Sheila Rowbotham is a feminist theorist and author of “Women, Resistance and Revolution.”

This excerpt is from the first chapter, entitled “Impudent Lasses.” Rowbotham discusses the seeds of women’s liberation that can be found in “heretical” encounters with the church.

Originally published in 1973, Verso has re-published the book as part of their recently released Radical Thinkers Set 8.

This classic book provides a historical overview of feminist strands among the modern revolutionary movements of Russia, China and the Third World. Sheila Rowbotham shows how women rose against the dual challenges of an unjust state system and social-sexual prejudice. Women, Resistance and Revolution is an invaluable historical study, as well as a trove of anecdote and example fit to inspire today’s generation of feminist thinkers and activists.

You can enter to win this book and others from the latest Radical Thinkers set. Check out our joint contest here.We’ll be publishing free excerpts from the latest set all month, so stay tuned for more.