The Age of Insanity: Modernity and Mental Health

Rating:
Summary: A Great Synthesis
Review: I call attention to John F. Schumaker's work at every available opportunity. Amazon has a standing order to notify me any time he releases a new work. In my view, he is one of the world's most gifted explainers of the human condition. In the preface to "The Age of Insanity," Schumaker expresses a love affair with the "big picture." This affection comes through on every page. That this book was published in September 2001, amounts to a prophetic explanation point at the ending of one era and the beginning of another. If you have concerns over the state of mental health in the world today, then I highly recommend "The Age of Insanity."

Rating:
Summary: Excellent analysis of cultural effects
Review: Schumaker writes terse, short, fact-filled sentences which require sometimes two readings. I was amazed how well-read the author is. He moves from psychology to economics to political philosophy to sociology. In my opinion the mental problems are mainly cultural and reading this book reinforces my view. There is a lot of perceptive critique of globalization, Western myths and American life. Perhaps he is sometimes a bit pessimistic, but there are data which supports this view. The more we can control material things the more alienated we are going to be. One of the best books I have read lately.