The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future

I originally read this book several years ago and it transformed my view of the world. It woke me up to the idea that the chaos and brutality of the present world haven't always existed, and did not have to exist. The evidence that Eisler presents for the existence of prehistoric partnership societies is compelling. The only possible area where the book isn't so convincing is its search for the causes of patriarchy and violence. Steve Taylor's recent book The Fall goes very deeply into the psychological roots of these problems and The Fall: The Evidence for a Golden Age, 6,000 years of Insanity and the Dawning of a New Era presents a very inspiring view of the human race's possible future.

I ordered the book at the beginning of February. To this day, I have not received it, however, a credit was issued for what I paid. I will hesitate to order anything else from them.

This is a scholarly and insightful book about the origins of our culture, in particular the impact that the subjugation of women has had on both women and men, and how this world view, though thousands of years old, was not always held. It brings out the fact that art and invention have not been developed in a linear fashion, but have had many advances and setbacks, particularly after periods of war. Its also very readable and easy to understand. Highly reccommended.

This is the weirdest, dumbest book I've ever read. It's a pity that a lot of college professors are using this doorstop as a textbook in their classes. What a crock. This book is the scholarly and intellectual equivalent of R.L Stine's Goosebumps series. If this book were food, it would probably be something like stewed okra. I would've rated this with no stars but, interestingly enough, Amazon doesn't seem to think that authors are capable of writing completely and utterly unredeeming books.

The Chalice and the Blade ranks in the top ten paradigm shaking books of the Late, Great Twen-Cen. Those continuing to puzzle over where we went wrong, as a species, will be well served by this outstanding scholarship.