Women & Power

A modern feminist classic – Rachel Cooke * Observer *
With clearsightedness and wry humour, this self-described ‘gobby woman’ proves public speech is no longer the preserve of maleness. More power to her. – Laura Garmeson * FT *
… exposes the roots of today’s expectations of how a woman should behave … time for a change, she argues - and now! – Jenni Murray * Guardian *
This book is a treasure, both as a fascinating read in itself and as a fine work of reference to correct our lazy misconceptions about an ancient world that still has much to instruct us today * Herald *
An urgent feminist cri de coeur, spot-on in its utterly reasonable plea that a woman ‘who dares to open her mouth in public’ actually be given a hearing. * Kirkus Reviews *
Brilliant – Jacqueline Rose * Guardian *
Enlightening … explains how misogyny works and why it is so resilient – Elif Shafak * Guardian *
A sparkling and forceful manifesto * New York Times *
Clear, rich, subversive and witty * San Francisco Chronicle *
An irresistible call for women to speak up, act and redefine their power * People Magazine *
Praise for Mary Beard:‘She’s pulled off that rare trick of becoming a don with a high media profile who hasn’t sold out, who is absolutely respected by the academy for her scholarship … what she says is always powerful and interesting * Guardian *
An irrepressible enthusiast with a refreshing disregard for convention * FT *
With such a champion as Beard to debunk and popularise, the future of the study of classics is assured * Daily Telegraph *
Dynamically, wittily and authoritatively brings the ancient world to life – Simon Sebag Montefiore
Praise for SPQR:Fast-moving, exciting, psychologically acute, warmly sceptical - Bryan Appleyard – Bryan Appleyard * Sunday Times *
Vastly engaging … a tremendously enjoyable and scholarly read – Natalie Haynes * Observer *
Sustaining the energy that such a topic demands for more than 600 pages, while providing a coherent answer to the question of why Rome expanded so spectacularly, is hugely ambitious. Beard succeeds triumphantly … full of insights and delights … SPQR is consistently enlivened by Beard’s eye for detail and her excellent sense of humour. * Sunday Times *
Masterful … This is exemplary popular history, engaging but never dumbed down, providing both the grand sweep and the intimate details that bring the distant past vividly to life * Economist *
Ground-breaking … invigorating … revolutionary … a whole new approach to ancient history – Thomas Hodgkinson * Spectator *
Selected as one of the 100 best books of the 21st century: An instant feminist classic * The Guardian *

Mary Beard is a professor of classics at Newnham College, Cambridge, and the Classics editor of the TLS. She has world-wide academic acclaim, and is a fellow of the British Academy and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Her previous books include:

• Civilisations: How We look / The Eye of Faith
• SPQR
• Pompeii
• The Parthenon
• Confronting the Classics

Her blog has been collected in the books:

• It’s a Don’s Life
• All in a Don’s Day

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.