Five-star Review of Erich Fromm in Midwest Book Review


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“Four posthumously published titles by psychologist and social theorist Erich Fromm (1900-1980) offer Fromm’s psychology grounded in humanism. “Beyond Freud” (9781590561850, $25.00) is now published for the first time; it’s subdivided into “Man’s Impulse Structure and Its Relation to Culture” plus three lectures: “Psychic Needs and Society,” “Dealing with the Unconsciousness,” and “The Relevance of Psychoanalysis for the Future.” The scientific underpinnings of “Beyond Freud” thoughtfully explore the social unconsciousness of the individual, as well as the unconscious driving forces of social entities. “The Pathology of Normalcy” (978590561843, $25.00) is also published for the first time; it examines the very definitions of mental health and mental sickness in modern-day society. Sections consist of lectures about frame of reference when evaluating mental health, the intersection of alienation and mental health issues, and even the interplay between psychological and economic theory, as he deconstructs the weaknesses of Marxist Socialism and explains why it has been largely rejected in modern America. Of particular interest is the self-evident section “Is Man Lazy by Nature?,” which strives to understand how humankind can best overcome its own tendencies toward inertia. “The Heart of Man” (9781590561867, $20.00) questions human nature itself, from the forms of violence that plague it to individual and social narcissism to how the positive value of “love of life” can potentially outweigh the destructive “syndrome of decay” caused by the love of death and other harmful tendencies of thought. “The Revolution of Hope” (9781590561836, $20.00) lives up to its title with an uplifting exploration of the definition of hope, what it truly means to be human, and steps that should be taken to promote humanization in an increasingly disconnected and technology-driven society. All four volume are timely, directly relevant to modern psychological and social issues, and bring absolutely invaluable humanist messages to temper psychology’s scientific and healing discipline. Highly recommended, especially for college library collections.” (Midwest Book Review)


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