The Pain of Being Human [Paperback]

Eugene C. Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 1997

Kennedy helps us to better understand our human condition, and to live with humor, compassion,and purpose.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The elegant style and pragmatic tone of Eugene Kennedy's writing are typified in the following passage: "We may thank God that we can feel pain and know sadness, for these are the human sentiments that constitute our glory as well as our grief." As a psychologist, Kennedy is concerned with the mature person and notes that maturity is marked by the acceptance of the distress that is part and parcel of our relationships with others. Escape into drugs, work, vapid entertainment, or even prayer, is not a solution. We must accept the pain as well as the pleasure of relationships, for "close and affectionate relationships with other people are the prime signal of healthy personhood."

It is interesting that there is no place for solitude in Kennedy's world. Perhaps he is right that the primary obligation for all of us is the difficult work of loving others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Crossroad Classic; Revised edition (October 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824516826
• ISBN-13: 978-0824516826
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #805,279 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Accessible and Direct, May 18, 2004

By 

Claire (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pain of Being Human (Paperback)

The structure of Kennedy's venture into human mechanics allows for the reader to start, finish, and continue at any point in the book. With chapters not totaling more than five or six pages each, every idea is explored with concise consideration. I often found myself looking at the chapter titles and skipping to whatever section was applicable for that point of time.

Despite the melodramatic title, "Pain of Being Human" is one of those books you keep near your nightstand for daily reflection. It takes a Christian perspective on life and introduces morals that make sense in the modern world. I am not a religious person and I still gleaned so much insight from the text without getting the feeling I was being preached to.

It is a definite good choice and should go under the category "Self-Help book with dignity."

5.0 out of 5 stars Way cool outlook!, January 25, 2011

By 

HMT - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pain of Being Human (Paperback)

This author has a very interesting outlook on why things are the way they are when it comes to familiar yet confusing life situations. I highlight sentences that make sense or make good advice for me.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Pain = Growth, February 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pain of Being Human (Paperback)

The Pain of Being Human crystalises all those thoughts you had about existence - but never wrote down. Lucidly written without the usual psycho-babble that psychologists like to impress us with. Another book that gave me greater insight into the pain of being human, was the inspired "The Autobiography of Jesus of Nazareth and the Missing Years" by Richard G. Patton. Patton's Jesus is faced with the unimagined dilemma of his own spirituality being confronted by his immense humanity. I enjoyed both these books but came away with a greater understanding after reading Patton's book. Admittedly Patton's book is written as a novel where Kennedy's book is written as a dissertation. Kennedy's book is accessible and sure to become a standard on Psychology. Recommended