Merlin Stone Remembered: Her Life and Works - Softcover

Axelrod, David B.; Orenstein, Gloria; Thomas, Carol F.; Schneir, Lenny; Stone, Merlin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0738740918 ISBN 13: 9780738740911

Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, 2014

Synopsis

Discover the extraordinary life and profound contributions of Merlin Stone, the renowned feminist, author, artist, historian, and speaker. With unparalleled access to Merlin’s unpublished writings, photos, and personal stories, Merlin Stone Remembered is a significant contribution to women’s studies, spirituality, and the ongoing struggle for gender equality. 

Known for her groundbreaking book When God Was a Woman, Merlin Stone was a pioneer of the Women’s Movement and the reclaiming of the Great Goddess tradition of the Western world. In this phenomenal book, new light is shed upon Merlin’s philosophy and methodology as you take a memorable journey through her life.

Includes over sixty photos and a twelve-page color insert.

Praise:

2015 COVR Award winner for Autobiographical and Biographical Books

2014 Florida Book Award Winner for General Non-Fiction

“It is so great to remember Merlin . . . to have so much detail about her life and her work.”―Olympia Dukakis, Oscar-winning actress and author

“A fascinating, intimate look at the life of Merlin Stone.”―Starhawk, author of The Spiral Dance

“A touching tribute to a remarkable woman.”―Barbara G. Walker, author of The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets

“Amazing, heartfelt, funny, romantic, and an enduring testament to a woman who changed the world.”―Susun S. Weed, author of the Wise Woman Herbal series 

"A beautiful work of love . . . celebrating the life of Merlin Stone, [including] Lenny's loving memoir of his years with this extraordinary woman―a delight to read!"―Miriam Robbins Dexter, Ph.D., author of Whence the Goddesses: A Source Book

"This book is paradigm-shifting. It should be read by all those who yearn for miracles, as well as by those who still need proof to believe that they are possible. It gives us hope for the regeneration of compassionate and nurturing relations between all forms of interconnected life on our planet, now and in the future."―Gloria Orenstein, Prof. Emerita, Comparative Literature and Gender Studies, University of Southern California, Los Angeles

"A lovely and loving tribute to the late Merlin Stone, a foremother of Goddess feminism . . . What a gift to those of us familiar with Stone’s work, as well as those who want to know more about her life, both personal and professional."―Judith Laura, author of Goddess Spirituality for the 21st Century: From Kabbalah to Quantum Physics

"Merlin Stone is a great inspiration for those of us who want to know not just about history, but also about herstory. Her [work] continues to influence the Goddess movement today. Her life partner Lenny was an inspiration for her and this book about Merlin's life will inspire many."―Linda Perry Barr, Journalist, WBAI News, Pacifica Radio, New York

"A beautifully crafted tribute to a remarkable person. Merlin Stone, a pioneering scholar of the Women's Spirituality movement, figured it all out early on and made the case. Even more, she was gracious and kind."―Charlene Spretnak, author of Lost Goddesses of Early Greece

About this title

About the Author

David B. Axelrod (Daytona Beach, FL) is an award-winning poet, author, professor, and editor. He is the founder of the Writers Unlimited Agency, a non-profit writers cooperative, and also founded the Creative Happiness Institute, Inc., a non-profit, educational organization that presents programs in creative writing and alternative health.

Contributor to Merlin Stone Remembered.

Carol F. Thomas (Ormond-by-the-Sea, FL) has published a book on the Women’s Movement and three books of poetry. She also holds two masters degrees, a Ph.D., and a doctorate. Now retired, she used to be a professor at multiple colleges and universities, where she taught Women’s Studies, Psychology, Literature, and Creative Writing.

Lenny Schneir (Daytona Beach, FL) is Merlin Stone’s life partner and the founder of the Merlin Stone Foundation, which promotes Merlin’s work. He is also a professional poker player and the author of Gambling Collectibles: A Sure Winner (Schiffer Publishing, 1993).

Merlin Stone (Daytona Beach, FL) was a renowned artist, author, researcher, traveler, and feminist. She was the author of When God was a Woman and Ancient Mirrors of Womanhood. Merlin was major force in the Woman’s Movement, and traveled widely to research her feminist writings. She was also a celebrated sculptor and artist under the name Marilyn Stone.

Review

When Lenny Schneir was asked to speak at the ceremony celebrating Merlin's passing, he asked my help. "In my whole life, I never spoke to more than five people in a room before," he lamented. The notes we organized into a speech resonated with love and respect for his life partner of 34 years. That speech became the source of the memoir--his life with Merlin--which forms the core of MERLIN STONE REMEMBERED. Asked what he thought a book commemorating Merlin would look like, he brought me a coffee-table book on Frank Sinatra. I lobbied for an academic study. Then, there were other complications. Merlin, particularly in her later life, eschewed publicity. Always desiring to help other women, she often redirected scholars to other women in the movement. Little scholarly work was produced documenting her methods and research--not even an accurate timeline for Merlin's life and work. Further, Merlin's family was not enthusiastic about a biography, objecting to many of the more intimate details of her life being revealed, though Lenny allowed me unprecedented access to Merlin's personal papers. Were I to do a deeper treatment of her life, some details would certainly expand on how she researched, synthesized and wrote her most famous book, WHEN GOD WAS A WOMAN. The memoir. Truly, there has been little written about the woman herself. The core of MERLIN STONE REMEMBERED is a love story from Lenny celebrating Merlin. Yes, there are elements one might label hagiography, but can a personal and reverential telling of a life be diminished if the teller not just loved but worshiped his life partner? Similarly, some reviewers have wished for more scholarship, but that may miss a critical point. If prior work does not exist, then "scholarship" consists not of annotated references to earlier studies, but commentary based on primary materials. All this is to say, if you do not know Merlin Stone, this book will not just introduce you but motivate you to find and read her major work. Merlin's favorite chapter from WHEN GOD WAS A WOMAN, "The Myth of Adam and Eve," will establish her most influential vision--the suppression of the Goddess by the patriarchy. Learn how her work as a successful painter and sculptor lead to her Goddess studies. Read previously unpublished writings. Gauge the reaction of others to her work toward women's rights. And yes, enjoy the color insert of pictures of Merlin--lovingly included to honor both her and her worshipful partner, Lenny. Dr. David B. Axelrod (honored to be a feminist and Merlin Stone fan) --Merlin Stone Foundation

Edition details

• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0738740918
• ISBN 13: 9780738740911
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 360