"[Herbert] has constructed a model of power relationships structured upon gender and age, and derived from male transformative processes, and in so doing has written a notable, and most enjoyable, book." --African History

"Herbert examines with great care and thoroughness the relationships between gender and power and the rationales that give them social form. . . . [Her] analytical ability is outstanding." --Patrick McNaughton

"This book is a well-written and essential study of the place of belief in African material culture." --International Journal of African Historical Studies

Herbert relates the beliefs and practices associated with iron working in African cultures to other transformative activities--chiefly investiture, hunting, and pottery making--to propose a gender/age-based theory of power.