Editorial Review

The original book that brought Goddess worship to the public eye has marked its 10th anniversary, yet it still remains an integral part of the Wiccan canon. Read more

Reviews (133)

A classic
I am the first to admit that there are flaws in this book and that it is not a perfect fit for everyone.Having said that upfront, I also think this is a critical book for Pagans to read.It has many positives, as well as negatives, but in the final analysis is a classic book and one that needs to be read by anyone seeking greater understanding of the history of the neo-Pagan movement in America.
In the rivers and the mountains, in the forests and in you, the Goddess is alive and growing...
Contrary to what other Pagans may have written on this site, I LOVE "The Spiral Dance" precisely because of its political overtones. As an anticapitalist, ecofeminist gay man, I am deeply moved by Starhawk's vision of an earth-based spirituality that honors women, community, the earth, sexuality and the body. Frankly, I am shocked by the outright sexist reviews some people have given of this book, not to mention the widespread denial of the burning times as a patriarchal holocaust against women, gays, and non-Christian people. The eagerness of certain Pagans to minimize the suffering of this period is, to me, a disturbing reflection of the larger culture's willingness to silence the histories and voices of feminist women and other marginalized groups. Furthermore, in at least one review of this book, I detect anti-Semitism, implying that Starhawk can't fully be a Witch if she retains her Jewishness. Such a narrow definition of what constitutes a Pagan denies us the complexities, nuances, individual choices and ancestries that enrich our lives. Need I remind the reader of the many Hebrew Goddesses of the Middle East or the ecological undercurrents, feminism, and social consciousness that informs Jewish tradition (the contradictions of right-wing Zionism aside). Without a doubt, what seperates Starhawk's writings on the Craft from many other Pagan authors is her passion for social justice, ecological sustainability and peace. Personally, I believe that spirituality devoid of concern for other human beings and the earth is nothing more than right-wing, reactionary navel-gazing. Unfortunately, I have met far too many witches who are much more interested in fluffy, woo-woo nonsense like astral projection and past live regression than they are in restoring the land (the living body of the Ancient Mother we supposedly worship). Moreover, as someone who strongly values participatory democracy, egalitarianism and consensus, I really appreciate Starhawk's insights on coven structure and group dynamics. (Coven hierarchies, like corporate hierarchies, do not appeal to me in the least!)Simply put, if you are looking for another New Age book on channeling spirits or casting hexes, then this book is not for you. However, if your idea of magic involves planting seeds in a community garden or marching for peace, then read this book immediately. It just may change your life forever.
Another "do it yourself" book
I am a studant of gardnerian wicca and I like when elders says: "keep wicca traditional".
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Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Goddess religion    3. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Witchcraft    7. Witchcraft & Wicca    8. Women's Studies - General    9. Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft & Wicca    10. Wicca    11. Women's studies   

Editorial Review

Helen Keller would not be bound by conditions. Rendered deaf and blind at 19 months by scarlet fever, she learned to read (in several languages) and even speak, eventually graduating with honors from Radcliffe College in 1904, where as a student she wrote Read more

Reviews (61)

A Classic
Of course this book is a classic.It is Helen Keller in her own words.It is well written and interesting to be "there" as she developes and learns.If you haven't read the book yet, I recommend you do.I "read" the book as a book on tape. Email:boland7214@aol.

Think about it , Helen was successful in life even though she was blind and deaf
Helen Keller was indeed blind and deaf. I liked this book because it tells you about so much things Helen overcame being blind, deaf and earlier on "dumb" ( bcause she was unable to speak). It makes you realize that you can do anything if you really want to no matter what your circumtance is. Also it teahces people to be content and accept the way or conditions that you are in.It's true when they say " it could have been worse".I read this book to do an essay and i think it was a good choice although it was a little challenging to really comprehend what Helen was always talking about. So if you want to learn more about Helen Keller this is a good good book to learn from.

Very confusing at times
This book is written by Hellen Keller, a blind and deaf woman, telling about her childhood and growing up. The book is filled with anecdotes. Each one is about a page or two long and has no connection with the one before it or the following one. The date can vary from year to year without much warning. I would not recommend this book to young readers. I am 14 and became quite confused at times. I had to read this book for school. There were some very nice points in the book, though. If you are a Hellen Keller fan, I would highly recommend this book. It is full of many things in her life that you would not know if you only read a biography or just watched one of the movies made of her life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1880-1968    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Blind-deaf    5. Historical - General    6. Keller, Helen,    7. Literature - Classics / Criticism    8. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    9. United States    10. Women's Studies - History    11. Biography & Autobiography / Historical    12. Modern fiction   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Feminism & Feminist Theory    7. Feminists    8. Incest victims    9. Political    10. Political activists    11. Specific Groups - Lesbians    12. United States    13. Women    14. Biography: general    15. Social Science / Gender Studies    16. USA   

Reviews (8)

great for building intimacy
like the other reviewers i really enjoy this book. my boyfriend and i only discuss about 5 or 6 questions max at any one time but it really gets your juices flowing for discussing your thoughts about love, relationships and sex. i suspect over time your answers to some of the questions might even change so this is probably something you could always use through the years to see where a person is on their thoughts about things. it's totall worth the price. i have the other two book of questions as well and i like them a lot too...

Great fun
Could be a true test of ones self if you choose to be honest.Fun game to play with others.

Great Questions To Keep A Conversation Moving!
This book has really helped me keep the phone conversations with my boyfriend moving. He is in the military, it's long distance, and these questions... while serious... really give us something to talk about. We make it fun and lighthearted, so it works for us!
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Subjects:  1. Interpersonal relations    2. Love    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Miscellanea    5. Personal & Practical Guides    6. Reference    7. Sex customs    8. Sexuality    9. Gender studies    10. Health & Fitness / Sexuality    11. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (77)

A Necessary Follow-up
I read the first book in the "Princess" series and read this one soon after. At first, it was a bit less exciting than the first book in the trilogy, as it has far less shocking new stories and startling information about life in Saudi Arabia.
Followup
This book was filled with a lot of depressing stories, albeit, they were told well and interesting, but they were depressing. However, if you liked the first Princess book, there is no doubt that you'll enjoy this one too.
Moving...
I read this book without having read 'Princess:A true story of life behind a veil in Saudi Arabia' and can say without that background I found it exceptional, disturbing, but still exceptional.I find it interesting to know the intricacies of how people from cultures different to mine live.Having an appreciation of Islam myself, it is, in my opinion not the religion that is the 'excuse' for the behaviour of the males in this publication, but simply, I suggest, tradition, and if I can be so crude as to say, 'pig-headed, male arrogance'!
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Middle East - Saudi Arabia    6. Princesses    7. Royalty    8. Saudi Arabia    9. Social conditions    10. Women    11. Women's Studies - General    12. Women's Studies   

Reviews (3)

The best Self esteem book I've ever read
This book helped me fight for my self-esteem, and as another reviewer said, it's impact lasts years. It's the book I recommend to my friends struggling, like I did, for their self-esteem

It's impact will last years.
I picked up this book over ten years ago.It really helped me to change the lens with which I view myself.Today I recomend it to the clients I work with. I find that it helps women deal with issues of self esteem in simple yet effective manner.It has excercises that are easy to do and have great results in changing how women view themselves.I highly recomend this for any women struggling with issues of depression, anxiety and or self esteem.

An excellent guide to improving self-esteem for women.
This is a succint and comprehensive guide to understanding how self-esteem is developed and how it can be enhanced. The authors examine the impact of developmental, cultural and religious attitudes and of media influences on a woman's ability to accept and appreciate herself.They also offer specific, practical advice on how to address the various difficulties that arise as a result of low self-esteem. This is a valuable book, thoughtful and well-researched. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Feminism    2. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    3. Psychology    4. Self-esteem in women    5. Sociology    6. United States    7. Women    8. Body, Mind & Spirit / Personal Transformation    9. Women's studies   

Reviews (17)

Author went through hell
I am not an abused wife or battered woman, but I can still appreciate what the author went through.She gives the reader a mostly detailed journey through her personal hell.Having said that I find it puzzling that she would choose to go to a costume party as Nicole Brown and OJ Simpson, complete with ketchup on her neck.It was in terrible taste and the author tries to explain it by saying "the reality behind the charade was too important for me to abandon".Then she goes to tell that others at the party thought it was in bad taste and her italicized comments are "that they missed the point."Not surprisingly they did, didn't they. Apparently, she thought they would immediately realize she was abused? She also admits her two youngest children were quite disturbed seeing her dressed like that and she told them it was a game and left it to the babysitter to explain.I, for one, don't look for hidden meanings in Halloween costumes and since Ms. Weldon stressed her love and devotion to her children and how she didn't want them affected by the abuse, I find her attitude about the costumes and her children very strange to say the least. The real deal
Michele Weldon does a magnificent job describing her harrowing journey through domestic violence, and she does so with clarity and unflinching honesty.Domestic violence crosses all socio-economic and cultural boundaries.Just as no two women are alike, no two violent marriages are identical; Ms. Weldon explains her own experience in such a way that anyone living through this hell will see some element of her own situation. Great for a woman who has left an abusive marriage
Thank you Michele Weldon for writing your journey through living and leaving an abusive husband. ---Read more

Subjects:  1. 1958-    2. Abuse - General    3. Abuse - Physical    4. Abused wives    5. Biography    6. Case studies    7. Literary Criticism    8. Literature: Classics    9. Self-Help    10. United States    11. Weldon, Michele,    12. Wife abuse    13. Women Authors    14. Women's Studies - General    15. Biography: general    16. Domestic violence    17. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    18. Women's studies   

Reviews (2)

This item refers to study guide.
Be careful. There is a misleading entry for $8.95 with the same title.The entry should be corrected to "Study guide To Accompany Gender: Psychological Perspectives".Please, don't waste your money ordering the study guide unless you really want one.The study guide entry lacks a picture of the cover.This is the second time on Amazon this has happened to me, be careful!

Bla Bla Bla
This book is possibly the worst I have read in a long time. It blabs on making inane points with specific examples that justify the exact inane point. It even says "science" was started in Europe in the 16th century...um sure... The According to the Media and According to the Research sections are rediculous. The author's own personal bias towards physchology is more easily seen than say Michael Moore's bias towards America in Stupid White Men. This book is a waste of your time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gender Psychology    2. Gender Studies    3. Gender identity    4. General    5. Human Sexuality    6. Sex Roles (Sociological Aspects)    7. Sex differences (Psychology)    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Textbooks    11. Psychology    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (11)

Ranting instead of argument
I began this book expecting to agree with much of it but was very disappointed.The author is ranting instead of calmly stating a realistic argument.If I understood correctly, she believes that the Wedding Industrial Complex (with some vague notions of society and government) CAUSES women to desire marriage, view themselves as princesses and then spend as much money as possible on the wedding.
A vitally important work...
In writing this book Chrys takes great risk in exposing "Weddings", especially "White Weddings" as an unneccessary rite of passage -- She brings to light in vivid raw detail why our society 'views' them as normal.
Read this before the walk down the altar
This book blows the lid off of marriage. What is suppose to be the most important day in couples life has turn into a frenzy of consumer glutteny. I was astonshed at how diamonds an american symbol of love is a an oppresive force for the people who mine them. This book will make you cry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. Heterosexuality    3. Marriage    4. Popular Culture - General    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Sociology - Marriage & Family    8. United States    9. Weddings    10. Weddings in popular culture    11. Women's Studies - General    12. Popular culture    13. Social Science / Sociology / General    14. USA   

Reviews (6)

Calling all women!
In a culture that worships youthful beauty, this book reminds us all that our esoteric standards are stifled, immature and limited. The wonderful Bolen leads women (and real men) on a revealing and empowering exploration of the many rich, strong, wise, diverse and beautiful identities that both shape and define the gifts of "older" women.
Goddesses in Older Women
thoughtful and provoking -- an academic description that gets a little detailed for the casual reader.Still, highly recommend to those who are studying Dr. Bolen's messages re. spiritual quests and journeys.

Inspiration for the older woman, and those who will be...
Feeling a little under the weather as you arrive at that 50th or 60th milestone?Read Jean Bolen's GODDESSES IN OLDER WOMEN to give yourself a lift.Older women can "get a life" if they only pause to reflect on the inner self.Some think of aspects of the female self as archetypes or personality quirks, Bolen says they are "Goddesses within." Although we may fail to listen, and thus not hear them, inner voices occur throughout life. Different needs as well as life-long experience evokes different voices in the older woman. Her name may be wisdom, although she is more than wisdom, she is healing, compassion, and/or mirth. You may notice her voice which called to you when you were younger now has a new tone. We worship her, whether or not we think of her as a Goddess. She has been with you since girlhood as Mary or Kuan Yin or the Shekinah. First appearing as a maiden, then when we became mothers appearing as a mother.Now, she comes to us as a crone, the third phase of the moon-waxing-or the last aspect of the triple goddess.Known since ancient times, although appropriated by patriarchal faiths, still known if you listen to the small still voice in your heart.
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Subjects:  1. New Thought    2. Social Science    3. Sociology    4. Spirituality - General    5. Women's Studies - General    6. Social Science / Women's Studies    7. Women's studies   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Life cycle, Human    3. Psychology    4. Sex differences (Psychology)    5. Sex role    6. Women    7. Women's Studies - General    8. Child & developmental psychology    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (33)

Unforgettable
The last century was so fast-moving, so eventful -so strange and dense in colossal, nightmarish events -that it will be very difficult for future generations to get an accurate feel for it.Indeed, even for someone like me, who lived through half of it, I know that my knowledge and memories are too patchwork and too personal to allow for a deep understanding of the 20th Century, unless I keep working at expanding my knowledge of it.That is why records such as A Woman In Berlin are so important.Here is a rare, direct, honest account of momentous events from the heart of the greatest human conflagration of all time.
True enough, but something's fishy
Any diary written by a German adult that begins on April 20th and does not immediately note that that was the Fuhrer's birthday is immediately suspect. But if it is fraudulent, fraudulent in what regard? Certainly the author's experience rings true as any surviving Berlinerin of the spring of 1945 can attest. What makes the book so interesting--captivating, even--is the spunk of the author. She keeps her spirits up in spite of having to sleep for food; indeed, in order to lessen the crudeness of her attackers' rapes, she maneuvers her overnight guest list from Russian recruits to Russian officers.
Excellent
This book provides excellent insight into the dangers that women face in the midst of a war zone. Though it lacks a broad overview of the issue, this book offers perhaps the frankest account of mass rape during war. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Historical - General    7. History - General History    8. Military - World War II    9. Modern - 20th Century    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Women    12. Women's Studies - General    13. World War II    14. History / Modern / 20th Century   

Reviews (6)

Sole Sisters
I read this book in one sitting! I purchased the book for two running friends of mine and they passed it on to other fellow runners. This book helped me to think less about the physical act of running, but more about why I run and the friendships I have established while running. Those relationships have been a wonderful source of support and inspiration, very much like the wonderful stories told in the book.

Gold coins
The vignettes within this book are poignant, touching, and downright real. One of my running friends handed this to me after a 12-mile Sunday morning trek, one (which like many others) allowed us to vent, analyze, and think about our lives. Reading this compilation truly drew me in, both as a runner and a woman. But don't let the chick peg fool you. My husband, who's been a runner for more than 25 years, picked it up and agreed: This is some solid, effective writing that rewards its readers with gold coins throughout.

Running is life.
The stories in "Sole Sisters" demonstrated a hidden dimension of life that is revealed through running- unshakable relationships formed with running buddies, self confidence discovered through training and kicking that 5K in the butt, and dissolving problems with each step along the trails.We can all learn from these stories. Everyone, not only runners, should read this gem of abook. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. Motivational & Inspirational    5. Running    6. Running & Jogging    7. Running for women    8. Sociology Of Women    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Women runners    12. Women's Health - General    13. Women's Studies - General    14. Sports & Recreation / Running & Jogging   

Reviews (28)

This book needs focus and a number of other things
A ground-breaking work on a difficult subject which needs editing that it didn't get.
Useful and handy
A great erotic bondage handbook.
Love it
this is a great book. I have always wanted to know more about bondage. this is now my bible of bondage. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Love / Sex / Marriage    3. Self-Help    4. Sexual Instruction    5. Erotic fiction    6. Gender studies   

Reviews (4)

profound
Highly motivational and inspiring. It forces you to create worlds inside your head. Profound!Hi Lea.

Fire circle chants
Through a series of dazzling prose poems, Wittig tells the tale of a tribe of women warriors overthrowing patriarchy, and she challenges gender constructs through her language. It's a powerful and inspirational book about sex warfare, rather like "The Handmaid's Tale" or some songs by Tori Amos. A definite radical feminist classic worth reading and re-reading.

warfare
This book is interesting, and perhaps groundbreaking. Unlike the previous reviewer, however, I'm not sure I'd want to call this original feminist text "seminal." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fantasy fiction    2. Feminist fiction    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - General    5. Lesbian    6. Women's Studies - General    7. Modern fiction   

Editorial Review

The galaxy of pleasures in Alain Daniélou's translation of the Read more

Features

• Unabridged

Reviews (23)

Alot of information...
If you are interested of the teaching of the Kama Sutra in a no pectoral version, then this book will teach you every thing you have ever wanted to know about Kama Sutra, just with all those dirty pictures.

disappointed
More of a research tool.Unless your planning on becoming a "kept woman" or keeping one half the book is useless--doesn't pertain much to a married couple.Completely disappointed.

Culture, history, and practice
This is an outstanding new translation of the Indian classic, dating from the fourth century BC. It is widely misunderstood in the west, largely by people who never read it, but also by people who only read Burton's unfortunate Victorian translation. Well over 500 pages, this may seem intimidating - I promise you, it's worth your effort.
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Subjects:  1. Asian    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Indian Philosophy    4. Love    5. New Age    6. Reference    7. Religion - World Religions    8. Sex    9. Sexual Instruction    10. Sexual behavior    11. Gender studies    12. India    13. Non-Western philosophy    14. Self-Help / Sexual Instruction   

Reviews (5)

Great food for thought.
Gotta hand it to Bitch:
No Home Should be Without This Book!
"No home should be without this book.It can save relationships, provide direction for those who want it and offer humor for those who need it."

Good, at times
This collection of articles from Bitch magazine is a necessity to women.I enjoyed quoting it on my blogs and reading sections to my friends while we sat on my patio.
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Subjects:  1. Feminism    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. Media Studies - Print Media    4. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    5. Popular Culture    6. Popular Culture - General    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Sociology Of Women    10. United States    11. Women's Studies - General    12. Social Science / Popular Culture   

Editorial Review

Amazing things happen when Woman taps her inner Girl Scout. In Read more

Reviews (35)

Disappointing - lots of ideas, but doesn't follow through!
I love to do things.I love doing new things!From arts & crafts (etching glass, and blacksmithing), to unusual sports (like sailing