This list presents my top ten books relating to the history of women in early modern, and modern, Europe; there is a second set of top picks on the same topic, focusing wholly on biographies. It can be found here.
1. The Prospect Before Her: 1500-1800 by Owen Hufton
A large and important work, The Prospect Before Her covers the period 1500 to 1800. Hufton examines the changing social, cultural and economic roles of women across Europe, incorporating statistics and trends with extracts from diaries and letters. The book is suitable for both the experienced reader of women's history and the beginner, especially as the tone has been described as 'entertaining'.
2. Women and Gender in Early Modern Europe by M. E. Wiesner
Wiesner's award winning text is now into a second, expanded, edition, which offers an excellent survey and discussion of many aspects of women in Europe, including the arts, economics, and religion.3. The European Women's History Reader edited by C. Collette and F. Montgomery
Focusing on the eighteenth century, Collette and Montgomery present a range of extracts, and some whole articles, on a broad variety of topics, including the standard social and political. The book provides valuable context for the material and includes an introduction discussing the subject of women's history.4. Ladies of the Grand Tour by Brian Dolan
Although the eighteenth century fashion for taking a 'grand tour' of Europe is well known, the travels of many women are not. Dolan includes plenty of (what are now referred to as) 'real-life' accounts in his examination, which provide fascinating reading for anyone who likes history or travel.5. Revolutionary Women in Russia, 1870 - 1917 by A. Hillyar and J. McDermid
There are a vast number of books on the revolutions in Russia, but this volume is notable for exploring the, often overlooked, experience of women during the turmoil. The author's discuss women from different backgrounds, including the privileged and the peasant, but never seek to overstate their work. This would benefit any study of Russia during the period.6. A History of European Women's Work, 1700 to the Present by Deborah Simonton
Simonton covers all aspects of work in this broad overview of trends from across three centuries; includes material on the family, as well as different types of vocation.7. Women and Property in Early Medieval England by A. L. Erickson
Tackling some of the common myths regarding women and property, Erickson has used often-overlooked sources - as well as the usual wills and documents - to compile this examination, which casts important new light on the subject. The style is easy to read (somewhat rare in economic subjects), and several noteworthy commentators have praised the book.8. Votes for Women edited by Purvis and Holten
A collection of essays offering new opinions and reinterpretations of the suffrage movement in Britain; this is suitable for a reader who wants an introduction to the subject, as well as someone who is versed in the existing texts but interested in new developments.9. European Feminisms 1700 - 1950: A Political History, by Karen Offen
This is a more specialised work that provides a reinterpretation of European history from a feminist perspective, highlighting the development of feminist thought and the roles of women. The book also debates the effects of gender differences on history, politics and society.10. Women's Education in Early Modern Europe edited by Barbara Whitehead
This collection of essays deals with different aspects of how women were educated within early modern Europe. However, it is an expensive and specialised work, and you might be better off pursuing it through a library.