Erich Fromm was a political activist, psychologist, psychoanalyst, philosopher, and one of the most important intellectuals of the twentieth century. Known for his theories of personality and political insight, Fromm dissected the sadomasochistic appeal of brutal dictators while also eloquently championing love -- which, he insisted, was nothing if it did not involve joyful contact with others and humanity at large. Admired all over the world, Fromm continues to inspire with his message of universal brotherhood and quest for lasting peace. The first systematic study of Fromm's influences and achievements, this biography revisits the thinker's most important works, especially Escape from Freedom and The Art of Loving, which conveyed important and complex ideas to millions of readers. The volume recounts Fromm's political activism as a founder and major funder of Amnesty International, the National Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy, and other peace groups. Consulting rare archival materials across the globe, Lawrence J. Friedman reveals Fromm's support for anti-Stalinist democratic movements in Central and Eastern Europe and his efforts to revitalize American democracy. For the first time, readers learn about Fromm's direct contact with high officials in the American government on matters of war and peace while accessing a deeper understanding of his conceptual differences with Freud, his rapport with Neo-Freudians like Karen Horney and Harry Stack Sullivan, and his association with innovative artists, public intellectuals, and world leaders. Friedman elucidates Fromm's key intellectual contributions, especially his innovative concept of "social character," in which social institutions and practices shape the inner psyche, and he clarifies Fromm's conception of love as an acquired skill. Taking full stock of the thinker's historical and global accomplishments, Friedman portrays a man of immense authenticity and spirituality who made life in the twentieth century more humane than it might have been.

勞倫斯·弗裏德曼（Lawrence Friedman）

勞倫斯·弗裏德曼是哈佛大學心理學教授以及印第安納大學名譽教授。他曾在11個國傢任教，有8本學術性著作，發錶瞭50多篇文章。他的作品包括《身份的建築師：埃裏剋•埃裏剋森的傳記》《梅寜格：傢庭與診所》等。

譯者簡介

鄭世彥，華東師範大學心理學碩士，心理學編輯，心理谘詢師，著有《看電影學心理學》，譯有《存在—人本主義治療》《生涯谘詢》《現實療法》《選擇理論》《心理學史》等。

計羚，英國伯明翰大學心理學碩士，高校教師，心理谘詢師。現就職於安徽新華學院，從事大學生心理健康教育教學工作。