A scholarly study of older women in pre-patriarchal societies, from the author of The Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets.

"A useful and thought-provoking guide, pointing the way to a more humane future by enhancing our understanding of the past and present." —Los Angeles Times

A probing account of the honored place of older women in ancient matriarchal societies restores to contemporary women an energizing symbol of self-value, power, and respect.

"Ms. Walker takes the reader on another richly detailed, peripatetic journey through history never covered in textbooks." —The Kansas City Star

"A strong affirmation of women's power to say no to out-of-control patriarchal power. [Walker] encourages women to . . . develop a new moral system in an otherwise doomed world." —Yoga Journal

"A very spiritually satisfying book . . . about the repression, denial, and punishment of wisdom among "older" women. . . . The book is also about how much we need such wisdom if we are to survive as a species." —Phyllis Chesler, author of Women & Madness