Suggested Reading List for Students by Louis Hoffman, Ph.D.

1. The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker (1973; New York: Free Press)

The Denial of Death is a perennial class in the existential literature. Becker begins with a thorough critique of Freud’s theory. In the end, he maintains that Freud’s basic structure is a profound insight into human nature. However, Becker disagrees with Freud’s motivational system. For Freud, the sex or life drive was the basic motivational impetus for humans. Later, Freud also added a second drive, the death instinct, which was not as fully developed or understood. Becker’s focus is in closer agreement with placing this second drive as the foundational motivational system. Becker maintains that is death and the denial of death that forms the basis for much of the human dilemma. This becomes the foundation for a profound analysis of the human condition, including how people deal with death and human limitation.

2. The Cry for Myth by Rollo May (1991; New York: Delta)

Rollo May is generally considered the father of American Existential Psychotherapy. The Cry for Myth is the final book of his prolific career. The first part of this book is May’s theory of myths. Myth is defined as that which cannot be proven to be true. In stating this, May strongly critiques the common view of myth as false. Myth is also the greatest source of meaning for human beings. The combination of these two ideas places the source of human meaning in mystery and that which is unknown. However, it is this mystery that is missing in much of contemporary culture. For May, the cry for myth then symbolized a deep longing for mystery, myth, and meaning. From this foundation, May examines many of the most influential myths in contemporary society in the next several sections of the book.

3. The Courage to Be by Paul Tillich (1952; New Haven, CT: Yale University Press)

Paul Tillich is one of the most frequently cited theologians in the psychological literature. His existential theology has been greatly influential on both existential philosophy and existential psychology. The Courage to Be is the book which has made the greatest impact of all his works on psychological theory, even among those who don’t share Tillich’s religious or spiritual views. In this book, Tillich examines the courage it takes to fully embrace the human experience in its entirety. Consistent with much of existential psychology, Tillich examines how people often will repress those aspects of being human which bring about anxiety instead of living with courage honesty about the human experience.

4. Anger, Madness, & the Daimonic by Stephen A. Diamond ( Albany, NY: State University of New York Press)

Few books on existential psychology come close to the breadth of this volume. A student of Rollo May, Diamond’s book reflects his influence while further developing the central ideas of May’s psychology. One central importance in this book is the redemption of anger, which occurs much in the same way May earlier redeemed anxiety. For Diamond, anger is an essential part of the human experience that, when repressed, becomes problematic. In redeeming anger, Diamond connects the idea to that of the Daimonic (not to be confused with the demonic). Similar to Jung’s idea of the shadow, the daimon is introduced by May and Diamond as the central motivational structure in existential thought.

5. Rediscovery of Awe: Splendor, Mystery, and the Fluid Center of Life. (2004: St. Paul, MN: Paragon House)

Schneider is another important new leader in the existential literature. His theory, based in existential, or what Schneider calls existential-integrative theory, unites many aspects of depth psychotherapy. In Rediscovery of Awe, Schneider begins an initial formulation of the broad potential impacts of depth psychotherapy. He envisions what America and the world could be like if politicians, educators, businesses, and other leaders were regularly involved in depth experiences (therapy along with other group and training experiences). Central to these depth experiences would be an embracing of awe and mystery. Schneider’s book provides an important vision of where depth psychotherapy needs to go and the importance of its influence on contemporary society.

6. Love and Will by Rollo May (1969; New York: Delta)

Love and Will is probably May’s best overview of May’s theory. An important addition of this book is the focus on relationships. This provides existential perspectives on love, relationships, sex, and how these are connected to the will or intentionality. Along with several of Yalom’s writings, Love and Will is a great place to start for people who are just beginning to explore existential psychology.

7. Escape from Evil by Ernest Becker (1975; New York: Free Press)

This is Becker’s follow up to The Denial of Death which almost never found its way into print. Fortunately, after Becker’s death, Escape from Evil was published. Becker continues developing the same theories which made The Denial of Death a classic. One new addition proves extremely important as is the basis for the book. For Becker, it is the denial of finiteness and human limitation that forms the basis for evil. This has powerful implications for existential theory and the need for depth psychology. While much of humanity is trying to overcome many human limitations, Becker is saying that this must be done with humility or it will inevitably lead to the promotion of evil.

8. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl (1984: New York: Simon & Schuster)

Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning is a classic in every sense of the word. This is a book to read and re-read. The majority of this book is Frankl’s memoirs of his time in the concentration camps during World War II. This alone makes the book worth reading. At the end of the Frankl’s account of the death camps, he provides a brief overview of his logotherapy. While not the best overview of logotherapy, the combination of Frankl’s experiences of the holocaust along with the overview of his therapeutic approach make this an important read for therapists.

9. Anam Cara: A Celtic Book of Wisdom by John O’Donohue (1998: New York: Harper Collins)

O’Donohue is a Catholic theologian who lives, teaches, and writes in Ireland. The reader may quickly note that this book doesn’t appear to fit very well with the other books on this list, at least at first glance. However, taking a closer look, Anam Cara fits wonderfully with an existential perspective. In many ways, O’Donohue is offering an existential spirituality. The word Anam Cara itself means “soul friend” or “soul mate.” It is this blending of existential themes, relationships, and spirituality that give this book is profundity. One example of the existential nature of this book is the emphasis on solitude and death being an essential part of healthy relationships. Though not the most visible existential text, it is an important addition to the literature.

10. Nietzsche: Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist (4 th Edison) by Walter Kaufmann ( Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press)

Walter Kaufmann is likely the most authoritative expert on Nietzsche since Nietzsche himself. While neither Nietzsche or Kaufmann are psychologist, both have influenced psychology, particularly existential psychology. There is no other book that provides as good of an overview of Nietzsche, including the common misrepresentations of Nietzsche’s thought, as this book. Kaufmann does an excellent job of not only discussing Nietzsche’s philosophy, but also the applications.