Immaculate Forms
Helen King
Geisteswissenschaften, Kunst, Musik / Geschichte
Beschreibung
'Illuminating, thoughtful and scholarly' FINANCIAL TIMES
'Does a fascinating job of exploring the history of women's bodies' GREG JENNER
'Mind-blowing, fascinating stuff' BBC WOMAN'S HOUR
'Delightful, timely and critical' CAT BOHANNON, author of EVE
'Weaves historical knowledge of medicine, anatomy, literature, art and religion into a narrative that surprises, informs, excites and frequently amuses' ADRIAN THATCHER, author of VILE BODIES
Throughout history, religious scholars, medical men and - occasionally - women themselves, have moulded thought on what 'makes' a woman. She has been called the weaker sex, the fairer sex, the purer sex, among many other monikers. Often, she has been defined simply as 'Not A Man'.
Today, we are more aware than ever of the complex relationship between our bodies and our identities. But contrary to what some may believe, what makes a woman is a question that has always been open-ended.
Immaculate Forms examines all the ways in which medicine and religion have played a gatekeeping role over women's organs. It explores how the womb was seen as both the most miraculous organ in the body and as a sewer; uncovers breasts' legacies as maternal or sexual organs - or both; probes the mystery of the disappearing hymen, and asks, did the clitoris need to be discovered at all?
Rezensionen
With unrivaled expertise and a wealth of classical and contemporary detail, King weaves historical knowledge of medicine, anatomy, literature, art and religion into a narrative that surprises, informs, excites and frequently amuses
Delightful, timely and critical. If cognitive science has taught us anything, it's that our imagination of the future is built from our memories of the past. Helen King is here to give us some better material to build with. The history of women's bodies isn't nearly what you think it is, nor the history of "womanhood"
Illuminating and scholarly ... [showing] again and again how men have charted women's bodies, examined and dissected those bodies, condemned those bodies ... King'
Looking for a new history book? I highly recommend Professor Helen King's <i>IMMACULATE FORMS </i>which does a fascinating job of exploring the history of women'
A richly nuanced and absorbing exploration of women's unique anatomy. Across these four anatomical histories King provides an illuminating and outstandingly well-researched account of how women'
Dr King expertly weaves science, history, and culture to illuminate history and educate about the most misunderstood parts of our bodies...Impeccably researched, thoroughly enjoyable, and filled with moments of surprise, this book will astound
An impressive ... and detailed historical account of the way in which parts of women'
From the comical to the bizarre and downright dangerous, <i>IMMACULATE FORMS </i>looks at how women's bodies have been shaped and understood by scientific theories and religious beliefs throughout history - and often, by men. The mind blowing book covers a vast range of time, going right back to ancient Greece and coming up to the present day ... it'
Fascinating and interesting
Recreates centuries of fractious male discussion of women'
Thorough, thoughtful and thought provoking
With erudition and cool wit, Helen King anatomises three millennia of Western commentary from doctors, teachers and theologians about the female body
Chock-full of wonderful, strange and amazing stories, King's book is a vivid history of how women'
An impressively widely read study, lightened along the way with illuminating trivia and King'
Fascinating and striking
King is meticulous and prolific. She has written with equal erudition and care about the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. She brings this range and expertise to <i>Immaculate Forms </i>- plus more than a little humour. A masterful achievement born from an impressive and influential career
Read it and be enlightened as well as entertained
Kundenbewertungen
The Once and Future Sex Eleanor Janega, Marieke Bigg, Womb Leah Hazard, hysteria, Unwell Women Elinor Cleghorn, Lindsey Fitzharris, history of gynaecology, women's studies, gillian anderson want, women's bodies, history of medicine, women and medicine, Gail Kern Paster, Hippocrates, Pain and Prejudice Gabrielle Jackson