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Book reviews for "Herman,_Ellen" sorted by average review score:

The Romance of American Psychology: Political Culture in the Age of Experts
Published in Hardcover by University of California Press (1995)
Author: Ellen Herman
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Amazing
Historians have increasingly embraced culture as an extremely important outlet for understanding a particular area of history. Art, music, journalism, literature, and advertising - and where applicable, film - are used by historians to attain a good grasp on the culture of a certain era. Scientific and academic influence on culture often goes overlooked. Ellen Herman examines the cultural influence of one incredibly important academic field: psychology. In her book, The Romance of American Psychology: Political Culture in the Age of Experts Herman investigates an academic field (psychology) with it's relationship to the various elements of society and how these elements reflect a distinct culture.
In an excellent examination the culture of the 20th Century - specifically the 1940s through the 1970s - Herman describes popular culture indirectly rather than directly. Herman examines a segment of 20th century American culture through the lens of academic psychology, as well as, how academic psychology influenced culture directly effecting how individuals perceived (perceive) themselves. Herman states that

"Psychological experts have been a critical force in the recent convergence between private and public domains, cultural and political concerns. Joining the comprehension and change of self to the comprehension and change of society was their most enduring legacy."

Herman argues that too often psychology's influence and importance in the course of 20th century American thought has been over-looked, specifically in psychology's particular influence on American culture resulting from a shift in self-perception.
Herman sets up her book to proceed chronologically, beginning with psychology's anticipation and preparation for involvement in the Second World War. It may seem odd for Herman to begin her examination of American Psychology so late in the field's history, but for Herman it is the best place to begin. Psychology, according to Herman, found it's evolutionary catalyst within the unique situation of the Second World War. During the war the United States government became specifically interested in the impact that Psychology could have on victory in the war effort. Not only did the war have an important impact on the field of American psychology but it also brought the most important element into the field: the US government influence and money. Herman examines three aspects of psychology during World War II. First Herman looks at psychology's relation to the US government; second she examines how psychology was used to propagate acceptance of the war (keep morale high) on the American home front, and third how psychology was employed to prevent and treat the soldiers who suffered from severe war strain.
From the war Herman moves on to the post-World War II period showing that though the war had ended, psychology did not cease to work with government nor did government interest fade. Next Herman looks at how psychology was used to gain an upper hand in "'The Minds Race'" of the Cold War. Herman shows how "intimately entangled psychology had become with military and foreign policy." The intimate relationship became culturally influential, as Herman shows in her book, because psychology began to be seen as a utopian cure-all for American society.
Herman goes on to connect the major, and at times frightening, hypotheses of psychology concerning the general progression of society (and culture) as a whole. Herman examines the growth of psychotherapy for not only the unstable, but for the 'normal' as well. The growth of popular psychology had long range influences because it changed how everyday Americans thought, specifically concerning self-perception.
Not only had mental health been encompassed as a legitimate sphere of public action, but subjectivity...had been ...the key to maintaining social stability...strengthening feelings of human connection...were gradually transformed into important social goals.

Herman goes on to explain how psychology had influenced the political climate of the US, specifically its influences on the New Left (through Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers), and later on the emergence of the new Feminism. The relationship with psychology and Feminism manifested through Feminism's critique and rejection of psychology's sacrifice of women upon the altar of society's woes. Herman's examination of the feminist perspective gives excellent insight on how psychology's arrogance was confronted by women and forced to change it's time honored, yet brutally flawed, perspective on women.
Herman's style and structure of her book is excellent. The book develops in a manner that allows the subject to evolve smoothly as the chapters build. Though Herman makes use of a mountain of sources, both primary and secondary, she does not overwhelm the reader at any point. Herman has an excellent grasp of the subject at hand and writes with a clear passion for the subject and keeps the book enjoyable and enlightening at the same time. To her credit she discusses some rather disturbing objectives of the US government (in collaboration with psychology) but does so in a way that does not burden the reader too much. One can read disturbing subjects and move to the next section without much difficulty. Herman possesses the skill to keep the reader engaged in a subject that could very easily be a dry and boring. Her ability makes The Romance of American Psychology a highly entertaining and informative read.
Ellen Herman presents the reader with an important work on the history and influence of 20th century American psychology. She proves very well what so many people do not realize, the influence and role psychology has played in everyday American life. Herman presents a wonderfully enlightening and sometimes disturbing history that should be read by anyone interested not only in 20th century American culture but also in 20th century American history as a whole.


Melville's Bartleby the Scrivener and Benito Cereno (Cliffs Notes)
Published in Paperback by Cliffs Notes (1992)
Authors: Herman Melville and Mary Ellen Snodgrass
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Symbolic tale remains a bore...
Like the reader from Berkeley, I cringed throughout "Bartleby." It is easy to understand why this talented author was unappreciated during his post-Moby Dick period. Although rich in symbolism, the story hardly captivates the reader. Instead of a tale, "Bartleby" comes across as an assignment. I read the story once in high school and I'm devasted to discover I must re-read it for college. Honestly, I prefer not to...

Imagine yourself in the Dead Letter Office
The story of Bartleby is simply about a man loosing his will to live. It is intended to show the reader a dark side in all of us when the meaning of our existence is allowed to be challenged. The chilling image of Bartleby in his previous job at the Dead Letter Office leaves my imagination running wild, wondering about the contents of the letters and how Bartleby must have gone from concern to sadness to indifference about his own mortality as he read the messages written to those who can no longer receive them. I'm glad Melville left Bartleby's reason for being (or not being) a mystery. This way, any reader can relate to the story by drawing on their own experience.

Seemingly simple story about the choices we make daily
Herman Melville wrote this story in 1853, two years after Moby Dick had been published and his writing career was beginning to lose its luster. Subtitled, "A Story of Wall Street", it is a seemingly simple story about a lawyer who hires a gentleman named Bartleby as a scrivener in his office. This was way back in the days before photocopy machines and scriveners performed the necessary tasks of tediously hand copying documents over and over. Bartleby was good at the copying part of his job, but when asked to proofread aloud one day he simply replied, "I prefer not to." From that moment forward, he used the phrase "I prefer not to" for every task requested of him, eventually "preferring not to" do any work whatsoever. The lawyer, who is astounded by Bartleby's attitude, tells the story in the first person.

The story is rich in language and yet spare in actual action. The reader is forced to think, and think seriously about the choices we make daily. Bartleby chose to rebel and become an anti-hero. But the real protagonist of the story is the lawyer, who is drawn into Bartleby's power and grows to admire him. The conclusion is sad, but inevitable. Recommended.


Billy Budd and Typee
Published in Paperback by Cliffs Notes (1991)
Authors: Herman Melville and Mary Ellen Snodgrass
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Billy Budd
Billy Budd is a short story in which it tells about the life of a young sailor. It mainly focuses upon the life onboard the Indomitable. It tells how he ticks and what makes him work. The words and usage of language describe the story as a college or older high school type of literature. It is very hard to understand at first, but after a few tries you will understand.


Excellence in Problem-Oriented Policing: The 2001 Herman Goldstein Award Winners
Published in Paperback by DIANE Publishing Co (2003)
Authors: Lisa Carroll, Ellen Scrivner, and Nancy Kilb
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FORGING THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY: Government and International Historians through Two World Wars
Published in Paperback by Berghahn Books (1996)
Authors: Keith M. Wilson, Ellen Evans, Keith Hamilton, Holger H. Herwig, Derek Spring, Keith Wilson, Herman Wittgens, Joseph Baylen, Uri Bialer, and Ulfried Burz
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Hope and Folly: The United States and Unesco, 1945-1985 (Media and Society)
Published in Paperback by Univ of Minnesota Pr (Txt) (1989)
Authors: William, Jr. Preston, Edward S. Herman, Herbert I. Schiller, Ellen Ray, and Herman Schiller
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Psychiatry, Psychology, and Homosexuality (Issues in Lesbian and Gay Life)
Published in Library Binding by Chelsea House Pub (Library) (1995)
Authors: Ellen Herman and Martin Duberman
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