heahd@tellab1.UUCP (Dan Wood) (05/17/84)
Just a note to let readers of this news group know about an interesting book thats on the market. Its called The Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets by Barbra G. Walker, published by Harper and Row. It's basically an encyclopedia of mythology with emphasis on the early matriarchal religions which were pushed aside by a conspiracy of males to subjugate females (according to the author). The book contains a wealth of information and is well cross-referenced. The only problem with the book -and this does not detract to much from its overall worth- is the strident feminist attitude; the authour is as sexually biased as the worst male chauvinist (for instance, there is a rather long article under the heading Goddess and there is no entry for God). The author lays the blame for virtually every problem in the world on men; women are portrayed as nothing but virtuous, wise, and kind and men (*all* men) are portrayed as avaricious, vicious, and evil. The author makes no allowance for the fact that we are all human with our good points and bad points, some with more of one than the other. Beyond that the book is a must read for women and men alike that are interested in mythology, religion, and history. Review by D. G. Wood tellabs1!heahd (the login, by the way, is an acronym for a salutation to the Greek and Roman Goddesses of Chaos)