Carol Mukhopadhyay

Excellent, substantive, research-based, but accessible overview of the many ways in which women remain invisible in all spheres of life, from urban and transportation planning, to peace negotiations, to health care. Author recognizes how deeply embedded are male perspective in institutions, sometimes consciously, often without thinking. Includes cross-cultural, cross-national examples, from non-European societies. As with any book covering so much material, there are huge generalizations. But patterns ARE important and recurring across time and place. Patriarchy takes different forms but remains powerful. The weakest section is on male-female biology, focusing on difference, thus feeding long-lived, persistence "essentialist" Mars-Venus theory in Western culture/religion. And ignoring how profoundly culture invents and shapes gender, including our brains [see neuroscientist Gina Rippon Gender and our Brains]. But overall....excellent, must read book, perfect for BOOK CLUBS!!