The Alphabet Versus the Goddess

The Conflict Between Word and Image

De: Leonard Shlain

Narrado por: Norman Dietz

Who changed the sex of God?

This groundbreaking book proposes that the rise of alphabetic literacy reconfigured the human brain and brought about profound changes in history, religion, and gender relations. Making remarkable connections across brain function, myth, and anthropology, Dr. Shlain shows why pre-literate cultures were principally informed by holistic, right-brain modes that venerated the Goddess, images, and feminine values.

Writing drove cultures toward linear left-brain thinking and this shift upset the balance between men and women, initiating the decline of the feminine and ushering in patriarchal rule. Examining the cultures of the Israelites, Greeks, Christians, and Muslims, Shlain reinterprets ancient myths and parables in light of his theory. Provocative and inspiring, this book is a paradigm-shattering work that will transform your view of history and the mind.

©1998 Leonard Shlain (P)2017 Tantor

Should be required reading

Dense, well-researched, verbose, and life-changing. I felt anger and grief while reading this.

Fascinating

Possibly the most interesting non fiction book I've ever read! Buying copies to give out.

Fantastic

If only more people would listen :|
What a brilliant man.
And no more cursive. What’s next :(

Great Reads

Amazing book great amount of study into the history of the world ....gives amazing detail

Excellent! Well organized. Only a man who cares about women and women’s history could write such a work. Thanks Dr. Schlain

Do you have an estimated time of arrival at the truth? From the beginning female deities were worshipped. This tome describes what happened to them—and what happened to us.

Listened, then invested in a hard copy for my library

It clearly explained an amazing concept and provided a good review of history and world religions

Good read, tolerated narrator

Narrator- “metapher” not metaphor. Rapped instead of raped. Believe some faulty logic was applied to make his point. I would have preferred a neural voice had performed this instead of a voice that represents the feel of patriarchy.

Remarkable and insightful

A fascinating and persuasive argument, Very original thought. Long but worth it! Leaves the reader much to think about and explore further.

The narrating voice does not match the content

While the book was written from the male perspective, a female voice would be ideal. The narrators inflections do not hold my attention.

more relevant than ever

Although the irony of having a male narrator for this book and having it printed using (of course) the alphabet was not lost on me; I still found this information very relevant and extremely important for all women everywhere.