"That was more of a joke about what Jane got out of the book."
I getya! Yes... I think few people got <i>that</i> much out of it.
"I can't quite buy into the Universal Mother Goddess theory."
Yes, I've problems with it too. I wonder if this stance will be softened somewhat in the Megalithic European...
"I'd also have preferred less essay and more gazetteer"
I think others probably feel the same way. Personally, I love the essays and wish there were more. But then I've been impatient for Let Me Speak To The Driver (which will be all essays?) since the Modern Antiquarian first came out! It was a tease, to me, and left me itching for more etymosophy.
Interesting to hear your opinions, fella.