This sounds like a fascinating book Jonathan, thank you for such a considered review. Even in recent times, women, and girls so often eat after the men have finished. The physiological impact on the growers, nurturers and birthers of future generations (who were also so often, and still, held responsible for girl children, when a boy is considered of higher value, miscarriages, and infertility) is so hard to read, and imagine the horror they experienced. Such an important history to finally record.
Thank you so much. I was struck by exactly those same points while reading—the way women’s lives were so often shaped by deprivation, not just physically but emotionally and socially as well. The idea that the very people responsible for sustaining life were routinely marginalized, even in something as basic as nourishment, is both heartbreaking and revealing. You're right, this is an essential history to record. I truly believe that Dr. Hauser has written a book that will be at the top of many “Best of 2025” lists by year’s end. It’s a powerful work, and I feel lucky to have spent time with it.
This is such a sensitive, eloquent and quietly powerful review, Jonathan, I do hope Emily Hauser gets to read it! Do let the publicist at Chicago UP know about it, if you haven't already done so. Very shocking to read about how Bronze Age malnutrition affected women.
Thank you so much for those kind words, Ann. Coming from you, they truly mean a great deal. I actually approached this review with your piece "The Art of Reviewing" very much in mind, so I’m especially glad that the tone resonated. I was thrilled to wake up to a kind message from Emily Hauser after sharing the review on another platform. It hadn’t occurred to me to reach out to the Chicago UP publicist, but I will now. Thank you again!
This sounds like a fascinating book Jonathan, thank you for such a considered review. Even in recent times, women, and girls so often eat after the men have finished. The physiological impact on the growers, nurturers and birthers of future generations (who were also so often, and still, held responsible for girl children, when a boy is considered of higher value, miscarriages, and infertility) is so hard to read, and imagine the horror they experienced. Such an important history to finally record.
Thank you so much. I was struck by exactly those same points while reading—the way women’s lives were so often shaped by deprivation, not just physically but emotionally and socially as well. The idea that the very people responsible for sustaining life were routinely marginalized, even in something as basic as nourishment, is both heartbreaking and revealing. You're right, this is an essential history to record. I truly believe that Dr. Hauser has written a book that will be at the top of many “Best of 2025” lists by year’s end. It’s a powerful work, and I feel lucky to have spent time with it.
This is such a sensitive, eloquent and quietly powerful review, Jonathan, I do hope Emily Hauser gets to read it! Do let the publicist at Chicago UP know about it, if you haven't already done so. Very shocking to read about how Bronze Age malnutrition affected women.
Thank you so much for those kind words, Ann. Coming from you, they truly mean a great deal. I actually approached this review with your piece "The Art of Reviewing" very much in mind, so I’m especially glad that the tone resonated. I was thrilled to wake up to a kind message from Emily Hauser after sharing the review on another platform. It hadn’t occurred to me to reach out to the Chicago UP publicist, but I will now. Thank you again!
This sounds fascinating
I think you would like it, Sarah.
Are those two titles from US and UK editions?
Hi Donna. Yes. The UK edition is “Mythica” which publishes next week. The US edition is “Penelope’s Bones” which comes out in June.