When God Was a Woman

This book by Merlin Stone chronicles the transition from religious matriarchies to patriarchies in ancient societies. Cultures of the Near and Middle East previously worshiped a goddess before Judeo-Christian influence demonized women as a source of original sin and replaced the goddess with a male god. This paperback book is a fascinating read for those interested in religious history, interaction between different faiths, or gender issues. It includes pictures of ancient art and sculptures, tracing the evolution of beliefs throughout.