The Concept of Woman

American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly "Fascinating, clearly written, carefully argued and massively erudite. . . The book remains a necessary, and highly useful, source for research in a field which has become so important in academic life generally as well as in our wider culture. . . [Sister Prudence] has done a major service in the necessary spade-work for further research in this area. She has retrieved and organized an immense mass of data, and offered a clear focus for those who would mine it for further work in the field. The book has about it that beauty which, being seen, pleases--that beauty which presupposes goodness, and unity, and truth." Religious Studies Review "Provides a much needed historical foundation for contemporary philosophical debates. . . Allen's work is comprehensive and detailed, and makes extensive use of primary source citations. . . This important work remains a useful reference for anyone from the beginning undergraduate to the seasoned scholar." The Journal of Indo-European Studies "An encyclopedic coverage of the topic as far as the philosophical concept of woman is concerned: it is well written and instructive and deserves commendation." Jean Bethke Elshtain "This is a massively important work that deserves wide circulation and debate. Free from any narrow ideological agenda, Sister Allen's book offers analytic categories and conceptual frameworks that help to situate discussions of women philosophically. She gives us tools to use, deepening our understanding rather than feeding our resentment." Philosophy "A fascinating and extremely thorough work. . . This book provides a much-needed resource for attempting to bring woman back into philosophical consciousness." Hervormde Teologiese Studies "The extent of this work is awe-inspiring. . . . This volume has numerous strengths, including its detailed scholarship, clear writing, and user-friendly tables, which make this a valuable reference book."