A women's history pioneer returns with a remarkable new account of French feminist, both intimate and theoretical, historical and personal.

Perrot, the first historian to teach women's history in France (in 1973), takes us on an epic exploration of feminism and its ramifications. Here are histories of the patriarchy, the fight for equality, and the feminist movement. Here are its great debates: body, gender, universalism vs. differentialism, sisterhood, #MeToo. Here are women who have taken up the cause: Gentileschi, Gouges, Baud, Bard, Auclert, Wittig, Farge, Roudy, Fouque...
Perrot's illuminating, scrupulous thought makes it possible to deconstruct, even overcome, rifts in contemporary feminism. An essential book by a pioneer, a witness to whole century whose commitment is matched only by her high standards.