Customer Reviews

Britain on the Couch

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The Title of this book suggests a narrow scope, but much of what he writes could be applied to much of the developed world. This is particularly true of the chapters entitled "gender rancour" (a phrase many upper-class Britons would do well to avoid using), in which he draws largely on American work on the subject. His disdain for even the moderate branches of feminism is often disturbing, though his analysis of the role of consumerism in causing depression is compelling. His faith in Prozac and other SSRI's seems a little misplaced, though his call for a more reasoned debate on the merits of antidepressants is welcome. His optimism about the election of a Labour government in the UK in 1997 now seems a little naive as well. Though myself and others may not agree with all his judgements, it's impossible not to be impressed by his erudition.

Yes, this thought provoking, stimulating, and controversial book is in print on the UK and Canada web sites of amazon. And not to be missed, his new book is a best seller in the England: They ...You Up: How to Survive Family Life by Oliver James. I got a copy sent over and it is even more provocative: An outright challenge to theories of genetic and/or peer group influences on personality and psychopathology, it argues that those first 6 years in family life are the key to development. Both books argue that contemporary technological society, not genes, are responsible for low serotonin levels and the current epidemic of depression in European-American culture. Must read.

Contrary to the site info, this book is available in paperback from Arrow, Random House, London

this book is in print from arrow, random house, london