Mad Men on the Couch: Analyzing the Minds of the Men and Women of the Hit TV Show

by Stephanie Newman

Mad Men has captured the imaginations of millions of viewers, winning fifteen golden globes and four Emmys. Perhaps more than the gorgeously stylized visuals and impeccably re-created history, it's the show's richly drawn characters stumbling through their personal and professional lives that get under our skin and keep us invested.

In Mad Men on the Couch, Dr. Stephanie Newman analyzes the show's primary characters through the lens of modern psychology. Lending her trained professional eye, she poses and expertly answers pressing questions such

Why does Don constantly sabotage himself?
Why is Betty such a cold mother and desperately unhappy housewife? ( It's not just because her "people are Nordic.")
Why does Pete prevail in adversity when Roger crumbles?
Why is Peggy able to rise profesionally in the male jungle of Madison Avenue when Joan can't?
Can these characters ever really change?

With critical commentary that is both entertaining and insightful, Mad Men on the Couch will provide viewers with a unique persepctive on the show.

Genres: Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Essays

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2012

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Bringing in business is the key to your salary, your status, and your self-worth." -- Don Draper, in season 1 / episode 13

Published between the fourth and fifth seasons of the critically-acclaimed 2007-2015 drama series - which focused on the various employees of a New York City-based advertising agency during the momentous decade of the 1960's - Mad Men on the Couch examines the mental health / quirks / issues of the hard-drinking, chain-smoking and often adulterous central characters via author Newman's experience as a psychologist and psychoanalyst. Between the well-written show being one of my all-time favorites on TV and taking a number of psychology and sociology classes during my college years the book was a great mixture of the subject matter. The only real drawback was that the series ran for an additional three seasons after the book's publication - an updated version, especially with Dr. Newman's take on some subsequent developments (like Don Draper's infamous 'pitch' meeting with the Hershey executives), even at this late date would be most welcome.

[Betsy (Gray Matter) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What could be better? A book that take my obsession with Mad Men and my obsession with therapy and intertwines them so perfectly. I watched the premier of Season 5 last night with a completely different set of eyes.

Mad Men on the Couch takes a look at the characters from a real Psychoanalyst's perspective. It's interesting to think about why Betty is such a cold mother and why Peggy, despite having been a secretary herself, is so harsh with women (and some men) in the workplace. And don't get me started on the deeply fractured psyches of Don and Roger.

It's a brilliant concept, perfectly executed. Loved it.

[snowflakes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, but it was more like a survey course than an in-depth psychoanalysis/character study (which is what I was hoping for). I also did not like how much the author wrote about the characters and issues through the lense of 2012. It's not helpful for accurately understanding them to view their world through our contemporary eyes, trying to fit them into our mold.

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say this is interesting if you're really into the show, and by that I mean someone who has watched whole seasons two or three times, and know Mad Men is more than sixties clothes and cocktails. It is a psychological drama. At times the book is repetitive, and maybe focuses too much on the characters of Don and Betty, but this is a quick read so I can't complain. For better critiques of Mad Men I'd highly recommend television reviewer Alan Sepinwall's writings. (http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-watc...)

[Evelina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am really unsure of who this book is actually meant for?
As a fan of the series I find the psychoanalysis in the book way too superficial, and it’s not giving me much new knowledge about the characters. On the other hand it would be way too complicated to read, if you weren’t that familiar with the whole series, as the book doesn’t give much background knowledge and tend to use scenes from different seasons to prove a point.
I really wanted to like this book, but it was way too messy in my opinion.

[Avedon Arcadio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this very insightful that didn’t slam you with too much psychological terminology. I would have given it higher marks if the author had waited until the series was over to see what her analysis was of the character arcs by the end of the show. This only goes up to the end of season 4 which was only half way through.

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes "Mad Men" such an incredible show--in addition to the amazing writing and acting--is the depth of the characters. They are fully formed people. So how fun is this premise? Put Don, Roger, Peggy, Joan, Pete, Betty, Megan and Sally under a psychiatrist's microscope.

"Fun" is not how I would describe this book. It is more of an academic thesis, replete with psych theory and terminology. But once you get used to this writing style, the book really is interesting, albeit not light reading.

Not only does clinical psychologist/psychoanalyst Dr. Stephanie Newman analyze the minds and behavior of the main characters, but also in the process paints in broad strokes an accurate picture of life in the early '60s.

[Dawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. This had the potential to be so much more entertaining. I don't know if it was the format -- it was handled by trait/issue/topic and I wonder if a character-per-chapter analysis might have better served -- or the tediousness of the repetition, sometimes in back to back sentences, but what could have been a fun and insightful addition to the series became more of a chore than anything else. If it hadn't been so short (and let's be honest, take out all the times Dr Newman repeated herself and it would have been even shorter), I don't think I would have even bothered finishing it, other than I was hoping for some sort of redemption or revelation. Talk about a buzzkill. Dry, dull, disappointing.

[Jakobi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not read if you do not follow the series on tv, it is a must-read after season 4.
This is for those who do appreciate not only a good film, but also the stories behind main characters. The way they're created is exceptional - their personalities are rightly affected by families, social conventions of those times and WW2. It makes you think and wonder, then it all suddenly makes sense.

I love the show, but I love it even more now once I have absorbed all the analyses.

Excellent book. Would appreciate to read one every time I watch a great TV show!

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was, obviously, more of the author's point of view. And although some of her points were rather interesting - using psychological studies and incorporating them into the show "Mad Men", I believe she could have broaden her points. It was essentially an overview of seasons 1-4, and how messed up both the characters and society are. Since the whole series is over, I would find it interesting to get her take on how the characters have or have not improved. But, of course, a bit more articulate and in depth.

[Rob Curry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good and I’m sure would’ve been even better if I read it at it’s date of release. I started and finished this book in 2019, a few years after the Mad Men series ended and it’s a shame this book was written as the show was at its half-way point. Yes some of the personality traits of the characters remain the same after season 4, but I do believe they all evolve significantly from seasons 5-7. Still a good read for a Mad Men fan, just wish there was an updated version after the series had concluded.

[Dina Martinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

MADMEN reads like a reality show circa 1964. Not only have all of us encountered a 'Don Draper' and 'Peggy Olson', we'd also like to know what makes them what they are. Dr. Stephanie Newman brings us an in depth view of the cast's personalities, as well as the psychological basis for their traits. Chock full of insights, MADMEN is not only for it's fans, but for the little bit of MADMEN in all of us. A must read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The complexity of the Mad Men characters is the reason this book succeeds at being such a fascinating read. At times it becomes a bit redundant but the way the book is segmented it could lend itself nicely to a "pick and choose" read based on the topics and characters that interest you most. The glimpses into the mindset and political fabric of the 60s was as intriguing to read about as the psychological aspects.

[Bryan Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a counseling student and a long-time fan of the show, I found this book to be completely fantastic. I not only reinforced what I'm learning in my grad. school classes, but I got to gain more insight into the already interesting characters from this well-written show. This is a must-read for any MM fan!

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. Thought this book might be just an effort to cash in on the Mad Men craze, but it's really interesting. The author is a psychoanalyst and has a lot of insight into the major characters on the show.

[Victoria Plettner-saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too wonky on the psycho babble but a fascinating look at narcissism and sociological mores of the 60's. I just wish the book went past Season 4 - I wonder how she would look at Don's character in relation to his current wife Meagan.

[Tamelyn Feinstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newman offers a short refresher course in introductory psychology, along with a few interesting character points here and there, but if you're a fan of the show, and have any sort of basic psychological insight, there's really nothing new here for you.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the insight! Although, I wish there was an updated version of the book. It was written in 2012, while the series ended in 2015. I would be curious to read about the characters as the series evolved.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating.

[Marybeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its been so long i cant give a helpful report

[Grumpylibrarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

My copy was an ARC and the editing was so bad at that point it rendered the copy nearly unreadable.

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A psychologist analyzez the characters on Mad Men.

[Marci · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chose this one as a therapist who loves the show. Reads like a college essay. Ends at season 3. Or maybe 4. It didn't stick with me.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of the show from day one, this book offered fun, insightful character critiques on the characters and more information about the show's setting (1960s NYC with a few detours in LA).

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up. Too much talk about Freud.

[Chris Jaffe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. Some interesting points, but it's often repetitious and sometimes presses points too far.

[Jessica Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant insight into the characters minds, Don, Pete, Betty and Sally.

[Kathy Heyne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mainly about the character Don Draper and quite repetitive.