Review of From patriarchy to Paradise, it’s about time

[Catherine Sweet]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "From patriarchy to Paradise, it’s about time" by Jerry Schaefer.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Patriarchy to Paradise (It’s about time) by Jerry Schaefer is a nonfiction exploration of the history of patriarchy with a vision for conscious change. This short book is beautifully designed. The illustrations by Gabriel Berrón bring the content to life and are a pleasure to look at. The editing is flawless, and there are no errors at all. The writing style is engaging and has clarity and humour.

The book combines personal reflection, historical analysis and the role of consciousness to tell the story of patriarchy and outline a vision for a better world. The book starts with the story of the biblical figures, Adam and Eve, and the birth of patriarchy. There is an examination of early history, including the hunter-gatherers, the Agricultural Revolution and the cultures of ancient Greece.

Schafer describes patriarchy as creating “a world characterised by greed, competition and violence.” Women’s influence has been limited, and this must change in the future. Positive change can occur if people use their minds to think and stop being controlled by past beliefs. Schaefer writes honestly about his attitude to women’s bodies, and there is a chapter on his attitude to breasts. He explains how he overcame this fixation, leading to better relationships with women. The influence patriarchy has had on men and women is explored, and how both would benefit from an end to this social system. Heightened awareness and conscious choice can help in escaping patriarchal patterns.

Schaefer is passionate in his defence of women and their positive attributes. However, I didn’t feel he was objective when writing about women. One of his descriptions says, “What incredible beauty they have. And that’s just on the surface. Within each woman lies untold riches, veins of gold.” This seems an idealised version of women rather than seeing them as complex individuals with flaws and strengths.

Patriarchy to Paradise (It’s about time) would appeal to readers interested in an easy-to-read history of patriarchy and the potential for change. This book is worth reading and contains some interesting information. I have taken one star off for the idealisation of women and awarded this book 4 out of 5 stars.

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From patriarchy to Paradise, it’s about time
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[Diana Lowery]

I appreciate how you explained the reason for the star deduction and supported it with a relevant quote. Great Review!

[Leslie coccia]

This book seems timely, for sure. I can appreciate that he doesn’t objectify women, but I share your reasoning for deducting one star. Great analysis!

[Louis Donald]

The study of patriarchy and its impact on society sounds interesting, especially with the personal reflections and historical analysis. The idealization of women seems like it could be a bit much, but the insights on conscious change make it something I might still check out.

[Pearl Flourish]

Jerry Schaefer’s “From Patriarchy to Paradise (It’s about time)” offers an engaging exploration of patriarchy’s history and its impact on society. The book combines personal reflections, historical analysis, and discussions on consciousness to envision a more balanced world. While Schaefer’s idealization of women may seem subjective, the work provides valuable insights into achieving societal harmony.

[George Bastem]

The blend of history and personal reflection in this exploration of patriarchy sounds both informative and thought-provoking. While the positive take on women is inspiring, I can see how it might come across as idealized rather than acknowledging their full complexity. Still, it seems like a great read for those looking to understand patriarchy and its potential for change.