A General Theory of Love
Vintage - Vintage
Release date: 2001-01-09
Paperback
Author: Richard Lannon
Emotions, Neuropsychology, Psychology / Emotions, Psychology, Love, Physiological aspects
average reviews
0 vote
0 vote
React and review
A General Theory of Love
Date undefinedanother extraordinary read, I recommend That's How the Light Gets In: Memoir of a Psychiatrist by Susan Rako, M.D. The title comes from a song by Leonard Cohen: "There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." Rako's book is remarkably candid, fascinating, insightful, and wonderfully well-written. It's a great read. The writing just flows.
A General Theory of Love
Date undefinedThe book starts out strong with biological explanations for why we become sad or depressed when separated from those we love. The authors provide examples of this despair occuring in most mammals and explain in great detail the areas of our brain that coincide to create attachments. But then the book takes a different turn and focuses on how to grow children who are emotionally strong and healthy. I was still looking for insight into how to foster emotional health in adults. Still a worthwhile read with fascinating examples and facts.
A General Theory of Love
Date undefinedWhat I hate most about reading about an author's love philosophy is that usually it's full of mushy gushy stories about destiny and true love. This book is completely different. It may seem a bit dry in comparison, but what it lacks in storytelling it makes up for in scientific scrutiny of the human mind and our brain's capacity for love. I read this book several years ago, and what still stands out in my mind was the contrast between the brain of a chicken and the brain of a dog (or maybe it was a cat). A chicken's brain doesn't have the physical capacity for love and you can see that in their eyes. But when you look into the eyes of your pup isn't that love looking back at you?
