HISTORY AND HUMAN SURVIVAL

by Robert J Lifton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 30, 1969

Lifton is always a joy to read, informal in his intellectuality, honest and energetic, with the gift for appreciating colleagues' work and opponents' points of view which betokens a serious man. These articles from the '60's deal with youth, death, Vietnam, and with ""psychohistory,"" the study generated by Erikson, Keniston and Lifton himself, who have attempted to understand the historical dimensions of individual consciousness and action, beyond mere ""historical influences."" The essays on Japanese and American young people and on death symbolism express the concerns of Death In Life (1967) and Revolutionary Immortality (1968). Lifton's discussion of the ""Up against the wall, motherfucker"" slogan (in connection with the theme of mockery) exemplifies his conviction that psychoanalytic categories should serve as a mere terminus a quo of full analysis. Three marginal pieces stand out as more exciting than the broader essays on ""Protean Man"" and ""Psychoanalysis and History""--the critique of the recent work of Koestler and Lorenz and two articles on ""Woman as Knower"" and ""Jews as Survivors."" Lifton's National Book Award acceptance speech is appended. In addition to his academic and professional audience, this collection should attract a lot of keep-upper-withs and serious general readers.

Pub Date: Jan. 30, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1969

Categories: NONFICTION