Rating: 
Summary: Still the Foremost Classic of Neo-Paganism
Review: I first read the 1st edition of Drawing Down the Moon in 1981. It was a home coming that supported me both spiritually and academically. I read the revised addition when it came out in 1986 and was even more delighted by the detailed and excellent research, scholarship, and investigative journalism. To me, this book is still the foremost Classic of Neo-Pagan culture, spirituality, and history. It remains one of my main reference books, and the 1# book I recommend to people who ask me about Neo-paganism.Other books I recommend: Goddesses & Gods of old Europe, The Language of the Goddess, The Civilization of the Goddess, The Spiral Dance, The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths & Secrets, The Once & Future Goodess, The Grandmother of Time, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom, Casting the Circle: Women's Book of Ritual, Woman's Mysteries: Ancient & Modern, The Witches Bible: Vol I & II, The Chalice & the Blade, Real Magic, The Hebrew Goddess, Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood, The Storyteller's Goddess, The Mists of Avalon
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book in need of being updated
Review: We met the author in 1978 as she was awaiting publlication of her book. We found it excellent, but already a bit dated and hoped for an update in the revision that came later. Unfortunately, the later version was only slightly different from the earlier one.The Craft has changed faster than any other religious movement, and we need a truly up-to-date revision, but we need it from Margot Adler. For her balanced and human document is the perfect contrast to the books by enemies of witchcraft who want to portray ourselves as devil-worshippers, etc. For now, the work is mainly useful in providing a history of a crucial time in the emergence of this growing religious movement. We are pleased to see attention given to our own tradition, NROOGD, in the book. It is very well written and intelligent. We highly recommend it, but again as an historical rather than a current document.
Rating:
Summary: An interest to pagans and nonpagans alike
Review: Whether a pagan, aspiring pagan, or simply someone interested in the 60's, 70's, and 80's counter culture, this is a book worth reading. As a neopagan, it's good to learn about the history of the movement. As a person who doesn't want to become a neopagan, and just wants to know what the heck they're on about, this book serves better than most, which are simply guides and outlines for rituals. It sheds a new light on many aspects of the movement, anywhere from motivation to the ideas of actual practicing groups, circles, and covens. The book is long, but full of interesting information. You'll definitely have something to talk over with your friends, or at least mull over in the bath! Drawing down the Moon is the perfect book for the curious mind.
Rating:
Summary: Objective reporting.....
Review: I read this book when it was first published and recommned it to anyone who wants to become more enlightened about the topic. I have a social science background, and thus a general understanding of the various world views of traditional societies who are in my opinion closer to old Mother Earth than most of us "moderns" who spend far too much time caught up in our technology. Margot Adler (granddaughter of the famous psychologist) went exploring (ethnographic field work) and this book is the result. She does not promote any of the world views she describes, she plays the good ethnographer and records what she finds. She participates on several occasions, and thus becomes the "participant observer" recorder. I didn't know much about the revival of "paganism" and had never heard of Wicca before I read Adler's book. I learned that in spite of the professed enlightenment of our modern age, many fear the practices described. Why? Basically, the practice of Wicca seems to be a female oriented way of life--focusing on nature, life, a spiritual path. I for one am continuing to read about Wicca and explore what others are doing. I figure some of the so-called witches etc. are not what they purport to be, just as some of the agressive so-called Christians driving with bumper stickers that advertise their "faith" are not what they purport to be. I recommend Adler's book if you are interested in comparative religion, are looking for a new way of living or just curious about a somewhat maligned and often persecuted group of mostly women.
Rating:
Summary: Really good
Review: Yes, it's a classic, but it's the good kind. The modern neo-pagan "movement" is covered in excellent depth, with mainly objective reporting (I say mainly because the author is pagan herself and therefore carries an automatic bias that paganism is good, though no otherparticular bias shows in her writing.) She focuses quite a lot on Wicca (arguably the most publicized modern pagan religion) but other systems are covered as well. Even though plenty of the info here is "outdated," (originally published in the 70s) I loved it as a vibrant slice of modern pagan history, and a vindication of pagan practice for the lay reader and interested pagan alike. Very enjoyable and very well done.
Rating:
Summary: The definitive book on this subject.
Review: For anyone interested in learning about neo-paganism, or just for someone who is still trying to find out exactly what they do believe in, this is an excellent book. It offers a wide variety of views on various aspects of religion, acceptance and ideology, and does a great deal to dissolve the stigma associated with modern pagan religions by giving an honest and introspective look at how the practice is conducted. It makes no attempt to declare some sort of dogma or doctrine related to the religion, but rather lays out different paths of paganism by giving the basic tenets behind each ideology as seen by one of its practitioners. The book is largely conversational in its writing style, which I found to make it a far better read than other books on the subject. It doesn't feel overly heavy-handed in its approach, and does what any good pagan-oriented book should; it lets (and expects) you make up your own mind on the subject material. Margot Adler obviously encourages you to find your own conclusions from reading the book, and as a result it sets it up to be the best recommendation I could give for anyone interested in finding out if "wicca" or paganism is right for them. The best source in print for any kind of definitive explanation of the pagan movement.
Rating: 
Summary: Gossip Mars Credibility
Review: While I agree this book has some merit, I have never ceased to be amazed that it ever was, much less continues to be, viewed as such an all-time classic of the Craft. Ms. Adler's information was largely garnered from attending various Pagan festivals and interviewing those she met there in the mid-late '70's. Thus, the material is dated and stems from a period early in the now widespread Craft/Pagan revival, gathered at events where many of those involved were holdovers from the "flower power" movement of the '60's, with not a little of the same baggage in tow. While a decent general gist of the Neo-Pagan movement as it existed at that time is indeed offered herein, Ms. Adler's work is marred by her penchant for recording rumour and innuendo from questionable sources. There is at least one blatant attack upon a respected elder of the Craft who had already authored scores of successful books before Ms. Adler was out of grade school, and who was the initiate of several Craft and Neo-Pagan traditions long before some of those she praises were even a part of the movement. Such uncalled for and unprofessional elements bring a lack of credibility to the finished product. While Ms. Adler's credentials may be impressive, they failed to prevent her lacing what could indeed have been a great book with gossip and groundless criticisms of some who paved the way for she and her friends. Her lack of appreciation for the true groundbreakers of the Neo-Pagan movement exposes the immature core of her "professionalism".
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I have been on the Pagan path now for 12 years and this was my introductory book, let me tell you it really set me straight in my path. I learned that Paganism is not about spells or wands, but about being one with Nature and the Lord and Lady. This is a must read for all Pagan people and it is a book I have all my students read.
Rating: 
Summary: A good choice but the Norse Section is Horrid
Review: A well-written and in-depth look at contemporary Paganism except for the Nordic/Norse/Germanic section. It makes us all look like a bunch of racists. Buy the book, but get your Germanic info from sources like The Troth (www.thetroth.org). The book can be a bit dated at times as well.
P.L. Buck/Jordsvin
Rating:
Summary: Excellent w/ some small issues. Overall: Best Available
Review: Margot Adler's "Drawing Down the Moon" is one of the few books on neo-paganism that is written to serve both the outsider and insider. Written mostly from a sociological/anthropological/historical perspective, it separates itself from the grand majority of other books on contemporary paganism in that it does not contain a bunch of spells and 'how-to's. The book is written for the intellectual reader, making it easily the best book available for someone who wants to learn ABOUT modern paganism rather than how to BECOME neo-pagan. Though Adler is an insider to the faith, most of her writing is objective reporting. She covers a broad scope of topics and opinions. Her book is well written, not dumbed-down and usually academic. Her language is scholarly but easy-to-follow. Some reviewer complained the book reads like a textbook; this is true. Though the book flows much more than a textbook, it usually addresses topics in the same approach. This is exactly WHY I like the book... if I wanted spells, flowery stories and "gee, the goddess is nifty" shpeals, I would have bought a Ravenwolf text. The aforementioned qualities are what make Adler's book a gem. However, I do have some critiques of Adler's work. Adler does have a tendency to depart from her objectivism and frolic off into personal stories which are usually not relevant, important or of interest to those reading purely for education. She also tends to emphasis "feeling" over "knowledge" (not to say they aren't often hand-in-hand); implying many times that pagans are often so because it "feels right" rather than "it is truth" [in their eyes]. While some might not have a problem with this, it does depart from the intellectual approach her text normally takes. She also displays an obvious bias against some branches of neo-paganism as well as one against the monotheism of the Abrahamic faiths. In regard to the latter offense, this usually consists of broad generalizations as well as oversimplifications. For example, I'd highly doubt that a member of Judaism, Christianity or Islam would say they are a monotheist because it "simplifies things for them so they don't have to acknowledge the dynamic aspect of the world." Most followers are on that path because they think it's *truth* not because they lack perspective. Lastly, as many other readers have put it: the book is outdated. While most of the text is still important and relevant, neo-paganism and witchcraft has changed ENORMOUSLY in the past few decades. Tons of additional information could (and should) be provided. Since the book is already pretty large, I'd recommend a volume II. Given the quality of this book and the fact that no one else has managed to do a decent text as of recent, I would trust few besides Adler to do a high-quality update on contemporary paganism.
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