The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness

In this provocative book, the distinguished author writes to break the deadlock in the struggle between the instinctivism of Konrad Lorenz and behavior psychologist B.F. Skinner. In this provocative masterpiece, as crucial and telling now as when it first appeared in 1973, Fromm takes on the very nature of human evil in "a work of broad scope and prodigious scholarship [that is] immensely instructive and stimulating" (Library Journal). "In this perhaps most important of [Fromm's] pioneering theoretical works, the distinguished author writes with brilliant insight in attempting to break the deadlock in the struggle between the instinctivism of Konard Lorenz . . . and behavorist B.F. Skinner. He moves toward a provocative conclusion which involves a critical revision of Freud's theory of a 'death instinct' in man . . . Fromm's studies of Stalin and Himmler, and especially his penetrating psychobiography of Hitler, fascinatingly support his thesis."Publishers Weekly "If any single work could bring mankind to its senses, this book might qualify for that miracle . . . This book is the product of one of the most penetrating, most mature minds of our time."Lewis Mumford "Rich and provocative . . . A major book from the pen of a major writer."The Washington Post Book World "Fromm is an original thinker . . . His analysis of the causes of destructiveness is unique, and he has an enviable skill in the lucid presentation of intricate material."Atlantic Monthly "By far the best book I have ever read on the subject and by far the most absorbing."Ashley Montagu

Erich Fromm was a German-born U.S. psychoanalyst and social philosopher who explored the interaction between psychology and society. His other major works include The Art of Loving, Escape from Freedom, and Man for Himself. He died in 1980.

"If any single work could bring mankind to its senses, this book might qualify for that miracle. . . . This book is the product of one of the most penetrating, most mature minds of our time."--Lewis Mumford

"In this perhaps most important of his pioneering theoretical works, the distinguished author writes with brilliant insight in attempting to break the deadlock in the struggle between the instinctivism of Konrad Lorenz . . . and behaviorist B.F. Skinner. He moves toward a provocative conclusion which involves a critical revision of Freud's theory of a "death instinct" in man. . . . Fromm's studies of Stalin and Himmler, and especially his penetrating psychobiography of Hitler, fascinatingy support his thesis."--Publisher's Weekly

"Rich and provocative . . . a major book from the pen of a major writer."--the Washington Post Book World

"Fromm is an original thinker. . . . His analysis of the causes of destructiveness is unique, and he has an enviable skill in the lucid presentation of intricate material."--Atlantic Monthly

"By far the best book I have ever read on the subject and by far the most absorbing."—Ashley Montagu

"A work of broad scope and prodigious scholarship . . . immensely instructive and stimulating."