In this volume; Alice Kessler-Harris explores the transformation of some of the United States' most significant social policies. Tracing changing ideals of fairness from the 1920s to the 1970s; she shows how a deeply embedded set of beliefs; or "gendered imagination" shaped seemingly neutral social legislation to limit the freedom and equality of women. Law and custom generally sought to protect women from exploitation; and sometimes from employment itself; but at the same time; they assigned the most important benefits to wage work. Most policy makers (even female ones) assumed from the beginning that women would not be breadwinners. Kessler-Harris shows how ideas about what was fair for men as well as women influenced old age and unemployment insurance; fair labor standards; Federal income tax policy; and the new discussion of women's rights that emerged after World War II. Only in the 1960s and 1970s did the gendered imagination begin to alter--yet the process is far from complete.
#3521558 in Books David Leeming 2004-03-04Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.30 x .80 x 9.40l; .92 #File Name: 0195147898160 pagesJealous Gods and Chosen People The Mythology of the Middle East
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Good for Quick Mythological Summaries; does not meet his ThesisBy Patricia JoyceIn his book Jealous Gods and Chosen People David Leeming looks to argue that the three major religions of Christianity; Judaism; and Islam intersect and share values the can only be called mythological and not reality. Although they hold great spiritual influence the myths can only be myths and therefore the religions cannot claim exclusivity as they do. Leeming’s thesis is that; “with nonexlcusionary [sic] vision; other people’s religious narratives can be seen as tribe-defining cultural dreams and as significant metaphors that can speak truthfully to people across cultural and sectarian boundaries†(Leeming; ix).Leeming begins his work by discussing the many interactions of the cultures he will discuss the myths of; starting with the the Paleolithic Age; which is the beginning of the domestication of animals; irrigation; and buildings that would lead to later civilizations. The Neolithic Age that saw the development of weaponry; tools; pottery to store grains; bricks for building; and the development of villages and towns. Then with the dominance of the Sumerians in the Bronze Age the first known writing was developed; cuneiform; which marked the beginning of recorded history. From the recorded history Leeming shows how these cultures have crosses paths with one another and likely have shared myths.The second part of Leeming’s book looks at the mythology of these cultures; and how they share common themes. Each of the stories and gods he gives descriptions of our very brief summaries; and would be better for students or scholars with some knowledge of the background to them. He begins with the mythology of Prehistory and the discovery of Catal Hüyük in 1957. Which Leeming argues is “the most revealing of prehistoric sites anywhere†(Leeming; 33). This site showed evidence for a mother goddess cult; afterlife; and sacred marriage; leading into the future concepts of the written history of Mesopotamia.Summarizing the following Mesopotamian texts: The Sumerian Creation; Enki and Ninmah; Enki and Ninhursaga; Enlil and Ninlil; Enlil and Sud; Ninurta and Ninhursaga; Inanna and Enki; Inanna and Utu; Inanna and Dumuzi; Inannas Decent to the Underworld; and Marduk; the Enuma Elish and the Babylonian Creation. He goes on to sumerize the myths of heroes such as Enmerkar and Enshukeshdanna; Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta; Lugalbanda in the Mountains; and the most famous Epic of Gilgamesh.Then summarizing the Egyptian texts: The Heliopolitan Creation and Cosmology; The Hermopolitan Creation; and The Memphite Creation in which he compares Ptah to the Old Testament God in Genesis stating that Ptah is also considered the logos. The Theban Creation; The Creation of Humans by the god Shu; which included being made in the image of the gods. Ending the chapter with myths about Osiris and Isis; Horus and Seth; The Egyptian Flood; and the hero myth of Horus whom he compares to Jesus.He summarizes the following Anatolian myths; The Canaanite Creation; The Hebrew Creation and Flood; The Christian Creation; and The Gnostic Creation. Following with the hero myths of Danel and Aqhat; which compares to the story of David and Absalom; Abraham and His Family; Moses; and The Heroes of the Israelite conquest; John the Baptist; and Jesus.Then he shortly summarizes the following Arabian texts; which are just a few; The Muslim Creation and Flood; the heroes Ibraham and Isma’il (Abraham and Ishmael); Musa (Moses); Isa and Maryam (Jesus and Mary); and Muhammad.In the eyes of Leeming all of these stories and figures are nothing more than myths that are shared; and should be treated as such. Not allowing for these major religions to cause conflict in the East as they do. Which Leeming rightly shows is directly against the knowledge of their myths that they claim to be true.Leeming brings a new light to the story of the decent of Ishtar with his quick discussion of the elements of me that he claims Ishatar leaves at each of the seven gates. The elemetns of me are ritual; priesthood; political power; secutiry; crafts; animal husbandry; agriculture; sexual behavior; family; and decision-making. These elements Leeming states are what Ishtar leaves at the gates in the form of jewelry as she is being stripped of her possessions.Leeming gives more incite into the mythological narrative of the real king Gilgamesh. He discusses the intersection of Gilgamesh’s myth with that of Etana; Sargon; Moses; and Jesus. As a newborn who is considered a threat to the throne; after being thrown out of a tower Gilgamesh is saved by an eagle and becomes an orchard work; and later king. Much like the Hebrew story of Moses who is set adrift in waters near Pharaoh’s daughter who takes him in and makes him royalty. Just as in Gilgamesh’s narrative as a threat to the throne Jesus was considered a threat to the throne; and both had attempts on their lives as babes.Also as discussed; Leeming writes about the dispute in the Baal epic about windows in his temple. However; Leeming brings a new idea that the reason death (Mot) enters into his window is likely because after the temple is built Baal stops making tribute to Mot. He also shows the connection between Baal’s temple being built and Yahweh’s temple; but claims both are likely types of creation accounts.Aside from the first part of the book; because it is so brief and quickly run through; Leemings work is quite easy to read; and is quite entertaining. It will be found useful for undergraduates of history or theology looking to get a quick background on the Ancient Near East. His summaries or interpretations of the different mythological ideas make reading the mythological texts easier; and bring new insights. However; the miss-use of certain biblical texts; or misrepresentation of them does leave a knowledgeable reader wondering what other so-called myths are misrepresented in the work. It should be considered an assistant to the study on the topic of Ancient Near Eastern mythology; and not used as the only source in a study; in order to compare and contrast opinion versus truth.2 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Not for the non-academic readerBy RRH Shay Model AVery disappointing; requires in-depth knowledge of the subject matter to follow the story lines. Each sentence chock full of names and/or dates. Boring and difficult to comprehend for persons not already well versed in this field.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Two StarsBy Angelaugh for a class
