The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets

Barbara definitely has her slant but she does allow historical truths and a collective voice to resonate with the reader. This book has strengthened a sense of detachment from the dominant historical rhetoric of today for me-- while offering a sound perspective to add to my own. A must-read for anyone interested in the marginalized yet tremendously relevant experiences of people globally.

Great resource and addition to your Wiccan Library. Gives the meanings and brief history/herstory of most arcane and ancient symbols. Barbara Walker is a feminist and detailed researcher and this book will not disappoint.

I wished I could write a good review for this book. However, I can't. I read it. From a literary standpoint, the book is an obvious polemic. Ever evil under the sun can be traced to men, Christianity, and society run by men, (in about that order).

However, her book suffers many flaws. First, she makes some outrageous claims with absolutely no documentation. Second, she makes some outrageous claims with WRONGFUL documentation. That is, whenever one troubles themselves to find the book that she is referencing, it does not say what she says that it does.

Third, many of the books that she uses are outdated and also biased. Almost none of the theories espoused by her have any connection to any modern scholarship. For example, she says that the Arabian religion prior to Muhammad was based upon a group of female prophets who believed the Qur'an was inscribed upon the tablets of destiny much the same as the Goddess Tiamet has absolutely no verifiable reference. I've read many Islamic studies and many dissident scholars, but none of them say that. Wonder why? Same, she gives no reference for that quote.

Because she is worthless as a primary reference, each and every thing she says must be independently confirmed by someone less biased and more reliable. That means, once one goes through the trouble, two things. First, her book is worthless as a source unto itself. Second, whenever this trouble is undertaken, most of it is outdated or plain fabricated. Much the same as she accuses Christian authors. (And I have no bias toward Christianity.)

I have had this book for about 6-7 years now and always come back to it every few weeks or months to look something up. Do I take Absolutley every statement or folky etymology she states as Fact? No I don't, nor should anyone who reads Any book.

This book stands as a good reference for researching many gods and idols of the past. I like this book because it covers many deities with a moderate amount of information, other books on Gods just leave out.

One thing I find amusing is the people attacking this book. They will site an "error" or "distortion" she made, yet themselves provide no Relevant sources in their critique. They just state, "she is wrong" based on another book They read, that is just as Biased as Ms. Walker.

I guess some people can't handle the "truth".

Walker does distort some fact and sometimes she doesn't write with complete accuracy. She has some far fetched ideas but I consider them good. Why, you may ask, I consider far fetched, inaccutare ideas good? Because they are different than what we are used to hearing and because they question the status quo. This book makes you think and even for some gives them a push to follow her sources and dig up more information. An accurate scholarly book is a treasure. But I believe that a controversial book that makes you search deep to find out information on your own and actually think is a bigger treasure because it challanges you. Take this book with a grain of salt but don't dismiss it entirely. The book does have its highlights and while you try to decifer what is good and what is not you will learn more than you ever bargained for.