A General Theory of Love

By: Richard Lannon MD, Thomas Lewis MD, Fari Amini MD

Narrated by: Chris Sorensen

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

This original and lucid account of the complexities of love and its essential role in human well-being draws on the latest scientific research. Three eminent psychiatrists tackle the difficult task of reconciling what artists and thinkers have known for thousands of years about the human heart with what has only recently been learned about the primitive functions of the human brain.

A General Theory of Love demonstrates that our nervous systems are not self-contained: from earliest childhood, our brains actually link with those of the people close to us, in a silent rhythm that alters the very structure of our brains, establishes life-long emotional patterns, and makes us, in large part, who we are. Explaining how relationships function, how parents shape their child's developing self, how psychotherapy really works, and how our society dangerously flouts essential emotional laws, this is a work of rare passion and eloquence that will forever change the way you think about human intimacy.

©2000 T. Lewis, F. Amini, and R. Lannon (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Three psychiatry professors cover an impressive vista of research and clinical insights from Freud to contemporary neuroscience...the book is well written and provides a credible introduction to the neuroscience of emotions." ( Library Journal)

Great content, okay narration

They narration was a little hard to follow for me personally. The contents of the book though - really crucial information that everyone should know and have access to! I also wish the book was written in more accessible vocabulary so it could reach a wider audience!

amazing explanation of Neuroscience

I really enjoyed the explanation of how the different parts of the brain interact with each other. If you do not have a background in medicine, this would be difficult to understand. Narration could have been better, however the material is absolutely worth listening to.

Excellent

Excellent book explaining how love and attachment have their physiological basis in our nervous systems. Demonstrates the connection between the physical body and emotions. The language used is very sophisticated and may not be accessible to all listeners, but the main ideas do come across. The performance was fine, not as intolerable as others but also not enjoyable to my ear.

A must read

One of the most important books I’ve ever read. Not the biggest fan of narrator but moved past it as the book is brilliant: sharp concise and meaningful insight that doesn’t stop until the last page.

A Horribly Written Book

This book had amazing content and does a profoundly thorough job of explaining that which we all seek to know ... what is love, and more importantly, why it is critical to survive and thrive as a human. That is why I rated it five stars. Unfortunately, it is turgidly written in plundering prose, a potential barrier to those that most need it ... those who have suffered from the trauma of poor parental and other relationships while growing up, and the associated suboptimal limbic brain development. Per the book's hypothesis, these people may well have challenges in life, including learning, such that the word salad that envelops the main messaging could be a high barrier to many from gleaning its benefits. Recommend the next edition be written in the language of the people, vice that of arrogant academics.

Good book, really comes together around Chapter 8

This book is very insightful, fact based, and generally well written. Despite it being quite wordy, I understand why it would be necessary and beneficial for every prospective therapist and parent to read, if not everyone in general.

Very well done

This is a well eritten book about how we form loving conmections towards one another. some may find it difficult to read or listen to, without basic medical terminology.

Great book, useful information

I love this book, the authors tied together so much information on current neuroscience and common sense that I was constantly getting little “aha!” moments. It not only explained how love works, but also built a useful way to think about how love and connection can be created, maintained and even restored. It’s a great antidote to the barrage of self-help books with quickie solutions... sorry, the authors say, this is the limbic brain we are talking about, not the neo-cortex ... and that memory/processing system while fast acting and powerful, is a slow learner.

one of only a few books i would prefer in print.

narrator's accent: boo. Many new words i would've preferred to read to learn spellings of.

Might be better to read

I couldn’t get passed the 2nd chapter because I can’t stand the reader’s voice and tone. I’m sure it will be a great book to read on my own!!