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39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A call to rise above., May 5, 2001
This review is from: Listen, Little Man! (Noonday) (Paperback)
Wilhem Reich was an influential psychoanalyst and thinker whose work has greatly influnced many practitioners and theoreticians of psychotherapy, psychology and psychoanalysis. He was a member of Freud's circle but like many before and after him broke free from his influence later on. His analysis on fascism can be considered as seminal and has influenced amongst others Theodore Adorno in his work for the Princeton institute. His insights into how the human body is inseparable from the human human psychic have also had a great influence on therapeutic practise. He postulated that the various phobias, neurosis and mood disorders have a direct effect on ones body both on the physiological level (internally in the organism) and on the overall posture and facial expressions, and saw Freud's attempts at bringing about change with the sole use of language ('the talking cure') as, to say the least, problematic and insufficient. He, on the other hand, believed that one can go the other way round and make changes at the overall posture which will in turn help resolve the inner psychic conflicts, thus bringing in a whole new perspective to therapy. The several years he spend in the U.S. where primarily conserned with 'orgone energy', a term that he coined for the everlasting, unchangeable energy that permeates the universe and is the source of healing, something like Freud's libido but in more broader cosmic terms, or Bergson's elan vitale. Falling victim of the U.S. goverments witch-hunt at that period, the vile fanaticism and hatred that they intilled in people against his research, and the smearing campains that went on against him personaly, he was finaly incarcerated, his institute broken apart, his research papers and other documents confiscated and burned. He finally died in prison in 1957, a horrible, undeserved end for such a human being. This book was written in hot blood in 1947, 10 years that is before his demise, and it is a pamphlet, a critique, a rant, a vibrant piece of history in the making. It was not meant to be published but later on was in fact published as Reich's defence for the atrocieties commited against him. Reich here focusses on the individual, the little man of the title, who is lead to believe this and that by the powers that be, and never who assumes his responsibilities for his own life and freedom. It is a powerfull text in every possible sense. Reich rallies against the "sentimental plague", the propaganda of his time, and makes a call to arms to anyone who is willing to listen, to stop being the little man, or a big little man of fame and fortune, and to become what he is meant to be, an aware, responsible, lively individual. It is an inspiring short piece more poetical than philosophical, more political than psychological. I would recommend it a primer to E. Fromm's escape from freedom and to any existential writing for that matter. Reich in the end is optimistic. Unlike Giacomo Leopardi whose thought abounds as an influence to this book (although i doubt that Reich ever read Leopardi), Reich believes that in the centuries to come men and women will finaly assume this responsibilities and rise above the "mass" the "common man" in a more free, egalitarian, honest future. Read it for yourself, be inspired, and what is more...act on it.
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not an easy read, but a valuable one, June 29, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Listen, Little Man! (Noonday) (Paperback)
The name of "Wilhelm Reich" is not widely known today. Of those who have heard of him, most know of him from second and third hand accounts that label him a quack. "Listen Little Man" stands apart from most of his works in that it is not, specifically, about his theories. Rather it is about his observations of the world and the people who make live in it. Much had been said about Reich's tendencies to be opinionated, excitable and at times tactless. A sense of this comes across in "Listen Lettle Man." The writing style is not (and is not intended to be) soft-handed. This does NOT, however, invalidate his message. The book speaks to the everyday person, the one who works for a paycheck, comes home and watches the news, helps the kids with their homework and goes to bed day after day as if on automatic, simply because it is what he/she "should" do. In this book, Reich suggests, demands and at times implores the everyday person to ask "why." Why do you give up your dreams for a life of miserable "security?" Why do you look to political ideologies to set you "free?" Why do you find relief in others' pain when you watch or listen to the "news?" If you have never asked yourself these questions, you need to read this book! Note that although Reich's voice in this book tends to be harsh he does not speak out of contempt or disgust. He emphasizes that being happy is the right of everyone, but you can never achieve happiness if your life is run on automatic. Note also that he makes frequent reference to "contemporary" issues like the first world war and the Russian revolution. Don't let that fool you into thinking that his messgae is dated. If anything, in this age of sound bites, fads and disposable pop-psychology, his message is more relevent than ever. Thank you for reading my review
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28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An impassioned plea from a remarkable scientist, December 27, 2000
This review is from: Listen, Little Man! (Noonday) (Paperback)
The story of Wilhelm Reich is one of the most frightening and shocking episodes in American history. An innovative scientist and psychoanalyst, Dr. Reich upset many with his unorthodox views on sex, physics, and other branches of knowledge. He was ultimately convicted in a United States court; his writings were burned by government authorities (!), and Reich died in prison in 1957. "Listen, Little Man!" is Reich's very personal defense of his own life and work; the book also represents his bold diagnosis of the disorder which he felt pervaded the human world. "Listen, Little Man!" is a powerful, but problematic piece of literature. Reich seems to have a Messiah complex, and the book often sounds like a rambling, preachy rant. Despite this often strident tone, however, "Listen, Little Man!" is rich in insights into the human condition. And Reich's compassion for humanity shines through. In the book, Reich reflects upon many topics: his own discovery of "orgone" energy, the persecution of Galileo, the rise of the Nazis in Germany, the racial discrimination directed against African-American singer Marian Anderson, and more. Ultimately, he expresses hope that he will be vindicated by history. Those interested in Reich's own testament should also read Robert Anton Wilson's brilliant play "Wilhelm Reich in Hell," a work which is very sympathetic to the embattled scientist. But first read "Listen, Little Man!"; we, as a human race, cannot afford to forget Reich's tragic story.
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