Paul Pearsall (1942–2007)

When psychologist Paul Pearsall had a heart transplant, he was unprepared and entirely surprised when he developed unusual preferences and habits that were associated with his donor. The Heart's Code is Pearsall's memoir of his experience, as well as an introduction to his later research into organ transplants and cellular memory. (See target="_top">http://www.paulpearsall.com/info/press/3.html)… (more)

this was an interesting exploration of some of the 'facts' that are taken as sacred gospel in the self-help industry (e.g. the importance of loving yourself before you can love others, the necessity (and indeed, usefulness) of thinking positively, or what it takes to build a healthy relationship), along with a discussion of the level to which current understandings of behavioural psychology research supports or contradicts them. Dr Pearsall has his own horn to toot, and not all of his assertions seem to me to be backed up by research (or if they are, he doesn't always cite the research); but his arguments are interesting nonetheless, and have at least made me think about the level to which I've accepted the assertions of the self-help industry into my core belief system without truly examining them.

To be honest, it was the subcaption on the cover of "Repress your anger, think negatively, be a good blamer and throttle your inner child" that really drew me in; but it was the author's basing his arguments on a foundation of mindful enquiry that kept me reading. I'm not sure I can agree with the conclusion I draw from his arguments (that focussing on the good of the self is always wrong, and focussing on the good of the community and/or relationship is always right), but I can see cases where they might be. I think, overall, I'm going to give the book a rating of 7/10 - I like that it made me think, but I didn't like the times it seemed to slip over the edge and tell me what to think...… (more)