Peace of Mind: Insights on Human Nature That Can Change Your Life

by Joshua Loth Liebman

"It may seem strange for a man to write a book about peace of mind in this age of fierce turmoil and harrowing doubts. I have written this book in the conviction that social peace can never be permanently achieved so long as individuals engage in civil war with themselves." "In this book I try to present some answers that have proved helpful to me about the universal human dilemmas of conscience, love, fear, grief, and God-- crucial problems that present themselves in every kind of society, and, I believe, will present themselves as long as man is man." --Joshua Loth Liebman

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Philosophy, Religion, Spirituality

228 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1901

About the author

Joshua Loth Liebman (1907-1948) was an American rabbi and best-selling author, best known for the book Peace of Mind, which spent more than a year at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list.

Born in Hamilton, Ohio, Liebman graduated from the University of Cincinnati when he was 19 years old. He went on to be ordained and also earned a doctorate in Hebrew letters from Hebrew Union College. From 1934 to 1939, Liebman served as rabbi of K.A.M. Temple in Chicago, Illinois. In 1939, Liebman became the rabbi of Temple Israel, a Reform synagogue in Boston, Massachusetts.

A sermon Liebman gave at Temple Israel, titled "The Road to Inner Serenity", was published as a pamphlet by one of his friends, bookstore owner Richard Fuller, who passed it on to publisher Richard L. Simon of Simon & Schuster. Simon & Schuster then arranged to publish Liebman's self-help book titled Peace of Mind, issued in 1946, which sought to reconcile religion and psychiatry. Liebman had himself previously undergone psychoanalysis. In Peace of Mind, Liebman "addressed himself to the individual whose personal grief and anxiety, unassuageable by social betterment alone, required an inner peace that psychology and religion, working together, could provide." Peace of Mind became one of the year's best-selling books. Reaching #1 on the New York Times nonfiction best-sellers list on October 27, 1946, Peace of Mind held the top position on the list for a total of 58 (non-consecutive) weeks, and spent more than three straight years on the list. (In 1949, Roman Catholic Bishop Fulton J. Sheen responded to Liebman's assertions by publishing a book of his own entitled Peace of Soul.)

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in the 1940's, just after WW2. I thought it was so interesting because of the content (MANY incredible & useful insights that still apply today) and also interesting as a historical look at that time period.

[Santosh Maskara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author delves into the behavioural aspects of the human condition and touches on essence of a good life devoid of passion, greed, hatred. He believes that we must love or perish. He talks about simple human needs consisting of acceptance, approval and companionship. We should, according to the Author, must accept ourselves ‘as is’ with limitations and imperfections. He defines the inner human core of the soul, nervous stem, mind and an inner strength which binds the various components. A good read for discovery of the self.

[Charlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book (1st edition) a few times. I love how he talks about "questing inward" is not easy but one must be consistent & disciplined with practice. He also speaks of loving thyself properly.....

[Cassildalouis428 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's become my bible. I consider myself fortunate to have discovered this book. Chapter three--Love thyself properly--caused me to break into tears and I will confess to having read the pages out loud and silently.

[Isaiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve ever read. Highly recommended!

[Natalie]

Recommendation from Good Grief author

[Cassy Firkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this book was written in 1946, some of it is still relevant today.

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rabbi Liebman had me most of the way through the book. Psychology working with faith based religion works wonderfully for peace of mind. It describes how and the way this happens in a manner that is most readable, that is until he came to the place where he called believers "co-workers" with God. Sorry. No way. We are definitely NOT equal to God as a co-worker. That kind of defeats the purpose in believing in a god of any kind never mind God. It was all downhill from there.

[Jolomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has aged better than I expected. Got turned onto it via a contemporary review. I think his final conclusions are probably wrong about modern America defining a new relationship with God that doesn't include a surrender but along the way he says very interesting things about grief, self and fear. He makes references to Menninger's "Man Against Himself" and Kardiner's "Psychological Frontiers of Society" that I'll need to look into. Worth digging up a copy!

[Michael David · Rating 4 out of 5]

It honestly took me a long time reading this book, in spite of its insight. Nevertheless, Liebman advises the reader to not only look at staid religion, but also read about psychology so that he could understand and interpret himself better. He prefigures Becker's Denial of Death's immortality project, which was clairvoyant of him. Self-understanding, bolstered by psychology, rather than self-condemnation is the way to one's peace of mind.

[Mark Fallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic from 1946 on coming to peace with your self and your emotions. I'd never read much psychology before, and this book really connected to me.

[Oma Eagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

1946 edition

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read if you have any appreciation for both religion and psychology. This book reads like present day.

[Jerry Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

although written decades ago, this book is timely and insightful.brilliant

[Heaven Velez · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an age of vicious turmoil and divine thoughts, it’s peculiar for Liebman to make a book about peace of mind. Although this was written by a Rabbi which reflects the Jewish religion, this book can relate to most people trying to find answers about universal struggles such as grief, love, God, and fear. I found it intriguing how as each chapter progresses, it dives into dilemmas we have then uses the mix of psychology and religion to fix problems people in society have. Ultimately, this book uses a recipe of psych and religious teachings to help us achieve a peace of mind.