Witches, Midwives, and Nurses - bookrastinating.com

English language

Published Oct. 9, 2010 by Feminist Press at the City University of New York.

ISBN:: 978-1-55861-661-5

Witches, Midwives, and Nurses examines how women-led healing was delegitimized to make way for patriarchy, capitalism, and the emerging medical industry.

As we watch another agonizing attempt to shift the future of healthcare in the United States, we are reminded of the longevity of this crisis, and how firmly entrenched we are in a system that doesn't work.

First published by the Feminist Press in 1973, Witches, Midwives, and Nurses is an essential book about the corruption of the medical establishment and its historic roots in witch hunters. In this new and updated edition, Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English delve into the current fascination with and controversies about witches, exposing our fears and fantasies. They build on their classic exposé on the demonization of women healers and the political and economic monopolization of medicine. This quick history brings us up-to-date, exploring today's changing attitudes toward childbirth, alternative medicine, …

Witches, Midwives, and Nurses examines how women-led healing was delegitimized to make way for patriarchy, capitalism, and the emerging medical industry.

As we watch another agonizing attempt to shift the future of healthcare in the United States, we are reminded of the longevity of this crisis, and how firmly entrenched we are in a system that doesn't work.

First published by the Feminist Press in 1973, Witches, Midwives, and Nurses is an essential book about the corruption of the medical establishment and its historic roots in witch hunters. In this new and updated edition, Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English delve into the current fascination with and controversies about witches, exposing our fears and fantasies. They build on their classic exposé on the demonization of women healers and the political and economic monopolization of medicine. This quick history brings us up-to-date, exploring today's changing attitudes toward childbirth, alternative medicine, and modern-day witches.

1 edition

Ben Waber reviewed Witches, Midwives, and Nurses by Barbara Ehrenreich

A Critical But Heavily Political Tract

3 stars

This is a classic of feminist and medical history, focusing on the roots of medical establishments and its entanglements with literal witch hunting. It is an extremely political text, and while every history is to a certain extent, this one goes farther on the political side and lighter on the historical rigor than I'd like. The second edition contains a good introduction that acknowledges some of its shortcomings for a modern audience, so I'd recommend picking up that version if you're interested in this topic

Bastian Greshake Tzovaras

rated it

Dec. 4, 2024

Ben Waber

rated it

February 26

Subjects

Women in medicine -- History
Medicine -- United States -- History
Women healers -- United States -- History
History of Nursing -- United States
Nurses -- United States
Midwifery -- history -- United States
Witchcraft -- history -- United States
Women's Health -- history -- United States

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