A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth
Author: M. Scott Peck, M.D.
Genre: nonfiction
Publication info: Touchstone, 2003 (first published in 1978)
Pages: 315
First one of my professors said this was the most important book he read besides the scriptures. Then a psychologist friend told me that every family should have this volume in their library. Now it's my turn to recommend this book to everyone I know and, by virtue of this blog, to people I don't know.
The Road Less Traveled is psychiatrist's views on life, garnered from years of giving therapy to a wide variety of patients. Dr. Peck treats the subjects of discipline, love, religion, and grace, all with the aim of helping us to achieve greater mental health. Few people, Peck believes, really have good mental health.
A lot of what he says are things you've probably heard before, or at least they should make sense. A disciplined person delays gratification to gain deeper happiness. Real love involves recognizing your beloved as a separate person. Stuff like that. But it's one thing to understand a principle and another to live by it. Our biggest problem, collectively and individually, is laziness, Says Peck. The resistance to change.
Of course, I'm not suggesting that you buy everything Peck says wholesale. I don't agree with all the points he makes. His views on religion may especially rub people the wrong way. But I recommend this book to all because it has important points that would be beneficial to anyone. The sections on discipline and love would probably be the most helpful, but I recommend reading the whole book. If you don't agree with it, fine, but at least you'll have thought about it.
Yes, I wouldn't put this book above actual scripture. But as a book that tries to make its reader a better person, it does a pretty dang good job. I think I've become at least a slightly better person from having read it. Now it's your turn. See if it can make a better person out of you.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Significance of Insignificant Things
Author: G. David Hunt
Genre: memoir
Publication info: self-published
Pages: 93
I'm going to be a little mean here.
In the Pixar film Ratatouille, renowned chef Auguste Gusteau gives the maxim, "Anyone can cook." To this, Remy, the protagonist, replies, "Yeah, but that doesn't mean anyone should." The same applies to publishing. Anyone can publish, but not necessarily anyone should publish. The Significance of Insignificant Things is proof of that statement.
I know it's pretentious of me, a no-name blogger, to say something like this. You really have to read this book (even just one page of it) to see what I mean. Or maybe you've read a book like it—fraught with poor organization, riddled with mechanical and usage errors, and breaking virtually every principle of good design imaginable. You may say, perhaps, that I am being too picky here. It is a self-published book, after all. But the fact is that it is published, meaning that it is intended for the public to read. Publication just naturally carries with it some responsibilities.
To be truthful, I didn't expect much out of this book when I started reading it. I chose to read it because I thought there would be interesting life stories in it, and there were. The man had a pretty interesting life. He doesn't tell the stories very well, but I tried not to let that bother me. As poorly written as this book is, I look up to the man for recording his life so that others could learn from it. His family, I'm sure, is especially grateful for this book. I hope I can do the same one day for my descendants.
My only other problem with this book was the issue of significance. The author draws frequently on the theme of the title (and also the subtitle, No Event in Our Lives Is Insignificant to God) by telling about seemingly insignificant occurrences in his life. I get that much, but he usually fails to convince me of how they're actually significant. The "insignificant things" I understand, but their significance I don't always see. I suppose this problem arises from the fact that I don't know the man personally.
I don't exactly recommend this book to you, unless you're related to the author. However, he sets a good example by writing his life history. We all should follow that example. We all have significant things that happen in our life, and our families would benefit from our recording them.
But please, if you plan to publish your memoirs, make sure you get a good editor!
Genre: memoir
Publication info: self-published
Pages: 93
I'm going to be a little mean here.
In the Pixar film Ratatouille, renowned chef Auguste Gusteau gives the maxim, "Anyone can cook." To this, Remy, the protagonist, replies, "Yeah, but that doesn't mean anyone should." The same applies to publishing. Anyone can publish, but not necessarily anyone should publish. The Significance of Insignificant Things is proof of that statement.
I know it's pretentious of me, a no-name blogger, to say something like this. You really have to read this book (even just one page of it) to see what I mean. Or maybe you've read a book like it—fraught with poor organization, riddled with mechanical and usage errors, and breaking virtually every principle of good design imaginable. You may say, perhaps, that I am being too picky here. It is a self-published book, after all. But the fact is that it is published, meaning that it is intended for the public to read. Publication just naturally carries with it some responsibilities.
To be truthful, I didn't expect much out of this book when I started reading it. I chose to read it because I thought there would be interesting life stories in it, and there were. The man had a pretty interesting life. He doesn't tell the stories very well, but I tried not to let that bother me. As poorly written as this book is, I look up to the man for recording his life so that others could learn from it. His family, I'm sure, is especially grateful for this book. I hope I can do the same one day for my descendants.
My only other problem with this book was the issue of significance. The author draws frequently on the theme of the title (and also the subtitle, No Event in Our Lives Is Insignificant to God) by telling about seemingly insignificant occurrences in his life. I get that much, but he usually fails to convince me of how they're actually significant. The "insignificant things" I understand, but their significance I don't always see. I suppose this problem arises from the fact that I don't know the man personally.
I don't exactly recommend this book to you, unless you're related to the author. However, he sets a good example by writing his life history. We all should follow that example. We all have significant things that happen in our life, and our families would benefit from our recording them.
But please, if you plan to publish your memoirs, make sure you get a good editor!
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