120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฟ

Overnight NZ-wide delivery ๐Ÿš€ Weโ€™ve moved into our new bookstore and warehouse ๐ŸŽ‰

A General Theory of Love

4.11 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 4,858 ratings, 563 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A General Theory of Love explores the science of human emotions by combining insights from psychology, neuroscience, and literature. The authors examine the nature of love, how it shapes our brains, influences our behaviours, and affects our lives, highlighting the interplay between biology and romantic connections. The book delves into the importance of emotional learning, attachment, and the healing power of love in human relationships.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3999
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are interested in understanding the science behind human emotions and relationships. It blends psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology to explore the complexities of love and connection, offering profound insights into what makes us feel and act the way we do.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Debunking Freudian theory, the authors of this groundbreaking analysis of the biological underpinnings of love offer a new paradigm for understanding the human "heart", redefining family ties, community, and romance in the process. Reprint. 25,000 first printing.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A General Theory of Love delves deeply into the intricate and multifaceted nature of human emotion, particularly focusing on the phenomenon of love and its undeniable significance in our well-being. Authored by three distinguished psychiatrists, Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, and Richard Lannon, this profound work bridges the gap between the enduring wisdom of poets, philosophers, and artists, and contemporary scientific discoveries about the human brain and its primal functions.

In this original and lucid exploration, the authors reveal that our nervous systems are not self-contained entities. From the very beginning of our lives, our brains form connections with those we are closest to, creating a silent, synchronous dance that profoundly influences the very architecture of our minds. These interactions mould our lasting emotional tendencies and play a crucial role in shaping our identities.

A General Theory of Love eloquently illustrates how relationships work, the critical impact that parents have on their childrenโ€™s development, and the transformative power of psychotherapy. It also addresses the alarming ways in which our society often disregards these essential emotional principles, leading to detrimental effects on collective emotional health. By weaving together a rich tapestry of narrative and scientific insight, this book offers a compelling and passionate argument that will forever alter your perception of human intimacy.

As you journey through the pages, you will find a thought-provoking and engaging examination of how deeply interconnected we are, both emotionally and neurologically, emphasizing that the bonds we form with others are fundamental to our emotional and mental well-being. This pioneering work is not just an academic treatise, but an eloquent reminder of the profound roles love and connection play in shaping our very essence as human beings.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A General Theory of Love has been praised for its insightful exploration of the science of human emotions, blending scientific precision with literary grace. Reviewers find it bold and eminently readable, convincingly linking love and biology. The book is noted for placing love alongside other scientific disciplines and is compared to works by Oliver Sacks and Lewis Thomas. It has been commended for its elegant prose and the compelling argument for a culture that understands the heart's ways.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780375709227

Publisher: Random House USA Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 January 2001

Country: United States

Imprint: Vintage Books

Illustration: 50 ILLUSTRATIONS

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 131.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 261g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Thomas Lewis, M.D. is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, and a former associate director of the Affective Disorders Program there. Dr. Lewis currently divides his time between writing, private practice, and teaching at the UCSF medical school. He lives in Sausalito, California. Fari Amini, M.D. is a professor of psychiatry at the UCSF School of Medicine. Born and raised in Iran, he graduated from medical school at UCSF and has served on the faculty there for thirty-three years. Dr. Amini is married, has six children, and lives in Ross, California. Richard Lannon, M.D. is an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCSF School of Medicine. In 1980, Dr. Lannon founded the Affective Disorders Program at UCSF, a pioneering effort to integrate psychological concepts with the emerging biology of the brain. Dr. Lannon is married and the father of two; he lives in Greenbrae, California.

More from Parenting & Family

View all
  • Raising Human Beings
    Raising Human Beings by Dr. Ross W. Greene, renowned child psychologist and bestselling author of Lost at School and The Explosive Child, presents a transformative approach to parenting that helps foster strong parent-child relationships while nurturing key traits such as empathy, honesty, resilience, and independence. This insightful guide is not only a manual for good parenting but also a roadmap...
    Paperback
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story (Expanded Edition)
    Honour his legacy with the greatest gift of allโ€”his story. The Official Hear Your Story Collection Your dad's story is more than just memoriesโ€”it's a journey filled with wisdom, experiences, and defining moments that shaped his life. Dad, I Want to Hear Your Story is a guided journal that gives him the chance to share those stories in his own...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Hold on to Your Kids
    Hold on to Your Kids by Gabor Matรฉ and Gordon Neufeld presents a transformative approach to parenting that aims to foster a deep and enduring bond between parents and their children. This groundbreaking book delves into the modern challenges faced by today's parents, particularly the influence of peer culture, which can often overshadow parental guidance and values. In a society...
    Paperback
    $3100
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Modern Dad
    New Release
    The Modern Dad
    A love letter to modern fatherhood and being a stay-at-home dad by one of NZ's most popular storytellers. Louis Davis (Ngฤpuhi, Ngฤti Whฤtua) is one of Aotearoa's most popular storytellers, with a combined global audience of three million people tuning in to see his heartfelt and funny videos about fatherhood, fishing, and whฤnau life. But even with three young childrenโ€”and...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story
    Give Your Mum a Beautiful Gift of Legacy, Love, and Lasting Memories Mum, I Want to Hear Your Story is the fun and delightful way for you to discover everything from your mother's childhood memories to the profound turning points in her life. Featuring specially selected questions in an easy-to-use layout, each intentional section gives Mum a place to share...
    Paperback
    $2099
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Matrescence
    A revelatory account of the transition into motherhood and how it affects the mind, brain and body A New Statesman and Daily Mail Book of the Year During pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood, women undergo a far-reaching physiological and psychological metamorphosis. There is no other time in a human's life course that entails such dramatic changeโ€”other than adolescence. And yet,...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Whole-Brain Child: 12 revolutionary strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
    Are you often left bewildered by your child's outbursts or stubborn behaviour? Do you find it challenging to understand why they seem to act irrationally? The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind by esteemed neuropsychiatrist Daniel J. Siegel and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson provides enlightening answers to these common parenting dilemmas. This groundbreaking and...
    Paperback
    $2800
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Why Men Love Bitches
    Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov is an eye-opening and empowering guide for women who are ready to transform their dating and relationship habits. This insightful book delves into the dynamics of male-female relationships and teaches women how to embrace their inner strength, confidence, and independence to attract and keep the man they desire. Avoiding conventional advice, Argov offers...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $4300
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Explosive Child [Sixth Edition]
    The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene, PhD, now in its revised and updated sixth edition, delves deeply into a revolutionary, research-based approach to understanding and parenting children who frequently display severe fits of temper and other challenging behaviours. Penned by a distinguished clinician and pioneer in addressing the needs of children with social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties, this ground-breaking...
    Paperback
    $2300
    Elsewhere:
    $3299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Attached
    Is there a science to love? In the revelatory book Attached, psychiatrist and neuroscientist Amir Levine and psychologist Rachel S. F. Heller delve into the world of attachment theory, offering illuminating insights and practical advice on navigating relationships. Pioneered by psychologist John Bowlby in the 1950s, attachment theory posits that our behavioural patterns in relationships stem from one of three...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Things I Told My Notes App
    The candid, laugh-out-loud guide on self-love and learning to choose yourself from a self-proclaimed oversharerโ€”perfect for fans of Dolly Alderton's Everything I Know About Love. A relatable, honest and inspiring collection of inside thoughts about love, life, and personal growthโ€”the good, the bad, the laugh-out-loud funnyโ€”from viral storyteller and queen of oversharing, Milly Goldsmith. Milly has captured the online hearts...
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    Backorder
    Ships late September
  • The Daily Dad
    The Daily Dad by Ryan Holiday is a treasure trove of wisdom and guidance for fathers seeking to navigate the complexities of parenting with grace and intention. The book is structured as a series of daily meditations, providing fathers with practical advice, philosophical insights, and heartfelt encouragement to embrace their role with honour and mindfulness. With entries spanning influences from...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.