We've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotherapy--And the World's Getting Worse (Paperback)

by James Hillman (Author), Michael Ventura (Author) "Two men are on an afternoon walk in Santa Monica, on the Pacific Palisades..." (more)
Key Phrases: empty protest, private salvation, communal feeling, United States, Little Archie, Los Angeles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
A series of dialogs and letters between the authors delves into psychotherapy's legacy. Although traditional therapy assumes that healthy individuals make for a healthy world, Hillman ( Blue Fire , LJ 10/1/89) and Ventura ( Shadow Dancing in the U.S.A. , LJ 10/1/85) contend that therapy encourages self-preoccupation, leaving no attention or energy for the woes of the outside world. Similarly, the "inner child" movement has created a population of self-centered, juvenile adults who feel they have little power. Political apathy, a dying environment, and an inability to form real relationships are among the ills resulting from this solipsism. Hillman, who studied with Jung, and L.A. Weekly columnist Ventura offer no solutions, but their book bursts with vigorous ideas, tangents, and humor. Thought-provoking, fun, and not quite like anything else on the shelf. Recommended for public and academic libraries.
- Maureen R. Shields, New City Lib., N.Y.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
"Finally somebody has begun to talk out loud about what must change, and what must be left behind, if we are to navigate the perilous turn of this millennium and survive."--Thomas Pynchon. Hillman is the author of numerous books, including A Blue Fire and Re-visioning Psychology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (May 14, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062506617
• ISBN-13: 978-0062506610
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #490,882 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unflinching critique of modern psychotherapy, April 22, 1999

By A Customer

In this stream-of-conciousness assay of modern psychotherapy, James Hillman and Michael Ventura pull no punches in their thoughful and provacative conversations and letters. The interplay of Ventura's relentless questioning and Hillman's ascerbic and, at times, seemingly heretical replies strip the clothes off the emperor of modern psychotherapy. The synergy created in the authors' conversations and exchange of letters in worth the price of admission alone. This book is essential reading for those willing to question the value and values of modern psychotherapy and its grip and the psyche of Western culture.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much more than psychotherapy, October 26, 2001

By A Customer

This is unquestionably one of the best books I've ever read-and it is much more than a critique of the legacy of psycotherapy. Hillman and Ventura improvise their way through a series of dialogues, rants, ruminations that question and turn upside down many of the most dearly beloved tenets of our current culture-the importance we attach to "personal growth" being just one example. The book is very opinionated (thank goodness), gutsy and provocative. It's also very deep-but not in a self conscious or pretentious manner-it just helps to reveal the depth that's there in the everyday world. The best thing about it is that after you've read it you'll want to live your life with the same critical intensity. Really great book.

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Weve Had 100 Years of Psychotherapy & we're still weird?, May 21, 2000

By	Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In this intense, incisive & barefaced series of dialogues & letters between two spirited people, we get searing insights into the legacy of psychotherapy & just about every aspect of contemporary life. After we found this book we finagled several of our friends into reading it. Our experience of what James Hillman & Michael Ventura spoke & wrote changed our minds & the way we went about living & loving. Fascinating!