The Privileged Sex

In 'The Privileged Sex', renowned historian Martin van Creveld tackles head on the central claim of feminism, the myth of women's oppression. Armed with his extensive knowledge of history and a range of other disciplines, he examines the standing of women and men from ancient Egypt down to the present day to reveal that the privileged sex in human society has always been -- and continues to be -- the female. A systematic investigation into everything from chivalry, education, industrialization, law, marriage and military to the most persistent of feminist pseudo-history can be found in these pages. At the end of it all, the umbrella of 'feminism' is left with gaping bullet holes and its foundational claims shelled to rubble. Martin van Creveld, who has authored some of the best books I've read on war, duly extends his quality of work to 'The Privileged Sex'. It is well-organized, holistic and put together like a masterpiece. Furthermore, having seen the extensive censorship employed by feminists first-hand, I commend the author's courage in publishing this book. However, I have two criticisms to offer. 1) A substantial portion of feminist pseudo-history involves domestic violence, so I was somewhat disappointed to find that 'The Privileged Sex' did not offer an in-depth analysis of women's crime, particularly their excessive use of violence in domestic environments. This is more of a personal caveat, however. 2) van Creveld relies on "pre-genetics" biology, which may be misleading. Genetics has revealed that the female is neither default nor the primary sex and sex exists even before hormonal differentiation. The simple fact that distinguishes all male and female cells, that they carry a complement of either XX or XY chromosomes, determines sexually-differentiated physiology which is further complicated by sex-biased gene expression and related mechanisms. Most importantly however, is the genetic architecture of sexual species: the male functions as a 'filter' for his entire lineage by retaining beneficial genes and cleansing the gene pool of deleterious mutations while the female functions as a 'vessel' through which the males' "good genes" are transported from one generation to the next. This functional dichotomy is the root of what we consider "masculinity" and "femininity". In my opinion, this is a must-read book for anyone -- scholarly or otherwise -- investigating or curious about feminism and sex relations in human history.

Martin van Creveld really put together a masterpiece with this book and I'd say this is the best book on the subject of men's issues that I've ever read. What sets this book apart is that it examines the feminist movement's claim that the average woman before the first wave feminist movement was treated like a slave compared to men. This is the central defense that the feminist movement has when demonizing men as a whole and because so many books and leaders revolving around the men's issues movement leave this claim unexamined or unchallenged the feminists usually score an easy victory in debates on the topic. Not so after reading this book! He goes all the way back to ancient Greece to examine the treatment of women back then and journey's to ancient Egypt to Rome and to the modern day. The book is so relevant that it's hard to even believe this book is over 13 years old. I would recommend this book to anyone questioning the hyperbolic claims of the feminist movement because it will give you a firm grounding moving forward and because it provides the most concrete sources I've seen out of any book on the subject. The book was so good I bought a copy and sent it to a friend who is also questioning the rampant lies told about men these days. I would really like to see Mr. Creveld write another book on the topic because we have seen the feminist movement pick up the pace the past decade. This is a 5 star book so pick it up you won't be disappointed.

Martin van Creveld's "The Privileged Sex" is an academic look at the rapidly changing way that women interact and participate in the world by an expert military historian and analyst. I saw this book as Dr Van Creveld's search for his own and personal answer to the question. The book is written as an a fairly low-key academic review rather than as a document directed at convincing the reader of the author's conclusions. Additionally, the book is one of several written by the Dr Van Creveld in his effort to understand the rapidly changing ways that women participate in the world. Van Creveld's conclusions might be considered revisionist to some. Frankly, I had the feeling in reading him, that he was looking for the best argument, and not interested arriving at some predetermined conclusion. I would recommend this book to those interested in reading the account of a well respected and well known academic who has studied and written about many aspects of history for many decades.

Based on research that is both empirical and broad, this book takes an original and interesting look at its topic. Moreover, Professor van Creveld has written a synergetic book that is greater than the sum of its parts. One by one, the myths woven by feminists over the last few decades are torn to pieces. The author shows that discrimination has always existed and will continue to exists. However, this discrimination works not against women but in their favor. This is not a matter of opinion but of facts that are systematically investigated and put together. Not only does the book show that the radical feminist demands for "equality" are based on lies, but it also points out that, the more demands that are raised, the more women lose their privileged status. It is because of feminism that present-day women have to work harder, die earlier, and suffer from various diseases that used to affect only men. Another outstanding characteristic of the book is the author's courage in standing up for the truth in a world awash with feminist propaganda that describes men as exploitative, aggressive, violent and patriarchal. Those who have read Professor van Creveld's other works, which deal with military history, will not be surprised to find an empirical, well-organized, profound, revolutionary and objective volume. Order, read, think, and internalize.

Well researched and accurate explanation of how we got here and the fallacies that certain people and the media rely on in order to support their own narrow, hurtful and at times dangerous points of view. Very detailed but an easy and enlightening read that reveals both the biological, psychological and societal causes that allowed the privileged sex to evolve. This is not a pro-male or a anti-woman book, just a balanced look at the situation.

This is one of the most engaging books on history I have ever read. I opened to a random page by accident and ended up reading the book cover to cover. This is one of the most engaging books on history and society that I have every read. This is a rare life changing book that challenges the myths, falsehoods and contradictions which underlay western culture. Just buy it and open to a random page.

Having previously—to my dismay—not known of Professor Creveld, I found myself devouring his The Privileged Sex, which I have now finished. Bravo! What he does with the culture of complaint, and with complaining feminists in particular, is brilliant. I have myself essayed the issue from a literary standpoint in The Lesbian Lyre: Reclaiming Sappho for the 21st Century (Clairview 2016)—which is to say, "reclaiming" Sappho from the (radical) feminists. My only regret is that I did not know of Creveld's work before mine went to press. I look very much forward to reading others of his works.

It's interesting, this short book, and it has a lot of points that are as politically uncorrect as they are true. At times, the argumentation seems stronger than reality. As in prostitution: Van Creveld seems to have little knowledge or understanding of the amount of violence that is often exerted on women before they are 'voluntarily' entering the profession. Another argument would have been worth considering: men suffer much more from violence for no other reason than that they are overwhelmingly the largest proportion of violators. This argument may not suffice, but one would like to hear Van Crevel about it.