Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Bag --More Good than Bad
Review: As a psychiatrist-in-training who admires Gabbard's writings aimed at mental health professionals, I was interested to see how this book would read. He has managed to write an analysis (pun intended) of the Sopranos that is highly enjoyable as well as enlightening. Although he is writing to a lay audience and has tried to avoid psychoanalytic jargon, this book is not at all dumbed down. You just might find yourself learning something about psychodynamic theory while plumbing the depths of Tony's psyche. I think TV fans and shrinks alike (not to mention those in both categories) will get much out of this book, and have a good time in the process.
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful and entertaining
Review: As a psychiatrist-in-training who admires Gabbard's writings aimed at mental health professionals, I was interested to see how this book would read. He has managed to write an analysis (pun intended) of the Sopranos that is highly enjoyable as well as enlightening. Although he is writing to a lay audience and has tried to avoid psychoanalytic jargon, this book is not at all dumbed down. You just might find yourself learning something about psychodynamic theory while plumbing the depths of Tony's psyche. I think TV fans and shrinks alike (not to mention those in both categories) will get much out of this book, and have a good time in the process.
Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting Book
Review: be it you Love the Show or Loath it you can't deny the fact that it is easily the Pulse of what folks want from TV overall nowadays.No Show has Captured so much attention especially a Cable Based show as much as this Show.this Book Details the Mental breakdown of the Family&what makes them Function as they do.you get many different takes.I find it makes for a very interesting read.
Rating:
Summary: Mob psychology
Review: I found the book to be entertaining and thought provoking in light of bringing the soprano's to everyday living. I think the author did a good job directing the readers attention to "hollywood" and to the reality of the subject. I did find a couple of points interesting and perhaps not throughly reseached, pg. 100 the author refers to susan smith from NC, susan smith and this incident occurred in SC. Coming from an "sicilian background," I found the term "swimming with the fishes," interesting since I always heard this phrase associated with death as "sleeping with the fishes," indicating death and sleep, rather than swimming which indicates action. Overall, it was an interesting read and I enjoyed the style the writer used to convey his message.
Rating:
Summary: Mob Psychology
Review: I found the book to be entertaining with some thought provoking topics related to the ordinary lives of a high profile mobster and that of the everyday person. I did like how the author pointed to the differences of "hollywood" and the realistic nature behind the soprano's.I liked the author's honesty in regards to the nature of murder. I agree with his professional judgment, Murder is Murder whether you have been brainwashed to believe that you have justification or you have some serious mental disorder. I did feel the book lacked detailed research as in the example on PG.100. Susan Smith and this incident concerning her occurred in South Carolina rather than North Carolina. Another point, coming from a "Scilian background," was the phase "swimming with the fishes," I found interesting since I have only heard this phrase in relation to death as "sleeping with the fishes," sleeping referring to death as opposed to swimming which would indicate action. Otherwise the book as stated was entertaining and if one wishes could really proffer from the author's professional skills he brings to the material.
Rating:
Summary: What I've Waited For!!!
Review: Like most Sopranos fans, I don't start Monday morning at work until my colleagues and I have thoroughly analyzed the episode of the night before. We all have some psych in our background and the discussions are lively and, not surprisingly, clearly include individual projection. Now, an insightful book by a psychoanalyst! Pinch me! This is one of the panel of psychoanalysts who critiques and analyzes on "Slate" after each episode. He provides understanding to story lines and characters that were previously debatable; that is, if you accept that his analysis is the final word! And you may not always.Why didn't Tony "get" the rapist? Now I know. Why are we all so drawn to this series? Writing is great, sure, but the reasons are much more complex and personal. The relationships are examined and illuminated. Lines and images I've forgotten are brought back, and with clarification. Subtle inclusion of references to classic movies and literature in the lines or settings are examined. Our fascination with Tony is explained in context to what we struggle with personally daily. I now have a logical understanding of why I like this obviously psychopatic killer mobster! My friends and I have a ritual of providing the best line of the night and we rarely mimic each other. The lines brought back in the book left a smile on my face. Some that I missed or forgot about were hilarious, and I even underlined passages. This book was a gift from a fellow "Sorpranoette," Courtney Conlin. It fascinated and captivated me. If you are a Sorpranos fan, and especially if you are into analyzing the plots and characters, if you have unanswered questions, if you strive to learn more about human motivations, and most of all your own, you will not be able to put this book down!
Rating:
Summary: Analyzing the American psyche and its fascination with death
Review: Mafia don Soprano and his associates have captured more than 11 million viewers in the HBO TV hit series; but what makes the series so fascinating ' especially to psychoanalysts? The Psychology Of Sopranos provides an intriguing survey of the characters and attractions of the series, using the gangster family as a foundation for analyzing the American psyche and its fascination with death.
Rating:
Summary: Analyzing the American psyche and its fascination with death
Review: Mafia don Soprano and his associates have captured more than 11 million viewers in the HBO TV hit series; but what makes the series so fascinating � especially to psychoanalysts? The Psychology Of Sopranos provides an intriguing survey of the characters and attractions of the series, using the gangster family as a foundation for analyzing the American psyche and its fascination with death.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed Bag --More Good than Bad
Review: Overall, I'd say this book would be a very worthwhile addition to a Sopranos' addict's library. But it's not a perfect read. Since the good outweighs the bad in it, I'll start with that: 1. Easy to read but you never get the feeling that you're being talked down to by the author. 2. Very insightful about Tony Soprano's personality, his prognonis, relationship with Melfi, and his wife. 3. Made me appreciate just how complex the Sopranos is as a TV show (lightyears ahead of most of the other TV out there). Now the bad . . . 1. Author would have been well-advised to get a Sopranos' fanatic to proofread his book --to get rid of the number of minor mistakes he makes when recounting the plot. 2. Author seems to regard all killing as equally immoral (As a former military man, I found that quite offensive --sometimes you don't have any choice but to fight). 3. Author sometimes over-psychoanalyzes the show (I for one do not believe that men join the Mafia because it allows them to escape into an alternate "family" without overbearing maternal presences!). Still, I think it is a good book. That being said, it's a little slim for a hardback. Adding a chapter which deconstructs whatever episode the author considers to be the most psychologically complex would add some heft to it.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book I've Read About the Sopranos So Far!
Review: This book handles the psychology aspect of the Sopranos which I find the most complelling. It highlights why the psychology in the Sopranos is more realistic than anything seen before and elevates the series to a higher level. There are many shows and movies about Italian-American mobsters. This one is very special and rises above most. The show has its own style and consciousness. Psychology of the Sopranos highlights that style and enlightens us furthur.
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