Werner Erhard (book): Difference between revisions
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The book was well-received by graduates of the est training, who "snatched up copies of the book".<ref name="pressman" /> It became a [[bestseller]] in 1978.<ref name="sanfranciscochronicle1990" /> |
The book was well-received by graduates of the est training, who "snatched up copies of the book".<ref name="pressman" /> It became a [[bestseller]] in 1978.<ref name="sanfranciscochronicle1990" /> |
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In his book ''Six Silent Killers: Management's Greatest Challenge'', James R. Fisher characterizes Bartley's book as a "[[hagiography]] of Erhard".<ref>{{cite book | last =Fisher | first =James R. | title =Six Silent Killers: Management's Greatest Challenge | publisher =CRC | year =1997 | page =43 | isbn = 1574441523}}</ref> Kenneth Wayne Thomas describes the book in ''Intrinsic Motivation at Work'' as "a somewhat sympathetic biography and statement of the est philosophy".<ref>{{cite book | last =Thomas | first =Kenneth Wayne | title =Intrinsic Motivation at Work: Building Energy and Commitment | publisher =Berrett-Koehler Publishers | year =2000 | page =128 | isbn =1576750876}}</ref> |
In his book ''Six Silent Killers: Management's Greatest Challenge'', James R. Fisher characterizes Bartley's book as a "[[hagiography]] of Erhard".<ref>{{cite book | last =Fisher | first =James R. | title =Six Silent Killers: Management's Greatest Challenge | publisher =CRC | year =1997 | page =43 | isbn = 1574441523}}</ref> Kenneth Wayne Thomas describes the book in ''Intrinsic Motivation at Work'' as "a somewhat sympathetic biography and statement of the est philosophy".<ref>{{cite book | last =Thomas | first =Kenneth Wayne | title =Intrinsic Motivation at Work: Building Energy and Commitment | publisher =Berrett-Koehler Publishers | year =2000 | page =128 | isbn =1576750876}}</ref> In his review of ''Werner Erhard'' for ''[[The New York Review of Books]]'', Jonathan Lieberson writes "The writing is, moreover, appalling: formularized zest, officious enthusiasm that is thoroughly uncontagious."<ref name="lieberson">{{cite journal | last =Lieberson | first =Jonathan | title =Est Is Est | journal =[[The New York Review of Books]] | volume =26 | issue =5 | date =April 5, 1979 }}</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 04:25, 15 September 2009
 1978 Edition | |
| Author | William Warren Bartley |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Biography |
| Publisher | Clarkson Potter |
Publication date | 1978 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 279 |
| ISBN | 0-517-53502-5 |
Werner Erhard: The Transformation of a Man, The Founding of est is a biography of Werner Erhard by William Warren Bartley, III. The book was published in 1978 by Clarkson Potter.
Author's role in est
Bartley, a friend of Erhard,[1] was very involved in the est organization.[2] He served for several years as the company's "philosophical consultant",[2] and was paid US$30,000 in this capacity during the two years he spent writing the book.[3] Bartley also served on the "Advisory Board" of est.[2]
Contents
Erhard wrote an introduction to the biography.[4] He comments that a quote from Soren Kierkegaard selected by Bartley "seems to pierce to the heart of what happened" in Erhard's life.[4]
The book recounts how Erhard, previously known as Jack Rosenberg, left Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1960, leaving behind his wife and their four children.[4] Erhard studied philosophy, Mind Dynamics, and Scientology.[5] Erhard told Bartley he had a positive experience with Scientology which helped expand his mind, commenting in the book: "After my experience with Scientology, I saw what it means to see the mind as a machine. I can now operate my mind accordingly, with exactitude. I can do the familiar mind over matter experiments-- the control of pain and bleeding, telepathy, those things."[5] The author interviewed Erhard's mother, Dorothy Rosenberg, who said of his skills as a salesman: "He could sell you City Hall."[6] Erhard's aunt, Edith, commented: "Not only would he sell you City Hall. You would think you got it all tied up in a ribbon. Werner sold something to you graciously."[6] Erhard reconnected with his family after an absence of 12 years.[4] According to the book, his long absence from his family caused them feelings of confusion and pain.[4]
Reception
The book was well-received by graduates of the est training, who "snatched up copies of the book".[3] It became a bestseller in 1978.[1]
In his book Six Silent Killers: Management's Greatest Challenge, James R. Fisher characterizes Bartley's book as a "hagiography of Erhard".[7] Kenneth Wayne Thomas describes the book in Intrinsic Motivation at Work as "a somewhat sympathetic biography and statement of the est philosophy".[8] In his review of Werner Erhard for The New York Review of Books, Jonathan Lieberson writes "The writing is, moreover, appalling: formularized zest, officious enthusiasm that is thoroughly uncontagious."[9]
See also
- Getting It: The psychology of est
- Human Potential Movement
- Large Group Awareness Training
- New age
- Outrageous Betrayal
References
- ^ a b San Francisco Chronicle staff (February 9, 1990). "William W. Bartley III". San Francisco Chronicle. p. B7.
- ^ a b c Ebenstein, Alan O. (2003). Hayek's Journey: The Mind of Friedrich Hayek. Palgrave Macmillan. p. 215. ISBN 1403960380.
- ^ a b Pressman, Steven (1993). Outrageous Betrayal: The Dark Journey of Werner Erhard from est to Exile. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 140–141. ISBN 0-312-09296-2. OCLC 27897209.
- ^ a b c d e Rosenfeld, Megan (April 14, 1979). "Encountering Werner Erhard". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. p. C1.
- ^ a b Cerabino, Frank (May 28, 1989). "Erhard Went From Encyclopedia Sales to Marketing 'It'". The Palm Beach Post. Palm Beach Newspapers, Inc. p. 15A.
- ^ a b Hacker, Kathy (February 4, 1985). "For the Guru of 'Est', A New Empire". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. C1.
- ^ Fisher, James R. (1997). Six Silent Killers: Management's Greatest Challenge. CRC. p. 43. ISBN 1574441523.
- ^ Thomas, Kenneth Wayne (2000). Intrinsic Motivation at Work: Building Energy and Commitment. Berrett-Koehler Publishers. p. 128. ISBN 1576750876.
- ^ Lieberson, Jonathan (April 5, 1979). "Est Is Est". The New York Review of Books. 26 (5).
External links
- est and Werner Erhard, quotes/references work in relation to Erhard's admiration of Napoleon Hill
- Werner Erhard: Books and Articles, as cited on official Werner Erhard homepage
- Est, Werner Erhard, and the Corporatization of Self-Help, listed as hagiography