The most important book I've ever read... Based on the work of the remarkable archaeologist Marija Gimbutas and many other scientists and scholars, Riane Eisler discusses truth after truth of our world's wonderful prehistory in which, rather than the caveman lie, our ancestors were peaceful, highly artistic, compassionate people who loved and celebrated all Life and worshipped the Goddess. The remains of their cities prove that they lived communally with no slaves and no signs of war for 2000 years until the cruel, bloody invasions of the peripheral, nomadic Indo- Europeans.
Our "civilization" has ever after been based on the Dominator model: a history filled with wars, slavery, murder, rape, violence; men dominating women, children, and other men; in which values of compassion and peace are set aside or suppressed.
I was continually amazed that in each chapter, Eisler brings up new points for discussion, speaking directly to the soul about our history and the present. And from the truth of our prehistoric past, when people were developing a truly peaceful and egalitarian society, we definitely can make this a reality for our future. This can be a world in which every Person is truly free and equal, a world without war or violence, in which the Arts flourish, creativity has no bounds, and we live at peace with all of nature and ourselves: "the power of creativity and love -- symbolized by the sacred Chalice, the holy vessel of life - is the governing principle."
Leslie Langdon
llangdon@zebra.net
http://www.zebra.net/~llangdon/uppity.html