Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America by Margot Adler Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America
Book Review: Excellent w/ some small issues. Overall: Best Available
Summary: 4 Stars
Margot Adler's "Drawing Down the Moon" is one of the few books on neo-paganism that is written to serve both the outsider and insider. Written mostly from a sociological/anthropological/historical perspective, it separates itself from the grand majority of other books on contemporary paganism in that it does not contain a bunch of spells and 'how-to's. The book is written for the intellectual reader, making it easily the best book available for someone who wants to learn ABOUT modern paganism rather than how to BECOME neo-pagan.Though Adler is an insider to the faith, most of her writing is objective reporting. She covers a broad scope of topics and opinions. Her book is well written, not dumbed-down and usually academic. Her language is scholarly but easy-to-follow. Some reviewer complained the book reads like a textbook; this is true. Though the book flows much more than a textbook, it usually addresses topics in the same approach. This is exactly WHY I like the book... if I wanted spells, flowery stories and "gee, the goddess is nifty" shpeals, I would have bought a Ravenwolf text.
The aforementioned qualities are what make Adler's book a gem. However, I do have some critiques of Adler's work.
Adler does have a tendency to depart from her objectivism and frolic off into personal stories which are usually not relevant, important or of interest to those reading purely for education. She also tends to emphasis "feeling" over "knowledge" (not to say they aren't often hand-in-hand); implying many times that pagans are often so because it "feels right" rather than "it is truth" [in their eyes]. While some might not have a problem with this, it does depart from the intellectual approach her text normally takes.
She also displays an obvious bias against some branches of neo-paganism as well as one against the monotheism of the Abrahamic faiths. In regard to the latter offense, this usually consists of broad generalizations as well as oversimplifications. For example, I'd highly doubt that a member of Judaism, Christianity or Islam would say they are a monotheist because it "simplifies things for them so they don't have to acknowledge the dynamic aspect of the world." Most followers are on that path because they think it's *truth* not because they lack perspective.
Lastly, as many other readers have put it: the book is outdated. While most of the text is still important and relevant, neo-paganism and witchcraft has changed ENORMOUSLY in the past few decades. Tons of additional information could (and should) be provided. Since the book is already pretty large, I'd recommend a volume II. Given the quality of this book and the fact that no one else has managed to do a decent text as of recent, I would trust few besides Adler to do a high-quality update on contemporary paganism.
Book Review: Dated, But Useful Historical Review
Summary: 5 Stars
As many have said, it's a tad dated, but nonetheless is a helpful historical review of modern paganism for those of us new to the craft. Read it as a history rather than a review of common practice and you will get a lot of useful perspective.Book Review: Informative
Summary: 4 Stars
Solid book with good information for those interested in modern day paganism. More of a historical approach that helps a person understand how we got to where we are. Great read.Book Review: One of the first 5 books every reader should get...
Summary: 5 Stars
Drawing Down the Moon details Pagan practitioners in the United States in a scholastic and intelligent way without being dry.As many have mentioned, the Nordic Reconstructionism section is horrid, but a factor of bad sources, not bad writing.
This is the book to give to a library, a parent who doesn't understand your religion or someone who freaks out.
Some of the people in the book ARE freaky, but most are so down home and simple that it is plain to see it is a REAL collection of studies, not just those who shout loud.
Book Review: excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
As long as you rip the section on odinism out, this is a great book.We need a 2003 edition, though!