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Femina
- A New History of the Middle Ages, Through the Women Written Out of It
- Narrated by: Janina Ramirez
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Extraordinary women have held positions of power throughout history. But, aside from the select few, why do we not hear about them?
The middle ages are seen as a bloodthirsty time of Vikings, Saints and Kings: a patriarchal society that oppressed and excluded women. But by digging a little deeper into the truth, drawing on evidence from all disciplines, we can see that the 'dark' ages were anything but. BBC historian Janina Ramirez has uncovered countless influential women's names struck out of historical records, with the word femina annotated beside them. Male gatekeepers of the past ordered books to be burnt, artworks to be destroyed, and new versions of myths, legends and historical documents to be produced, which has manipulated our view of history.
By weaving a vivid and evocative picture of the lives of the women who influenced their society, we discover not just why these remarkable individuals were removed from our collective memories, but also how many other misconceptions underpin our historical narratives, altering the course of history, upholding the oppressive masculine structures of their present, and affecting our contemporary view of the past.
What listeners say about Femina
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- Lindsay
- 19-07-23
Fresh and informative
Meticulously and comprehensively researched, Ramirez's book provides the reader with a formerly neglected aspect of the Middle Ages without a shade of confirmation bias.
Entertainingly written and read over by the author at the right pace, she has fundamentally changed my perspective. I am far better informed and feel urged to tell others of her findings and recommend the work.
My sight has diminished much so that now in my eighties I cannot read for ver long. I am grateful that Femina is available in Audible.
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1 person found this helpful
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- book_ish
- 28-03-23
Very illuminating
Illuminating, by enthusiastically read scholar Ramirez. She obviously has a passion for the Middle Ages and I learnt a lot in this book from historian Janina Ramirez. Very good to learn about some previously unknown names.
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- Amazon Customer
- 28-02-24
Herstory
I liked the enthusiastic narration by the author. I have also listened to the Phillipa Gregory audible which is excellent but longer and the delivery is a bit flat. I learned a lot but it didn’t feel like hard work
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- I. O.
- 28-12-23
Excellent and level-headed
Probably one of the best history books I have read/listened to in a long time. The author is an excellent and level-headed modern historian with an engaging style. Dr Ramirez leads the reader into each topic by providing clear evidence of the relevance of those gone before us to today and how modern scholarship and reinterpretation can shine a new/different light on former discoveries.
I will definitely recommend this book to friends and family.
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- Muriel
- 25-07-22
Powerful women and book
The best book I have ever read on the power of the female. Janina brings each woman alive and very real. The relevant detail of the times each one of these women lived in opened up how amazing each one really was. As a member of the university of the fifth age, passed the third age decades ago, I have time to learn about social history at my own pace and this book is a joy to listen to more than once. It does however put present day feminism well into the shade.
Definitely recommended to all but especially to those contemplating fighting for the rights of women. Their strategies and actions may gain more depth and success.
Thank you Janina Ramirez for narrating this precious book so well.
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9 people found this helpful
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- kimmidp
- 20-10-22
Fémina fantastic !
Brilliant brilliant brilliant ! Janina Ramirez is such a great author narrator and art historian More of this please could listen all day everyday Thank you 🙏
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1 person found this helpful
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- Justyna Janusz
- 23-01-23
Enjoyable, informative book
It was an informative, interesting and sometimes funny book. Narrator was prima sort. A study of well and lesser known women of medieval era.
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- Sparkey
- 26-05-23
Educational
Very good book full of interesting titbits.
Will have to
Listen again though as such a lot to take in.
Love how it makes us rethink our opinions on todays issues
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- Alžběta
- 21-09-23
Very enjoyable.
Janina Ramirez's "Femina" is a fast-paced and enjoyable exploration of the role of women throughout the Middle Ages. The chapters on Vikings and Hildegard of Bingen were exceptionally well written, but the best aspect of the book is that the author manages to celebrate several great women of history without vilifying and condemning men. Wonderfully, the author also doesn't refrain from portraying the great historical figures realistically and as flawed - for example, pointing out Hildegard of Bingen's snobbery and the fact that she could achieve all that she had largely because of her noble birth and family connections.
Overall, "Femina" by Janina Ramirez is a very enjoyable and relaxing but well researched and written examination of the power and influence women were able to wield in the Middle Ages.
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- Liam_H
- 31-07-22
Brilliant
Finished this morning. Excellent read. Medieval history through the eyes of eight women. Some noble, some not. Secular and religious. Queen's and even a King in Poland's St Jadwiga (1373-1399, Canonised in 1999 by JP2)
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4 people found this helpful