I borrowed this book from work because the title drew me in. For some reason, despite the rest of the text on the cover, I didn't expect it to be a pop-psychology book. On reflection I have absolutely no idea why.

I would like to think that Short's arguments are too simplistic, but sadly, I mostly don't think they are. Everything he says about the balance between the need for love and the need for individuality, and all their implications, rings very true. I think I mostly protest mentally because I love a sense of mystery about life, and the loss of complexity in this book leaves precious little room for the mysterious and the unknown. I guess I would like to be more than the sum of my parts.

I don't agree with everything he says about the value of drugs, but I find the kindly but practical thoughts to be very useful in creating a clear picture and making choices based on my driving motivations. It is the kind of book that turns complex terrain into an easy-to-follow mud map. It doesn't remove the complexity; it simply makes navigation more effective. ( )