Contraception and Abortion from the Ancient World to the Renaissance
Language: English
Published by Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 1994
- Softcover
- Used
Seller: BISON BOOKS - ABAC/ILAB, Winnipeg, MB, CanadaBISON BOOKS - ABAC/ILAB
AbeBooks seller since December 21, 2004
Condition: Used
£ 23.62
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
pp. x, 245. 8vo. Black and white illustrations. Light shelfwear; very good.
Seller Inventory # 0104741
- Title
- Contraception and Abortion from the Ancient World to the Renaissance
- Author
- Riddle, John M.
- Publisher
- Harvard University Press, Cambridge
- Publication year
- 1994
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0674168763
- ISBN 13
- 9780674168763
- Seller catalogs
- History
John Riddle uncovers the obscure history of contraception and abortifacients from ancient Egypt to the seventeenth century with forays into Victorian England―a topic that until now has evaded the pens of able historians.
Riddle’s thesis is, quite simply, that the ancient world did indeed possess effective (and safe) contraceptives and abortifacients. The author maintains that this rich body of knowledge about fertility control―widely held in the ancient world―was gradually lost over the course of the Middle Ages, becoming nearly extinct by the early modern period. The reasons for this he suggests, stemmed from changes in the organization of medicine. As university medical training became increasingly important, physicians’ ties with folk traditions were broken. The study of birth control methods was just not part of the curriculum.
In an especially telling passage, Riddle reveals how Renaissance humanists were ill equipped to provide accurate translations of ancient texts concerning abortifacients due to their limited experience with women’s ailments. Much of the knowledge about contraception belonged to an oral culture―a distinctively female-centered culture. From ancient times until the seventeenth century, women held a monopoly on birthing and the treatment of related matters; information passed from midwife to mother, from mother to daughter. Riddle reflects on the difficulty of finding traces of oral culture and the fact that the little existing evidence is drawn from male writers who knew that culture only from a distance. Nevertheless, through extraordinary scholarly sleuthing, the author pieces together the clues and evaluates the scientific merit of these ancient remedies in language that is easily understood by the general reader. His findings will be useful to anyone interested in learning whether it was possible for premodern people to regulate their reproduction without resorting to the extremities of dangerous surgical abortions, the killing of infants, or the denial of biological urges.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
BISON BOOKS - ABAC/ILAB
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Shipping rates from Canada to U.S.A.
| Item | 7 to 28 business days | 3 to 10 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 9.68 | £ 21.99 |
Payment methods
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Paypal
Store description
Bison Books is a lovely open shop in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. We carry a select stock of quality books and fine prints.
Specialty
General out-of-print, First editions, History, Literature, Fine prints and engravings, ArtAssociation member
Seller's business information
4775768 Manitoba Inc
424 Graham Ave
Winnipeg, MB Canada R3C 0L8
Terms of sale
Direct payment accepted by check, money order, credit card (MasterCard, Visa), or Paypal. GST will be added to shipments within Canada. All books are subject to prior sale, so please contact us to hold pending receipt of payment. Any book is returnable (postpaid) within ten days of receipt if received in a condition other than as described.
PLEASE NOTE: Abebooks sometimes adds information to our listings, which is incorrect and/or inappropriate. For example, they may display a "stock photo" which does not resemble the book we have available, or they may tell you that a book is signed (presumably, by the author), when we have described the book as showing a "previous owner's inscription", or "gift inscription".
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to BISON BOOKS - ABAC/ILAB, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, +1 204-947-5931, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Postage costs quoted are based on an average-sized book, weighing 2 lbs / 1 kg; we will request extra charges if your book is larger than average.
Canadian rates are based on the price of Canpar courier. If you require delivery to an apartment, PO Box, or rural location, please inquire about the cost of shipping via Canada Post (usually around $13.50).
Most of our US-bound packages are couriered over the border, for shipment via USPS. We find this method of shipping is both faster and cheaper than the other options, even given the possible delay in dispatch. If you wish immediate dispatch, please inquire about the options.
International orders going surface, are sent via Canada Post "small packet" rate, which is the least expensive option for international shipments, but is NOT insurable, so these packages will be sent at the customer's risk. International airmail parcels are sent USPS Priority, which is insured, and the price of which is based on the cost of a standard flat-rate Priority envelope.