Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
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
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
Femina
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
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gatekeepers of the past ordered books to be burnt, artworks to be destroyed, and new versions of myths, legends and historical documents to be produced, which has manipulated our view of history.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.
Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Femina
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- 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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- 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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- 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
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- 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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Monique
- 25-10-22
Very interesting
I really enjoyed this book, a great opportunity to relook at history. I also enjoyed the narration, however, I felt the speed of the reading is a bit fast as there is a lot to digest.
Overall recommend!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- jill cronshaw
- 25-08-22
fascinating stuff
very interesting and well researched. I learnt new 'female' facts which until now were silent. well worth a listen
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Susan
- 03-12-22
Great read and revelatory
This is a fascinating snap shot of women's lives in history. I enjoyed it thoroughly
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. Rae
- 09-12-22
Very readable, totally well read again and soon!
From the suffragette and medievalist Emily Wilding Davison, to Hildegard of Bingen, to the Cathars, to Jadwiga of Poland, to Margery Kempe, to Eleanor Rykener among many others.
Femina gives the women of the medieval age the voice to the modern world they deserve. Spanning time, race, Christian sects, class, and gender identity.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Janice C Belcher-Heath
- 05-06-23
Enthralling and insightful. A history for our time.
I must hold my hands up and admit to being a huge fan of the author’s TV work. This is the first audiobook of hers that I’ve listened to, and it does not disappoint. I’ve learned about many historical figures that are entirely new to me, and have new perspectives on more familiar ones. I would really recommend this audiobook.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Elke
- 13-04-23
Redressing the balance
I’m often looking for medieval books on women and this really hit the mark. Great to have such enthusiastic researchers such as Ramirez spending their valuable time on trying to bring the lives of women and other underrepresented individuals to the fore. Highly recommended.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!