Scripts People Live

Forgive the author getting second billing on the cover of his own book. Steiner offers some very useful insight into the social aspects of alcoholism, and the world in which the alcoholic lives, and the roles assumed by the non alcoholic participants of that world, who have an interest in the situation not changing.

Scripts People Live is one of the best books I've ever read. I highly recommend it for anyone with children. This book teaches how to allow one's children to become the best they can be. Parents are very good at training children to be joyless. Parents also teach their kids to be victims by reinforcing powerlessness. Parents limit their children's abilities to think for themselves. The parents I'm talking about are what we'd think of as normal, loving parents. They do so unwittingly; they do so erroneously believing they're doing the best for the child. If you'd rather raise autonomous children who can experience joy, think for themselves, not have addictions, who can experience intimacy, and express their emotions, then this book is for you. I read _I'm OK - You're OK_ first, and I found it gave me a very strong understanding of transactional analysis, making it easier to absorb the concepts of _Scripts People Live_ easier. This isn't required though as there is a summary of TA in the beginning of SPL. Great book...a must read for anyone in a relationship with another human being.

As a worker in the field of 'mental health', I found this book to be invaluable in demystifying mental illness and assisting clients in learning about themselves using everyday language they can understand, not the psycho mobo jumbo utilized by psychiatry (to keep people oppressed and thinking they cannot cure themselves)This book, almost 30 years old, is probably more relevant today, particularly as the legions of 'rescuers' become more prevalent in society, i.e. therapists, counselors, probation officers, and all those in favor of the medicalization of behaviors. The books basic premise, that people can solve their own problems and get better on their own by redeciding, is both true and a threat to those who purport otherwise. For further in depth education in demystification, I recommend reading Thomas Szasz.

I never write reviews but this book was so incredible. Comprehensive and yet specific enough to give people serious insight into their unconscious decisions and how to change that. Mr. Steiner examines how society promulgates and promotes certain behaviors as well as our parents, teachers, etc. etc. This book is a must read for anyone truly interested in the inner-workings of themselves and others. VERY ENLIGHTENING!

I constantly give this book away! To my adult students who are dealing with the old "I'm not (whatever) enough." It had a phenomenal effect on me at 40, clarifying so many contradictions. The author gets one to look at what is, and what isn't "my script." And helps one along the path to finding the one I'm "writing."