The Road Less Travelled

Psychiatrist M. Scott Peck starts from the idea, set out in his well-known opening line, that life is difficult. Drawing on his professional experience, he argues that people try to avoid the pain of confronting problems, and that this avoidance brings greater pain and blocks mental and spiritual growth. Facing difficulties and enduring the changes they demand, he suggests, can lead to a higher level of self-understanding. Peck also examines the nature of loving relationships: how to become one's own person, how to raise children with more sensitivity, and how to separate dependency from love. The book remained on the New York Times best seller list for more than a decade.

Iulian Stanciu, founder of eMag, called it an introduction to psychology that helps explain why certain things happen in life.