missed out on a lot of caring and nurturing as a child. That is a difficult thing to miss out on. Leslie went on to become a very over achieving oldest child of a survivor which was not uncommon. Actually the part I liked the best was Leslie's story. She worked very hard to become an adult on her own; away from and separate from her mother. A great story that gave me quite a bit of understanding about relationships and trauma.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. They survived the Holocaust through the good-heartedness and valor of a farmer and his family who hid them at great risk and thaBy FlydonThis was a very lucky family. They survived the Holocaust through the good-heartedness and valor of a farmer and his family who hid them at great risk and thanks to neighbors in their town who left food out for them; also at great risk. They also survived the aftermath of the Holocaust which was very difficult and they were fortunate enough to come to the U.S. and to eventually make a new and prosperous life for themselves. Naturally; they were deeply scarred by the profound and far-reaching losses of the war.. I hated to see the petty squabbles and hurt feeling that devolved from the great personal sacrifices made during their individual struggles to survive. I think this book did a good job of showing how fears and trauma are transmitted; unintentionally; down through the generations.I've read a fair number of Holocaust survivor books and this one was just OK - not the best; not the worst.
