wwatts1734's review against another edition
4.0
"The Road Less Traveled" is an American classic of psychological self-help. A friend of mine gave me this book several years ago, and the book surprised me in several ways. For one thing, it was not a feel good book that seeks to tell readers that they are not to blame for their own problems. This book actually teaches the reader that there are aspects of his personality that will add or take away from his own happiness and success in life. Things like virtue actually mean something in this book. That's a refreshing departure from the "I'm OK, you're OK" school of psychology from the 1970s.
Another refreshing aspect of this book is that it actually recognizes that there is such a thing as good and evil. When Peck talks about love, he is not talking about the abstract concept of flowers and sunshine. He really believes that love is an attitude built on work and commitment to the relationship.
These two aspects of this book make it a departure from the feel-good psychology books that people love to read. Now, this book is not all perfect. Peck does preach a bit of the narcissistic ethic that if you don't feel good about a relationship you should leave. Commitment to one's life partner and children are still not as important as one's subjective feelings of happiness, and that's a shame. But, Peck does not take a condescending attitude toward faith, love and virtue. I actually took away quite a bit from this book. I think that most readers will learn a lot from it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a good book of psychological self-help.
Another refreshing aspect of this book is that it actually recognizes that there is such a thing as good and evil. When Peck talks about love, he is not talking about the abstract concept of flowers and sunshine. He really believes that love is an attitude built on work and commitment to the relationship.
These two aspects of this book make it a departure from the feel-good psychology books that people love to read. Now, this book is not all perfect. Peck does preach a bit of the narcissistic ethic that if you don't feel good about a relationship you should leave. Commitment to one's life partner and children are still not as important as one's subjective feelings of happiness, and that's a shame. But, Peck does not take a condescending attitude toward faith, love and virtue. I actually took away quite a bit from this book. I think that most readers will learn a lot from it.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a good book of psychological self-help.
willowbiblio's review against another edition
2.0
"It may seem strange, but most people choose this alternative and elect to continue with their life journeys- to stop short by some distance- in order to avoid the pain of giving up parts of themselves. If it does seem strange, it is because you do not understand the depth of pain that may be involved."
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I found the first third of this book to be quite helpful. The thing that stuck with me the most was the idea that self-caring is self-discipline. The suggestion to do the things I don't enjoy first and practice the ideal of delayed gratification is something I have started practicing more to reduce my procrastination. While in some ways a bit dated, I still found that part relevant to me and my experience.
Unfortunately, the remaining two thirds of the book were at best boring and at worst extremely annoying. They were focused on love and religion, but from the perspective of a white man in the 1980's. When it wasn't being offensive it was just a really narrow and oversimplified view of complex problems. Learned a bit but skimmed a lot more.
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I found the first third of this book to be quite helpful. The thing that stuck with me the most was the idea that self-caring is self-discipline. The suggestion to do the things I don't enjoy first and practice the ideal of delayed gratification is something I have started practicing more to reduce my procrastination. While in some ways a bit dated, I still found that part relevant to me and my experience.
Unfortunately, the remaining two thirds of the book were at best boring and at worst extremely annoying. They were focused on love and religion, but from the perspective of a white man in the 1980's. When it wasn't being offensive it was just a really narrow and oversimplified view of complex problems. Learned a bit but skimmed a lot more.
latifab's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most insightful books. The section on Religion and Growth is my favorite.
This book is a good simulator of mind and spirit, it allows oneself to question things, revisits beliefs and their basis in aims to expedite ones' mental and spiritual growth.
Definitely worth reading more than once.
This book is a good simulator of mind and spirit, it allows oneself to question things, revisits beliefs and their basis in aims to expedite ones' mental and spiritual growth.
Definitely worth reading more than once.