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Summary: Why not a scientific validation of a Feminist myth?
Review: _The Alphabet versus the Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image_ is a lengthy tome that tries to make a synthesis of the religious, social, political, economic and cultural conflicts that human history consists of. The cover has an interesting illustration of a serene woman's profile, crowned with a halo of stars, inundated by mechanistic looking letters and numbers. Dr. Leonard Shlain (a neurosurgeon) advances his theory that a major factor of change is that of alphabet literacy, which in and of itself reflects right and left sides of the brain in interpreting reality, and the conflict of masculine and feminine values. The left brain, which uses words, abstract, more developed verbal and systematic thinking, is "masculine," and it is complemented by the right brain, which represents the feminine values of tolerance, images, non-verbal communication, intuition and holistic thinking. The placement of gender to the sides of the brain is a bit questionable. It can be argued with just as much validity that the left brain, with its verbal strength is feminine (chitchatting on the phone) versus the left brain and its emphasis on visual-spatial ability being masculine (fixing the car). Although I am not a brain surgeon, I will try to comment on this work as clearly as possible. Shlain's book is based on the feminist myth that stone-age man's universal primordial religion was that of Mother Goddess worship. The early societies were those of peace, harmony, where women had the predominant role in social affairs. This hypothetical Goddess was not venerated by a codified worship system, or by texts of sacred scriptures; instead it employed images: statues, pictures, artwork, icons and the like. This was eventually replaced by the advent of masculine sky gods, who were frequently portrayed as warriors with weapons and whose exploits were written down in sacred texts. The use of the alphabet in written language used the left brain more than the right brain, and thus masculine values (work, objectivity, rules, hierarchy, abstract view of God rather than one of personal mystical intuitive experience) and males took precedence over females. That's how that notorious patriarchy of sorts that feminists actually believe exists somewhere to oppress women originated. Some of the more notable "left brained" movements in history were the Hebrew religion (Yahweh), the Greek city-state of Athens, early Christianity, Islam, the Protestant Reformation, objective science, Communism and the Taliban. Shlain notes that all of these happened just as the societies where these events took place were undergoing an increase of literacy, and the spread of written books. If there is a man that sums up the left-brained credo in full, it is of course John Calvin. Predestination, banning of images and decorations in Church, the emphasis on the study of the Bible as God's written word are left brained in the extreme. However, beginning in the 19th century, with the advent of the technology to create a mass media based on speech (radio), images (photography, magazines) and moving images (cinema, TV) we are becoming much more right brained, feminine in outlook. (As far as I can tell, there is little Calvinism left in evangelical Christianity.) This has gone to far, says Shlain, as the consequences of this are moral relativism, sexual promiscuity, lack of individuality and increasingly violent entertainment, all of which presuppose images rather than rationally thought textual planning. The West may need to return to some of those tried-and-true "left brained" values of structure to achieve some kind of balance. The Alphabet versus the Goddess goes into all sorts of metaphysical commentary on an endless variety of subjects. I don't personally agree with a lot of Shlain's values (they point out masculine, Christian Europe as the cause of all the evil in the world) and his view on religon (implicit dislike of Christianity as "intolerant"), but this book does make one think. It is very interesting to read and revealing in the language-brain-society process operates despite its obvious flaws. You would think literacy is a Sacred Cow that cannot really be portrayed as negative--but it is here in this decidedly postmodern volume.
Rating: 
Summary: Phoenix Says: Awesome Book
Review: And when I say awesome, I don't mean the "surfer~dude's" definition; I mean awesome as in "awe~inspiring." Dr. Schlain not only delivers the facts in a realitively easy yet intellectual manner, but he also brings his point home. This book is a must read for women and men alike. The Alphabet Versus the Goddess is also a great book for the Neo~Pagan! (However, I feel that all good little open~ minded Catholics/Christians should have a go at this one too!) Bottom line: A Must Read!
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Summary: Such a great book that no one knows about!
Review: This book revolves around the central thesis that literacy and the alphabet reconfigured the human brain, and subsequently brought serious changes into human culture: religion, history, etc. The oldest religions worshipped the Mother Goddess figure, yet, when reading and writing came into the picture (roughly 5000-4000 BCE) the supremacy of the female deity faded, and the male deities became more and more prominent. Shlain traces this fundamental change throughout history... a phenomenal book that has caused controversy thus far (I am sure more is to come!) This book covers so many things, and teaches you so much. Not a dull moment at all with this one!
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Summary: but... Women have Brains too, And they don't kill.
Review: At first, it seems he's hit on something: an interesting somatically based (i.e. body-based) hyposthesis that the growth in culture of language and symbol manipulation over-stimulated the (supposedly) hunter-killer, left side of the human mind; leading to male aggression and especially, the killing of millions of women (in the so-called witch hunts) over five centuries of European history. But if that were so, then women, as they gained literacy, would have founded large institutions, waged war and murdered millions of men. If that were so, then literate women of today would kill their spouses, rape innocent victims, abuse children, and torture animals, just like a lot of men do.
But they don't. So Shlain's argument is fallacious.
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Summary: ¿Think again¿ "
Review: LS is quite revolutionary in his ideas and thinking, and complements this with an excellent writing style that puts him perhaps, somewhere in the league of writers such as Will Durant, those rare species of people gifted with the ability to convert history into an engrossing tale. Where LS differs though, and significantly, is that he becomes an active observer of history, viewing it through the lenses of an idea, the idea itself being that the spread of alphabetic literacy amongst peoples has always resulted in a decline of the rights and status of women. Sounds bold? This is perhaps the lesser of controversial statements he makes, and the book races from ancient Sumerian civilizations to the present day, with numerous bold hypotheses and interpretations of facts available. Credit goes to the author for frequently pointing out his hypotheses by terms such as "I would like to propose that...", and the reader will come across yet another startling viewpoint backed by selected examples. In fact some of LS's viewpoints are so outrageously unconventional, that ones' own defense mechanism of 'credibility' kicks in, and refuses to question beliefs we hold so dear and true. But therein lies the power of this book, and it arises from the brilliant story-telling which makes the book extremely difficult to put down, once begun. A quick view of the References at the end of the book shows clearly that LS has found his facts in not just feminist literature, but even textbooks and classics such as "The structure of Myth", by Claude Levi-Strauss. The reader needn't agree with LS throughout the book, but the book's brilliance lies in showing the ability and scope needed to reinterpret history with powerful eloquence, and LS succeeds well at that. Not recommended for people with strong religious beliefs. Highly recommended for readers interested in history, feminism and for non-conventional thinkers, to name a few!!
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Summary: Some buring questions answered!
Review: In this time of religios wars and global chaos, i had burnng "why" questions. Here I found answers to quesions i had been asking myself for years-- and more so as war began. "Why did all the female cooperative socities fall to patr"iarchal ones?" How is is that so many atrocities have been committed in the name of religion-- even though every prophet has taught peace and love?"
This became lucid and clear as the book unfolded. Eveen more, I began to be able to "connect up the dots" across many cultures and time periods in a way i hadn't even dreamt of. if you are one of those people who want to understand , and see the dots connected up about the human race-- this book is a MUST READ! April 2003
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Summary: The alphabet verses the goddess
Review: I love to seek higher truths of the Universe. I felt this book gave me some great answers to ponder. It's a point of view I highly suggest everyone should read. I tell all of my friends about this book.
The author comes across as being sincere to his passion of life. He shares that with us through his thoughts and words, his favorite words. A dictionary is a handy companion.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating book
Review: Shlain offers a sometimes impossibly broad sweep of history, but his ideas about literacy and culture are intriguing, challenging, and ultimately, convincing. I read this years ago and continue to find new applications for the ideas. I highly recommend reading it with Barry Sanders' A is for Ox; Shlain's optimistic view of the emerging liberation from text toward increasingly visual communication stands in stark, and provocative, contrast to Sanders' chilling warning about illiteracy and chaos. Wonderful discussion material for people interested in language, learning, and technology.
Rating: 
Summary: The only book I've ever stopped reading
Review: The theory was fascinating but the scholarship is atrocious. How anyone could give this four stars (without being paid) is beyond me.
It did give me some intersting jumping-off points for my own theories but he cannot support any of his own. Most of what he purports is based upon the story of Moses AS THOUGH IT WERE HISTORICAL FACT! Come on! I have never written so many derrogatory remarks in the margin.
I did like the brief history of human evloution and some of the origins of Judaism but that's about it.
Don't buy this book for more than a few dollars.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Theory
Review: This is an incredibly well researched book. Shlain comes to a fastinating conclusion. Although the theory he presents seems rather simplistic and is presented in an overly zealous manner, it certainly provides food for thought! An interesting read and a topic guaranteed to initiate heated discussion!
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