Helen King traces how women's bodies have been imagined, controlled and weaponized across centuries of medical, religious and cultural discourse. Drawing on an eclectic range of sources, encompassing Pompeiian graffiti, horror movies, 19th-century advice books and medical and religious treatises, she considers the specific parts of the female anatomy which have, at varying times, and to varying degrees, been considered to 'make' a woman.
'Illuminating, thoughtful and scholarly' FINANCIAL TIMES
'Does a fascinating job of exploring the history of women's bodies' GREG JENNER
'Mind-blowing, fascinating stuff' BBC WOMAN'S HOUR
'Delightful, timely and critical' CAT BOHANNON, author of EVE
'Weaves historical knowledge of medicine, anatomy, literature, art and religion into a narrative that surprises, informs, excites and frequently amuses' ADRIAN THATCHER, author of VILE BODIES
Throughout history, religious scholars, medical men and - occasionally - women themselves, have moulded thought on what 'makes' a woman. She has been called the weaker sex, the fairer sex, the purer sex, among many other monikers. Often, she has been defined simply as 'Not A Man'.
Today, we are more aware than ever of the complex relationship between our bodies and our identities. But contrary to what some may believe, what makes a woman is a question that has always been open-ended.
Immaculate Forms examines all the ways in which medicine and religion have played a gatekeeping role over women's organs. It explores how the womb was seen as both the most miraculous organ in the body and as a sewer; uncovers breasts' legacies as maternal or sexual organs - or both; probes the mystery of the disappearing hymen, and asks, did the clitoris need to be discovered at all?
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https://www.psbooks.co.uk/immaculate-forms544085Immaculate Formshttps://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/4/544085_media-0.jpg9.999.99GBPInStock/History/History/Categories/Social History/History/Categories/General History/History/Categories/Women's History/Gift Ideas/Categories/History Gift Books/Gift Ideas/Categories/View All Gift Books/Gift Ideas/Categories/Gifts Under £10/Gift Ideas/Categories/Gifts Under £15Helen King traces how women's bodies have been imagined, controlled and weaponized across centuries of medical, religious and cultural discourse. Drawing on an eclectic range of sources, encompassing Pompeiian graffiti, horror movies, 19th-century advice books and medical and religious treatises, she considers the specific parts of the female anatomy which have, at varying times, and to varying degrees, been considered to 'make' a woman.Hardback00https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/4/544085_media-1.jpghttps://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/4/544085_media-2.jpgadd-to-cartrrp_info:£25.00productId:179869bic_code:HBTB, JFFK, VFDHBTB, JFFK, VFD£25.00Helen KingGeneral239x160mmWellcome CollectionNoHardbackSocial & Cultural
