Reviews for Afro-Optimism: Perspectives on Africa's Advances

The average rating for Afro-Optimism: Perspectives on Africa's Advances based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2009-06-06 00:00:00 Betty Clark Glancing down at other reviews, I see this little gem of a book has been given 2 stars! What on earth is gong on? This study of women in Medieval times (roughly from 1100s - 1500s - though it brushes either side of this time frame too), is lucid, well-researched and offers contemporary examples and sources to support the claims it makes. Examining the political, social and economic position of women - from peasants to nobility and every occupation in-between, Mate poses the question, was there a 'golden age' for women during the Middle Ages? (as some historians have posited). Touching upon the role and responsibilities, as well as the expectations placed upon rural and urban women, married and unmarried, queens and nuns, widows and daughters, Mate takes a look at women's lives, the labour and/or trades they engaged in and the power they wielded socially and domestically in order to try and answer this question. Acknowledging that there were periods (post the Black Death) and places where women did have real power, her overall contention is that the Golden Age didn't exist. Living without many legal rights, having to surrender to their husbands or patriarchy, forfeiting fortunes and independence except in rare circumstances, while some women worked and found autonomy within this system, most did not. Mate does not see women as downtrodden or unhappy because of this and ascertains that records demonstrate that, in many instances, they were efficient and capable managers of household and businesses. I really enjoyed this book and am still stunned at the other low ratings. I can recommend it for students or history buffs. Brief but detailed, packed with fascinating facts, it's a history-lover's treasure trove and serves as a terrific introduction to the role of women in this period.

Review # 2 was written on 2017-01-22 00:00:00 Anuar Iberahim good book