Be glad you're neurotic

Nice, like new.

Actually, I originally thought this book was a figment of the imagination. James Thurber published the humorous essay entitled "The sex ex machina" in the March 13, 1937 edition of "The New Yorker" in which he satirically skewered Bisch-the-be-glad-you're-neurotic man. (The article is easily available in "The Thurber Carnival.) I am reviewing here the 1949 Permabound edition, which seems to have been revised somewhat from the original 1936 edition, since it mentions WW 2. The book is really historically significant as a predecessor of the now ubiquitous feel/good self help books which perpetually glut the shelves in search of your money. "Be glad you're neurotic," says the author, "for the normal is nothing to brag about." (P. 55) "Normals are a tough-hided species." (P. 55) Besides being a psychiatrist, Bisch also suggests thyroid tablets can change the cretin to someone who has a right to claim human classification. (p. 169). Sweet! Electric shock treatment is also painless!!! said the good doctor. Even more amusing, he suggested that Waterloo might have ended differently if Napoleon's pituitary insufficiently had been properly addressed. (P. 171). If only Napoleon had taken the option of a thymus transplant, this review would have been written French. And, Oscar Wilde would not have been a homosexual, if only he had the proper glandular treatment. Now, you also know what I think of the current crop of self help tripe! Before finishing the book, be sure to take the test on pages 184-187 and find out how big a nut Bisch thinks you are. Thurber had this boy pegged but good. I only wish Thurber were still around to lambaste the current batch of charlatans.