The Chalice and the Blade - Hardcover

Eisler, Riane Tennenhaus

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 084466734X ISBN 13: 9780844667348

Publisher: Smith (Peter),US, 1994

Synopsis

This classic text proposes two models of human history: the blade represents the ‘dominator model’, a world of conflict and domination, threatened with environmental destruction; the chalice represents the ‘partnership model’, a society based on equality and co-operation. Eisler uncovers the existence, prehistory, of a goddess culture were the chalice held sway and there was peace for humankind. Today we stand at a crossroads – we can continue to live by the blade, or return to the life-giving chalice.

About this title

Review:

‘Some books are like revelations, they open the spirit to unimaginable possibilities. Eisler proves that the dream of peace is not an impossible Utopia.’
Isabel Allende

‘Scholarly, passionate, essential reading.’
Fritjof Capra

‘Essential reading for anyone concerned with the future of humanity.’
Peter Russell

From the Back Cover:

Riane Eisler’s classic book proposes two models of human history: the contemporary world is represented by the dominator model, symbolised by the lethal blade, in which society is based on conflict and domination, threatened with environmental catastrophe and human destruction. The partnership model is symbolised by the life giving chalice, and depicts a society based on equality and co-operation; Eisler uncovers the existence, in prehistory, of a goddess culture which followed the chalice, lasting thousands of years and a time of great peace for mankind.

Today, we stand at a cross-roads: we can continue to live by the blade, risking global annihilation, or we can rediscover the partnership ethic and spirit of co-operation, and use the chalice to transform our culture and our future.

”Until I read books like Eisler’s I assumed men ran churches because men run everything ... now I realise it goes a lot deeper than that; it is a matter of male mana threatened by female magic.”
KATHERINE WHITEHORN,'The Observer'

”Scholarly, passionate, essential reading.”
FRITJOF CAPRA

” A fascinating and thorough historical account of how our culture lost its feminist values. Essential reading for anyone concerned with the future of humanity.”
PETER RUSSELL

About this edition

• Publisher: Smith (Peter),US
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 084466734X
• ISBN 13: 9780844667348
• Binding: Hardcover