Need for Change [ 4½ Stars ]
This remarkable discourse by a remarkable author has contributed to a chapter in M Scott Peck?s book, ?The Road Less Travelled?. The titles of both books complement each other. I recommend both books.
Written in the style of a novel, Wheelis gets to the truths about the need for change with surprising candour. He reminds us that insight without appropriate action is fruitless.
However, in his chapter 7, ?The Upward Spiral? (in changing), I question his assertion that our being the product of conditioning, and being free to change, do not war with each other. As M Scott Peck says in ?The Road Less Travelled?, most all of us are too lazy to change ourselves to free ourselves from limitations. The road less travelled is one for which most of us are too afraid, comfortable or lazy. Nonetheless, ?How People Change? is still well worth reading.
Those who are want to accuse the author of being homophobic must realise he was using homosexuality as one of the examples of someone not being happy being homosexual; otherwise the homosexual person would not have sought psychotherapy. Moreover, the whole of evolution determines mankind?s destiny, not just opinions on what others should or should not believe. If certain procreative tendencies are necessary for the survival of certain life forms, then so be it. Change is an inescapable part of it.
Even though readers might not have had a father like Wheelis had, most everyone will identify with what Wheelis experienced and describes of his childhood. He then gives an erudite explanation of how anger may be used in positive ways.
Ignore the publication date (1975): The book?s contents are as pertinent as it ever will be; human nature will not have changed in a thousand years. I give it a rating of 4½ stars out of 5 for the most important topic on the need for changes in ourselves. The book can be bought new with ISBN 006090447X.