Deborah Simonton and Anne Montenach (editors), Female agency in the urban economy. Gender in European towns, 1640–1830 (London and New York: Routledge, 2013). Pages xxii + 272. £85 hardback (original) (raw)

The volume "Female agency in the urban economy" explores the various roles and opportunities available to women in European towns from 1640 to 1830. The editors, Deborah Simonton and Anne Montenach, emphasize the concept of female agency as a dynamic interaction within urban economies, illustrating how women navigated constraints and claimed their places in commercial activities, despite societal limitations. The book's twelve chapters provide insights into the diverse experiences of women across different regions and economic contexts, setting the stage for further exploration of female agency in historical urban economies.