I enjoyed this book. I did feel that it meandered at times and was overly anecdotal at some points, but Kaplan is a relatable writer and the overall message she conveys is both interesting and incredibly important. What I liked most about this book were the fantastic fun facts throughout - poignant details about specific women's lives that illustrated wider concepts about the social, economic, and educational pressures that prevent women from being seen as geniuses. That was incredibly eye-opening.

When you think of a genius, which names comes to mind? Do you think of the usual mentions such as Albert Einstein, and Leonardo da Vinci? If you were asked to name a female genius, who would you think of? You might find yourself having to think longer and harder for a name. Many people have previously thought of geniuses as being male… often forgetting female geniuses. I love how Kaplan explores and challenges this way of thinking and bringing to light the fact that geniuses can in fact be women. Men aren’t the only ones who are capable of being true geniuses.

Kaplan writes this novel in a very interesting way that grabs your attention and make you question any previous teachings and thoughts about what constitutes a genius. A lot of research went into this novel and was truly an enjoyable read as you read through each chapter. I enjoyed reading about the many women geniuses in this novel who paved the way to their own success in the face of a male-dominated world.

This is a must read as it breaks down not only how we view genius but how we treat girls and boys, along with gender in our society. As an anthropologist I love books like these, as they give a view into how we as Americans/Western Society view scholars, artists, and geniuses. Kaplan works her way through stories about previous geniuses in our world and how they got to that stage, their siblings/sisters were viewed or treated. We learn about modern day genius and how they got to where they are in their field. I wanted more facts, trends but I almost always do. Along with, since gender is all cultural it would be interesting to also have some comparisons with cultures that are not so 2 gendered.

We learn that by age 6 girls learn or are programmed to think boys are the smart ones. She gives some ways at the end to not let genius be viewed only as male, but so many of these depend on how the child grows up and need some for the college-age with little support, or mid-aged women trying to get more out of her career, ect. It was a little limiting of a To-Do list along with needed some more research into how to raise your children in more gender neutral settings and not but stereotypes of them.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and should read more of a chapter a day/week over a one setting book. This is a great start to get everyone rethinking genius just like leadership and how that is viewed, which play into each other.

Thanks to Netgalley, Dutton, Kaplan for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a girl mom, I find it important to share uplifting stories and female role models to my daughters and the stories in The Genius of Women give the opportunity to do just that. Fascinating and uplifting read.

This book has so many amazing statements that are true gems. This one also introduces so many women geniuses to the readers who truly have done some rockstar amazing stuff in life but haven’t achieved celebrity kind status just because they are women. Coming back to the thought provoking and wonderful lines, they are mantras and they should be available as posters everywhere to constantly remind us. I have them as notes in my kindle for motivation.

It gives details on how the patriarchy in our societies has conditioned us to act in a certain way and has always made women doubt their worth which is the true challenge. These geniuses will hopefully help change our belief systems and change what we think we are capable of - which is everything!

It is so common how all smart women continue working hard and think our work will be noticed. I used to think the same. Actually it doesn't really happen that way. These geniuses are the proof but as the thinking is changing, their achievements are getting noticed.

I felt some chapters were easier to read than others and some were more interesting than the other. This is the kind of book which you don’t need to read in one stretch, but more like one chapter at a time and give it a day to ingrain some important knowledge.

This book should be read by all parents who are responsible for their daughter’s upbringing as these belief systems set in early and they should provide the clarity to the girls to help at least next generation.

’m sure that there has never been a book entitled The Genius of Men because it has long been assumed that if someone was a genius then it was surely a man. Most think of Einstein and a myriad of other notables. But women? Sure, we've all heard of Madame Curie but for many people, the list stops. Well, Janice Kaplan will have none of that. And neither should we. The Genius of Women does a wonderful job in bringing awareness to this unconscious bias and presents an impressive an array of incredible women who have and are changing the world. In this well researched book, written in an easy, often humorous tone, the author educates us on and inspires us with a group of women who have excelled in science, math, the arts and more. While modern day women of this caliber are starting to get their deserved recognition, most of the amazing women we meet remain unknown to the masses. The tragic part of the book is learning of the women who were either unable to pursue their talents or those who achieved greatness only for their male counterparts to take credit for their discoveries, music and more.

Kaplan aptly notes, “The genius of women might be to recognize the genius of other women. Because if we wait for men to do it, we could be waiting a long time.” This book takes a great step in the right direction.

Many thanks to Dutton, NetGalley and the fierce Janice Kaplan for an advance copy of this important book which will be published on February 18, 2020.

A great, informative read about the MANY amazing women in history whose accomplishments have been undervalued or overlooked completely in our patriarchal society. I was so happy to learn about all of this, and want to find out about even more genius women now!

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for this ARC.

I sincerely enjoyed Janice Kaplan's The Genius of Women, which looks at overlooked female geniuses and the ones who have managed to break on through to the other, widely recognized side, Kaplan writes very well and with well-placed humor, as she blends reporting, research and personal anecdotes in this incredibly engaging study of figures such as Maria Anna Mozart (the other talented Mozart who didn't get Wolfgang's support and celebrity), salonniere Madame de Stael, painter Clara Peeters, and so many more. She notes that people flourish because of the people, opportunities and expectations around them, and that the most brilliant mind will wither if its not encouraged. In history, females have reached their teenage years, only to be discouraged from doing the things that they love (writing, music, science) and pushed toward a life of domesticity, only never to be heard from again. Kaplan honors those women in this text, but also shows how others have broken free of that expectation and changed the world. Readers who enjoyed Kaplan's book The Gratitude Diaries (as I did) will likely seek this one out too, as will lovers of books like Hidden Figures, and other tales about little-known women who are finally getting their due.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and let me just say this - you need to read this book! I loved this well-written, at times humorous, very personable and powerful book. Kaplan's book presents personal experience, many interviews and strong data (recent and historical) in a way that is enjoyable and easy to read. You won't want to miss this book!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in return for my honest feedback.

I'll be publishing a full review closer to the book's 2/18/20 release date. In the meantime, just put this on your TBR list and start recommending it to your local libraries.

The Genius of Women is Pure Genius

In itself, Kaplan’s analysis of RBG in Chapter Ten makes The Genius of Women essential reading. More than that, one by one, in fascinating detail and persuasive argument, Kaplan's chapters provide the groundwork for fundamentally rethinking and rewriting much of the history we’ve taken for granted -- and for redefining the way we think about women and our achievements historically, today, and in the future.

Transformative and at times even transgressive, Kaplan has written the post- #metoo movement title that needs to be in the hands of every woman you know. Now.

(Since we've been asked to wait to publish reviews, I plan to write a longer review of similar tone but more specific, digging more deeply into several of Kaplan’s critical arguments, as I'll be recommending this title to several university colleagues who are teaching gender studies courses)

(QUESTION FOR PUBLISHER/AGENT: I hate having to wait until spring 2020 to talk about this book. I noticed the requirement to hold reviews until then has been removed. Have the guidelines regarding talking about this title changed? Thanks!)