Book cover of The Patriarchs: The Origins of Inequality

Book description

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING 2023

'I learned something new on every page of this totally essential book' Sathnam Sanghera

'By thinking about gendered inequality as rooted in something unalterable within us, we fail to see it for what it is: something more fragile that has had…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked The Patriarchs as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I read so many books about feminism and theory that I am often discouraged by overly academic and theoretical styles. This book is a real exception to the rule. It is accessible, readable, interesting and informative. It gives an in-depth dive into the origins of patriarchy and why it still maintains power and dominance now. You might be surprised by the contents! I can't recommend this highly enough. You will not look at patriarchy in the same way again.

After four phases of feminism, we still find ourselves in a world dominated not just by men but by male ideas. I saw this book on the bookshop shelf and knew it was a definite-buy.

The book spoke to me because I’m a human being. It’s obvious what is going on in the world – that men are exploiting their position for selfish ends, at the expense of women but also of themselves.

This book demolishes the unspoken assumptions of patriarchy by showing, with full evidence, the variety of social organisation – humane social organisation – that is possible. Men…

If you love The Patriarchs...

Ad

Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Want books like The Patriarchs?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Patriarchs.

Browse books like The Patriarchs

Book cover of The Trial of Madame Caillaux
Book cover of We Should All Be Feminists
Book cover of We Set the Dark on Fire

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,210

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like The Patriarchs, you might also like...

Book cover of Old Man Country

Old Man Country by Thomas R. Cole,

This book follows the journey of a writer in search of wisdom as he narrates encounters with 12 distinguished American men over 80, including Paul Volcker, the former head of the Federal Reserve, and Denton Cooley, the world’s most famous heart surgeon.

In these and other intimate conversations, the book…

Book cover of Lane and the Inventor

Lane and the Inventor by Amy Q. Barker,

A grumpy-sunshine, slow-burn, sweet-and-steamy romance set in wild and beautiful small-town Colorado. Lane Gravers is a wanderer, adventurer, yoga instructor, and social butterfly when she meets reserved, quiet, pensive Logan Hickory, a loner inventor with a painful past.

Dive into this small-town, steamy romance between two opposites who find love…

5 book lists we think you will like!