Review of The rediscovery of man

Abstract

Reviews the book, The rediscovery of man by Henry C. Link (1938). This text is aimed at the refutation of the view of the individual as irresponsible--a view which the author conceives to be mechanistic. Basing his approach on personality studies, Link takes into consideration habits essential to adequate, self-reliant personality development and the manner in which they may be acquired. Overall, the book is not scientific, as the term is properly used. It is, rather, pragmatic. Link is interested in getting action from his readers in the direction of assuming greater responsibility for their own welfare and personality characteristics, and in correcting in the future some of the present abnormalities. The book itself is written in a vivid and popular style, which is to say, the author knows his field sufficiently well to write about it in simple and exact words. No one will misunderstand what the book offers, but he will be provoked to intensive thinking in defense of some of his own beliefs. This reviewer found the opening chapters a trifle slow and the central portion fascinating. The last part of the book, in which the author is applying his thesis to a wide range of current situations and beliefs and relating it to the Christian Ethic, seemed to lack Link's customary organization. However, the book may be read by all psychologists for both pleasure and profit. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)