When God Was a Woman
66 pages • 2-hour read
Merlin StoneWhen God Was a Woman
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Book Brief
265
Book • Nonfiction
Ancient Near East • Prehistory
•
Masculinity•
Sexual Identity•
Religion & Spirituality•
World History1976
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In When God Was a Woman, Merlin Stone examines ancient societies where female deities were worshipped, exploring the cultural shift to patriarchy. She traces evidence from history, mythology, and archaeology to understand how female-centered worship influenced early civilizations and how societal structures changed over time.
Informative
Mysterious
Contemplative
Challenging
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone provides an engaging exploration of ancient matriarchal societies and the shift to patriarchal dominance. Readers appreciated the depth of research and compelling arguments. However, some critics noted a lack of academic rigor and over-reliance on speculative interpretations, questioning the historical accuracy of certain claims.
Who Should Read When God Was a Woman?
Readers who would enjoy When God Was a Woman by Merlin Stone are intrigued by feminist theology, ancient matriarchal societies, and the suppression of goddess worship. Similar to those who appreciate Riane Eisler’s The Chalice and the Blade and Marija Gimbutas' The Language of the Goddess, they seek to understand the historical shift from matriarchy to patriarchy.
265
Book • Nonfiction
Ancient Near East • Prehistory
•
Masculinity•
Sexual Identity•
Religion & Spirituality•
World History1976
Adult
18+ years
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