The Patriarchs

The Patriarchs: The Origins of Inequality has a bit of a cheat of a subtitle. We do not really get a full accounting of the "origins" of inequality.

The book is more of a series of snapshots.  We get a suggestion that maybe the origins arise from Central Asia (think the Mongols or the ancient Aryans) that brought a more patriarchal mentality to Europe.  But, how did that affect China and Asia?  But, that turns out to be a bit too simplistic.

The book begins with a snapshot of a certain ancient community in the Middle East that in Neolithic times (think 7000 BCE or something) was equalitarian.  Or, at least, gender divisions did not seem to be dominant. To the extent, we can tell.  Again, the evidence is unclear.  

We then get various snapshots of patriarchy (and its complications) throughout history, including in Ancient Athens, communist states (the push for equality is incomplete), and modern-day Iran. Some familiar names pop up.  The book is a bit plodding (at least it seemed that way; as I have said, these days, maybe it is partially me), but I found it overall worthwhile.  And, a good two hundred or so pages, which works for me. 

I saw The Merry Gentleman (a sort of Christmas pun) in my movie review book.  Michael Keaton directs and co-stars as a hit man who forms a relationship with a woman who fled an abusive husband.  

A theme is that most men around her turn out to be fairly creepy, including a police officer (not her husband, who is also a police officer).  The film overall is well made with Kelly McDonald doing a very good job as the woman.  A little thing that I liked was that a supporting character was Jewish but in a low-key sort of way (he wears a yamulke and perhaps a menorah is shown at some point).  

I found a cheap copy (disc only) on eBay.