About the author: quoting from the book's back cover, "Elisabeth SchüFiorenza, Krister Stendahl Professor of Scripture and Interpretation at Harvard Divinity School, is internationally known for her pioneering feminist theological work and Biblical scholarship. . ." Elaine H. Pagels, writing for the "New York Times Book Review," said of this work, "Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza stands among the most articulate and respected theologians who have challenged the silence and marginality that have characterized the great6 majority of Christian women for nearly 2,000 years. . . . 'Bread Not Stone' engages issues, explicity and implicit, that are sure to spark dicussion, argument, and reflection among thoughtful Christians." This is a tenth anniversary edition with a new afterword by the author. The book has extensive extensive chapter notes and is well indexed.

In the way of many academics, the author mistakes big words for big ideas. The premise of the book had the potential to be developed into an excellent, thoughtful work, but, unfortunately, the end result was self-indulgent and had no recognizable signs of having been researched at all. I give one star for lack of grammatical error, another for the chosen subject matter.
This book is not likely to leave a mark on any of its readers. I pity those who take whatever class she teaches and are forced to read this (pure speculation on my part, but her writing style makes her seem like the type). ( )