While the 18th century was a time of great social and political upheavals in Europe, the lives of most women--poor women--were little affected by these changes. Nonetheless, suggests Hurl-Eamon (History, Trent University), the century saw the begins of important debates over the status of women, and some middle-class and upper class women were able to move outside of traditional women's roles. In this book, the author looks at women across Europe and across classes, examining their lives in terms of their roles in family, work, politics, law, religion, arts and sciences, and war. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)