One of the great rebels of psychiatry, R. D. Laing challenged prevailing models of madness and the nature and limits of psychiatric authority. In this brief and lucid book, Laing’s widely praised biographer distills the essence of Laing’s vision, which was religious and philosophical as well as psychological. The Crucible of Experience reveals Laing’s philosophical debts to existentialism and phenomenology in his theories of madness and sanity, family theory and family therapy. Daniel Burston offers the first detailed account of Laing’s practice as a therapist and of his relationships—often contentious—with his friends and sometime disciples. Burston carefully differentiates between Laing and “Laingians,” who were often clearer, more confident, and more simplistic than their teacher. While he examines Laing’s theories of madness, Burston focuses most provocatively on Laing’s views of sanity and normality and on his recognition, toward the end of his life, of the essential place of holiness in human experience. In a powerful last chapter, Burston shows that Laing foresaw the present commercialization of medicine and asked pointed questions about what the meaning of sanity and the future of psychotherapy in such a world could be. In this, as in other matters, Laing’s questions of a generation ago remain questions for our time.

"In Crucibles of Leadership, esteemed leadership author and thinker Robert J. Thomas profiles successful leaders from all walks of life, focusing on the role experience has played in their success. In vivid stories of leadership from United Parcel Service to the United States Marine Corps, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Hells Angels, you see firsthand how leaders learn from experience, and how they leverage what they learn." -- Back Cover

“If you have a troubled marriage, a troubled child, a troubled self, if you’re in therapy or think that there’s no help for your predicament, The Family Crucible will give you insights . . . that are remarkably fresh and helpful.”—New York Times Book Review The classic groundbreaking book on family therapy by acclaimed experts Augustus Y. Napier, Ph.D., and Carl Whitaker, M.D. This extraordinary book presents scenarios of one family’s therapy experience and explains what underlies each encounter. You will discover the general patterns that are common to all families—stress, polarization and escalation, scapegoating, triangulation, blaming, and the diffusion of identity—and you will gain a vivid understanding of the intriguing field of family therapy.

The majority of us will spend our working lives being not our best self, but rather a lesser version of our self, often creating a public façade that does not match who we are behind closed doors. And thus, we slowly die by a thousand paper cuts. In an era of inauthentic leaders, the stakes could not be higher for embracing a better version of yourself that propels you and your team to success. In a social media world there is an abundance of false narratives about happiness and authenticity, it is easy to get lost on your journey. Authentic leadership expert Dr. James Kelley shows that the key to personal and professional growth lies in how we respond effectively to adversity. In fact, what causes us and our organizations the most fear can be our greatest gift, creating a positive meaning out of challenges. A test or trial--your individual crucible--gives you the potential to increase self-awareness, develop deeper compassion, live with more integrity and boost connection with colleagues. High-impact leaders thrive in adversity because of their crucibles, not in spite of them. The Crucible's Gift introduces you to lessons from over 140 diverse leaders who demonstrated the art of living more authentically. Combining these rich, raw and insightful stories with his knowledge of business and psychology--as well as his candid accounts of what he has learned from his personal crucibles--Kelley shows how to transform what holds you back into traits that will propel you forward, encouraging you to step fully into your life. The world demands leaders who can accomplish the impossible, delegate effectively and inspire their teams. The Crucible's Gift shows that, provided you're open to receiving it, today's worst situation may be tomorrow's biggest opportunity. No more bullshit excuses.

The author examines the Operation IRAQI FREEDOM environment and concludes that the complexity, unpredictability, and ambiguity of postwar Iraq is producing a cohort of innovative, confident, and adaptable junior officers. They are learning to make decisions in chaotic conditions and to be mentally agile in executing counterinsurgency and nation-building operations simultaneously. As a result, the Army will soon have a cohort of company grade officers who are accustomed to operating independently, taking the initiative, and adapting to changes. The author warns that the Army must now acknowledge and encourage this newly developed adaptability in our junior officers or risk stifling the innovation critically needed in the Army's future leaders.

For leaders who believe they may not be maximizing their leadership potential, Warwick Fairfax is the trusted leadership advisor who helps readers uncover their own unique path to living and leading with significance, effectiveness, and authenticity in all areas of life. In Crucible Leadership, he shares the power of embracing the crucible moments: those past trials, failures, and setbacks that can be seen as either roadblocks or as jumping-off points to leading a life of significance and purpose dedicated to serving others. Crucible Leadership comes alive through the unique framework of Warwick’s own story: how his legacy shaped his worldview and drove decisions that eventually led to his own crucible moment. He demonstrates to readers in an honest, self-reflective way how they can make sense of their own talents and trials to lead with authenticity in all areas of life. Warwick empowers readers to become the leader they were designed to be through his unique perspective, which has been shaped by three powerful touchstones: Hard-won insights and honest, self-reflective lessons learned from his own crucible moment, and the long road back from it Inspiring and instructive stories from his rich and iconic family history Time-honored leadership truths proven out by history’s greatest and most inspirational figures