The Alphabet Versus the Goddess Audiobook By Leonard Shlain cover art

The Alphabet Versus the Goddess

The Conflict Between Word and Image

 Preview

$0.00 for first 30 days

Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Alphabet Versus the Goddess

By: Leonard Shlain
Narrated by: Norman Dietz
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $22.78

Buy for $22.78

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

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 Anthropology Civilization Gender Studies Social Sciences Words, Language & Grammar World Middle Ages Mythology Ancient History Thought-Provoking Human Brain Inspiring Middle East
Fascinating Historical Insights • Well-researched Content • Informative Content • Mind-transforming Ideas
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
Dense, well-researched, verbose, and life-changing. I felt anger and grief while reading this.

Should be required reading

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Possibly the most interesting non fiction book I've ever read! Buying copies to give out.

Fascinating

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
If only more people would listen :|
What a brilliant man.
And no more cursive. What’s next :(

Fantastic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Amazing book great amount of study into the history of the world ....gives amazing detail

Great Reads

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

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

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
It clearly explained an amazing concept and provided a good review of history and world religions

Listened, then invested in a hard copy for my library

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

Good read, tolerated narrator

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A fascinating and persuasive argument, Very original thought. Long but worth it! Leaves the reader much to think about and explore further.

Remarkable and insightful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
While the book was written from the male perspective, a female voice would be ideal. The narrators inflections do not hold my attention.

The narrating voice does not match the content

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
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.

more relevant than ever

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews