Approaching Eden

You don't have to be religious for the story of Adam and Eve to have touched your life. From Voldemort's snake mascot in Harry Potter novels to the "forbidden fruit" apple that puts Snow White to sleep in fairy tales, we are inundated with references to the Garden of Eden in popular culture from an early age. On a deeper level, the story has been used as justification for conflicting viewpoints on issues ranging from nudity to marriage to slavery. Approaching Eden digs much deeper than merely cataloguing entertaining Adam and Eve references in popular culture by exploring how these references are used and how they shape society. Theresa Sanders provides essential historical background from Christian, Jewish, and Muslim perspectives to show the relevance and prominence of Adam and Eve's story in life today.