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The Hamlet Syndrome: Overthinkers Who Underachieve
Offers words of encouragement and instruction for those caught between the need to live in mainstream society and hold fast to their ideals, providing steps that can be taken to integrate success and principles
256 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 13, 2016
"We've lionized...Donald Trump" while "linking the welfare of our sprawling corporations with our national well-being, assuming that what's good for business is what's good for America." p. 239.
Though this book was published in 1989, the world it describes looks amazingly like the one we live in now--except that almost all the negatives back n 1989 have gotten worse. For example, in the summer of 2016, not only was Donald Trump "lionized", he was nominated the Republican candidate for President of the United States.
Hamlets are those who have trouble finding a place for themselves in society as it is now (and has been since 1989).
The over-riding problem for Hamlets is the "the heart or the dollar?" question.
Some of the things contributing to this:
1. Not seeing money as all important.
2. valuing time with family and for self as more important than money.
3. Prioritizing human needs to those of an employer and, especially, an unethical employer.
4. Needing to be valued and treated fairly and as a person in the work place.
5. Needing more than two weeks per year for vacation (more like two months!)
6. Not wanting to devote ones thoughts to work issues 24/7.
7. Far preferring a flexible schedule and a good portion of control over one's time.
8. Need to spend their time doing what interests them and what they care about!
Ultimately, the authors determine, Hamlets must follow their hearts (even if the money only MIGHT follow.) To help with this, psychologically, Hamlets should take satisfaction in the valuable--even if not monetarily valuable--things they surely have accomplished and can accomplish.
Yet Hamlets were raised to conform to the world of the dollar and so, on a mental level, see their success--actually lack of material success--through the eyes of that society. This can cause them to feel much despair and unhappiness and maybe even that something is wrong with them.
No, the authors, assure us, nothing is wrong with Hamlets. In fact, Society could benefit from their sensibilities and insights. And if one is a Hamlet, such a book, saying such things, is comforting to read.
One way an update of this book would be interesting, is to see how Hamlets are faring today. In 1989, pre-Internet, there were less part time jobs out there than now when we have the option to drive for ride-sharing services and create blogs. So, maybe more options of things to do for the person who doesn't want to pursue the typical path. At the same time, though, it was much cheaper to live back in the 20th century. At the time this book was being written, according to the authors, 38% of UC Berkeley graduates ended up in downwardly mobile jobs. Many were, very likely, Hamlets (Hamlet is, most definitely, not dumb.) Could/would this happen today, though? With the high cost of education, could 38% of Berkeley grads afford such jobs? With intensified competition, would the Hamlets be squeezed out of even attending Berkeley by those more single-mindedly focused on college success?
First heard of this book when I read an article about it in the San Francisco Chronicle in April of 1989. Carefully cut out the article and saved it, to discover it again while going through old files in October 2016. Hadn't bought the book back then because, in those days, I did not believe I could afford hardcover books, and the only way to buy hardcover new releases was to pay full price for them. But today, there it was out there as a used book for pennies. So glad, finally, to read it.
Though this book was published in 1989, the world it describes looks amazingly like the one we live in now--except that almost all the negatives back n 1989 have gotten worse. For example, in the summer of 2016, not only was Donald Trump "lionized", he was nominated the Republican candidate for President of the United States.
Hamlets are those who have trouble finding a place for themselves in society as it is now (and has been since 1989).
The over-riding problem for Hamlets is the "the heart or the dollar?" question.
Some of the things contributing to this:
1. Not seeing money as all important.
2. valuing time with family and for self as more important than money.
3. Prioritizing human needs to those of an employer and, especially, an unethical employer.
4. Needing to be valued and treated fairly and as a person in the work place.
5. Needing more than two weeks per year for vacation (more like two months!)
6. Not wanting to devote ones thoughts to work issues 24/7.
7. Far preferring a flexible schedule and a good portion of control over one's time.
8. Need to spend their time doing what interests them and what they care about!
Ultimately, the authors determine, Hamlets must follow their hearts (even if the money only MIGHT follow.) To help with this, psychologically, Hamlets should take satisfaction in the valuable--even if not monetarily valuable--things they surely have accomplished and can accomplish.
Yet Hamlets were raised to conform to the world of the dollar and so, on a mental level, see their success--actually lack of material success--through the eyes of that society. This can cause them to feel much despair and unhappiness and maybe even that something is wrong with them.
No, the authors, assure us, nothing is wrong with Hamlets. In fact, Society could benefit from their sensibilities and insights. And if one is a Hamlet, such a book, saying such things, is comforting to read.
One way an update of this book would be interesting, is to see how Hamlets are faring today. In 1989, pre-Internet, there were less part time jobs out there than now when we have the option to drive for ride-sharing services and create blogs. So, maybe more options of things to do for the person who doesn't want to pursue the typical path. At the same time, though, it was much cheaper to live back in the 20th century. At the time this book was being written, according to the authors, 38% of UC Berkeley graduates ended up in downwardly mobile jobs. Many were, very likely, Hamlets (Hamlet is, most definitely, not dumb.) Could/would this happen today, though? With the high cost of education, could 38% of Berkeley grads afford such jobs? With intensified competition, would the Hamlets be squeezed out of even attending Berkeley by those more single-mindedly focused on college success?
First heard of this book when I read an article about it in the San Francisco Chronicle in April of 1989. Carefully cut out the article and saved it, to discover it again while going through old files in October 2016. Hadn't bought the book back then because, in those days, I did not believe I could afford hardcover books, and the only way to buy hardcover new releases was to pay full price for them. But today, there it was out there as a used book for pennies. So glad, finally, to read it.
June 29, 2013
Quite fascinating. I'm sure there's a little Hamlet in everyone - and a whole lot of him in me.
August 24, 2017
Interesting 80's psychology with some pertinent ideas for today
December 20, 2025
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
(Hamlet, ACT I, SCENE V)
(Hamlet, ACT I, SCENE V)
January 27, 2022
I saw myself in this book -- literally!
Because of that, I probably don't have enough perspective to review this book fairly. But if you think this is a book that asks the right questions, I agree.
Because of that, I probably don't have enough perspective to review this book fairly. But if you think this is a book that asks the right questions, I agree.
July 14, 2013
How to survive in America without becoming part of an oppressive system? This book deserves to be better known. The authors say people in public service professions, and social activists, are not "Hamlets", but I think most will recognize and perhaps learn much about themselves in this book.
February 27, 2007
the title is the best part of the book.
October 5, 2010
Big on diagnosis, but I wonder if it doesn't fall into the horoscope scam of everyone being able to "see themselves" in the text.
July 23, 2014
Interesting idea, but too outdated and over simplified and vague.
March 18, 2016
I found myself in this book many, many years ago - and it sticks with me yet.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews