Customer Reviews
Intriguing - but implies making disgusting generalisations - By: , 08 Dec 2003 
The part which ruins this otherwise superb book is the author's cruel & sickening - but repetitive - linkage between unpopularity & victimisationin childhood with later evil crimes. To implicitly associate the average class 'nerd' who suffers from poor social skills with Adolf Hitler & Mary Bell, is revolting - & surely extremely damaging to unpopular people reading it. Nevertheless, encountering the attitudes of Hillman will hardly 'soothe the savage breast'. The obvious concept - thatin a VERY FEW cases generalised & totally understandable misanthropy generated by prolonged unfair bullying & ostracisation can resultin later, particularised psychological eruptions of sadistic revenge (often at indiscriminate targets) is overlooked. ALL mass shootings etc are depraved, vile & utterly unforgiveable but according to media reportsin many cases the culprits have been viciously antagonised over long periods by (usually) unprovoked & over-judgemental acquaintances & neighbours.
Is it right that Hillman implies I should be cold or mean to someone purely because of their body language, 'rigid personality structure', lack of humour, obsession with time & -unbelievably - their 'vulnerability'? A professional psychologist should never use terms like 'bad seed' about people either. Leave that to the horror-film directors.
However, Hillman's theories about personal progress & positive ideas about the role of suffering are fascinating & worthwhile. In the early pages this book is excellent & very thought-provoking. That's what stops this book getting a 1 mark. But then Hillman does care about 'Normal' People!
An Apology of Platonism framed in a Jungian context - By: Enrico London, 18 Nov 2003 
This book tries to form a coherent whole of the thoughts of Plato & Jung without really succeeding despite Hillman's many interesting ideas thoroughly exposedin his book. It is mainly centred around the philosophical struggle of Hillmanin trying to conciliate the two thinkersin his own soul & mind. The engaging concept of the acorn can be traced back to the "Seven sermons to the death" written by Jung himself. Unfortunately, Hillman does not analyse these sermons that were published together with the German version of "Memories, Dreams, Reflections" by Jung. Moreover, one of the key tenetsin the book is the so-called "parental fallacy" goes against many ychological studies that should have been at least mentionedin some footnotes.
- Briefly: Plato's & Jung's thoughts surely overlap to some extent but why shall we bother to force them together? To those interestedin the Hillman's metaphor of the acorn I would recommend "The Gnostic Jung & the Seven Sermons to the Dead" by Stephan A. Hoeller instead.
ties together spiritual and psychological development - By: , 26 Apr 1999 
Hillman moves on from blame of the mother, to examining the inate core of one's being. He introduces the concept of "the acorn" theory of psychic development, how suffering develops soul & what it means to be a human being. This is a book that puts one to pondering.
