Existence (The Master Work Series) (Paperback)

~ Ernest Angel (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Since its publication, Existence has been regarded as the most important, complete, and lucid account of the existentialist approach to psychology. From the works of the leading spokesmen of the existential analytic movement, the editors have selected classic case histories and other writings to define the approach that seeks to understand mental illness, in the words of Rollo May, ...not as deviations from the conceptual yardstick of this or that psychiatrist...but as deviations in the structure of the particular patient's existence, the disruptions of his condition humane.

Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Jason Aronson; Revised edition (January 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568212712
• ISBN-13: 978-1568212715
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #541,238 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Introducing a New School of Psychoanalysis, June 27, 2003

By	Edward Garea "Edward Garea" (Branchville, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While American psychoanalysis during the 40s and 50s was under the influence of Freud, Europeans were beginnig to branch out in new directions, especially influenced by the existentialism of Martin Heidegger, Edmund Husserl, Jean-Paul Sartre and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. "Existence," edited by Rollo May, was the first book to introduce Americans to the writings of those who worked under the mantle of existential psychology. Contained within are essays by Erwin Straus and Ludwig Binswanger, among others. The second half of the book contains three essays by Binswanger not previously available in America.

Although the book is a good introduction to existential psychoanalysis, it contians a glaring omission by the absence of writings from Medard Boss, a Swiss Dasienanalysist who became the leading light of this type of therapy in Europe. Despite this omission, however, the book remains an eye-opener for anyone unfamiliar with existential psychoanalysis and is recommended for psychology student and philosophy student alike.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Existence, October 18, 2000

By	Dr. John Laughlin (Glenn Dale, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Existence was the earliest introduction to the US of existencialism and existential psychology and we owe much of the development and growth of humanistic and existential psychology to Rollo May. The book is well written,and is of great historical and philosoical importance. This book is often mentioned as influential upon the work of Carl Rogers, Irving Yalom and others.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Priceless, August 30, 2007

By	Kay Melcher - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book changed my life, back in my college days. The introductory essay by Rollo May is a revelation, accessible and profound at the same time. The rest of the book is unimportant. Of all the books I read in college and since, this one - that essay - has stayed with me. I highly recommend it.