Norena Shopland

A History of Women in Men's Clothes by Norena Shopland is a very well researched excursion through the history of oppression by regulating how a group of people can dress without either legal ramifications or social ridicule, or both. As Shopland states clearly, the bigger issue is women dressing "as men" rather than men dressing as women since only the latter is a threat to the idea of men as superior. Men dressing in women's clothes, as she states, is a step in a culturally backward direction, so while frowned on it was also less of a threat to patriarchy.

There is so much information here, and so many stories, that at times I think the writing suffered. It is still engaging throughout but sometimes resembled what we used to call on essay exams a "brain dump," getting as much down as possible. Unlike those brain dumps, however, this book never becomes boring or disjointed.

Like any history, the relevance is what a reader takes from it. To appreciate where we are now we need to know where we came from. That is a very basic contribution this book makes for our contemporary society. It also highlights the many ways seemingly innocuous rules and regulations can be used to control people's lives, yet another contribution to contemporary society for the engaged reader to take away. That said, Shopland does not pound these connections into our heads, she trusts her readers can connect the dots.

Highly recommended for those interested in feminist history as well as LGBTQI+ history.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (mehr)

I found this book quite interesting. Although I live in a place where I may never find it useful (not many Roman or Anglo-Saxon finds in Australia), it was eye-opening reading. Arranged by themes of type of material, rather than chronologically, it would serve its purpose as a guide very well. The bibliography supplied is detailed and the basis for further research if needed. There is also a list of organisations for the reader to consult. My only problem with it is the brevity of some entries, but I realise that it is intended as a first guide not as a textbook on the subject. Overall, well worth the reading.… (mehr)