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Mad Men has captured the imaginations of millions of viewers, winning fifteen golden globes and four Emmys. Perhaps more than the gorgeously stylized visuals and impeccably re-created history, it’s the show’s richly drawn characters stumbling through their personal and professional lives that get under our skin and keep us invested.
In Mad Menon the Couch, Dr. Stephanie Newman analyzes the show’s primary characters through the lens of modern psychology. Lending her trained professional eye, she poses and expertly answers pressing questions such as:
Why does Don constantly sabotage himself?
Why is Betty such a cold mother and desperately unhappy housewife? (Hint: It’s not just because her "people are Nordic.")
Why does Pete prevail in adversity when Roger crumbles?
Why is Peggy able to rise profesionally in the male jungle of Madison Avenue when Joan can't?
Can these characters ever really change?
With critical commentary that is both entertaining and insightful, Mad Men on the Couch will provide viewers with a unique persepctive on the show.
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“Fans of the show will absolutely want to read these spot-on diagnoses of the major characters, but even casual or non-viewers of the show will greatly enjoy the ways in which Dr. Stephanie Newman has illuminated the trends and values of our current culture by looking at the way life once was a few decades ago. In sum, a smart, thoughtful and most of all, fun book."
--Barry A. Farber, Ph.D., professor at Columbia University and author of Rock 'n roll Wisdom
“Dr. Newman takes this fascinating, compelling and award-winning TV show and skillfully analyzes both the psychological and broadly social messages implicit in it.”
--Irwin Hirsch PhD, professor and author of Coasting in the Countertransference
“This fascinating book presents us with a double gift. Not only does it offer a sophisticated and entertaining analysis of the characters in Mad Men, it also provides invaluable insights into the variety of personality types that we encounter off screen in our daily lives. A treasure for Mad Men fans and a delight to read, this book also serves as a splendid introduction to modern psychoanalysis.”
--Ted Jacobs MD
About the Author
DR. STEPHANIE NEWMAN is a clinical psychologist/psychoanalyst with over fifteen years’ experience providing insight-oriented talk therapy for those with anxiety, depression, and relationship, health, and workplace difficulties. She is a co-editor of Money Talks and a regular contributor to the online edition of Psychology Today. Dr. Newman is a faculty member at the Institute for Psychoanalytic Education, affiliated with the School of Medicine, NYU, and teaches candidates in the Institute’s analytic training program.
Product Details
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (February 28, 2012)
An addictively delicious, fun, and fast read. The author makes abstract concepts like repetition compulsion, sadism, masochism, self-sabotage and projection come alive, and, in such an accessible way that as a psychoanalyst, teacher, and supervisor, I applaud her simplicity and clarity. Her understanding and appreciation of narcissism sneaks up on you. Not only does she beautifully describe the internal vulnerabilities of the narcissist, she also looks at the way that those vulnerabilities are shaping our culture. Her sociological commentary is deft and with a focus on parenting and the social and psychological changes that have transformed that endeavor over the last 50 years, Dr. Newman gives us all (mental health professional and lay person alike) much to seriously consider. Mad Men on the Couch, is as compelling as it is shrewd.
When I first started this book I was really worried because it was pretty serious psychological information and I really am not one who goes in for that very much. I am just a huge fan of Mad Men and after every episode I try to figure out why they did what they did. Luckily the psychology only lasted for a couple of chapters and from then on out it was strictly about Mad Men and all the characters. The book is not categorized by the characters, but by different topics, such as drinking, parenting, etc. So, in each chapter you will read a little bit about everyone. The author does a great job of using episodes as examples of each topic, and she lists the season the show was on and the episode number in case you want to watch it again. And, the psychology did seem to be very serious, so it's one of those books where you can learn something while having fun.
I had a great time reading this book and I'm glad I kept going with it to get to the entertaining parts.
It's no doubt that Mathew Weiner knew what he was doing when he wrote Mad Men but my level of respect for the work has skyrocketed after reading Newman's psychoanalysis of the characters. Pure genius by Weiner and Newman! Amazingly interesting and gratifying read.
I wasn't a Mad Men fan until I read this book, given to me by a friend who loves the show. Once I began reading it, I decided to watch the show, so persuasive is the author's case that MM is not just great fun, but also greatly instructive and an important popular cultural text. The author, Stephanie Newman, is a psychoanalyst who brings the characters to life and at the same time makes concepts from psychology relevant and insightful. The book entertains in part because it is such a useful touchstone for real life--for example, through the lens of Don Draper, Newman explains the concept of narcissism, how narcissists are made, why they act the way they do, and the best way to deal with them. The writing is smart yet accessible and the book is a remarkably easy and fun read. It is a great gift for your friends who love MM, but also for anyone who is interested in psychology, pop culture and cultural studies.
This is a definite must-read! Offers a psychoanalyst's expertise in understanding what makes these irresistible characters tick. Also provides insight into how an analyst thinks about character, dynamics, and more. This book strikes a great balance between being a fun, easy, quick read (you won't want to put it down) and offering real substance. I loved it!
