Karl A. Menninger (1893–1990)

For it's time, this was a well conceived theory about why man (humans) were self sabotaging. The writing is thoughtful and clear, if perhaps a bit short sighted, about the capacity for human resiliency. Written in 1938, I found it disconcertingly not too far behind current psychological works. I believe we still have a long road ahead of us in understanding the human psyche.

I haven't finished reading this yet, as it's very dense; but I enjoy frequently skimming it and reading through old psychological accounts and their contexts.

I don't put a whole lot of faith into psychoanalysis, of which profession Menninger was a member. But this book does provide some excellent insights into the motivations of suicidal people, and (most importantly) ways for both the patient and loved ones to cope and improve.

But where this book really shines, in my opinion, is in its show more collected accounts of psychological patients from the 30s and back. Some of them are so psychotic that they are bone-chilling; some are relatively light-hearted and silly in a melodramatic way.

Nonetheless, it's a window into history, albeit an obscure one - and maybe made all the better for its obscurity. show less

Classic psychology text written with great compassion and common sense.

Promoted psychology treatment for US armed forces; Recognizing the instinctual forces of love and hate and applying science for the encouragement of love instead of self-destruction will result in the achievement of human happiness.