Reference Reviews

Lawrence Looks at Books

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History, edited by Bonnie G. Smith. 4 vols. 2,563p. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. 978-0-19-514890-9; 2007-34939. $595.

This groundbreaking encyclopedia surveys the contributions of women to world history. The more than 900 contributing editors and authors from more than 50 countries include some of the world’s leading scholars in women’s history. Their ambitious encyclopedia is unprecedented in scale or depth of coverage. The nearly 1,250 entries cover all periods and places. Regional surveys and nearly 700 representative biographies explore the roles women have played and hundreds of countries, from prehistory to the present. The worldwide perspective also is emphasized in comparative articles on politics, economics, culture and society. Individual entries examine the representation of women in law codes, world religions, literature and art, as well as access to education, property and health services. Other articles explore the role of women in global movements, from slavery and the crusades to world wars and contemporary globalization. As would be expected, great attention is given the issues affecting individual women in their community. Thus, numerous entries explore marriage, family, divorce, abortion, widowhood and sexuality. The influence of major historical events, international movements and organizations on the position of women also is examined. From antifeminism to women’s liberation, gender theories and studies are similarly explained. Brief bibliographies and more than 450 illustrations support the text. An extensive 110-page chronology set the regional milestones for women in the context of world events. Numerous cross references, a detailed index and a topical outline of entries help users find related material. This outstanding guide to women’s history is highly recommended to academic and public libraries.