This book was one that really opened people's minds to what could be discovered about women in the early-medieval era, and it still makes for fascinating reading, particularly when she speaks about pre-Christian family patterns and the impact of conversion onm things like marriage and inheritance. Some of her theoretical framework is a bit dated now, but this is still a starting place for those interested in pre-modern women's history. It helps that, despite the fact that many of the names and situation are unfamiliar to most people, she writes the book in an enganging stule.