From Kirkus sThe complex topic of attachment theory is opened up to parents, as well as other interested adults, by putting issues of child development, usually couched in antiseptic academic parlance, in lay terms. Ranging through historical developments in the field, Karen, formerly a psychotherapist in the pediatric unit of Bellevue Hospital, attempts to demystify ``mother love,'' or the bond babies have with their primary caregiver (Karen is also concerned with what happens to babies when that bond is disrupted). The author introduces and defends the English researcher John Bowlby, whose intuitions in the late 1930's about ``maternal attachment'' would be borne out not by his research but by that of Mary Ainsworth decades later. It may be historians and would-be child psychologists to whom this book matters most, for the delineation of who contributed what to the field, and when, puts both attachment theory and psychoanalytic theory into a context of early speculations, later advances, due championing, and (some) tarnishment. Amid occasionally florid prose, and with a tendency to characterize figures as either brilliant or great, Karen delves into what theorists have believed to be children's earliest feelings of rage and helplessness, love and security. Wittily titled chapters with effective cliffhanger endings will carry readers along on the tide of discovery and naysaying, furious debate, and placid acceptance of what these days is considered universally scandalous treatment of children (from abandonment of orphans to the analysis by her father of Anna Freud). Karen's work makes clear that, regardless of the path of scientific thought, there are newly minted, common-sense reasons for giving offspring all the love and respect we can. -- Copyright 1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. "Robert Karen has a rare capacity for presenting complex psychological ideas in language that is accessible to nonspecialists....Karen's book makes fascinating reading and constitutes a considerable achievement."--Contemporary Psychology"Robert Karen...is one of our smartest and most accessible guides to the arcane world of psychoanalytic theory and research."--ElleAbout the AuthorRobert Karen is a clinical psychologist in private practice and an award-winning author. In addition to two previous books, he has written articles for The Atlantic, New York magazine, Mirabella, The Nation, and The Yale . He is Assistant Clinical Professor at the Derner Institute of Advance Psychological Studies, Adelphi University. where can i read textbooks online for free Becoming Attached: First Relationships and How They Shape Our Capacity to Love
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Heads Up! Missing Pages in My New Copy!By EricI agree with everyone's positive reviews, I just want to give people who are going to purchase it a HEADS UP regarding an error in mine. My book went from page 324, back to page 301, then had all its pages up to page 324, then jumped to page 349. So there was a HUGE GLITCH on someone's part and I'm missing a section of this comprehensive, comprehendible, and really enjoyable overview of attachment theory. It took me years to finally get to reading it so I assume it's too late to return for a proper version but it's still so good I have to give it 5/5 stars.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. the relationship is off to a rousing good start! These early months are critical for esteem-building ...By Sharon RaymondThis book is deep and chocked full of so much vital information in the key and critical aspect for becoming a parent who "knows" what their baby wants in all situations. I have heard many times from different parents, "If I could just figure out what's wrong with this baby, I'd do something to keep her from crying." Parents and babies who are ATTACHED have learned "what the baby wants or needs" by being consistent and available and allow that instinct to kick in, as it were. There is much communication coming from extremely young infants, and if a parent is willing to listen and learn what is going on, the parent/child bond becomes very deeply entwined . . . the relationship is off to a rousing good start! These early months are critical for esteem-building and personality-forming structures, and this type of read could help all parents immensely in the manner in which the child views themselves and how they fit into the world.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great insight on kids.By Jasmine mitchellI purchased this book for my developmental childhood psychology class. I am not a big reader as most books dont hold my interest; however this book was really interesting. It gave great insights in how a child should be raised and the consequences of what might happen if a parent is not equipped to handle it. The chapters arent that big, about 20 pages per chapter. Easy to read, no crazy big words. Great book if you need one for a psych. Childhood class.