Reopening Pandora's Box

Reopening Pandora's Box: Women's Influence in Myth and Reality is a romp through women's history, looking at women's particular strengths and influences on society. In the process it overturns religious myths, downplaying their past importance, and resurrects numerous women's stories that have been neglected by history. It is an upbeat examination of women who lived independently, who refused to accept "no," and who have influenced all our lives. This book overturns much in the way of conventional wisdom and history on the position of women in society, from our development into humans and women's position in religion to women as artists, writers, and leaders. Mitchell uses stories of real as well as mythical women to illustrate that women had a far more profound influence on history than the mostly male writers and theologians have been prepared to admit. In addition, the book discusses social and cultural obstacles women had to overcome in taking leadership roles. * * * This is JAMES A. MITCHELL's third book. He is also author of Body and Soul, a photographic essay on human emotions and states of being, and Finding Their Own Voices: Maine Women at the Millennium: Their Stories, published by Down East. Mitchell has had diverse careers in business and government. He and his wife, Lolly, live in Camden, Maine.