The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Values, and Spiritual Growth, 25th Anniversary Edition by M. Scott Peck M.D.
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Summary
Perhaps o book in this generation has had a more profound impact on our intellectual and spiritual lives than The Road Less Traveled. With sales of more than 7 million copies in the United States and Canada, and translation into more than 23 languages, it has made publishing history, with more than 10 years on The New York Times bestseller list.
This book ain't no cakewalk. It's gonna make you question all the stuff you thought you knew about yourself and dig deep into the messy complexities that shape your thoughts and actions. If you're into personal growth, this read is an absolute must.
The beginning portion, roughly around the first third or half of the audiobook, was acceptable. The author presented some interesting insights on love that could be considered helpful. However, his approach seemed to resemble that of a strict high school coach - authoritative, yet somewhat overly simplified.
However, as the audiobook progressed into the second half, the author shifted into full-on preaching mode, frequently invoking references to God. He seemed to abandon any attempts at scientific analysis and neglected to provide any evidence or sources to support his ideas.
It's possible that this book may have been satisfactory in the 20th century. However, in today's era where we hold non-fiction works to higher standards, such as those set by authors like Malcolm Gladwell, Yuval Noah Harari, Peck's unsubstantiated content simply doesn't meet the expectations of this particular listener.
As you delve into this book, it becomes apparent that many other books on similar topics have likely been influenced by this particular work. Peck's coverage is straightforward and sincere, providing more valuable information than most other books I've come across. It's a rare occurrence when I feel the need to read a book a second time just to make sure I didn't miss anything.
I opted for the audio version and found it to be beautifully crafted. Dr. Peck himself narrates the book, and you can tell it was recorded a while ago, giving it a charming vintage quality. Each section is separated by a lovely acoustic guitar piece, which may sound a bit corny, but I found it added an interesting touch to the listening experience.
Overall, I highly recommend purchasing this book. It's evident how it has positively impacted numerous lives.
This book could have been great if it had been narrated by someone else. The Author likely wrote an excellent book but ruined it by choosing to narrate it himself.
I found some valuable insights in this book, but I was genuinely shocked when the author made an analogy between controlling emotions and the "skills" employed by slave owners to manipulate human slaves. This particular section left me stunned, and I had to replay it to ensure that I had heard correctly. It was hard to believe that such a comparison was made in a book written back in the 1970s.
Throughout this book, there was a persistent repetition that became quite bothersome. It felt like a broken record, which greatly diminished my overall enjoyment. Aside from that, the book was just average. The initial half captured my attention more than the latter part, which fell a bit flat.
This book is filled with unsupported assertions from start to finish. The author claims that a lack of love is the cause of mental illness, without providing any evidence to support this claim. If this is representative of the field of psychiatry, it's no wonder why they are often referred to as "quacks". Psychiatrists should focus on medication, which is their area of expertise, and leave counseling and behavioral health to psychologists.
Peck's Psycho Therapy can feel like a never-ending journey with little to no improvement, which is why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has taken its place. The book has some unfortunate anti-catholic remarks and fails to address the impact of societal factors like poverty. Additionally, the author neglects to acknowledge the biological roots of common mental health issues such as Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, and depression. Simply blaming dysfunctional families falls short, as even healthy families can face the challenges of supporting a member with mental health problems. It's evident that Peck's book primarily caters to the middle class. I regret purchasing it and cannot honestly recommend it.
I initially had high hopes for this book, expecting it to be uplifting. However, it turned out to be quite the opposite. The author's tone throughout the book comes across as condescending, making the reader feel constantly belittled. Particularly when discussing child-rearing, the author's approach is unsettling, making parents feel like they are doing everything wrong. As someone with a background in early childhood education and development, I found his method of delivering information to parents deeply disturbing. But what truly crossed the line for me was when the author referred to "the art of slavery." Seriously? It's absolutely outrageous and offensive to even suggest that there is anything artistic about slavery. At that point, I couldn't continue with this terrible book. If it were possible, I would definitely rate it with negative stars.
M.Scott Peck is a great communicator. If you're looking to gain a better understanding of yourself and the people in your life, this book can be incredibly beneficial for you. It's fascinating to learn about Peck's rich clinical experience, and his approach of gently challenging readers to explore their spiritual connection with God is subtle but highly effective.
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