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Watch out for the sharp left turn on this untraveled roadNovember 14, 2008 Dr. Peck should have cut this book in half and sold it as two separate books. I liked the first half, but disliked the second. It's divided in 4 sections. Here's my 1/10 grade on each section:
DISCIPLINE: 7 LOVE: 8 GROWTH AND RELIGION: 4 GRACE: 2
As you can see, I believe the first two sections were much better than the last two sections. The book was getting interesting and then suddenly it took a sharp turn and went downhill after that.
PROS: - Conversational writing style, although a bit long-winded at times.
- Several engrossing ancedotes about his patients, especially in the section called love.
- Each section is just a few pages, helping to make things flow.
CONS: - Paragraphs are hard to digest: he often has enormous paragraphs that take up nearly the whole page.
- Peck's tough love is a bit much. The book begins: "Life is difficult." He goes on to describe how tough everything is, the importance of discipline, and not to be lazy, etc.... Personally, I don't see life as being such a monumental struggle. Maybe I'm lucky, but I felt that too often Peck looks at situations as the glass being half full. I suspect his world view came from working with patients who had problems. He listened to people complain all day. If I had that job, I might also conclude that life is difficult. However, I felt like Peck was a military man ordering me around.
- Too preachy. I have a degree in Religion, and perhaps because of that, I have a wider view of world religions than Peck. Although he occassionally mentions the Buddha, he is a strong Christian. There's nothing wrong with that, but I was expecting that this book would be less preachy. Some readers (like me) who expect this to be a secular book will be surprised by the religious turn it takes in Part 3.
- It's shocking at the bottom of page 175 (in my early edition) where he says he would have sex with his patient if he thought it would help her! It's not surprising that later Peck would admit to having had several extra-marital affairs. His wife of 40+ years divorced him a few years before his death. My point is that such statements in this book make me lose confidence in his judgment and make me question everything he writes.
- In the "Miracle of Evolution" section, he states that humanity is the top of evolution. This 19th century belief has been updated by most scientists in the 21st century. Humans are just on branch on the evolutionary tree, and not necessarily the highest branch. In a global nuclear war, mosquitoes may feel genetically superior to us because they will have survived.
- He argues we are the center of the universe. I don't buy it. He writes, "We live our lives in the eye of God, and not at the periphery but at the center of His vision, His concern." God didn't even put us in the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, but on its periphery. Maybe Peck's right, but he didn't convince me.
WHO MIGHT LIKE IT: Traditional Christians will probably disagree with my review. Some Christians might love how Peck merges psychology and religion. I didn't.
CONCLUSION: I had high expectations for this book, having heard much about it. It was more disjointed than I expected. The turn it takes halfway through the book is particularly unexpected. I prefer books like "Your Best Life Now!" where the author is up front with the reader about his intentions to preach his religious beliefs to him. Peck sneaks it in there and it's a turnoff.
need all the help I can getOctober 20, 2008 I have not read the entire book but I am on a spiritual journey and I found that this book is taking me there.I would love this book on tape which helps me to hear and remember it.I've always said I wanted peace and grace and there is a section on grace which I found that I was looking for. I want to buy the followup book on spiritual growth. I am going to try to find tapes also. The other book is......" Spiritual growth in an age of anxiety", and I think what better time then now,to discuss what is in this book. It is written by a well respected physician.
Review for the Road Less TraveledOctober 15, 2008 The Road Less Traveled is one of my favorite books of all time. Scott Peck gives a great perspective on life. Beginning with the quote "life is difficult". I have read almost all of Scott Peck's books and think he is amazingly talented. A MUST read. All the very best, Sarah Radford President Chic Gems, etc.
road less traveledOctober 13, 2008 IT WAS A SUBSTITUTE BUT PROMPT DELIVERY SERVICE. NOTHING ELSE TO SAY . HAVE NOT READ YET.
the road less traveledSeptember 16, 2008 This is a great book for everyone!! Especially those who have had a hard life. I found great truths that have helped me overcome an abusive childhood.
