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A review by miklosha
The Inkblots: Hermann Rorschach, His Iconic Test, and the Power of Seeing by Damion Searls
4.0
This book can really be divided into two sections. The first a history of Hermann Rorschach and his early life as a psychiatrist in Europe. His contemporaries being the apprentices of Jung and Freud. This half is fascinating for its biographical significance and illuminates a rarely studied man who contributed so much to the study if Psychology.
The second half is a history of the Rorschach test in all its glory; scoring, administration, and efficacy. The author attempts to be impartial about its usage but clearly comes down on the side of "it's gotta be helpful on some level, right?" in response to critics cited in the book. The author does do a great job of outlining both the strengths and weaknesses of the projective test, and attempts to strike a middle ground with discussions of the newer iterations.
Overall, the book is well thought out and interesting. A lay reader may lose interest, so someone who has an understanding of the Rorschach (taker or tester) would certainly benefit from reading it.
The second half is a history of the Rorschach test in all its glory; scoring, administration, and efficacy. The author attempts to be impartial about its usage but clearly comes down on the side of "it's gotta be helpful on some level, right?" in response to critics cited in the book. The author does do a great job of outlining both the strengths and weaknesses of the projective test, and attempts to strike a middle ground with discussions of the newer iterations.
Overall, the book is well thought out and interesting. A lay reader may lose interest, so someone who has an understanding of the Rorschach (taker or tester) would certainly benefit from reading it.