9/6/22

9/6/22

The Psychology of Self-Esteem: A Revolutionary Approach to Self-Understanding That Launched a New Era in Modern Psychology By Nathan Branden

Why I picked this book up: I am a clinical Psychologist and am familiar with self esteem and saw this new updated edition so I dug in.

Thoughts: This new edition of the original text reveals how Nathaniel Branden's landmark book broke the rules of conventional behavioral theory and promulgated his revolutionary ideas on the critical role that self-esteem plays in living a healthy, fulfilling life. The book offers an in-depth exploration of the need for self-esteem, the nature of that need, the conditions of fulfillment, and how self-esteem (or lack of it) affects our values, responses, and goals. Branden also debunks the misguided notion that self-esteem is a "feel-good phenomenon" and shows instead how self-esteem, rationality, perseverance, self-responsibility, and personal integrity are all intimately related.

Why I finished this read: This book is well written. This book gives a better understanding of ourselves and others.

Stars rating: 5 out of 5. There are various aspects of Psychology I read this one and will keep reading others. ( )

Amazingly well written and insightful. I learned so much about myself and of the need for a strong self esteem. ( )

Nathaniel Branden was once a close disciple of Ayn Rand--although he was purged from the ranks of her inner circle. You can certainly see her influence in this book--it's very self centered--and I don't mean to denigrate it by calling that. It simply argues for the importance of self-esteem in a healthy psychology--and I'd agree with that--and this this book has some useful insights. How revolutionary it is I can't really judge. I do know that his theories fall into what's known as "cognitive psychology" which believes what ideas you hold are of crucial importance to the psyche. cognitive psychology. Aaron T. Beck is noted as the father of cognitive therapy in the Wiki--and his 1987 book, Cognitive Therapy of Depression, came out decades after Branden's, which was first published in 1969. ( )