• The Road Less Traveled

  • A New Psychology of Love, Values, and Spiritual Growth, 25th Anniversary Edition
  • By: M. Scott Peck M.D.
  • Narrated by: M. Scott Peck M.D.
  • Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (4,605 ratings)

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The Road Less Traveled  By  cover art

The Road Less Traveled

By: M. Scott Peck M.D.
Narrated by: M. Scott Peck M.D.
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Publisher's summary

Perhaps no book in this generation has had a more profound impact on our intellectual and spiritual lives than The Road Less Traveled. With sales of more than 7 million copies in the United States and Canada, and translation into more than 23 languages, it has made publishing history, with more than 10 years on The New York Times best seller list.

Told in a voice that is timeless in its message of understanding, The Road Less Traveled continues to enable us to explore the nature of loving relationships and leads us toward a new serenity and fullness of life. It helps us determine how to distinguish dependency from love; how to become a more sensitive parent; and ultimately how to become one's own true self.

Recognizing that "Life is difficult" and that the journey to spiritual growth is a long one, Dr. Peck never bullies his listeners, but gently guides them through the hard and often painful process of change toward a higher level of self-understanding.

Combining profound psychological insight and deep spirituality, this is an audiobook that provides inspiration and understanding.

©1986 M. Scott Peck, M.D., All Rights Reserved (P)1986 Simon & Schuster Inc., All Rights Reserved, AUDIOWORKS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"It is not just a book but a spontaneous act of generosity." (The Washington Post)

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What listeners say about The Road Less Traveled

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Revised Edition Highly Recommended

Buy this book! Put it into your digital library and listen to it once a year - just like your physical, or changing the batteries in the smoke alarm. Why, you ask?

The aspiration is to keep an internal balance as we face the increasing barrage of life stressors. Occasionally we need to "reset" and this book has supplied that, in part, for me. This is a slightly updated (for the better) version of the original that I have listened to and shared with others over the last 20 years. Scott Peck gives the same neutral performance in this revised reading that does not distract from the message and still affords easy listening.

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76 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

The Road Not Taken...

I really don't like BS, and particularly dislike self-help BS. As with all successful self help books, this book states the obvious truths as if they are original. The author points out self discipline, responsibility, dedication to the truth, and good prioritization are all useful. He notes "Real" Love is an active choice, but is often confused with infatuation or ideas about romantic love. Definitely true, but all pretty well known.

This book goes on to describe the author's views on religion, evil and "grace" including the author's belief in miracles and psychic abilities based upon his personal experiences. The evidence he provides seem rather weak and completely unscientific and anecdotal. The religion presented is vaguely Christian, but seemed to me to be selfish variant of Christianity where the point is one's own spiritual growth (as opposed to Christ, who focused on loving and giving).

The author was a Freudian psychologist who seemed to believe that most people require vast amounts of (expensive) analysis (maybe helped out with what he calls "truth serum") to prepare them to help others in the same "Godlike" ways he does.

I was particularly unsettled by the author's description of Evil and Evil people. It seems he based his concept of Evil on the Freudian analysis patients he was unable to help (because of their inherent lack of empathy and deceptive nature.) It seems, in his theory, these people are destine to be Evil (grace has been withheld, but there appears to be some tiny chance that could change, but probably not.) The author's description of these Evil people (who have a pathological lack of empathy and don't respond to analysis) seemed to me like people with neurochemical or neurophysical abnormalities that don't respond to analysis, not Evil people.

As I listened to this book I could palpably feel the author's fear and self loathing permeating the writing and a strong undercurrent of his desperate will for power. He seems to feel that "life is difficult" and filled with "problems". This may resonate with some readers looking for self-help, but didn't resonate with me. Life can be difficult and have problems but these are challenging parts of life that make life interesting.

As I finished this book I was virtually certain if I looked up a bio of the author I would find a troubled life after the writing of this book. Bingo. Serial philandering, alcohol abuse, divorce, estranged children, fascination with exorcism, etc. It seems odd to me to take advice on life and love from such an author.

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47 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Always Wonderful

Have been re-reading the same copy of this book for 22 years. Now on tape, great messages!

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39 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

you will keep coming back to this book

This short book has helped me to think clearly about the human condition. From the first chapter on he had my attention. His ideas about love and marriage, though brief, have become a bedrock for my marriage. I listened to this book three times over the past 10 years and will continue to listen for the rest of my life.

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38 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The KING of all self-development books!

Originally written in 1978, but truth knows no time. I've read a number of similar books and I feel that this the greatest of them all. The author himself narratorates this title and put the same firm and lively tone used in his writing. It truely is an extrodinary book. If you seek a self-help book that doesn't always serves up advice with the sugar coating (like Dr. Phil) then this book is for you.

Love and Light

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32 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

I have listened to this audio book several times since I purchased it less than 2 weeks ago and I love it. Peck addresses so many issues I can identify with in myself or in my loved ones it's great. This book is a MUST for those interested in improving themselves and their relationships.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Timely information

I came across this book at the time where I'm looking at what's not working in my life. I am not interested in taking off the top layers of stuff but want to dig down to uproot the very foundation of me that is not stable. This book has given me a lot of information in order to successfully do that. I'm excited about who I will be as I work through all that Dr. Peck has shared. Thank you for helping me get my life and relationships back!

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Life changing

This book is the stepping stone to true personal self development. This book is life changing. Listen to this book and hold on to every word.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

a heartfelt work

opened the door to spirituality and to god which i believed to be
locked. thankyou m scott peck

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Didn’t follow the book

I was disappointed because I wanted to listen to the book not the abbreviated summary. I wish if it was stated clearly before I purchased it.

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7 people found this helpful