Self-help · ThoughtfulM. Scott Peck opens with “Life is difficult” and argues for self-discipline, responsibility and love
The Road Less Traveled
A psychiatrist's guide to discipline, responsibility and love
M. Scott Peck's book blends psychology and spirituality and opens with the statement “Life is difficult.” It argues that self-discipline, delayed gratification, accepting responsibility and spiritual, active love help people overcome life's problems. Random House rejected the manuscript, and Simon & Schuster bought it for $7,500 and retitled it The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth. It sold 12,000 hardcover and 30,000 paperback copies in its first year.
More about this book
Who
M. Scott Peck, a psychiatrist.
World
Personal growth, discussed through psychology and spirituality.
What makes it different
It entered the New York Times best-seller list in 1983 and stayed there for 694 weeks, more than 13 years. Encyclopedia.com reports lifetime sales of more than ten million copies and translation into 20 languages.
Feel
Direct and reflective.
Page count and cover shown for: Selected edition
Further reading
- M. Scott PeckEncyclopedia.com