Author: Nathaniel Branden

Publisher: Bantam; Reprint edition

Pub. in: May, 1995

ISBN: 0553374397

Pages: 368

Measurements: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1 inches

Origin of product: USA

Order code: BA01345

Other information: ISBN-13: 978-0553374391

Self-esteem is the relationship that we acquire with ourselves, writes Nathaniel Branden in The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem. This work attempts to define what genuine self-esteem is and what its requirements are. The six pillars are the ingredients of any healthy self-concept, and represent the actions that must be taken and the values that must be pursued to acquire it. Life itself depends on the successful attainment of goals, and as the "immune system of consciousness" self-esteem is the gauge of how successful we are in this endeavor.

Each of the six pillars is presented with a sound mix of theoretical discussion and concrete examples from Branden's experience as a psychotherapist. One strength of this book is its highly goal-oriented nature; it offers practical means of acquiring the skills necessary to build self-esteem, and show how to gauge one's progress in developing these skills. These take the form of sentence completion exercises that seek to raise one's level of self-awareness.

Branden writes that his years of study in the field of psychotherapy have lead him to conclude that the six pillars represent the fundamental nature of what healthy self-esteem is. He leaves open the possibility that there may be a superior definition of self-esteem. And while he offers a vigorous defense of his definition and his argument that it (self-esteem as he defines it) is a necessary condition of good mental health, it doesn't support the notion that it is a sufficient condition of it (although he comes across as sounding that way). A thief can take pride in his abilities at thievery, and have an accurate self-concept based upon those skills, but no moral person would describe a thief's version of self-esteem as a sign of sound mental health. Questions such as this are perhaps outside the scope of a work on psychology and properly the subject of a work on ethics, but they are legitimate questions nonetheless (and Branden's suggestion that this work is nearly as much a work of philosophy as it is one on psychology makes these questions legitimate in that context).

Branden's arguments for the importance of cultivating self-esteem in our schools and in the workplace are enlightening and convincing. A capitalist system thrives upon citizens with healthy self concepts, while our schools and places of work often contain elements of an atavistic philosophical outlook that calls for conformance and obedience above all else.

All in all, this work is highly inspirational and leaves the reader with the belief that there is much that we can we do to empower ourselves and take control of our lives, and offers practical means for doing so. This is surely one of the best self-help books available today.

(From quoting Mark Eckenrode, USA)

Target readers: Everyone who understands English and desires self-esteem.