Rating: 
Summary: Hooey.
Review: Is this guy serious? What a crock. a. Coinciding events do not suggest a causal relationship. It's like saying the passing of the Haley-Bopp comet caused me to fail my math exam. b. If the new religions wanted to make themselves look as different as possible from existing religions, for political reasons, it would make sense that they would replace the matriarchy w/ a patriarchy in people's minds, people like simple black/white answers. c. Women may have been worshipped in those good old days, but they were hardly treated well -- sacrificing of virgins to the Euphrates every spring is not exactly something I'd like to go back to. Women -- learn math and science, get paid better! Now that's empowering.
Rating: 
Summary: An engrossing book of left and right brained functions.
Review: A very engrossing book about masculine and feminine ways of thinking. It begins to explain what shaped todays society and why we have the level of consciousness we have today. Shlain's ideas are factually supported at the beginning, but as the book progresses it becomes more opinionated and his ideas become arguable, depending on the reader's beliefs. The Alphabet Versus the Goddess is a very well written book. It raises thought provoking ideas.
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Summary: A synopsis of history in many different lights
Review: This book is a great overview of the history of the world from the origins of creation to the modern day. It contains specific studies on many things that have gone on over the course of the world's existence. It is a well written book, but there are many historical points that must be argued. The author has tried to interpret the cycles of life and their connection to both feminism and literacy. At times, the connection is a stretch that can be hard to determine; but, in other caes, the connection is quite symbol. The Alphabet Versus the Goddess is a good book that is enjoyable to read; it sparks a great deal of interest and discussion.
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Summary: Left me feeling hopeful for humanity
Review: I wemt to Dr. Shlain's lecture because I wanted him to sign my copy of Art & Physics(he did) His first book was inspiring. Whereas I had avoided any kind of "feminist" literature for so long since it invariably left me angry and disheartened, AvG is the first of its kind that made me hopeful and encouraged. Dr.Shlain's theory is origional and refreshing. As an explanation for the decline of feminine status, it is the most plausible I've ever considered. His research is thourough so I could read his work with confidence. More exciting than the feminism, Shlain's observations make clear that humanity is one organism. We are all linked to each other nor are we separarte from our past.
Rating:
Summary: Very readable, very intense, very absorbing presentation
Review: Anyone with an abiding curiosity concerning human beings -- their evolution, behavior and history -- will find this book absolutely riveting. Dr. Shlain does an amazing job of presenting an incredibly expansive topic in a logical, understandable format. The premise alone will keep me entertained for months, probably years, to come as I think of examples and how they do or don't fit into his theory. A terrific book... from a terrific mind.
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Summary: A Deft and Fascinating Cultural/Historical Survey
Review: This is the most fascinating book I've read in a long time. Even if I don't completely agree with Dr. Shlain's premise, I'm continually impressed by his ability to tell a story and choose the most telling historical details. I've recommended this book to several of my friends and bought it for afew others. It is without doubt, the best "dinnerparty book" I've encountered in a long time. Justbring up Dr. Shlain's hypothesis, cite a few examples and watch the fireworks fly. A v. G. is just as interesting as the author's previous work"Art and Physics" but more accessible.
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Summary: A must for anyone intersted in language
Review: This is one of the most thought-provoking books I have read in some time. Dr. Shlain's position is well researched and well argued and his command of historical fact is impressive. There are a few spots where he stretches a bit to reach his conclusion, but for the most part he takes a logical and convincing position. This is a must book for anyone intersted in language and its development and history. You will have to read it with pencil in hand--and maybe even a dictionary close. You just can't help making notes to refer to later. Shlain is a good writer and avoids the dry academic prose so common in books of this type.
Rating:
Summary: increases your IQ and creates glial cells!
Review: Book Review: The alphabet versus the goddess: The conflict between word and image. Viking: Leonard Shlain, 1998. In the '60s when I worked at the Fulton County Juvenile Court, the court psychologist (graduate of West Point) used to say that some books increase your IQ by as much as ten points by reading them. Books such as; Reich's Greening of America, Toffler's Future Shock, and McLuhan's Understanding Media. To that list comes another, Shlain's Alphabet versus the goddess. Shlain offers the hypothesis that the introduction of the alphabet allowed a greater development of the brain's left hemisphere. That development had cultural impact over centuries. The underlying theme is what happens when a mindset shift influences an unsuspecting public. The deeper issue is whether humankind can become aware of such shifts, and if so, if it can be managed with less negative impact. Within the context of the book, Shlain proves his hypothesis. However, he points out that there are other factors that contribute to the observations reported. Yet, he maintains his hypothesis that hemisphere dominance has influence, just as hemisphere balance had before it. Examining the book's content is likely to increase your glial cells. Pursuing competing hypotheses will increase them even more, because "curiosity is indispensable for the acquisition of wisdom (p. 114)."
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Summary: fine if you like fantasy or science fiction
Review: The maximum of 1000 words will keep me from being able to explain just why Dr. Schlain should stick to neurosurgery. Suffice it to say this: the matriarchy he presents never existed. Ever. Trust me on this, I am a historian of women. Therefore his underlying premise is flawed and the book goes on from there. Oh, let me add one more point: it's not literacy or patriarchy that values time and money. It's industrial capitalism which instituted those values. Never mind about how widespread literacy is a relatively recent thing. I am a bit upset to learn so many women are reading this book because it takes advantage of them by appealing to a sense of inferiority they may feel. While it may affirm those feelings, it encourages only a passive "those were the days" response. The solution the status of women in Western civilisation is not that we read less and draw pictures more. If you have read this book and are upset, I would urge you to try to find some concrete way to improve the lot of women instead of pining in your book clubs for the way it used to be.
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Summary: If you like reading, and you like learning, you'll love it!
Review: I must highly recommend Mr. Shlain's work. It is just what you must have in hand when reading from the old heavyweights such as Robert Graves as he sorts out the KJV. Mythographically we might in a like fashion take the "AVG" for another kind-of- concordance, for those stories where we might find the inclusion of an Amazon; as in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Slavic or Celtic wondertales. It has always been so, that, when a "twin" hero is intro- duced into the workings, you will find the Amazon not far behind. Moses is one of those heroes!
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