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Witness to an Extreme Century

A Memoir

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Robert Jay Lifton

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448 Seiten
16 Lesestunden

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In the spring of 1954, Robert Jay Lifton, a young psychiatrist freshly returned from the Korean War, chose to remain in Hong Kong to pursue his fascination with interviewing individuals subjected to Chinese thought reform. This decision marked a pivotal shift in his life, leading him to explore the depths of the human psyche and laying the groundwork for his understanding of brainwashing. Lifton's research in Hong Kong initiated a lifelong inquiry into the darkest chapters of human history, where he served as a psychological witness to collective violence and trauma, while also highlighting our remarkable resilience. His memoir chronicles an adventurous life journey, from his "Jewish Huck Finn childhood" in Brooklyn to friendships with influential intellectuals and artists, including Erik Erikson and Kurt Vonnegut. Lifton's study of Hiroshima survivors revealed the human toll of nuclear weapons and the troubling allure of their power, which he termed nuclearism. Through interviews with Nazi doctors, he exposed the chilling transformation of healers into agents of destruction. He also pioneered "rap groups" for Vietnam veterans, shedding light on post-traumatic stress disorder and helping them derive valuable insights from their experiences. As a pioneer in psychohistory, Lifton became a passionate social activist, advocating for the truths of the Vietnam War and the perils of nuclear armament. With warmth, humor, and a sense