I think in some ways this book is mislabeled. While the author does seem to be addressing the problem of identifying and avoiding bad gurus, in the course of his research into gurus, he delved into questions of "abnormal" and "normal" psychology, the psychological similarity among religious conversion, creativity and scientific discovery, as well as the nature of human psychological needs and why "gurus" are appealing. As a formerly religious person who has now embraced creativity as a life-affirming activity, I found a world of useful information in this book.

Storr's broad ranging definition of guru (he includes Freud and Jung, for instance), his ability to look past the surface of behavior to root out comparisons and differences, and his acceptance of people's positive experiences even with destructive gurus really helped me appreciate the role of flawed, charismatic people's contributions to various fields.

If you are a skeptic interested in religious phenomenon or someone who wants a deeper insight into the continuum of psychological processes, I think you will find much of value here.

Two small caveats: This book was written (1996) before many of the discoveries that have shaped current neurophysiology. So if you're interested in the psychology, you might also want to read some more current studies of creativity and "abnormal" psychology that include some of the neuroscience. Also, towards the end Storr gets just a bit repetitive. I don't know if it's because he anticipated people not reading the book straight through or because he got a little lost himself in some of his side tracks. It's just a tad annoying, but worth plowing through, since the final conclusions of the book are very insightful. ( )

Too many gurus were included (Gurdjieff, Jesus, Freud, Jung, Koresh, just to name a few) to do any of them justice, which resulted in highly superficial analyses and in some cases unjustified dismissals of their work; and also no space for the in-depth psychological analysis I was expecting from a psychiatrist. ( )

I'm not sure exactly what to say about this book. It wasn't what I expected going into it. The subtitle, "A Study of Gurus," led me to expect biographies of various gurus, along with insights into their spirituality and psychology. And while there was certainly some of that, the book seemed to be just as much an argument against religious belief of any sort, which the author considers to be delusions. I understand that Storr described himself as a "biological agnostic," but he discredits the beliefs of everyone, from followers of Jim Jones to St. Ignatius of Loyola and Jesus. All religious, and most creative experiences, are cast as mental illness. This black and white world view allows for no true religious experiences and looks down on anyone who is not a scientist. Still, Storr has some interesting theories and insights, and the book is well-researched. I don't agree with everything he said, but it was certainly a book that made me think. Recommended if you're interested in the psychology of charismatic religious leaders or psychoanalysis. ( )

Every generation has its charismatic spiritual leaders, its gurus. Some are true saints while others conceal unspeakable depravity. Anthony Storr, Oxford professor of psychiatry, analyzes an interesting array of gurus and finds many commonalities among them--an isolated childhood, a need for certainty, a demand for obedience. He also elucidates aspects of this psychological profile in various intellectual, artistic, and political figures of history. This eye-opening book invokes a larger issue: in our search for guidance and truth, when and why do we cross the line from reasoned inquirer to unquestioning follower?

From Publishers Weekly
"The wisest men follow their own direction and listen to no prophet guiding them," wrote Euripedes. Storr (Music and the Mind), a psychiatrist, uses this ancient caution as the epigraph to a fascinating yet frustrating investigation into the appeal of guru figures. He analyzes the lives and works of the destructive, unbalanced cult leaders Jim Jones and David Koresh, and he uses their symptoms, isolation, narcissism, paranoid delusions, to take the measure of other, generally more respected figures.

An eye-opening investigation of charismatic "gurus" from Jesus to Freud to David Koresh, by the author of "Solitude: A Return to the Self". In "Feet of Clay", eminent psychologist Anthony Storr uncovers the personality traits that link these men and explores the incredible power they have wielded over their fanatical followers.