Table of Contents

Preface Introduction Part I. Goddesses of the East Chapter 1. Durga , Warrior Goddess and Cosmic Queen Chapter 2. Kuan yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy Chapter 3. Laksmi, Goddess of Abundance and Luck Chapter 4. Amaterasu, the Japanese Ancestral Goddess Chapter 5. Sita, the Ideal Wife Part II. Goddesses of the West Chapter 6. Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth Chapter 7. Athena, Goddess of Culture and Civilization Chapter 8. Isis, Heavenly Queen Chapter 9. Golden Aphrodite Chapter 10. Mary: Virgin, Mother, and Queen Conclusion Notes Works Cited Index

About the Author

David Kinsley is Professor of Religious Studies at McMaster University.

Reviews

"I like the tone -- sensible, competent, not preachy, not condescending, not over-simplifying, not mystifying -- and the scholarly but readable style. It provides casual readers with something serious but readable on a subject about which all too much frivolous nonsense has been written." -- Anne Feldhaus "Kinsley has written an excellent survey that allows the reader to grasp the importance of goddess tradition within the particular culture. Perhaps the best expression of this contextualization is found in his discussion of the cult and/or worship dimensions of the goddess. I am impressed with the selection of goddesses; Kinsley has chosen well, given the abundance of material available. The work offers a large sweep without sacrificing information and scholarly support. Kinsley's book represents an exciting new contribution to an emerging area of study within comparative religion. I do not know of a comparable text." -- Clare B. Fischer