
The Once and Future Sex
Going Medieval on Women's Roles in Society
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Narrated by:
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Samara Naeymi
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By:
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Eleanor Janega
A vibrant and illuminating exploration of medieval thinking on women's beauty, sexuality, and behavior.
What makes for the ideal woman? How should she look, love, and be? In this high-spirited history, medievalist Eleanor Janega turns to the Middle Ages, the era that bridged the ancient world and modern society, to unfurl its suppositions about women and reveal what's shifted over time—and what hasn't.
Enshrined medieval thinkers, almost always male, subscribed to a blend of classical Greek and Roman philosophy and Christian theology for their concepts of the sexes. For the height of female attractiveness, they chose the mythical Helen of Troy, whose imagined pear shape, small breasts, and golden hair served as beauty's epitome. Casting Eve's shadow over medieval women, they derided them as oversexed sinners, inherently lustful, insatiable, and weak. And, unless a nun, a woman was to be the embodiment of perfect motherhood.
In The Once and Future Sex, Janega unravels the restricting expectations on medieval women and the ones on women today. She boldly questions why, if our ideas of women have changed drastically over time, we cannot reimagine them now to create a more equitable future.
©2023 Eleanor Janega (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded BooksListeners also enjoyed...




















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So enlightening and validating
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This book takes it to the next level. It’s full of wonderful insights and is a great read from start to finish
Fantastically entertaining and enlightening
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Medieval views (prejudiced) of women, many from monks and priests, are very much alive today.
As a 60+ man I liked to think that the place of women in our society has improved tremendously since Medieval times. Dr Janega let’s us know that this isn’t necessarily true and how women are viewed by some have deep roots.
Great reading too!
Definitely recommended.
A complex and important history
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Fascinating and educational
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The academic perspective
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Learned a lot. Enjoyed doing it
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An absolute delight!
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Love dr. Janega!
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I love Eleanor Janega!
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Engaging, informative, and accessible
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