Man's Search for Himself

Rollo May's understanding on the pressures of being human in this world are extraordinary. Writing in the shadow of World War Two, and the recent ending of the Korean war with its fears of global destruction, May introduces the idea of a new anxiety that treatens the person from the outside. Because of this, he sees a greater emphasis put on the familial, and interpersonal relationships of life. His emphasis on the "morbid dependencey," on mother, the regressive giving up of one's responsible growing up into maturity is quite profound. His chapter entitled, "THE STRUGGLE TO BE," with its sections called "Cutting The Psychological Umbilical Cord," and "The Struggle Against Mother," are very relevant to our own time even though May wrote nearly fifty years ago. Also the way May describes the loneliness, anxiety, guilt, and purposelessness of modern man hits the mark of the 21st century's post-modern environment. May's use of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Fromm, Eliot, Freud, Spinoza, Tillich, Goethe, Kafka, and Jesus in relevant and understandable ways, shows the breath of his scholarship. He writes as one who is in the midst of his cultural commentary. As a practicing psychoanalyst, and existential philosopher he describes the depth of a person's struggles with his/her own essential meanings, and the height of the society's struggle with dealing with the trivializtions of the important issues of life. Rollo May has given us a masterpiece on understanding the predicament that so many people find themselves in: estrangement from themselves, from God, from other people, and from their own culture.

Dr. May is one of my favourite and respect authors. I think this book is a must-read for the people who decide to live their full, true life. It opens a new point of view on how we view our life and how to live our life. I enjoyed reading the book very much.

Rollo May ends this book, on the psychology of neurosis and courage and self-actualization during the 1950s age of anxiety, with the following: "Does not the uncertainty of our time teach us the most important lesson of all -- that the ultimate criteria are the honesty, integrity, courage and love of a given moment of relatedness? If we do not have that, we are not building for the future anyway; if we do have it, we can trust the future to itself" (p. 209). May's writing and analysis of the anxiety of the 1950s seems to fit with the post-pandemic age and uncertainty of today, along with its own lures of authoritarianism (which he discusses in the context of the 1940s and 50s -- fascism during the 40s but also the McCarthyism of the 50s). My only complaint: 95% of May's examples (mostly from his own clients, but also made-up examples) are male-centered. His writing contains few examples of women's experience of anxiety, uncertainty, difficulties of facing responsibilities, difficulties and neuroses of having unresolved relationships with one's parents, etc. I would like to have read and known how May's existential psychology pertains to women in the age of anxiety, too.

I really enjoyed this psychological study on man's development as a thinking individual. The examples used from written works and historical figures were very helpful in clarifying some of the points made. At times I questioned whether I agreed with what was being said, but it very much agree with the final conclusion; definitely worth the read.

This book, has to be one of the classics in my book. I'm an avid reader, and I dabble a bit in psychology/philosophy and if you enjoy both you'll enjoy this book. I was listening to an Earl Nightingale audio book and he mentioned this book in it. It sounded interesting so I decided to buy it. I LOVE THIS BOOK. Now I must say I'm a bit partial because I realized while reading it that we share similar views on a lot of things. I even bought 2 other books of his immediately after starting this one (and LOVED them just the same!) but either way he explains things very thoroughly in an eclectic mix of psychological science and philosophical theory! And the way he ties everything together! It's really good. I bought this book in pretty good condition for 1 cent which is great, but also kinda sad because it just goes to show how much intellectual genius is undervalued these days! But it's a great book and I highly recommend it for cerebral people.

I'm enjoying that book

This delve into self awareness along with the examples given is an excellent read. Definitely must be able to read through a lot of the comprehensions twice but it is thought provoking and eye opening to those whom never have seen themselves from other perspectives

I'm a bit confused as to why the quote on the bottom of the front cover wasn't made into 2 lines & centered so it doesn't go into the yellow area on the front. It just looks weird. But nonetheless, the rest of the book is well laid out & the content is brilliant. Would have loved to have met Rollo May.

Perfect for gift!

I bought this book on impulse and am glad i did ! It is a superb philosophical muse through man's inate anxieties and life questions. from religion, to relationships Rollo May offers gentle, intelligent reasoned thinking. It is immensely readable and proved helpful for me as a person and in my work as a Psychotherapist.I have since reccomended it to friends and patients alike.

Nice insights. Appreciate the simplicity of explaining intricate human psychological problems and defining solutions for them. Good… Nice work Sir.

Great Product.

I've read a lot of books. And unfortunately, some of those were self-help books. I don't know about you, but I find that self-help books had too much fluff. So after being disappointed by many books, I decided to read more psychology and philosophy. And I somehow found this book by Rollo May. Rollo May isn't fluff, in fact, he spits the truth at you. All the years of his therapeutic work and he has the gift to articulate the issues of modern man so clearly. Reading this book will challenge you to change the way you are currently living in life. Instead of pandering to people you don't really like, trying to kill time, and just overall being passive with your life. You will learn why it is paramount to be responsible for your life and taking a step forward. Rollo May shows you the causes of not living an authentic life and in this book, he helps to give you a philosophical change to living life. After reading this multiple times, it has helped me be more in the present (in a non-corny way) and appreciate life more honestly (including conflicts and challenges). I wish all people would read Rollo May because he is that man that understands loss and the paralyzing effects of negative self-talk or illusions. I HIGHLY recommend this to be a book you read for the rest of your life. We only have one shot to live our lives. No amount of money, success, property will come close to knowing you lived an honest and authentic life. So what are you waiting for? Get this book and start challenging yourself to live a more honest life.