40 pages • 1 hour read
The Denial of Death
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Book Brief
336
Book • Nonfiction
1970s
1973
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker, published in 1973, explores the human fear of death and the psychological mechanisms developed to cope with it, including rituals, beliefs, and hero-systems that provide a sense of significance and oneness with the universe. Becker argues that with the decline of traditional religion, modern substitutes like romantic love, consumer capitalism, and science fail to offer the same metaphysical power. The book contains references to sexually explicit content and includes controversial assertions about mental health and people with mental health conditions.
Contemplative
Challenging
Mysterious
Dark
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
16,810 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Review Roundup
Ernest Becker's The Denial of Death is acclaimed for its profound psychological insights into humanity's struggles with mortality. Praised for its intellectual depth, the book challenges readers to confront existential anxieties. However, some find Becker's arguments dense and his style overly complex, which could hinder accessibility. Overall, it remains a thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Denial of Death?
A reader who would enjoy The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker is introspective and fascinated by existential psychology, mortality, and human behavior. They likely appreciate works like Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning and Sigmund Freud's writings on psychoanalysis. This reader is drawn to profound philosophical inquiries and the human condition.
16,810 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud
A foundational figure in modern psychology known for developing psychoanalysis, whose ideas about the unconscious, talk therapy, and the nature of neuroses inform the book's theoretical framework and analysis of human psychology.
Søren Kierkegaard
Søren Kierkegaard
A key 19th-century philosopher and theologian, whose views on individuality, faith, and the internal process of religious experience provide a philosophical backdrop to the book's inquiry into existential themes.
Otto Rank
Otto Rank
A student of Freud and a significant influence on the book's concepts, particularly known for his focus on symbols, myths, and creativity in understanding psychological development and mental illness.
336
Book • Nonfiction
1970s
1973
Adult
18+ years
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