Man's Supreme Inheritance: Conscious Guidance and Control in Relation to Human Evolution in Civilization

by Frederick Matthias Alexander

Whoever hesitates to utter that which he thinks the highest truth, lest it should be too much m advance of the time, may reassure himself by looking at his act DEGREES from an impersonal point of view. . . . It is not for nothing that he has in him these sympathies with some principles and repugnance to others. He, with all his capacities, and aspirations, and beliefs, is not an accident, but a product of the time. He must remember that while he is a descendant of the past he is a parent of the future; and that his thoughts are as children born to him, which he may not carelessly let die. Herbert S

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

280 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

Frederick Matthias Alexander (20 January 1869 – 10 October 1955) was an Australian actor who developed the educational process that is today called the Alexander Technique: a form of education that is applied to recognize and overcome reactive, habitual limitations in movement and thinking.

Reviews

[Ian]

I don't think this is Alexander's best work. His incredibly long run-on sentences make his writing confusing. Many of my teachers were confused when they first read this but have since changed their views. Maybe in 10 years I'll understand what he's talking about. For now I'm glad I'm finished with it and will stick with The Use of the Self.

[Dean Paradiso]

Written by the founder of the Alexander Technique, this book reads like it was written in the early 1900s. It is quite hard to penetrate, though lays down some of the foundation principles in regards to posture, body use, 'conscious guidance' of movement, habit, and the Alexander Technique in general. Probably best suited to those with some experience in the method, or hardcore AT fans, rather than beginners. Sets the scene for how the technique started and where it currently sits today.

[Chris Hogan]

Very strange to read. I wonder how people will view things written today 100 years later.