New Page Books, 1564146227, 2003
For many years I struggled to find a single book I could recommend to those people who wanted to know about Paganism – not how to join, or how to do the rituals, but what we believe, how we relate to the world-at-large. While Mr. McColman and I don’t always agree, this current work is an invaluable tool to be used in facilitating such discussions.
Mr. McColman makes it very clear that he has no desire to convert anyone, nor is he interested in getting people to question their own religious choices. He is interested in helping people to arrive at a point of tolerance.
This is not a book of deep philosophy. It is an easy-going informative book which should be an easy read for almost anyone who has any sort of openness in their thought processes.
Mr. McColman touches upon what we do, but only in the most broad, general ways, and that is all that is really necessary in a work of this scope. He also discusses what we believe (and don’t believe) as well as how to talk to Pagans, if you are concerned about their choice of spirituality.
In the Pagan community, many people are complaining about the abundance of Wicca-101 books on the market. This is not one of those works. This is a pre-Wicca-101 book. This is what has been needed for many years.
This is not a book for Pagans, but it is for the Pagan community. It is a book for any Pagan who has non-Pagan family, friends, employer, or fellow employees. This is, in my opinion, the best book to break the ice when someone decides to come “out of the broom closet.” It has my heartiest recommendation.
If you can afford to buy two copies of this book, do so. Then donate a copy to your local library (either school or public), police department, prison, etc. It will be a valuable resource for anyone looking to begin their understanding. In fact, I am recommending that the Department of Correction in my state purchase copies for their staff.
