Good read it's the last of his books

great read and very helpful, reflection on his life and work good to hear and good remembering the other books

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Worthwhile. A door-opener to literature and psychotherapy.

At times I felt as though I was revisiting “Gilead” by M. Robinson. - The voice of someone from a different generation and of the opposite gender took on a timeless, poetic tone, deeply relatable. At times I grew restless listening; I confess I rarely read memoirs, and when I do they are often political. But then I regretted that restlessness and felt grateful and inspired to pick-up other books Yalom mentions having been influential in his life. As a bonus I came to respect and admire Yaloms wife - another writer to explore.
Though I find psychology deeply interesting, I am “just” a general reader and had not read anything by Yalom before. I realise now that I recognise the titles of several of his books and am glad that I now have the background of having listened to his memoir before picking them up. It will add an extra dimension, I am certain. Being introduced to literature opens doors. This memoir opens many doors.

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brilliant , cosy to listen to and incredible

I loved this , it was fascinating to learn about Yaloms life and how it has influenced his own work and the passion and enthusiasm he has for counselling and learning about the human condition. the last paragraph blew me away, I was listening to his book while going for hikes and I reached the top of a hill when I got to his last paragraph coincidentally and it was such a beautiful way to end his amazing book. I recommend this especially if you have read some of his other books first such as loves executioner and when Neitzche Wept .

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such an inspiring autobiography!

I've enjoyed the book so much and felt inspired by the author's rich, full life, as well as let his thoughts about his relationships with his parents, influence the angles through which I see & enjoy the relationship with my parents and family. Recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more about the author's life, how he's come to write the books he wrote, who inspired him and his views on ageing. Such a vibrant, yet delicate book! loved it!

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Yalom at his most authentic

I loved this book, Yaloms' best. written at eighty five years old and capturing his lived experience he takes the reader on multiple incredible journeys with the honesty of someone who is facing a looming end. what an amazing human we have in Irvin D. Yalom.

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you'll love it

such an inspirational story! you'll want to read more of his books and the narrator is very good

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2 people found this helpful

Immersive life story of therapist and writer

I'd only read 'Love's Executioner' before downloading this memoir which does a great job of connecting me to 'Irv' (yep, I know I don't know him but feel like I do!) at all stages of his life to now in his 80s. It presents how his own path (particularly but not only in relation to his work) developed and grew from the library books he read as a child, through to medical school, experiences of therapy, developments in group and existential therapy, developing as a practitioner and as a writer, and into continuing learning in his later life. A sign of how engrossing I found it is that there were times whilst I was listening on my commute I wanted to say something to Irv, to ask him questions, for instance to say 'hey could you just ask your wife how she felt about that' (especially when her career moved forward and he found it difficult to adjust)! This is because he is so open and reflective when there's the slightest gap or possibility for more exploration it makes me want to pause for more conversation with him. I have an interest in psychotherapy but would think it is only necessary to have an interest in engaging with ideas about how we experience ourselves, each other and the life course - so in people and relationships over time - to find that there is so much to enjoy here.

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Just lovely

My first ever audio book and I couldn't imagine starting with anything else. As a newly qualified psychotherapist, I place a lot of trust in yalom's writing and this, his ultimate story, is heartwarming, educational and funny. Really entertaining but a bit like a guide on how to live a good life. Except this bit in medical school, where he admitted that he wasn't the best of husbands or fathers.

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poignant psychological biography by a world class

I loved this intimate portrait of a world class therapeutic genius. Well read too. If you want to understand his works more then read this.

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Totally gripping and full of compassion.

For the journeyman/-woman person, therapist, partner, seeker and for those who wish for inspiration and hope.

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