Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My opinions are my own and are freely given.

As a general rule, books about economics are dry and stupid and boring (although I am sure some people might disagree with me). I was convinced that it was impossible for an economist to write about the topic in even the most interesting way. Then I found this book.

I was immediately interested in the topic and requested the book, thinking more about the historical aspect than the economy one. It was amazing. I actually went to double-check that the author wasn't actually a historian.

I learned so much from this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for their next non-fiction book.

An interesting and engaging, if brief, overview of world economics through the lens of women's participation in business. Given the scope of the topic, the contents are, by necessity, not in depth, but for the casual reader will suffice.

This is precisely the form of nonfiction book that works best for me. One, a subject I’m interested in; two, a pleasant, conversational tone; three, endless amounts of trivia, both old and new — I knew that the author of the first book was a Sumerian woman; I did not know that half the workers involved in building the pyramids were women! — and four, well researched with a giant bibliography.

However, I found this book … so depressing. Reading over the loss of rights women faced in ancient Athens, Rome and Egypt, and more modern Iran, I can’t help but look around at the world around me and see these same events happening now. The growing push to turn women from equal partners to “protected” and pregnant. To read about how long it took women just to get their own credit card, let alone the right to vote. Only 54 years ago a woman in the United States couldn’t have her own credit card. Even today women can’t make choices about their own reproductive choices without worrying about a future husband.

The world has come so far in accepting women as beings able to work for their own money, and we still have so far to go. I don’t think we’ll reach equality in my lifetime, let alone equity, but … this book does remind me that, though it may not happen in my lifetime, it will happen someday. The world is a better place, economically speaking, when both men and women (and nonbinary people) are all active in the work force, when parents have the resources to see to the health and education of their child and more — to have resources and energy to see to the advancements of arts and luxury.

If you’re interested in history, economics, and trivia in a well written book, you’ll enjoy this one. If you’re looking for more feminist writing, this checks off that box, too. This is another book that, having finished the ARC, I’m looking to get a physical copy of for my own shelf. I do honestly recommend it.

Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC!

I loved this book. An important book documenting economic history for women across the globe from the beginning of documented evidence. Written in an easy to read style, it is engaging, thought provoking and I learnt many things.

💰 Think women were absent from economic history? Think again.

Economica is a fascinating and fiery retelling of global economic history through a long-overdue lens: women’s contributions. From ancient Mesopotamia to modern-day capitalism, Victoria Bateman reclaims the stories of forgotten female entrepreneurs, labourers, innovators, and visionaries—and she does it with clarity, wit, and undeniable passion.

I was genuinely surprised by how engaging this was. Bateman takes sweeping economic concepts and grounds them in human stories, making this both intellectually satisfying and deeply readable. The blend of global perspective, historical depth, and social justice made for a powerful read. It’s part history, part economic analysis, and part rallying cry.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Insightful, accessible, and eye-opening. Perfect for readers of economic history, feminist nonfiction, or anyone who’s ever wondered where the women were in the wealth-building story (spoiler: they were there all along).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Economica turned out to be a surprisingly engaging dive into economic ideas woven with narrative flair. Bateman manages to make complex concepts feel accessible without watering down the subject matter. I found myself appreciating the way she tied in social justice themes and real-world implications, almost like reading a story that challenges the status quo.

If you’re curious about economics and enjoy thoughtful prose that puts theory into a human context, give this one a try.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

I loved this book. An important book documenting economic history for women across the globe from the beginning of documented evidence. Written in an easy to read style, it is engaging, thought provoking and learnt many things. Thank you to the author, please write more non-fiction! Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.