Why read The Alphabet Versus the Goddess?

Book cover of The Alphabet Versus the Goddess: The Conflict Between Word and Image

Book description

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…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Alphabet Versus the Goddess as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Nancy Reyner

Author

In this book, Shlain reveals his unusual take on the power of images throughout history. His discussion using contemporary ideas about our creative right-brain side brings interesting connections between the Goddess, images, and feminine values. Shlain's earlier book, Art & Physics was very popular expressing his breakthrough theory, ad revealing an astonishing parallel with these two seemingly different topics. I find that books like this, not dedicated to learning specific painting techniques, end up being more helpful towards how I think as an artist. A good writer, it is easy to read and very inspiring.

From Nancy's list on for painters to stay creative.