I ended up very impressed with Peck and The Road Less Traveled. I’ve never read anything quite like it. Some style this as a ‘self-help’ book, but I didn’t experience it that way. It is a book about Life and Truth.

The book is divided into four main topics: Discipline, Love, Growth and Religion, and Grace.
Peck begins by accepting that life is difficult, and then immediately move beyond this.

The section on Discipline expounds on a topic which is effectively carried throughout the book–there is no easy road to happiness; the path includes suffering, discipline, and hard work. The journey is, however, will worth the effort.

The second section of the book is the most beautiful and complete treatise on love I have ever read.

Growth and Religion contains a wonderful critique of religion, pointing out how some religious mindsets do more harm than good.

In the end, however, Peck acknowledges the need for and role of correct religion in our lives.

Reading this book was like going on a journey. When I started, there were times I didn’t know if I was going to finish. The book starts with some rather basic principles, and one must resist the temptation to believe that this journey offers nothing new. Even though many of the truths presented here are timeless, their delivery, along with our general inability or unwillingness to do what is right, make this a journey worth taking. Admittedly, there are details presented that I do not agree with. Sometimes Peck even comes across as arrogant or conceited. Nevertheless, his comments ring with truth and timelessness.

One other lesson I gleaned from this book is that mental health is not a Boolean have or have not. Mental health is just as volatile as physical health–a delicate balance where a little too far to one side isn’t fatal, it just isn’t as good as it could be.

Peck is goal with this book is to help us become our best selves. His message is full love while recognizing the effort required to find true joy. It is indeed a road few travel.

This is a book on human interaction. Being trapped in ourselves as we are, and largely limited to our own experiences, interacting _well_ with others is not natural for most of us.

The entire book is devoted to the principle of validation. Lundberg describes what it is, how it is used, and the miraculous effects it elicits in others. Although the book focuses solely on this, it is a principle which affects every kind and level of human interaction. Lundberg proves this by spending the later half of the book describing the effectiveness of validation in many different situations, giving tips on the how of the matter as well. The repetition became noticeable at times, but is valuable in learning to make validation a natural response.
Initially, and even a little into the book, I was concerned that Lundberg was indirectly advocating abdication of responsibility. This is not his point, however, but rather to make us aware of our limitations while still being as helpful as possible.

The simple yet powerful principles in this book will help you respond to others the way they want to be responded to, while keeping your boundaries firm.