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Becoming Myself

A Psychiatrist's Memoir

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Becoming Myself

By: Irvin Yalom
Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
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'When Yalom publishes something - anything - I buy it, and he never disappoints. He's an amazing storyteller, a gorgeous writer, a great, generous, compassionate thinker, and - quite rightly - one of the world's most influential mental healthcare practitioners' Nicola Barker, Guardian Best Books of 2017

'Wonderful, compelling and as insightful about its subject and about the times he lived in as you could hope for. A fabulous read' Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone

Irvin D. Yalom has made a career of investigating the lives of others. In Becoming Myself, his long-awaited memoir, he turns his therapeutic eye on himself, delving into the relationships that shaped him and the groundbreaking work that made him famous.

The first-generation child of immigrant Russian Jews, Yalom grew up in a lower-class neighbourhood in Washington DC. Determined to escape its confines, he set his sights on becoming a doctor. An incredible ascent followed: we witness his start at Stanford Medical School amid the cultural upheavals of the 1960s, his turn to writing fiction as a means of furthering his exploration of the human psyche and his rise to international prominence.

Yalom recounts his revolutionary work in group psychotherapy and how he became the foremost practitioner of existential psychotherapy, a method that draws on the wisdom of great thinkers over the ages. He reveals the inspiration for his many seminal books, including Love's Executioner and When Nietzche Wept, which meld psychology and philosophy to arrive at arresting new insights into the human condition. Interweaving the stories of his most memorable patients with personal tales of love and regret, Becoming Myself brings readers close to Yalom's therapeutic technique, his writing process and his family life.©2017 Irvin D. Yalom Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Memoir Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
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It is easy to imagine who we should be and how we should be, it is even easier to project onto therapists, psychologists and coaches a sense of perfection. This was an invitation into key moments, that made Irvin who he was, with an understanding of who he became. One of my favorite memoir's.

Insight into the human behind the therapist

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I loved every chapter of this book. Off I go to read more of yaloms work

such a brilliant and well written book

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a great insight into the life of Irvin Yalom
highly recommend this read. great book

becoming myself

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For the journeyman/-woman person, therapist, partner, seeker and for those who wish for inspiration and hope.

Totally gripping and full of compassion.

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As ever, Irv Yalom writes beautifully about his life and experiences. Written in his 85th year, it is striking how well he writes and if you have read his other work, the context for each of how works comes to life.

Very much love yalom.

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