Road Less Travelled & Beyond [Paperback]

M Scott Peck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 1999

The culmination of a lifetime of counselling, lecturing and writing, M. Scott Peck's major new work leads us to a deeper awareness of how to live rich, fulfilling lives in a world fraught with stress and anxiety. Writing with a depth of understanding that comes with the seasoned perspective of age, Dr Peck continues the journey of spiritual growth that began with The Road Less Travelled, one of the most influential books of modern times. To the famous opening line of that book - 'Life is difficult' he now adds 'Life is complex'. But the greatest challenge, he reminds us, is to learn to deal with life's conflicts, problems and paradoxes to find the true simplicity that lies on the other side of complexity. The journey to serenity and peace, Dr Peck writes, can only be made with increasing self-awareness and social awareness. There are no easy answers for complex problems. The work of learning and growth is hard. And yet he shows us that there is a way to think with integrity, to know the difference between good and evil, to overcome narcissism, to love and be loved, to live with paradox, to accept the consequences of our actions all through life, and to come to terms with dying and death.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

M. Scott Peck, M.D., is a psychiatrist and best-selling author of many books. Educated at Harvard (B.A) and Case Western Reserve (M.D), Dr. Peck served in administrative posts in the US government during his career in the Army Medical Corps, and was then a psychiatrist in private practice from 1972 to 1984. For the past thirteen years, he has devoted much of his time and financial resources to the work of the Foundation for Community Encouragement, a nonprofit organization that he and his wife. Lily, helped found in 1984. He lives in northwest Connecticut.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Random House (February 4, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0712670769
• ISBN-13: 978-0712670760
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.8 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

M. Scott Peck's publishing history reflects his own evolution as a serious and widely acclaimed writer, thinker, psychiatrist, and spiritual guide. Since his groundbreaking bestseller, The Road Less Traveled, was first published in 1978, his insatiable intellectual curiosity has taken him in various new directions with virtually each new book: the subject of healing human evil in People of the Lie (1982), where he first briefly discussed exorcism and possession; the creative experience of community in The Different Drum (1987); the role of civility in personal relationships and society in A World Waiting to Be Born (1993); an examination of the complexities of life and the paradoxical nature of belief in Further Along the Road Less Traveled (1993); and an exploration of the medical, ethical, and spiritual issues of euthanasia in Denial of the Soul (1999); as well as a novel, a children's book, and other works. A graduate of both Harvard University and Case Western Reserve, Dr. Peck served in the Army Medical Corps before maintaining a private practice in psychiatry. For the last twenty years, he has devoted much of his time and financial resources to the work of the Foundation for Community Encouragement, a nonprofit organization that he helped found in 1984. Dr. Peck lives in Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not your average "self help" book!, March 6, 2004

By 

"honeyjenny" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Road Less Travelled & Beyond (Paperback)

Which, I must admit, I thought it was when I first picked it up. I enjoy reading them, but self-help books can be shmaltzy and full of vague therapy speak. This is not. It is an intelligent, clear, down to earth and very insightful book which deals with big issues that other books ignore. It is the only book that I have come across that admits to not knowing why some people suffer incrediable trauma and yet escape the 'neurosis' they are supposed to devolop. M. Scott Peck does not act as if he knows everything about how to live a perfect life, but he tells you what he knows and throws around some questions with clarity. I loved this book and couldn't put it down!

2 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A ROAD EVERYONE SHOULD TRAVEL, June 4, 2003

By 

Paul McGuinness (Western Austrailia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Road Less Travelled and Beyond (Audio Cassette)

THIS BOOK IS A MUST FOR EVERYONE IT DEALS WITH JUST ABOUT EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE LESSONS THAT WE ALL GO THRU AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.
ITS THE FIRST BOOK THAT I HAVE READ THAT ACTUALLY TRIES TO EXPLAIN LOVE AND ITS MANY DIFFERENT DISGUISES.
HIS EXPLAINATIONS OF RELIGION, AND HOW EFFECTED WE CAN BE DEPENDING ON HOW IT IS PRESENTED TO US AS CHILDREN IS VERY ENLIGHTENING.
HE TELLS US HOW WE SHOULD NOT SEEK SELF AWARNESS IF WE ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THE WORK ENVOLVED, AS THE ROAD TO ACHIVING AN ENLIGHTEND PATH IS NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED.
THE CASE HISTORIES OF PEOPLE PECK HAS TREATED OVER THE YEARS IS FASINATING.
THE DIVERSITY OF PROBLEMS AND HOW OUR MINDS PERCIVE THOSE PROBLEMS TO EACH INDIVIDUALL WILL AMAZE YOU.
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE GOT PROBLEMS WITH YOURSELF OR YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS READING THIS BOOK WILL BE A GREAT HELP IN UNDERSTANDING HOW TO WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH SOME OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PROBLEMS LIFE CAN PRESENT TO YOU.