Rating: 
Summary: Self-absorbed and frightening
Review: This book does describe the therapists clinical encounters and, in almost scary detail, his own personal thoughts. I say 'scary' as almost every encounter with a female patient is about how this married therapist fantasizes about her! The analyses of the other patients is also kind of strange - one patient regrets not having children and has a dream where he meets a daughter he never had. Dr Yalom interprets this as the patient meeting his "female side" and wanting to be in greater touch with it (!?). I'm no therapist but I would have thought the more obvious interpretation was that it was related to his regret about not having children.......the only reason I can see in buying this book is that the cover price is small compared to even one of Dr Yaloms therapy sessions - and reading the book may put you off ever bothering wasting your money on consulting this therapist.
Rating: 
Summary: For the Therapist, Patient, or Humanist
Review: This book should be required reading for anybody either undergoing psychotherapy or providing it. Irvin Yalom uses his experience with ten clients to illustrate how people change in therapy. Sometimes the change comes out of brilliant insights, sometimes it comes from the therapist's mistakes. Either way, Yalom's integrity in relating these vignettes helps the reader understand the process better.If you're not in therapy, perhaps this book will help you understand yourself and your internal processes a bit better. Which of Yalom's patients do you identify with? Which to you totally reject? Either of those patients, and Yalom's treatment of them, has something to teach you. If you are in therapy, notice how Yalom treats his patients, how he thinks about them. How does this compare to your relationship with your therapist? Do you experience the same challenges, the same caring, the same dynamic? Or do you just show up and whine for an hour? As a therapist, I found Yalom's work particularly brave. Who would write a book about their mistakes? Yet, from his mistakes, I find myself learning--and also better enabled to learn from my mistakes. Reading Love's Executioner helped to keep me from sitting on that God-like Throne and remember to be a human being with my clients; a fellow sufferer, an ally in the healing process. And if the idea of therapy seems not to apply to you, then you may simply find this book a fascinating story about how a thoughtful and insightful man deals with the sorrows, wounds, and needs of other human beings. These stories impart a powerful understanding of human relationships, whether you're involved in therapy or not. Five stars for candor and courage. Five stars for a sharp writing style that holds attention better than most "case studies," and five stars for choosing stories that speak to the depths of people's hearts. (If you'd like to discuss this book or review, click on the link above to drop me an email. Thanks!)
Rating:
Summary: Love's Executioner
Review: This book was written by a man of great courage. He has openly and honestly exposed all of his personal and professional weaknesses. As a therapist myself, it was refreshing to read an honest representation of what actually occurs in therapy rather than a self-serving and white-washed version of what happened. The strength of this book is in Yalom's ability to express the intricacies of the therapeutic process, the stages that each therapeutic relationship can go through, and its impact on both therapist and client. Another strength, is Yalom's willingness to openly expose his own therapeutic failures. I have learnt a great deal from him about what actually works in therapy. I have also re-learnt the value of not inflicting one's own biases on one's own clients. This problem can be solved by either resolving one's own issues, or referring the client to someone else who may better suit the client's needs. Yalom openly confronted what occurs when a therapist persists with a client, when they are unable to create an effective therapeutic relationship. No-one is perfect, not even the great Yalom. In exposing his own weaknesses, Yalom risks being misunderstood or even ridiculed. However, by taking this risk, Yalom offers the reader the opportunity to thoroughly examine the therapeutic process itself, what works and what fails for therapists and clients alike. It was a great read, I couldn't put it down!
Rating:
Summary: The most moving, surprising book I have ever read.
Review: This is an eye-opener for anyone who has ever been in therapy. Yalom is brutally honest about his own prejudices and emotions experienced as a doctor conducting a course of therapy. He also demonstrates that human beings are capable of greater insight and self-examination than many of us have ever imagined.
Rating:
Summary: Excellant serious entertainment
Review: This is the first book by Dr. Yalom that I have read, but I can't wait to read the next. He is insiteful and helpfull. The central theme of this book is the fear of death and the struggle to overcome that fear. Most people at times have batteled with the fear of death and this book with its ten stories of psychotherapy can give courage to us all. The title story "Love's Executioner" is about an older woman who had an affair with a previous therapist. It is full of twists and proves the adage truth is better than fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: Book is more feasible
Review: This is very pessimist book. Very difficult to read. With no past therapy experience on any Therapist couch, I felt terrified with the experiences of the Therapists, not to name patients. From time to time, I feel that this is a profession of the affluent only, and the people on the other side of the equator, are luck that they do not have that much money to spend but pray God, in order to keep themselves sane, which is much cheaper. Price of the book is just a fraction of cost of one hour on the couch, so that book reading is much more feasible.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: This short book contains a lot. Mr. Yalom is well known for his limitless wisdom and research regarding group therapy. This book is very witty and entertaining. What I like most is that the author reveals some of his inner dialogue when working with clients. This is very revealing and refreshing; to know that even therapists have issues and, as any good therapist knows, regularly receive psychotherapy themselves. I would recommend this book to anyone. I don't recall there being any 'psychobabble' or terms that are used exclusively by therapists. Mr. Yalom very simply presents the lives of some very complex people.
Rating:
Summary: addictive!
Review: This was one of those books that I just could not put down. It was so refreshing to read a therapist admitting that there are some things about some patients he just doesnt like, and instead of letting these patients go, he seizes the opportunity to learn from them. Being in therapy myself, I had worried about whether or not it was healthy to let myself get so attached to my therapist, but these stories have shown me that the best work is done by having a special connection. I cant speak highly enough of this book; probably the best thing i have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: a moving, funny, illuminating treatise on humaness
Review: Through the lives of ten patients, Yalom writes of the four central harsh facts of life all humans must confront. A wonderfully written book ... which focuses not just upon pain but upon our resilience and resourcefulness in the face of existence.
Rating:
Summary: What do you want?
Review: What do you want? What do you want? This question was asked in the first part of the book with various responses. It is aimed at the heart and soul of we the readers, compelling us to bring up from our inner being our dreams. Our dreams come leaping to the surface, but along with them emerge hopes yet unmet, failures, hurts, and fears. The book is a case study of a variety of interesting people - each with their "wants" and problems defined. If you like psycology - "what makes people tick", you will enjoy reading Love's Executioner
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