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trin's review against another edition
2.0
Fairly dull and shallow. The encyclopedia-like format means there are redundancies between entries, plus, nothing is explored at particular depth, and there's a lot of just repeating the results of various psychological studies (classically without flaw) and the theories of men like Freud without question or analysis. Plus the discomfort of homophobia and xenophobia lumped in with mental illnesses. Not recommended.
mardana's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
The book lists about 100 phobias and manias with a bit of blurp for each.
Sometimes the author tries to explore the underlying origins of certain fears. Sometimes they tell about statistics or therapeutic approaches. Most times they offer entertaining anecdotes in correlation to the mania or phobia.
The last part of the book contains a list of courses sorted by the respective chapter.
I would have preferred the sources being cited as footnotes. Also, the blurp texts often appear too much on the smalltalk side. With many of the anecdotes and healing approaches not even being properly placed historically nor geographically, it all seems a bit too light.
It is a couch table book, while I would have wished for a deeper dive. My bad.
Sometimes the author tries to explore the underlying origins of certain fears. Sometimes they tell about statistics or therapeutic approaches. Most times they offer entertaining anecdotes in correlation to the mania or phobia.
The last part of the book contains a list of courses sorted by the respective chapter.
I would have preferred the sources being cited as footnotes. Also, the blurp texts often appear too much on the smalltalk side. With many of the anecdotes and healing approaches not even being properly placed historically nor geographically, it all seems a bit too light.
It is a couch table book, while I would have wished for a deeper dive. My bad.
Content Warnings
Minor: Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Biphobia, Homophobia, Colonisation, Antisemitism, and Racism
odurant8's review against another edition
4.0
An entertaining chronicle of different phobias and manias, some you've never heard of, and some you'd rather forget! Ergophobia (fear of work), haphephobia (fear of being touched), and more will fascinate you with historical details and anecdotes. This is a thoroughly researched and accessible to anyone, and readers can pick and choose the chapters they're interested in or plow straight through. I confess to skipping any chapters involving insects, and wish I had skipped the one on fear of heights. You may even discover a long buried phobia while you read. Recommended for anyone with a curious mind.
cayleejanet's review against another edition
idk this is just a list i think it might have been better had it been grouped into sections of things that are related to each other but it also bothered me that some of the entries are way longer than others
ahomelibrary's review against another edition
“The Book of Phobias and Manias: A History of Obsession” by Kate Summerscale is an “easy to read” nonfiction characterized by its brief sections and concise writing.
Pub Info — Currently has a 3.68 average and almost 500 ratings on Goodreads. September 2022, Penguin Books @penguinbooks
Categories — Nonfiction, Psychology, History, Phobia/Anxiety & Fear, Trivia, Cultural History & Analysis
The Author — I really enjoy Summerscale’s books. She’s written the popular ‘The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher’ and award winners like ‘The Wicked Boy’ among others.
Quick Summary — This book is a collection of 99 obsessions from the well-known to the more obscure. The author provides case studies, connections to popular culture, and basic foundational info for each.
More Info & My Thoughts ⤵️
Pub Info — Currently has a 3.68 average and almost 500 ratings on Goodreads. September 2022, Penguin Books @penguinbooks
Categories — Nonfiction, Psychology, History, Phobia/Anxiety & Fear, Trivia, Cultural History & Analysis
The Author — I really enjoy Summerscale’s books. She’s written the popular ‘The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher’ and award winners like ‘The Wicked Boy’ among others.
Quick Summary — This book is a collection of 99 obsessions from the well-known to the more obscure. The author provides case studies, connections to popular culture, and basic foundational info for each.
More Info & My Thoughts ⤵️