Evelyn Reed takes us on an expedition through prehistory from cannibalism to culture-and uncovers the world of the ancient matriarchy. Tracing the origins of the "incest taboo," blood rites, marriage, and the family, she reveals women's leading and still largely unknown contributions to the development of civilization. By pinpointing the relatively recent factors that led to pervasive discrimination against women as a sex, she offers fresh insights on the struggle against women's oppression and for the liberation of humanity. Reed refutes the myth that "human nature" is to blame for the wars, greed, and inequalities of class-divided societies. "Helped me understand anthropology from a woman's point of view."-Ms. Magazine "A truly monumental piece of scholarship … a total rethinking of evolutionary (social) anthropology."-Canadian Newsletter of Research on Women "How important it is to women today that the myth of eternal and preordained patriarchy be exploded. And at last we have a good solid real woman anthropologist to do it."-Kate Millet, author, Sexual Politics "Deftly takes on some of the most quoted experts in cultural anthropology and sociology and shatters their premises about women.… There is a real need for this book; its use would be most advantageous in elective courses related to the nature and rise of civilizations.… The volume is not only recommended, it cannot be ignored."-Curriculum Advisory Services "This is a fascinating and scholarly book; useful in sociology and anthropology courses and to any woman needing encouragement about the contributions of her sex to history."-American Association for the Advancement of Science "[An] absorbing anthropological dig.…"-Minneapolis Tribune Glossary, bibliography, index.