Psychology of Romantic Love, The [Paperback]

Nathaniel Branden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1985

What love is, why love is born, why it sometimes grows, and why it sometimes dies.

Have you ever wondered how romantic love evolves? What the difference is between mature and immature love? What role sex plays in romantic love, and whether love necessarily implies sexual exclusivity? And, most important, how can we make love last? Originally published in 1980, this updated edition of The Psychology of Romantic Love explores the nature of romantic love on many levels-the philosophical, the historical, the sociological, and the physiological. Nathaniel Branden explains why so many people say that romantic love is just not possible in today's world and-drawing on his experience with thousands of couples-finds that such love is still a possibility for anyone who understands its essence and is willing to accept its challenges.

Branden sees it as a pathway not only to extraordinary joy but also to profound self-discovery. His vision of love is thoroughly appropriate to our time and grounded in our humanness.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Distinguished psychologist Dr. Nathaniel Branden offers us a new understanding of the meaning of romantic love--what love is and what it depends on for fulfillment. His vision of love is at once passionate and thoroughly appropriate to our times and grounded in our nature as human beings. He reveals romantic love to be a pathway not only to extraordinary joy but also to profound self-discovery. Among the many challenging questions he explores are:

How does romantic love evolve?

What is the distinctive nature of romantic love?

What is the difference between mature and immature love?

What is the role of sex in romantic love?

Does romantic love necessarily imply sexual exclusivity?

How can we help romantic love to last?

How do we deal with jealousy?

For all those who long to love and yet wonder whether their dreams are attainable, The Psychology Of Romantic Love shows the way to translate dreams into reality.

About the Author

Nathaniel Branden, Ph.D. is a lecturer, a practicing psychotherapist, and the author of twenty books on the psychology of self-esteem, romantic love, and the life and thought of Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand. His work has been translated into eighteen languages and has sold more than 4 million copies, and includes such titles as Taking Responsibility, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, and My Years with Ayn Rand. Branden's name has become synonymous with the psychology of self-esteem, a field he pioneered more than thirty years ago. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Bantam (April 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553275550
• ISBN-13: 978-0553275551
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #894,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nathaniel Branden, Ph.D. is a lecturer, a practicing psychotherapist, and the author of twenty books on the psychology of self-esteem, romantic love, and the life and thought of Objectivist philosopher Ayn Rand. His work has been translated into eighteen languages and has sold more than 4 million copies, and includes such titles as Taking Responsibility, The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem, and My Years with Ayn Rand. Branden's name has become synonymous with the psychology of self-esteem, a field he pioneered more than thirty years ago.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very great study on the nature of love and relationships., January 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Psychology of Romantic Love, The (Paperback)

This is a great book about the nature of romantic love over the centuries. It puts the kind of love called romantic love into perspective with other kinds, and talks about what makes for a stable relationship. As a spouse of 27 years, I find it is very interesting to try to understand the nature of love and commitment. The fact that Branden is an authority on self-esteem also helps for this topic. I have read the book from the library, and now I am trying to find it to buy.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Distinguishes mature and immature romantic love in an understandable way, September 15, 2006

By 

Patrick D. Goonan "see profile for URL" (Livermore, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Psychology of Romantic Love, The (Paperback)

I like this book because it draws clear distinctions between unhealthy romantic love and mature romantic love. In our culture, there tends to be a strong focus on romance and often what is presented in books, songs and the media is unrealistic and unattainable. This book presents a vision of mature, erotic love that embraces everyday realities and the maturing of love over time.

The content in this book is not heavy and it is readable by anyone. There is a lot of good food for thought and Nathaniel Branden writes in a simple straightforward style. He is also a therapist and this book goes beyond the pop culture type books on this subject that often have very little real substance.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars romantic love, December 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Psychology of Romantic Love: What Love is, Why Love is Born, Why it Sometimes Grows, Why it Sometimes Dies (Mass Market Paperback)

I have always wondered if I really even understood what real love is. This book explained it all to me. It's history, how my self-esteem effects it, why selfishness is a normal and valid part of love, what characteristics help love to succeed, and what missing links cause it to remain unfulfilling. I'm going to make my children read this before they get married. Everyone needs to know this stuff.