Planet Patriarchy

Reviews / Votes

'[A] timely and ambitious project.' * <b><I>New Internationalist</I></b> * 'An outstanding and up-to-date analysis of patriarchy, worldwide ... breathtaking, the scale of what societies produce to deny these women liberation [is] staggering. A potent mix for a powerful read.' * <b><I>Labour Hub</I></b> * 'Rahila Gupta and Beatrix Campbell, two feminist titans whose activism and writing spans a century between them, have written an urgent dispatch from the frontlines of a war... This is a passionate, and often poetic book, full of outrage, but also of yearning for a better world.' * <b><I>FiLiA</I></b> * 'Urgent, incisive and hugely readable. The authors-two of our most brilliant advocates for women's rights-make visible the often hidden ways in which patriarchy remains so resilient.' -- <b>Monica Ali</b> 'Inspiring and challenging. There's an idea on every page and outrage in every chapter. Ambitious in its scope, looking at women's struggle for equality in seven countries, it still manages to tell individual stories of heroism. A frightening story of spreading patriarchy-and the heroines that stand against it.' -- <b>Philippa Gregory</b> 'My two favourite women to think with have been thinking with each other about why patriarchy does not die, and more importantly, how it adapts and shapeshifts in different contexts. This book helps us imagine how to dismantle the systems that deny women freedom.' -- <b>Liz Kelly, former head of the Women's National Commission</b> 'Two brilliant feminist writers survey the world and the inequality that is still meted out to women everywhere. This heartbreaking book describes ongoing patriarchal power in all its cruel manifestations, cataloguing the ways in which gains made by women are being subverted and rolled back through the rise of populist nationalisms. A powerful condemnation but also a call to arms!' -- <b>Baroness Helena Kennedy LT KC</b> 'A vital, passionate and superbly written global dispatch from two of the most respected stateswomen of feminist activism.' -- <b>Samira Ahmed, journalist and broadcaster</b> 'Wherever one stands in the debate over the meaning of patriarchy, this is a valuable investigation of the place in which women find themselves across the globe, and of their resistance to oppression.' -- <b>Kenan Malik, Observer columnist and author of <i>Not So Black and White</i></b> 'In this powerful series of dispatches from the frontlines of women's oppression, Campbell and Gupta document patriarchy's remarkable resilience. While they tell shocking stories of violence against women, they also celebrate the awesome wit, courage and creativity of feminist resistance. What an essential, intelligent and ultimately uplifting book!' -- <b>Anne Karpf, sociologist, journalist and author of <i>How Women Can Save The Planet</i></b> 'What becomes clear when reading this brilliantly researched but disturbing book, is that the patriarchy is still very much with us, in different forms, wherever you are. And progress for women seems to crucially depend on the flexibility that is permitted within a given social system, principally developed by men.' -- <b>Vicky Pryce, author of <i>Women vs Capitalism</i></b> 'A must-read. Campbell and Gupta reveal the myriad political, cultural and economic soils in which patriarchy can survive or reemerge--even after it appeared to be rolled back. But they graphically show that locally rooted, feminist-informed resistance also persists--from El Salvador to Saudi Arabia to South Africa. Every chapter here opened my eyes.' -- <b>Cynthia Enloe, author of <i>Twelve Feminist Lessons of War</i></b> 'At times enraging but ultimately inspiring, this landmark book of our contested and troubled times vividly tells how patriarchies have adapted and endured. A crucial report from the front lines and an invigorating call to arms.' -- <b>Carne Ross, author and former senior British diplomat</b> 'Drawing on extensive research and countless conversations with women around the world, the authors offer a powerful, wide-ranging analysis of patriarchy-showing how it may vary in degree across countries and cultures, yet retains a persistent and recognisable form. They remind us of the enduring link between patriarchy and war, violence and dehumanising politics. The path forward lies through feminist collective action.' -- <b>Halla Gunnarsdottir, Leader of VR Union, Iceland</b> 'Beautifully written and deeply researched. Campbell and Gupta expose the patriarchal foundations of capitalism, religion and the state that oppress and, all too often, destroy women. They also offer hope: from small enclaves of local resistance to Rojava's feminist-forward society, they grace us with the examples, tools and fortitude we need right now to fight for a liberated future.' -- <b>Debbie Bookchin, journalist, author and co-founder of the Emergency Committee for Rojava</b> 'Campbell and Gupta unravel the intricate threads of global misogyny with clarity and grace. They show how patriarchy doesn't collapse--it recalibrates, feeding off neoliberalism, nationalism and silence. A transformative journey into the heart of feminist thought.' -- <b>Maryam Aldossari, academic and writer</b>