This essential volume brings together more than forty of the most important historical writings on feminism; covering 150 years of the struggle for women’s freedom. Spanning the American Revolution to the first decades of the twentieth century; these works—many long out of print or forgotten—are finally brought out of obscurity and into the light of contemporary analysis and criticism. This richly diverse collection contains excerpts from books; essays; speeches; documents; and letters; as well as poetry; drama; and fiction by major feminist writers; including: Elizabeth Cady Stanton; George Sand; Mary Wollstonecraft; Abigail Adams; Emma Goldman; Friedrich Engels; Sojourner Truth; Susan B. Anthony; John Stuart Mill; Margaret Sanger; Virginia Woolf; and many others. The pieces in Feminism: The Essential Historical Writings cover the crucial challenges faced by women; including marriage as an instrument of oppression; a woman's desire to control her own body; the economic independence of women; and the search for selfhood; and extensive commentaries by the editor help the reader see the historical context of each selection.
#72321 in Books 1996-04-30 1996-04-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.99 x .66 x 5.21l; .56 #File Name: 0679731180214 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The socio-political context of early Christianity; with Satan as a backdropBy Robert J. CrawfordThis is a very interesting book that recapitulates the emergence of Christianity in context; detailed and vivid; from its origins in Palestine to its expansion westward. But the focus is on the use of Satan; first as a kind of gadfly or tester of belief in the Jewish and Pauline traditions to the "cosmic war" of later Christianity; whereby opposition from without and within are portrayed as intrinsically evil and irredeemable. It is beautifully written and fascinating throughout; but it was not what I was looking for.The evolution of the notion of Satan progresses from an angel who tests people for God; posing questions and proposing alternatives to the righteous in contravention of God's will; into the embodiment of evil; whether as a being or a force within one's heart and mind. Pagels explains this strictly from both Biblical and "heretical" texts; with a keen eye on political developments of the time. First; in the Hebrew Bible; Satan (or Bielzebub or by any array of names) is an angel. Slowly; he becomes the force behind sectarian disagreements; from intra-Jewish ones to opponents of Jesus' supposed vision for the Jews. He also serves as the source of evil to be found in GOYIM; or those who are not of the nation of Israel. Second; as Christianity progressively becomes dominated by gentiles; the notion of the devil's evil work moves from a) vilification of non-believing Jews; Romans; and Pagans; to b) the condemnation of those Christians who promote rival interpretations to one's own; ending in c) a question of what is in one's own heart and what causes one to sin.All of these notions; Pagels argues persuasively; came to dominate the consciences of the various branches of monotheism over the next 2;000 years. With the accusation (or "demonization") of the "other" as irredeemably evil and not on the side of God and his righteous; it creates a kind of solidarity and certainty in the face of sometimes overwhelming odds - and an excuse to treat others as less than human in a cosmic war. This makes her argument; in my view; essential reading.Nonetheless; I was looking for an examination of Satan himself; not only as a socio-political phenomenon; but as imagery; characterization; etc. As he appears in this book; Satan is a kind of morphing gravity well; a murky socio-political force. While very interesting; I was disappointed and will have to seek the other perspective elsewhere.REcommended with enthusiasm. It is a great review of early Christianity and crucial to understanding the monotheistic mind.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An excellent and succinct exploration of the idea of Satan and ...By WilsonAn excellent and succinct exploration of the idea of Satan and how it was used as a social and political tool throughout the history of Judaism and Christianity. Pagels work leads the reader to a better understanding of the current manifestations of Satan in our society and; perhaps; why the idea has lost some of its power. Namely; in general; we are more accepting of people from other religions and backgrounds; no longer allowing the evil influence of Satan to be used as an excuse for hate and bigotry.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Her other books are equally excellentBy sandra whitmorePagels is an incredible thinker and presents her ideas clearly She puts religion in historical context and they are by clarifies the implausibles that in my case get in the way of faith. That may not be her intention but became for me a beneficial effect of her writing. Her other books are equally excellent
