Up from 2.5 stars. Okay, but repetitive, and very Western focused.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC!

This was an entertaining and informative read. I found myself sharing what I learned from this book with those around me. I recommend it to fans of good and highly readable non-fiction.

I am a major fan of Eleanor Herman. I usually read everything she writes. However, this book held no new information that I have already known from other books. I also found the book to be very repetitive and often goes that on multiple tangents that are irrelevant to the story. Thus, this was not Mrs. Herman’s best work.

A fascinating look into a history of how women have been treated by political society’s across the world for generations. I have always enjoyed Eleanor Herman’s historical analysis work and the spin she puts on non-fiction to add humor and lightness to what could be an otherwise dry subject. This was a quick and easy read and a very fun way to learn more about female leaders who have changed the world!

With Off with Her Head, Eleanor Herman has written an accessible, easy-to-read history of women and power and the misogynistic tropes used against them. Long-time students of history or feminism won't necessarily find much new here, but this serves as a helpful and important survey, showing that misogyny is a tale as old as time.

I really enjoyed this nonfiction book. I feel as though it was very informative and did a great job at connecting past events with current ones. As well as also making sure it was not a heavy book. It felt accesible to every type of reader

The most interesting part of this book is definitely setting the record straight on women leaders in history. Whether it was Isabeau of Bavaria, Catherine de Medici, Cleopatra, Mary Queen of Scots, or Marie Antoinette. Herman does a great job of infusing humor to persuade her argument in support of malign women throughout history. Even most of the women today are fascinating, I cannot get the story about the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard out of my head! However, I feel it lacks nuance in how it discussed modern American women politicians. I was disappointed in the early chapters not discussing the racist and xenophobic criticism of Harris. It also never discussed some of Clinton or Harris' larger controversies such as Benghazi or around being a public prosecutor while being critical of policing. I was interested to hear her perspective! It made her accounts of historical women I was unfamiliar with feel less credible. The chapters were also organized a little odd, which made it hard to follow her string of thought. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC!

Off With Her Head is a non-fiction book about the way women, especially women in power, are and have been portrayed by the society. I loved the idea behind it and it felt like a perfect October read - after all, calling women witches is one of the ways to keep them in check. I originally rated it 3 stars because despite the fascinating topic, the book got a bit formulaic the longer I read: each chapter had a distinctive theme (for example, women’s appearance or their sexuality) and provided real life examples of that theme. I was missing something to fill out the space between the examples, and the author provided that in the last chapter by reflecting on how to fight the misogyny plaguing our society. I bumped my rating another half star because I really appreciated that Herman included a chapter on misogynoir, which is misogyny directed towards Black women specifically.
Overall, it’s definitely a book worth reading if you’re interested in feminism and opening your eyes to the way we as society try to demean and control women who try to speak and stand up for themselves.

Eleanor Herman has written a marvelous and well-researched book about misogyny and power. Her scope, across centuries and cultures, highlights the disparities in the way women vs. men are discussed and remembered in history, and its rippling impact into social media, politics, and current events. Compelling.

A very important book. It was so interesting to learn about all the ways men have tried to oppress or ostracize women in power. Her Overbearing Ambition, Why Doesn't She Do Something About Her Hair? The Dangers of Female Hormones, The Alarming Shrillness of Her Voice, The Mysterious Unlikability of Female Candidates, She's a Bitch and Other Animals, She's a Witch and Other Monsters, and Her Sexual Depravity each examine a tried-and-true misogynistic method to keep women down. At the book's close, Herman looks ahead, considering strategies for bringing down misogyny and toxic masculinity.

Thank you so much to @netgalley for this advanced reader's copy for an honest review. I loved it/hated that a book needed to written about this disgusting behavior throughout history.

I have recently taken a liking to non-fiction reads and this one really taught me a lot. I didn’t realize how interesting this topic was until I finished reading and had to sit with what I had just learned. I definitely would read more from this author.

This compelling feminist tome focuses on the history of misogyny and why women seem to be to blame for everything from world wars, original sin, and more. Author Eleanor Herman mixes subjective details with historical facts to put a spotlight on the case against women, including how women are just as guilty as men at putting down other females and blaming them for the world's problems. Herman writes a very intelligent book that is incredibly informative with innumerable undeniable truths and parallels. For instance, Eve is blamed for the "original sin" yet Adam ate the apple, as well. Eve didn't force him to eat it nor did she threaten him with bodily harm if he never took a bite. Yet Eve takes the bulk of the blame at the dawn of time. Women are blamed for wars that were predominantly fought by men, and the 2016 RNC had terrifying shades of the Salem Witch Trials in regards to Hillary Clinton that no other opponent would have faced if they were male. Misogyny is rooted in the male fear of metaphorical emasculation, and Herman proves it over and over again throughout this book. Honestly, this is a must-read for every woman.

**Thank you, NetGalley and publisher, for a DRC in exchange for this honest review.**

I've read most of Eleanor Herman's other books. They are well researched, well written, and entertaining. However, this one grabbed me right from the introduction. It happened when she listed off a bunch of slurs, negative attributes, and other derogatory things used to defame and cut down women. Then she started talking about how these terms and this type of tactic has been used to undermine women who are independent, driven, and who want to exert power and control for thousands of years. Bitch. Slut. Ball Buster. Witch. From Ancient Egypt to modern day - the same words, the same lies, the same negative attributes. I had to stop reading for a moment to let this all sink in, and from there I just thought about how many times I've heard these things, read these things, and in some instances, experienced these things said about me. I want to thank the author for writing this book and putting into words all of the things that have happened to women who are strong and independent and in roles of authority. Hopefully we can take the time to learn from history and maybe future generations won't have to experience these things on the same level as we have for the last 4 thousand years.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for providing me with a digital copy for review. The opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect those of the author or publisher.

What a well written book this was. I don’t wanna call it wonderful or great though because even the fact that the author had to write this book, and it all felt so familiar is awful in itself. The author does a brilliant job detailing all of the misogynistic tropes that have been leveled across centuries on powerful women, those who’ve had ambition, those who’ve tried to do something other than what they had been relegated to by the patriarchy - and right from ancient Egyptian queens to current American political leaders, it’s astonishing that the tropes and insults haven’t changed much, but the mostly misogynistic men who are leveling these allegations would never agree that they are being sexist and just can’t tolerate a woman in a position of power, whose words they might have to listen to. Each chapter here is an in-depth view of one of the historical tropes that has been a part of a misogynist’s playbook, which continue on to today, and have gained more traction due to the power of social media - and it’s both heartbreaking to read the various ways in which many powerful women across continents and centuries have been vilified, and rage inducing to see it continue today and even become a very effective tool in scaring away any prospective young leaders in making. The author does end the book with the hope that we might be able to fight back against this incessant misogyny as more women enter politics and other positions of power across the board, but I just feel bleak and sad and angry and helpless. Nevertheless, this is definitely worth a read, and may help some understand the difference between legitimate criticism of a woman leader, and a misogynistic backlash.

This book illustrates the sad quote from Harry S Truman that goes, “There’s nothing new except the history you don’t know.” We are making progress, but the Misogynist handbook still remains in play. Still, this book may play a valuable tool in helping to recognize misogynist’s tricks.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher William Morrow for an advanced copy on this book about the treatment of women famous, unknown, mothers, daughters, wives and aunts throughout history.

In my family my Grandmother on my father's side was the one that everyone listened to. She gave advice, apple pie, help, a stern word and even sterner look. It was assumed by everyone that she was the one you went to family, friend, even complete strangers on the subway, which I saw many times. I can't imagine the poor fool who tried to mansplain anything to her. My parents were happily married, my father to the end of his life called my mom not his wife but his best friend. Never a snide joke, never a ball and chain comment, he always felt lucky having my mom in his life. It wasn't until I started working that I really noticed how women were treated in the world. Dim wit new hires explaining a woman's job to her, how had been doing it for years, crude comments constantly. It bothers me now that I accepted it, but it almost seemed normal. Off with Her Head: Three Thousand Years of Demonizing Women in Power by writer and historian Eleanor Herman is a study, a history and a commentary on what women, all women have had to deal with, put up with, and what society has deemed normal for far too long.

The book begins with the 2016 elections with the cry of "lock her up" sounding similar to the cry of burn her she's a witch. The writer than invents a game where all the comments about a woman are given to a male candidate. He should smile more, that voice is so shrill. Ughh who dresses him. I hear he slept his way to power. I really want to see this on campaign posters. The book than address in various chapters, how women are looked at and commented on, fashion, voice, family, sexuality, strength and weakness, with examples from all across the eras, which is frankly depressing. Race also is an issue, the numerous attacks on our current Vice- President and others offering way too many examples to list.

The book is well written and wonderfully sourced with a huge cast of powerful women to offer up as being attacked for everything superficial as well as the woman's ability to rule. This book is a primer for women who wish to seek office, giving an idea of what the woman might have to put up with, and how she might be able to fight back. There is a lot of ugliness in the book, and yet women persisted. That is the one big thing I took away from this book. No, actually I took away how tiring it must be to be a woman in anything, and that women and especially minority women are dang- straight stronger than I will ever be.

I have read most of Eleanor Herman's books on the frisky lives of Queens and Kings, the book on presidents is still on to be read pile, but I think this is the best. There is a power to the writing, a fed-upness that fills the page. I really do think this is a good book for women who seek office, to read just to see what to expect. However I think men should read this cause maybe it might click something in the brain and go, hmm. Most might not be aware of it, or like me years ago just allow it cause well it's easy. Women have little choice sometimes, most are forced to take the harder path, it seems the least I can do is try to help on that passage. Highly recommended.

Looking throughout history allows us to see the impact women have had throughout but it also shows us the struggles they have faced.

Off With Her Head is a phenomenal book that breaks down the many obstacles that women have and still face and Eleanor Hoffman injects pitch perfect humor and wit as well as dense research to show just what blocks many women from living and having power and status across the world.

This book is a must read and I hope to read much more from Hoffman in the future!

Off with Her Head
by Eleanor Herman
Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
William Morrow
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Each chapter analyzes a tried-and-true misogynistic method to keep women down, including Her Overweening Ambition, Why Doesn’t She Do Something About Her Hair? The Dangers of Female Hormones, The Alarming Shrillness of Her Voice, The Mysterious Unlikability of Female Candidates, She’s a Bitch and Other Animals, She’s a Witch and Other Monsters, and Her Sexual Depravity. Herman ends the book by looking forward, examining ways to rip up the Misogynist’s Handbook once and for all.
When I read a book I always want to know more about the author. Eleanor, a New York Times bestseller, has also written Sex with Kings (a history of royal mistresses), Sex with the Queen (a look at queens' love affairs), Mistress of the Vatican (a biography of an influential papal mistress), and a four-part YA fantasy series on Alexander the Great, called The Blood of Gods and Royals.

Eleanor is a frequent commentator in the media about royal scandals and has hosted episodes for The History Channel, the National Geographic Channel, and America: Fact vs. Fiction. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Eleanor graduated with a degree in journalism from Towson University, studied languages in Europe, and for thirteen years worked for NATO’S Nations & Partners for Peace magazine. She is married and lives in McLean, VA with four very demanding cats.
This is an informative and entertaining read—so much so, that I read aloud portions of the book I found most interesting or amusing to women in my family.
4 stars

Off with Her Head: Three Thousand Years of Demonizing Women in Power by Eleanor Herman is a great collection of examples from throughout history of women rulers, or women in power, that have been marginalized, ostracized, and belittled, and why. It was fascinating.

I really enjoyed this collection of examples and historical points looking at different ways women have been scrutinized, judged, minimized, and suppressed and the famous examples of women experiencing these acts…clearly not because it happened…definitely not…it is shameful, disgusting, appalling, and maddening…but the fact that it is finally acknowledged, presented, and hopefully now will be challenged and changed.

The research and passion presented by the author is clear and it was easy to enjoy and follow along. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about societal past…holefully to be not repeated again.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and William Morrow for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/6/22.

Off with Her Head is an exploration on how the patriarchy has treated women of power in history. Think Anne Boleyn, Marie Antoinette, Cleopatra, and even commenting on present day figures like Hillary Clinton. I've always had a fascination with the great female rulers of history who man couldn't stand to see in power. Eleanor Herman explores misogyny through history by analyzing the tropes put upon women in each chapter, such as her hair, her voice, clothing, dangerous ambition, hormones, being called a witch, and so much more. It's fascinating to see the patterns of how these women have been treated laid out while seeing these things continually repeated over and over again and seeing them still happening today with current female figures in power. This is an excellent exploration of history and the way misogyny has always put women down.