The Chalice and the Blade

Our History, Our Future

By: Riane Eisler

Narrated by: Riane Eisler

Length: 2 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Riane Eisler believes that war and the "war of the sexes" are concepts neither divinely nor biologically ordained. Join the author as she reconstructs a prehistoric culture based on partnership rather than domination and traces the roots of the global shift to patriarchy. Eisler, an acclaimed scholar, futurist, and activist, also presents new scripts for living based on a more socially, economically, ecologically, personally, and spiritually balanced society. This script is in direct opposition to the tension and violence typical of what she calls the dominator model. Her vision is the partnership model, which today is struggling to reemerge. This program is an important contribution to that struggle.

©1987 Riane Eisler (P)1997 New World Library

Critic reviews

"The most important book since Darwin's Origin of Species." (Ashley Montagu)
"Some books are like revelations, they open the spirit to unimaginable possibilities. [this] is one of those magnificent key books that can transform us." (Isabel Allende)

glimpse into the wholeness of archaic paradigms

A measured comparison of the value structures composing very different anthropomorphic paradigms, convincingly suggesting that the former of the title interwove humans within an Earthly cooperative web of plenty, whereas the latter is cleaved from the systems from which we came, thereby propagating a perceived paradigm of scarcity and the resultant culture of fear. A ripe time for such a read.

Incredible insights and information!

What an eye-opening experience! This book is filled with vital information that the whole world needs to know. I loved it.

Amazing Book, Poor Recording

The content is great, and the author, who also narrates, speaks clearly, but the chapters are not separated in Audible, so you can't go back to specific topics without knowing (or guessing) time stamps for when each book chapter started.

intresting info

love the information but the recording was not as clear as it could be

Truth Intangled

When trying to breath and there is stagnation turn to this book to learn partnerships

one of the most important books of our times

I read this book in its entirety many years ago. This is a summary of Eisler's important points. Here she concentrates on the essence of her premise about the importance of humanity evolving into a "partnership model" in order for the human race to survive. She reviews the differences between early models of human social order directed by equality and cooperation, and its transition and comparison to the dominator model directed by males. My comment on the recording was that it is a bit fuzzy and hard to hear. It might be better served if reread and recorded by a professional narrator.

Audio quality is very disappointing

I absolutely love the content of this book, but am very disappointed by (and honestly, surprised by) the audio quality. I literally had to listen to it with earphones rather than through an external Bluetooth squeaker, often needing to repeat sections to hear clearly.

Excellent

Wonderfully concise argument for a world view lost and world view possibly re-cultivated.
Audio quality is less than ideal, but the wisdom contained made it well worth the purchase.

Life changing read

This book written by an acclaimed scholar historian reveals hidden complex and yet enlightening historical and pre-historical facts rarely disclosed regarding the true status of women in ancient history.
Recommended to all women and any man who feels ready for it.

Fascinating discoveries about our past

I love this book. I have read the print version and wanted a review. The audio book seems to leave out chunks of the chapters and the sound quality is poor making it a challenge to listen and understand well.