Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: imagining Mary -- Why a virgin? -- A legend foretold by the Hebrew Prophets -- Was Mary the first disciple? (the Gospels) -- Mary and the Apostle Paul (why is he silent?) -- Mary in the non-canonical Gospels -- Mystical glosses that further added to the myth -- Appearing now in a field near you (apparitions and visions) -- Praying by hand (the rosary) -- "Hail Mary, full of grace" (and other evolved spiritual practices) -- Thousands of our ladies (feasts and titles) -- The gate of heaven (difficult dogma) -- Theotokos (divine motherhood) -- Immaculate Conception (removing the taint of sex) -- The Assumption of Our Lady (resolving spirit and matter) -- Co-redeemer with Christ (the chicken before the egg) -- Mary's milk of grace -- Unfortunate teachings of Bernard of Clairvaux and others -- Martin Luther's love for the Virgin -- The feminine face of God -- Strange heaven.