This accessible text provides a comprehensive survey of women’s history in China from the Neolithic period through the end of the Qing dynasty in the early twentieth century. Rather than providing an exhaustive chronicle of this vast subject, Bret Hinsch pinpoints the themes that characterized distinct periods in Chinese women’s history and delves into the perception of female identity in each era. Moving beyond the traditional focus on the late imperial era, Hinsch explores how gender relations have developed and changed since ancient times. His chronological look at the most important female roles in every major dynasty showcases not only the constraints women faced but also their vast accomplishments throughout the millennia. Hinsch’s extensive use of Chinese-language scholarship lends his book a fresh perspective rare among Western scholars. Professors and students will find this an invaluable textbook for Chinese women’s studies and an excellent supplement for courses in gender studies and Chinese history.

"This book is an informative survey of Chinese women’s history from ancient beginnings to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Hinsch employs conventional dynastic periodization to the subject of women’s history, stressing the construction of female identity in each era by examining the most important female social roles. The author draws on a rich scholarship of primary and secondary sources in English as well as in Chinese and Japanese to bring a fresh perspective to Western readers. The strength of this survey is its emphasis on the vast scope of China’s history as well as the formative impact of earlier eras. Most of the fundamental aspects of gender relations emerged many centuries prior to the well-researched late imperial period. The long time span also helps reveal considerable change and development throughout history. Valuable for Chinese women’s studies and an excellent supplement for courses in gender studies and Chinese history. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General and undergraduate collections and up." - CHOICE

"[O]verall, the work offers a wealth of information and many suggestions to further deepen the topic. (Translated from German)" - Monumenta Serica: Journal of Oriental Studies