Summary
This surprising new
book by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Gerald Faris and his brother,
Sociologist Dr. Ralph Faris, explains in detail, how Janis
Joplin and Jim Morrison, the 'king and queen' of rock and roll in the
1960's, suffered from a little understood psychiatric disorder that
eventually took their lives. The book is clinical in theme, lyrical in
style and deeply sympathetic to the real suffering of Janis and Jim.
It raises and answers the following questions:
- Why did they
behave so outrageously?
- Why were they so
self-destructive?
- What did they
have in common?
- What could have
helped them?
- What really
killed them?
The Faris' analysis
differs from previously published works in that it provides
an explanation for, rather than just a description of the outrageous
behaviors that led to Janis and Jim's premature deaths. To form the
conclusions in their book, they carefully analyze the voluminous
literature ad film available about the two performing artists. One of
the most captivating parts of the book is found in the imaginary but
revealing psychotherapy sessions with Janis and then with Jim. The
sessions are realistically constructed and are both entertaining and
sympathetic. They will help to clarify the nature and complexity of
this disorder for both the laymen and the clinician.
About the Authors
Gerald A. Faris,
Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist with more than 25 years of
hospital inpatient, private practice and supervisory experience. He
received his doctorate from The Graduate Faculty of the New School for
Social Research in New York and was Assistant Clinical Professor in
Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Faris has
drawn on his extensive clinical experience in presenting Janis and Jim
as the extraordinarily talented, intelligent and tormented individuals
they were.
Ralph M. Faris,
Ph.D., has presented the sociological commentary and analysis of
the era in which Janis and Jim Lived. He is a professor of sociology
and the director of the Honors Program at the Community College of
Philadelphia where he has recently won the National Lindback
Foundation, Distinguished Teaching Award. Professor Faris is a
published author of several books on social and political issues. He
draws on more than 30 years experience as an educator and lecturer.
