Extract of review by Kathleen Sheldon (University of California, Los Angeles) in African Book Publishing Record, Vol. XXXIV/2/2008 pp 98-99:
"Without discussing each chapter in greater depth, it can be noted that overall, the authors share an agenda to draw more attention to women’s long history of resistance in a variety of locales and their leadership in their communities. Some authors also consciously discuss methodology and historiography, and suggest that as feminist historians they must still work against more conventional historical tales that keep women on the margins. ... Both of these volumes [Representation and Reality and Women in South African History] add valuable information and analysis to the burgeoning arena of South African women’s history. They will be read with appreciation. The lack of an index in the volume edited by Gasa is offset by the inclusion of a compact disc with searchable files of the entire text. These books are recommended for university libraries with holdings on women’s history and African studies."
Review by Sokari Ekine in The Angry Black Woman blog
http://theangryblackwoman.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/sarah-bartman-other-herstories-of-south-african-women/
Extract from review by Teresa Barnes (University of the Western Cape) in Feminist Africa Issue 9 (2007) pp. 139-142:
"...Women in South African History brings together a rich, challenging and significant group of essays by leading social scientists and social activists who (with two exceptions) are based in South Africa. It should be on the bookshelf of everyone teaching and researching South African history. If every university history student in this country had a copy, it would be even better."
Extract from review by Sokari Ekine in Pambazuka News 301 (Source website: http//www.pambazuka.org/):
'The book is a radical departure from the traditional history texts in that it uses a feminist analysis rather than the 'more acceptable gender analysis' in its approach by examining 'the ways in which gender intersects with race, culture, class and other forms of identity and location in South African History'. By including the present as part of history the book shows how the past and present are inextricably linked and thus better examines women's experiences over the past 300 years. The experiences of women's struggle and their continuing hazardous journeys towards liberation are expressed through the dual metaphors of 'they move boulders'-challenges; and 'they cross rivers'-dangers'
'Women in South African History' is a 'trans-disciplinary' interrogation of events and periods in the history of South Africa from a feminist perspective. The narratives bring to life the daughters of Africa in their quest for emancipation, sometimes at great cost to themselves and their families, particularly their children.'
Click on the links below to read the reviews:
Real Magazine - March 2008
