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…

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...

Book cover of These Blue Mountains

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

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.

1,366

readers submitted
so far, will you?

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

Book cover of The Duke's Christmas Redemption

The Duke's Christmas Redemption by Arietta Richmond,

A Duke who has rejected love, a Lady who dreams of a love match, an arranged marriage, a house full of secrets, a most unneighborly neighbor, a plot to destroy reputations, an unexpected love that redeems it all.

Lady Charlotte Wyndham, given in an arranged marriage to a man she…

Book cover of Coyote Weather

Coyote Weather by Amanda Cockrell,

Coyote weather is the feral, hungry season, drought-stricken, and ready to catch fire. It’s 1967, and the American culture is violently remaking itself while the country is forcibly sending its young men to fight in a deeply unpopular war.

Jerry has stubbornly made no plans for the future because he…

5 book lists we think you will like!