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Rating: 
Summary: A Solid, Well-researched History of Ideas
Review: "Goddess Unmasked" has two main parts. The first, a description of the standard "goddess history": the claim that the first religion was worship of a single goddess, that peace-loving matriarchies were focibly overthrown by bad old warlike patriachy and all that. He then goes through a rather nice summary of all of the cultures that are supposed to fit the "matriarchal" mold and demonstrates that there really isn't much evidence there to support the assertions of the proponents. While he gives some good pointers for more in-depth reading, it would have been nice if he'd put in a little more detail. Illustrations would have been useful in the parts where artifacts were discussed, but these are minor quibbles. Overall, he's done a good job in picking the most respected authorities of the movement's "mainstream" and addressed their historical claims directly and evenhandedly.In the second part, Davis traces the origins of the "Goddess movement", finding it's roots in the "esoteric tradition" of the West: Mesmerism, Theosophy, etc. It is, essentially, a history of ideas and good reading for anyone that likes to watch an idea slowly develop. Davis does a fair job of keeping focus and filtering extraneous detail on the movements discussed, but iwas sometimes frustrating when he'd say something like "we'll skip over the colorful story of XYZ because it's off the subject". Oh well. This section could have been organized better, but on a whole it is well-reseached and has a strong factual basis. Great stuff. The conclusion of the book left something to be desired. One gets the feeling that there was a bunch of topics that Davis wanted to comment on and he just sort of willy-nilly packed them in 30 pages at the end of the book. It would have been best for him to just stay on topic with a brief summary. I suspect that this book will cause some pretty strong emotional reactions in the people that have a heavy investment in the "goddess myth" as a historical fact. I'd recommend it for anyone else with curiousity on the subject matter, though!
Rating: 
Summary: An informative book on a new religious movement
Review: "Goddess Unmasked" is a readable and informative discussion of neopagan religious ideas, particularly those around the practice of "goddess worship." Goddess worship, nature worship, and the practice of "Wicca" (which has been in the news lately due to a controversy about Wiccans in the Army) are closely related concepts, as Philip Davis shows. The book has an interesting similarity to Dennis Covington's "Salvation on Sand Mountain," which deals with Appalachian snake handlers, in that it's a study of an unconventional, contemporary religious movement which is basically a fringe phenomenon but which also turns out to involve a lot more than a bunch of dreary fanatics with weird beliefs. What Davis does is this book is to trace present-day goddess-worship to its immediate roots in the Romantic movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries through the European esoteric/occult tradition down to today. Along the way, he examines seriously some of the key claims of goddess advocates about pacifist, egalitarian "matriarchies" that supposedly existed in very ancient times, and about the meaning of the witch hunts of the early modern period in Europe. He also looks seriously at some of the religious implications of neopaganism, raising some critical issues but without an obvious agenda of evangelizing supporters out of their beliefs. Most of the book is actually taken up with a series of sketches of the lives and ideas of a variety of colorful characters - mostly men - that contributed in some way to the esoteric/occult tradition that led to goddess worship, as well as to a lot of other ideas that have become common currency in the "New Age." They include serious scientists like the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, and a conservative German historian named Johann Jakob Bachofen who was carried away with Romantic ideas almost in spite of himself. He discusses well-known occultists like the Theosophist founder Madame Blavatsky and the bizarre con-man Aleister Crowley. And lots of others are tossed in along the way. One of the most interesting and unusual things about this book is that it is a serious study of a new religious movement by a mainstream Biblical scholar, who employs the same kind of historical-critical perspective on the development of goddess worship that he presumably brings to Biblical studies. There is an academic sub-field dealing with "new religions." But that tends to focus specifically on issues relating to cult groups and also tends to be more sociological, psychological or journalistic in its approach. An important aspect of this book is that Davis takes goddess worship seriously as a religious movement. In relation to the current controversy over Wiccans in the Army, Davis makes a good case that Wicca is entitled to be considered a religion. His observations on how "immanence" religions (that see divinity in nature) may devalue objectivity in knowledge are particularly provocative. The prophetic or transcendence religions like Christianity, Judaism and Islam see divine revelation as coming from without, as special revelation to humanity from a separate God. Is that view of God more likely to promote a more scientific or objective outlook than the immanence religions? One word of warning. In this case, the old saying "you can't judge a book by its cover" really applies. The book jacket features a graphic of a scowling, green-faced hag that bears a striking resemblance to feminist writer Betty Friedan, who is not mentioned in the book at all. The back cover advertises two books which sound like antifeminist tracts, which makes me wonder if Spence Publishing may play to that particular niche. The book itself does not make an antifeminist argument and is not polemical in tone. If any such editorial bias was brought to bear, it shows up in the last 13 pages, after the book's conclusions have been nicely summarized. Those pages take up a couple of contemporary Canadian disputes in which arguments that most feminists would regard as extreme played a visible role, but which seem to have no direct connection to goddess worship. Unfortunately, pasting on a cursory treatment of those issues at the end will give easy fodder to anyone who wants to write a hit piece on the book. But, as interesting as the treatment of the present-day goddess movement was to me, my favorite thing about the book is that it contains so many stories about eccentric geniuses, dreamers and scamsters from the last couple of centuries who have contributed in some way to the modern religious scene.
Rating: 
Summary: Wait a minute
Review: Agenda is very clear from the cover portrait of the book itself. Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" is twisted for this production. The face of the lovely Venus is shown to be a mask and underneath *GASP* is the face of a witch, ugly, old, wrinkled and GREEN. Given the tone of the book I found the artist showed considerable restraint in that the unmasked face did not have a few warts. Mr. Davis shows little restraint in his attack on Wicca, Neo-Paganism, Enlightenment scientists and philosophers, diversity politics, the Western esoteric tradition and other unrelated topics. He admits to a personal bias in favor of "traditional religious practices" (this came as a complete and total shock to me). Like similar books designed to debunk a particular religion is suffers from some basic flaws. Primary among them is the author's reliance on written materials rather than first hand inquiry. Mr. Davis obviously has some authors he loves to hate and uses these as whipping posts all the time implying that the Neo-Pagan religious movement is built on these texts and all practitioners of the religion endorse them wholeheartedly. The vast majority of those who choose to pursue Wicca or similar Neo-Pagan spiritual paths adhere to the notion that the Divine is comprised of BOTH male and female traits.
In general, Goddess Unmasked has a shallow, off-the-cuff tone that reads more like a collection of Davis' lecture notes than a exploration of the occult-obsessed recesses of nineteenth century intellectual life. Mr. Davis attempts to produce a history of ideas, but the topic-by-topic arrangement of his book often makes it difficult to follow his ideas. There were times I found it impossible to trace some of the intellectualized notions he has regarding the romanticized beginnings of the Neo-Pagan movement
Mr. Davis contends that a society based on the ideology bound veneration of one gender over the other is one that will become rooted in institutions and pubic policy opening the door for abuse of minorities and those of the other gender. Mr. Davis was speaking of Wicca but what he describes sounds much more like traditional Christianity than anything else.
Rating:
Summary: Suspect Goods -- but Sharp
Review: Although this book could use a bit more polish, Philip Davis has done well in writing _Goddess Unmasked_. What he proves in his study of Wicca's origins is that the Patriarchy is still in control. The patriarchs suffered some major setbacks during the nineteenth century, as Enlightenment-inspired scholarship exposed the shaky base of organized Christianity. The system almost lost its grip on women entirely. But then a few male Romanticists made the last-minute save for the Male World Order by creating what Davis terms "neopagan feminist spirituality"--Wicca, essentially, in its various flavours. There was just enough truth in this new religiosity to appeal to many women. For example, it admitted the historical subjugation of women, highlighted gender difference positively, and extolled empowerment (at least apparently). But since Wicca and similar systems are based mainly upon an historical fiction concocted by males, the women who have embraced these religiosities have been neutralized, more or less, by the patriarchal shot-callers. What we have here are thousands of powerful women who could be turning society upside down, for the good of everyone. Instead, they have been trapped and brainwashed by a patriarch-authored religious system. This has led, unfortunately, to the tragic and ironic present situation, where women whose hearts are in the right places actually defend the system enslaving them. (Witness, for one anecdotal example, the people who denounce Davis not by refuting his arguments, but by attacking his publisher and his (assumed) religious background. And, of course, this has happened before: during the Inquisition, women often aided the patriarchal establishment.) "Feminist spirituality," designed by males, has become a self-perpetuating organism, ostensibly guided by females but actually ever-subservient to its patriarch masters. But do these new religions not promote praiseworthy ideals: protection of our environment, tolerance, peace, etc.? Yes, they do. But against the male-designed backdrop of superstition, the arguments for striving towards these laudable goals wither like a tree in shallow soil. Perhaps someday soon, feminism will craft its own spirituality, or, better yet, relinquish superstition for something more effective. Until then, women--and men--are on their own in the struggle between, on the one hand, enlightened rationality, with its promise of universal emancipation, and, on the other hand, the current Patriarchy, with its Wiccan watchdog, raised in the steamy brown swamp of Romanticism. I give Mr. Davis only four stars because of: 1. the lack of polish mentioned above; 2. my uncertainty as to whether he realizes whom he is exposing here (the Patriarchy itself, not just Wicca); and 3. the unfortunate choice of publishers, which opens the book up to loud but irrelevant attacks.
Rating: 
Summary: Informative, but the agenda shows
Review: It's difficult to find unbiased research into the history of Wicca. Most writers are either Wiccan themselves, or are vehemently opposed to the religion. This means that, no matter how objective an author may try to be, the bones of agenda will show through. This is so with "Goddess Unmasked," which, while it contains a great deal of useful information, is also colored by the author's fundamental objection to Neo-Paganism in general and what he terms the "goddess movement" in particular. It's an objection that many thinking Christians (as opposed to those who spout rhetoric) have, and therefore worth some consideration. The Christian view of deity is transcendentalist; to them, deity exists outside our physical world. Neo-Pagans see deity as immanent, constantly present around us and within us. This idea is troubling to many Christians, and it's something that Davis runs up against again and again. That said, the book's not some kind of hysterical anti-Pagan tract--I'd be impressed if *any* author could keep that up for several hundred pages. While Davis ultimately comes down firmly on the side of Christianity, he is at least a thoughtful author who's done some research--though as other reviewers have noted, he occasionally picks and chooses to cast certain researchers in a bad light. Pagans should read this book, not because it will attempt to convert them, but because it's important to understand the underlying objections many Christians have to Wicca and other Neo-Pagan faiths.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite the "unmasking" more on witchcraft than goddess
Review: Reviewers have said the author has a Mark Twain like sense of humor. I'm a Twain fan. I also appreciate why women are looking elsewhere than Christianity, or organized religion as they've known it. It's kind of a downer when your half of the human species takes the blame in most religions for screwing up humanity one way or another, and people forget it takes two to tango. It's a burden that people keep telling women we have to carry. But then, maybe, one day, as a woman, you wake up and say, maybe not. Anyways, I thought maybe this would be a funny book, but it was just unentertaining look down the nose sarcasm. Totally typical boring stuff. He didn't focus really on the godess or the years of oppression women went through but focused on a few people who had ideas about witchcraft. In fact, he even passes over what women have endured, making no comment or glossing it over, or making remarks that seem to say women are crybabies for not liking their "place" in history. He says everything Wiccan comes from these people. I'm not into Wicca, but I know my history, and the movement is bigger and not stupid as the author makes out. He gives the movement a cunning stupidity, like men have traditionally given women in Victorian novels. This author, if anything, is in for a good roasting himself, of the Twain inspired type. Yes, there are flaws with the godess theorists of the seventies and some from the 80s, but hello, man, try looking at some more modern works! After all, Paula Gunn Allen proves women did have power right here in America in native american socities in her essay When Strong Women Throw Down Bundles, Strong Women make Strong Nations. Then there are the recently discovered nomadic warrior women's bones found in Russia. I do agree, it is detrimental to raise women over men, because that is making the same mistakes men made raising themselves over women, but he mentions this just at the end of the book. What I'd really like to see is a book that talks about the goddess religion and etc; that doesn't just make women as peacemakers, but as intelligent, protective people, who could even be killers, thieves, powerful or weak, good or bad. I gave it two stars because this could be a useful book if you want to know about the victorians and witchcraft, but I find his tone a put-off.
Rating:
Summary: Highly informative, very readable, but has gaps
Review: There is no way to write a book such as "Goddess Unmasked" and not infuse the subject with one's own philosophy. In former times, writing a treatise on a subject naturally assumed you were coming from your own point of view, and that was OK! Now, one is supposed to be "impartial"-- but that's a crock; nobody really is impartial. We are all filtering information through our own lights. That having been said, Davis' "Goddess Unmasked" is a valuable book, well-written, interesting and informative. It is particularly excellent in covering the rise of Occultism and philosophies such as Rosicrucianism and Theosophy. The author shows links of Theosophy to Anthroposophy and even the dark philosophical underpinnings of Naziism, which adopted particular mythology and philosophies of that time along with their political and military agenda. There is a good overview of Wicca (from a non-Wiccan, of course.) The author contends Wicca is really a late development, an outgrowth of the philosophical and mystical writings of such (yes, whisper it!) men as Bachofen and not an ancient religion as Wiccans hold as true. What's missing in "Goddess Unmasked" is a study of the growing popularity of the worship of Mary, and the throngs that turn up to see apparitions in plate glass windows. Whether or not this is mainstream religion and authorized as official dogma, it is worth analyzing if this phenomenon is related to the rising popularity of feminine deities. Despite this oversight, I recommend this book to anyone interested in the rise of esotericism and paganism in modern culture.
Rating:
Summary: Continental Divide
Review: This is an excellent book and belongs on anyone's shelf who has any interest in contemporary "spiritualism"; and/or know people moving into the realm...which is almost everyone. Some wag once said, "There are only two kinds of people, dichotomists, and no-dichotomists". On this issue of feminist spirituality/goddess seeking, anything to make me starry-eyed hoopla, one only needs to read the customer reviews to see clearly the great chasm between the Judeo/Chrisitan faith ...and all other belief systems. It is no accident that the first sin in the Bible has to do with deciding for ourselves right and wrong, ...that we "can be like gods ourselves". That very process defines all belief systems that compete with the J/C belief system. That we can "invent our own god, invent our own reality, and invent our own afterlife"...."Everyone's belief system is just as valid a any other's"...."Your God punishes, but our god allows everything; for there is no right or wrong". So we divide precisely here: Either clear definitions and demonstrations of right and wrong...OR... Moral Relativism. First we whine about being traumatized and oppressed...then we find a "religion" that gives us warm and fuzzy feelings, and lends us starry eyed awe, fear and respect (by god, or I'll cast a spell on you). All you have to do is allow yourself to be blindfolded, and led into the Candlelit Coven, be the sex object for that evening, and share a little blood mixed with wine, and "abra cadabra"..you're a "force to be reckoned with". Unfortunately, Hell is a real place, prepared by the Judeo Christian God for all who fall for the lie that we can be like gods ourselves. Later, in Hell, as you lie down on a blackened earth, burnt beyond recognition by our sun's change from a hydrogen fusing to helium fusing star...and you discover there is only one thing to eat, vermin...and you are the only thing they have to eat. Be prepared to stay awake round the clock so you can pick off the ticks, scorpions, and leeches. Forget finding a tree to hug...or to cut down for a warm, fuzzy fire...it's all been burned up, along with your SUV and your designer clothes, and your feritility goddess necklace.
Rating:
Summary: An infomative look at modern goddess worship.
Review: While it is true that this book shows bias, the fact is that the authors criticisms are valid because they are beased on facts not rhetoric. The many pagans that have negativly comminted on this book, do so most likely because it does not pander to the myths propagated by new age religions. Instead, it gives an informative look at the true origins of this religion and corrects many of the hisorically flawed views that neopaganism spreads. It should also be noted that the author also corrects many of the inaccurate views and critisims that pagan literature antempts to impose on Judeo-Christian beleifs. many of these veiws are needed by the goddess movement in order to justify the sexist view of a supreme deity that is a woman. Anyone that has ever read the Bible, or the Torah knows that it is forbiden to impose any image on God, "man or animal, male or female..." Unlike the use of the word goddess, which has a feminizing suffix, the word God does not. Rather God or god is a general term that may be applied to any deity but can be used in a polytheistic religion to refer to a male deity when differentiating between a male god and a female god. The use of words like he or him have also been misused by critics of Judeo-Christian beliefs. This is only due to the nature in which languages developed where female references were specific while male refernces are also used for anything that does not have gender. The lack of a non gender specific pronoun in languages should not be confused as religious sexism. Finally, another misconception, that was apparently to explained well enough, is the idea that God is transendent. This does not meen that God is far away, but rather God is everywhere Omnipresent and omnipotent. Our seperation from God is due to sin and our return is through the Messia and forgiveness. It seems if God, an all loving God, where part of all of us, we would never urge for sin, but would live totally in love and peace. This cannot be explained by the goddess view, that deity is part of all of us. Overall the books bias is just part of the point that it tries to make and is nowhere near the bias that progoddess books tend to implement. As for those who dislike criticism of goddess belief, you should remember that much of this movement is built around inaccurate criticisms of Christianity, so do be supprised when Christians shoot back.
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