Infamous Eve

May Sinclair, PhD
Wheatmark (2007)
ISBN 9781587367151
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (11/07)


I was so overwhelmed with the amount of knowledge passed on to me in “Infamous Eve” that I am not even sure where to begin writing about it.  Dr. Sinclair wrote Eve’s story to set the record straight about women’s roles in history and in doing so she offers a positive version of Eve’s story.  If you really think about it, it isn’t very positive to be raised with the idea that your gender took mankind out of paradise!  Dr. Sinclair tells us, “The crucial problem is that the basis of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths are all underpinned by Eve’s temptation and humanity’s fall, making women’s degradation and subordinations necessary.”  By accepting that the Bible is written infallibly, we are forced to accept these beliefs.  However, if you look at history and where and when certain chapters of the Bible were written, you can see underlying political issues that encourage those beliefs for what could have been personal gain.  There is also a discussion about chapters that were removed for political reasons.
           
The book definitely covers more than Eve’s story.  I found the discussion about the Goddess’s role in creating civilization to be very thought-provoking.  Dr. Sinclair tells us that after the 4th millennium BCE the world began to be viewed as having been created by a male god.  This represented more “fear, power and war instead of sustained love.”  Women’s roles are discussed through out time.  Most of those times have been difficult for women because of the lack of respect their roles have carried. 
           
Dr. Sinclair extensively researched the information included in “Infamous Eve.”  This is really demonstrated in her extensive list of footnotes and references.  This aspect of her book really increased my respect for the wealth of information that she presents.  I was amazed at the range of topics and eras that were covered.  I do not believe that she left any stone unturned.  I was fascinated by all of topics that were covered.   She also answered a question that I have carried with me for most of my life:  “If Adam and Eve were the only people on the planet, then who did Cain and Abel marry?”  Now I know, but you will have to read it to find out!

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