Customer Reviews

Women Without Superstition : No Gods - No Masters

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"Women Without Superstition" is a compilation of short biographies with sample writings of some of the more well known mostly North American and English freethinking women. Beginning with Mary Wollstonecraft, and ending with Taslima Narsin, The editor A. L Gaylor does an admirable job connecting a large cast of women together including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Voltairine de Cleyre, Margaret Sanger, and Dora Russell and painting a vivid picture of the incredible struggle they endured simply trying to enfranchise women especially during the first two centuries of American independence. The fact that their struggle incorporated the rational position against slavery helps validates their underlying premises. Presented are beautiful thinkers mostly struggling alone. An understandable bias toward feminism is notable, perhaps explainable due to the repressive forces continually confronting these women freethinkers. These are stories about women and their struggle to promote women rights. Women working with women. A slight bias underlines some of the biographies written by the editor. The most glaring instance occurs in the biography of Margaret Sanger. Gaylor's description of her father as "better at stirring up controversy than providing for his family" cast her father in less than an admirable light and doesn't coincide with Sanger's remembrances. He had a difficult life offering his position to the community as well as the women freethinkers. The sub-title, "No Gods, No Masters", attributable to M. Sanger, accurately conveys the critical stance most of these women offer of religions, mostly judaeo-christianity. Repetition of critiques of biblical errancy, brutality, irrationality and chauvinism abound. The excellent exposition and brilliant articulation of their position make these women persons who should be emulated. Most of them possess powerful intellects and strong oratorical skills; necessary equipment to confront the tidal waves of irrationality assaulting them. The general analysis that religion represses women's rights and non-theistic positions is convincingly argued. The last women presented, Taslima Nasrin, writes of Islamic fundamentalism from an insider's position. Like Rushdie, simply for expressing her thoughts, Nasrin must hide for her life. For this reader, her analysis of Islamic Fundamentalism was especially interesting. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Great reference on development of feminist thought. Inspirational biographies. Flip Webster psmith@sol.racsa.co.cr

I wish I had been given the chance to study this stuff in school. I spent a long time struggling with these ideas. If only I had access to this book at an earlier age. Great book, wonderful works by highly intelligent authors. Helped me to cast off my old doubts.

I first checked this book out of the library. I wasn't sure about it as I have had to really wade through quite a few books recently and didn't want to buy something that would put me to sleep. But I hadn't finished the introduction yet, and I knew I would be buying it. It's a fascinating book, and way overdue to be published! I wish everybody, but especially every woman, could read this book! There are so many interesting things in here, and no matter how much you think you know about feminism, freethought, etc, there is something new for you in this book. I have recommended it over and over again to my friends.

A great collection of writing from woman of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Any woman who is enjoying todays freedom (still a way to go) should read this book and appreciate the efforts of these writers and to the ridicule, insults, threats etc. they weathered. As a man, I'm thankful to them.

As I first read this book, I was constantly amazed at the insight and reasoning power of these women. I was also angry that I had never been exposed to these texts. The only thing that baffles me is that Ayn Rand is not mentioned more. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that she was a capitalist? I haven't found any evidence that the FFRF (the author's group) is philosophically socialist, which would explain her Rand's warranting only a footnote. Rand is surely one of the most famous atheist women of our day. Nevertheless, the book is an absolute treasure to anyone interested in enjoying life and my thanks go out to Ms. Gaylor for writing it.

This is a phenominal, rich text that stirs the mind & imagination & creates a whole new sense of power & self-determination. It is also useful in the sense that it validates so many women who might feel marginalized by society. I love it!

I enjoyed this book. Not only is the story of atheism (and antitheism) difficult to find info on, but the story of female humans in atheism and science is also difficult to find info in.

This is one of the only books I have found that tells the stories of women in atheism. I would enjoy seeing a video on atheism, and also female humans in atheism and science. I would enjoy seeing, hearing and reading stories of humans that spoke out against religion and promoted science.

Finding images of these female humans is also difficult to do. This book includes humans I had never heard of, but also any body that did any thing for female human equality. For example, I was very glad to see a photo and data on Matilda Joslyn Gage, a person usually left out of women's history because of her anger with religion, and perhaps because of her sexuality.

My one criticism of this book is that the people are kind of tame (although being atheist is shocking for most humans). Where are the female humans in science...? Still, for one of the only books (or videos for that matter) on free thinking women (or women without superstition and substition!) I was glad and enjoyed every story!

Stop Violence, Teach Science!
Ted Huntington

Annie Laurie Gaylor's new book on Women Without Superstition is an outstanding contribution to Freethought literature. Most Freethought anthologies include selections from the famous male freethinkers of history, and except for a few outstanding individuals, female writers have been ignored. Ms. Gaylor corrects this imbalance with her new book. For each woman freethinker, she has written a short historical introduction that places each author in her time and culture. Simply as a historical resource, this book would be valuable. But the selections from each author that Annie Laurie includes are rich and rewarding. Imagine the courage and confidence each woman had to have to live a life based on reason, evidence, and honesty--and then speak openly about her heretical beliefs--in a disapproving society. Such courage is still required today, which makes this book inspiring reading.

These women and their contribution to the history of the world ought to be in every school library and within the reach of inquiring minds everywhere. Their experiences and insights on the negative impact of reliance upon some fairy tale concocted to put the human race down is invaluable. The human mind is a powerful tool and needs only to be used with skepticism and a vision on reality

This thought provoking book is a compilation of views and lectures of historic, prominent and free thinking women. It is highly recommended for any open-minded person searching for answers free from the dogmas of the various religions. It is worth reading, even if not agreeing with authors' philosophies.