For William James, work was the problem. Ultimately, going to work was the resolution, and James's quest for meaningful work remains as relevant at the end of the twentieth century as it was in the nineteenth. Weaving letters, diaries, drawings, and published texts, Becoming William James provides a convincing biographical analysis rich in detail and tone. In his new introduction, Howard M. Feinstein adds biological psychiatry to psychoanalytic and family systems theories to inform our understanding of a complex man. In addition, he discusses whether James's mental illness might have been treated with drugs.

For William James, work was the problem. Ultimately, going to work was the resolution, and James's quest for meaningful work remains as relevant at the end of the twentieth century as it was in the nineteenth. Weaving letters, diaries, drawings, and published texts, Becoming William James provides a convincing biographical analysis rich in detail and tone. In his new introduction, Howard M. Feinstein adds biological psychiatry to psychoanalytic and family systems theories to inform our understanding of a complex man. In addition, he discusses whether James's mental illness might have been treated with drugs.

"

A study equal in richness to James himself.

"

Howard Feinstein has written a brilliant study of William's crises over idleness, illness, and vocation within the context of intense parental and sibling entanglement.

"

The best and truest thing one could say about the richly provocative Becoming William James is that William, while perhaps raising an eyebrow here and there, would have welcomed it and praised it lavishly.