First published 1962
Surveying the breadth of human experience, Becker plunges into the elemental forces that give life meaning - and take it away. From the psyche's desperate quest for immortality to the terrors of our animal nature, he uncovers the bedrock truths underlying our fragile sense of self. As Becker peels back the layers of culture, he reveals the abyss that yawns beneath our cherished illusions, challenging us to confront the mortality that haunts our every thought and deed.
Genres: philosophy, psychology, 20th-century, sociology, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: existential-crisis, philosophical-exploration
Period: 20th-Century
232 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books Ltd