:luctory Note<br >rather unusual book. It examines the function and role of<br > society and the crucial ways in which the law determines<br >~es their proper place . Historically women have pressed<br >n the law-claims for reform and for the removal of<br >ns on what they are (legally) able to do. In this study the<br >by women to be recognised (legally and socially) as adult<br >ire discussed; so too are the responses and stances of judges，<br >rs and the leaders of the legal profession. These lawyers and<br >，ere men and their decisions and pronouncements reflected<br >iefs about females. The discussion juxtaposes developments<br >n with those in America. It compares， contrasts and seeks to<br >~nd the development of the Law s regulation of women-<br >on as to what they can do and even what they can be.<br >ly then major issues are raised- issues about which much has<br >ritten and around which popular and political controversy<br >es on both sides of the Atlantic. Yet the authors treatment is<br >excited nor merely topical. Sachs and Wilson do take sides <br >，~y press their arguments firmly， but even so they attend to<br >:ing views and they are never dogmatic. This is a thorough<br >s which， in spite of the long and strenuous public debate<br >the role of woman in society， may plausibly claim to raise<br >~uestions (and new problems) and to offer original insights.<br >theme of this study is an exploration of the sources of male<br >ation and sexist complacency， as well as the techniques used in<br >ng female subordination. Legal controls and legal decisions<br >as they continue to have - a significant determining influence<br >e social and occupational possibilities open to women. In<br >ica and in Britain the historical continuity of predominant<br >s about women (albeit articulated and justified in changing<br >)is illustrated as Sachs and Wilson detail the long drawn out<br >aign women have waged to be recognised as persons. Men s<br > ， ~ ，<br >)poly over power and prestige and the benevolent protection<br >afforded to subservient women is made clear. Sometimes<br >:ly， occasionally brutally， women were denied opportunities -<br >