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Summary: From the author of the bestselling Art and Physics comes a new book with breathtaking implications. Making remarkable connections across a wide range of subjects, including neurology, anthropology, history, and religion, Leonard Shlain argues that the development of alphabetic literacy itself reinforced the human brain's left hemisphere--linear, abstract, predominantly masculine--at the expense of its right--holistic, concrete, visual, feminine.The Alphabet Versus the Goddess charts the connection between alphabetic literacy and monotheism; patriarchy and misogyny, and tracks the correlations between the rise and fall of literacy and the status of women in society, mythology, and religion.Shlain further examines the tremendous shift that has occurred with the return of the image. Is it a coincidence that the TV/movie/computer age has seen the resurgence of women's political power as well as renewed interest in the divine feminine? Shlain sees us moving toward an equilibrium between left and right hemisperes--between word and image.A thrilling read, filled with historical anecdote and breathtaking insights, this book will transform your view of history and the mind.