The Muir portrait
A few weeks ago, I spoke with Anne McElvoy for her BBC Radio series ‘British Liberalism: The Grand Tour’ about Adam Smith and the Whigs. I really enjoyed our conversation! Listen here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06r50wn
Interviews
Statue of Hatshepsut on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dr. Amanda Foreman explains the legacy of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, one of ten powerful women highlighted by the BBC for their political accomplishments:
‘. . . And the greatest of Egypt’s known ruling Queens was Hatshepsut. She came to power in the 15th century BC as the regent for her stepson Thutmose III; but it was how she ruled for over 2 decades that demonstrates her genius for government. Hatshepsut appropriated for herself the symbols of kingship… Famously, her statues depict her wearing the divine pharaonic beard. But just as important was how she concentrated on what Egypt did best. Building and trade. She organised the largest ever trade mission in her country’s history to the land of Punt. Her legacy was peace and prosperity. But even in Egypt there’s a sting in the tale. We don’t know why, but after her death, the next Pharaoh literally defaced Hatshepsut from the public record. In a sense, she represents the fate of so many women, not just in the ancient world, but throughout all of history.’
Read more here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/timelines/zp9qmp3
https://www.newstalk.com/listen_back/8/22887/10th_November_2015_-_Moncrieff_Part_4/
Image via Stocksy
by Bridey Heing
In her BBC documentary and forthcoming book, historian and author Amanda Foreman uncovers the historical precedents that have erased women throughout human civilization.
History has long been a boys’ club, from the people being written about to the people writing the books. But historian and author Amanda Foreman is out to change that. With her recent four-part series on BBC aptly called “The Ascent of Woman,” she told the story of women in civilization in four parts. That, however, was just a warm-up. Her upcoming book, The World Made By Women: A History of Women From the Apple to the Pill, is the story of humanity from the perspective of the female half.
Here, Dr. Foreman shares her thoughts on the origins of patriarchy, the historical conspiracy responsible for silencing women, and the figures hidden in history whom we should all know more about.
Geoff Lloyd with Annabel Port
Presenter of BBC’s The Ascent of Woman chats to Geoff about the role, portrayal and treatment of women through the ages.
Listen here: https://player.fm/series/geoff-lloyd-with-annabel-port/mind-expanding-monday-dr-amanda-foreman
Charlotte Hodgman is joined by historical author Amanda Foreman to discuss her new BBC2 TV series The Ascent of Woman.
Dr. Amanda Foreman discusses her BBC Two series on the history of women with Jane Garvey.
Women of the world: A new documentary series explores the history of gender inequality © BBC
Despite women’s liberation and the global rise of feminism, there is still a clear gender imbalance in politics. Which is odd since there is so much evidence that women would do it better.
If women were in charge, the refugee crisis in Europe might have played out a little differently, argued the historian Dr Amanda Foreman this weekend. ‘It’s not in the female make-up to stand there idly by while women and children die like flies on the beach.’ This, she said, is why Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel has been most compassionate towards the desperate families seeking a new life, and has argued for a shared housing responsibility between nations.