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Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick by Kyle Arnold (2016, Hardcover)

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Product Identifiers

PublisherOxford University Press, Incorporated

ISBN-100199743258

ISBN-139780199743254

eBay Product ID (ePID)219838413

Product Key Features

Book TitleDivine Madness of Philip K. Dick

Number of Pages248 Pages

LanguageEnglish

Publication Year2016

TopicScience Fiction & Fantasy, General

GenreLiterary Criticism, Psychology

AuthorKyle Arnold

Book SeriesInner Lives Ser.

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height1 in

Item Weight11.2 Oz

Item Length5.1 in

Item Width7.1 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceTrade

LCCN2015-033239

Reviews"Arnold, a clinical psychologist, provides a phenomenological approach to the life of Philip K. Dick, closely reading the last eighteen years of his life." --American Literature "If you want to understand Philip K. Dick, read Kyle Arnold's book." --Tessa B. Dick, wife of Philip K. Dick "Kyle Arnold's The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick is a thorough, unflinching look at one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century. Arnold's training as a psychologist gives him a keen insight into the always-contentious question of Dick's mental health. But he does not attempt to diagnose Dick - rather, he explores the connection between his life and his work in an honest and thorough manner. What emerges is a work of unique importance to anyone interested in Philip K. Dick, his life, and his writings." --Gabriel McKee, author of Pink Beams of Light from the God in the Gutter: The Science-Fictional Religion of Philp K. Dick "The shelf of science fiction novels and short story collections by Philip K. Dick is very wide. The shelf of books about Philip K. Dick is rapidly becoming even wider. The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, is among the best of these psychobiographies." --Alan Elms, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis "This is a well-researched and persuasively written study of a controversial subject amongst 'Dickheads,' avid followers of Philip K. Dick. Dr. Arnold, a hospital affiliated practicing clinical psychologist, navigates the conflicting facts and opinions known about Dick's life and work to give us a powerful interpretation well worth reading, and sure to generate further dialog and debate." --Frank Bertrand, interviewer of Philip K. Dick and Contributing Editor to PKD Otaku "Arnold details the ways in which awareness of Dick's childhood traumas and mystical visions broaden appreciation of his work, its adaptations, and influence. Recommended for sf fans as well as literary and academic audiences." --Library Journal "A useful addition to the library of works on Dick." - Pippa Goldschmidt, Times Literary Supplement, "If you want to understand Philip K. Dick, read Kyle Arnold's book." --Tessa B. Dick, wife of Philip K. Dick "Kyle Arnold's The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick is a thorough, unflinching look at one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century. Arnold's training as a psychologist gives him a keen insight into the always-contentious question of Dick's mental health. But he does not attempt to diagnose Dick - rather, he explores the connection between his life and his work in an honest and thorough manner. What emerges is a work of unique importance to anyone interested in Philip K. Dick, his life, and his writings." --Gabriel McKee, author of Pink Beams of Light from the God in the Gutter: The Science-Fictional Religion of Philp K. Dick "The shelf of science fiction novels and short story collections by Philip K. Dick is very wide. The shelf of books about Philip K. Dick is rapidly becoming even wider. The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, is among the best of these psychobiographies." --Alan Elms, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis "This is a well-researched and persuasively written study of a controversial subject amongst 'Dickheads,' avid followers of Philip K. Dick. Dr. Arnold, a hospital affiliated practicing clinical psychologist, navigates the conflicting facts and opinions known about Dick's life and work to give us a powerful interpretation well worth reading, and sure to generate further dialog and debate." --Frank Bertrand, interviewer of Philip K. Dick and Contributing Editor to PKD Otaku, "If you want to understand Philip K. Dick, read Kyle Arnold's book." --Tessa B. Dick, wife of Philip K. Dick "Kyle Arnold's The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick is a thorough, unflinching look at one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century. Arnold's training as a psychologist gives him a keen insight into the always-contentious question of Dick's mental health. But he does not attempt to diagnose Dick - rather, he explores the connection between his life and his work in an honest and thorough manner. What emerges is a work of unique importance to anyone interested in Philip K. Dick, his life, and his writings." --Gabriel McKee, author of Pink Beams of Light from the God in the Gutter: The Science-Fictional Religion of Philp K. Dick "The shelf of science fiction novels and short story collections by Philip K. Dick is very wide. The shelf of books about Philip K. Dick is rapidly becoming even wider. The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, is among the best of these psychobiographies." --Alan Elms, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis "This is a well-researched and persuasively written study of a controversial subject amongst 'Dickheads,' avid followers of Philip K. Dick. Dr. Arnold, a hospital affiliated practicing clinical psychologist, navigates the conflicting facts and opinions known about Dick's life and work to give us a powerful interpretation well worth reading, and sure to generate further dialog and debate." --Frank Bertrand, editor of PKD Otaku, "Arnold, a clinical psychologist, provides a phenomenological approach to the life of Philip K. Dick, closely reading the last eighteen years of his life." --American Literature"If you want to understand Philip K. Dick, read Kyle Arnold's book." --Tessa B. Dick, wife of Philip K. Dick"Kyle Arnold's The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick is a thorough, unflinching look at one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century. Arnold's training as a psychologist gives him a keen insight into the always-contentious question of Dick's mental health. But he does not attempt to diagnose Dick - rather, he explores the connection between his life and his work in an honest and thorough manner. What emerges is a work of unique importance to anyone interested in Philip K. Dick, his life, and his writings." --Gabriel McKee, author of Pink Beams of Light from the God in the Gutter: The Science-Fictional Religion of Philp K. Dick"The shelf of science fiction novels and short story collections by Philip K. Dick is very wide. The shelf of books about Philip K. Dick is rapidly becoming even wider. The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, is among the best of these psychobiographies." --Alan Elms, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis"This is a well-researched and persuasively written study of a controversial subject amongst 'Dickheads,' avid followers of Philip K. Dick. Dr. Arnold, a hospital affiliated practicing clinical psychologist, navigates the conflicting facts and opinions known about Dick's life and work to give us a powerful interpretation well worth reading, and sure to generate further dialog and debate." --Frank Bertrand, interviewer of Philip K. Dick and Contributing Editor to PKD Otaku "Arnold details the ways in which awareness of Dick's childhood traumas and mystical visions broaden appreciation of his work, its adaptations, and influence. Recommended for sf fans as well as literary and academic audiences." --Library Journal"A useful addition to the library of works on Dick." - Pippa Goldschmidt, Times Literary Supplement, "Arnold, a clinical psychologist, provides a phenomenological approach to the life of Philip K. Dick, closely reading the last eighteen years of his life." --American Literature"If you want to understand Philip K. Dick, read Kyle Arnold's book." --Tessa B. Dick, wife of Philip K. Dick"Kyle Arnold's The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick is a thorough, unflinching look at one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century. Arnold's training as a psychologist gives him a keen insight into the always-contentious question of Dick's mental health. But he does not attempt to diagnose Dick - rather, he explores the connection between his life and his work in an honest and thorough manner. What emerges is a work of unique importance toanyone interested in Philip K. Dick, his life, and his writings." --Gabriel McKee, author of Pink Beams of Light from the God in the Gutter: The Science-Fictional Religion of Philp K. Dick"The shelf of science fiction novels and short story collections by Philip K. Dick is very wide. The shelf of books about Philip K. Dick is rapidly becoming even wider. The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, is among the best of these psychobiographies." --Alan Elms, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis"This is a well-researched and persuasively written study of a controversial subject amongst 'Dickheads,' avid followers of Philip K. Dick. Dr. Arnold, a hospital affiliated practicing clinical psychologist, navigates the conflicting facts and opinions known about Dick's life and work to give us a powerful interpretation well worth reading, and sure to generate further dialog and debate." --Frank Bertrand, interviewer of Philip K. Dick and Contributing Editorto PKD Otaku"Arnold details the ways in which awareness of Dick's childhood traumas and mystical visions broaden appreciation of his work, its adaptations, and influence. Recommended for sf fans as well as literary and academic audiences." --Library Journal"A useful addition to the library of works on Dick." - Pippa Goldschmidt, Times Literary Supplement, "If you want to understand Philip K. Dick, read Kyle Arnold's book." --Tessa B. Dick, wife of Philip K. Dick "Kyle Arnold's The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick is a thorough, unflinching look at one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century. Arnold's training as a psychologist gives him a keen insight into the always-contentious question of Dick's mental health. But he does not attempt to diagnose Dick - rather, he explores the connection between his life and his work in an honest and thorough manner. What emerges is a work of unique importance to anyone interested in Philip K. Dick, his life, and his writings." --Gabriel McKee, author of Pink Beams of Light from the God in the Gutter: The Science-Fictional Religion of Philp K. Dick "The shelf of science fiction novels and short story collections by Philip K. Dick is very wide. The shelf of books about Philip K. Dick is rapidly becoming even wider. The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, is among the best of these psychobiographies." --Alan Elms, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis "This is a well-researched and persuasively written study of a controversial subject amongst 'Dickheads,' avid followers of Philip K. Dick. Dr. Arnold, a hospital affiliated practicing clinical psychologist, navigates the conflicting facts and opinions known about Dick's life and work to give us a powerful interpretation well worth reading, and sure to generate further dialog and debate." --Frank Bertrand, interviewer of Philip K. Dick and Contributing Editor to PKD Otaku "Arnold details the ways in which awareness of Dick's childhood traumas and mystical visions broaden appreciation of his work, its adaptations, and influence. Recommended for sf fans as well as literary and academic audiences." --Library Journal "A useful addition to the library of works on Dick." - Pippa Goldschmidt, Times Literary Supplement, "If you want to understand Philip K. Dick, read Kyle Arnold's book." --Tessa B. Dick, wife of Philip K. Dick "Kyle Arnold's The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick is a thorough, unflinching look at one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century. Arnold's training as a psychologist gives him a keen insight into the always-contentious question of Dick's mental health. But he does not attempt to diagnose Dick - rather, he explores the connection between his life and his work in an honest and thorough manner. What emerges is a work of unique importance to anyone interested in Philip K. Dick, his life, and his writings." --Gabriel McKee, author of Pink Beams of Light from the God in the Gutter: The Science-Fictional Religion of Philp K. Dick "The shelf of science fiction novels and short story collections by Philip K. Dick is very wide. The shelf of books about Philip K. Dick is rapidly becoming even wider. The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, is among the best of these psychobiographies." --Alan Elms, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis "This is a well-researched and persuasively written study of a controversial subject amongst 'Dickheads,' avid followers of Philip K. Dick. Dr. Arnold, a hospital affiliated practicing clinical psychologist, navigates the conflicting facts and opinions known about Dick's life and work to give us a powerful interpretation well worth reading, and sure to generate further dialog and debate." --Frank Bertrand, contributor of PKD Otaku, "If you want to understand Philip K. Dick, read Kyle Arnold's book." --Tessa B. Dick, wife of Philip K. Dick "Kyle Arnold's The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick is a thorough, unflinching look at one of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century. Arnold's training as a psychologist gives him a keen insight into the always-contentious question of Dick's mental health. But he does not attempt to diagnose Dick - rather, he explores the connection between his life and his work in an honest and thorough manner. What emerges is a work of unique importance to anyone interested in Philip K. Dick, his life, and his writings." --Gabriel McKee, author of Pink Beams of Light from the God in the Gutter: The Science-Fictional Religion of Philp K. Dick "The shelf of science fiction novels and short story collections by Philip K. Dick is very wide. The shelf of books about Philip K. Dick is rapidly becoming even wider. The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, is among the best of these psychobiographies." --Alan Elms, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis "This is a well-researched and persuasively written study of a controversial subject amongst 'Dickheads,' avid followers of Philip K. Dick. Dr. Arnold, a hospital affiliated practicing clinical psychologist, navigates the conflicting facts and opinions known about Dick's life and work to give us a powerful interpretation well worth reading, and sure to generate further dialog and debate." --Frank Bertrand, interviewer of Philip K. Dick and Contributing Editor to PKD Otaku "Arnold details the ways in which awareness of Dick's childhood traumas and mystical visions broaden appreciation of his work, its adaptations, and influence. Recommended for sf fans as well as literary and academic audiences." --Library Journal

TitleLeadingThe

Dewey Edition23

Dewey Decimal813/.54

Table Of ContentChapter 1. 2-3-74 Chapter 2. Die Messages Chapter 3. Retreat SyndromeChapter 4. Beetle Satori Chapter 5. Double Chapter 6. Counterfeit Burglary Chapter 7. The Pink Light Chapter 8. Living Information Chapter 9. Aftermath: Null Metanoia Chapter 10. Divine Madness Notes on SourcesIndex

SynopsisWidely recognized as one of the most inventive and iconic science fiction writers of all time, Philip K. Dick is an author whose literary sophistication elevated the sci-fi genre into the storytelling powerhouse it is today. His works, known for their portrayals of simulated realities interspersed with universal and philosophical themes, have become enormously influential among writers of all genres and have inspired numerous television and film adapations, including the 1982 cult classic Blade Runner. Underneath the veneer of fame, Dick's personal life matched the dramatic intensity of his most beloved works. Beginning with the tragic death of his twin sister, his life took on a fantastical, science fiction-like quality when, in 1974, he had what some consider to be a psychotic episode and what others believe to be a mystical experience of some kind. According to Dick, a pink light beamed psychic information into his brain, awakening memories of a past life as a Christian revolutionary and granting him contact with time-traveling extraterrestrials. He also had visions of ancient Rome superimposed over his neighborhood in suburban San Francisco, and later on, attempted to warn local police that he was a machine programmed to self-destruct. As a result, Philip K. Dick spent the rest of his life trying to fathom the meaning of what he called his "divine madness." Was it schizophrenia? Or did he experience a genuine prophecy of the sacred order?In The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, clinical psychologist Kyle Arnold probes the fascinating mystery at heart and mind, and shows readers how early traumas opened Dick to profound spiritual experiences while also predisposing him toward drug dependency and violence. By disputing allegations of schizophrenia, Arnold contends that Dick's paranoia was instead caused by his addiction to speed, and that his mental illness was borne out of the powerful scenes of spirituality depicted in the sci-fi stories he helped to create., In The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, clinical psychologist Kyle Arnold takes readers on a journey into the wild world of this iconic yet troubled legend of science fiction and fantasy., Widely recognized as one of the most imaginative writers of the 20th century, Philip K. Dick helped to shape science fiction into the popular genre it is today. His stories, renowned for their sophisticated philosophical themes and startling portrayals of simulated realities, inspired numerous television and film adaptations, including the 1982 cult classic Blade Runner . Dick's personal life took on an otherwordly quality when, in 1974, he famously had a series of bizarre visions. According to Dick, a pink light beamed psychic information into his brain, awakening memories of a past life as an ancient Christian revolutionary and granting him contact with time-traveling extraterrestrials. He witnessed scenes from ancient Rome superimposed over his California neighborhood, and warned local police he was a dangerous machine programmed to self-destruct. After the visions faded, Philip K. Dick spent the rest of his life trying to fathom the meaning of what he called his "divine madness." Was it schizophrenia? Or a genuine religious experience? In The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick , clinical psychologist Kyle Arnold probes the fascinating mystery of Dick's heart and mind, and shows readers how early traumas opened Dick to profound spiritual experiences while also predisposing him toward drug dependency and violence. Disputing the myth that Dick had schizophrenia, Arnold contends that Dick's well-known paranoia was caused by his addiction to speed. Despite Dick's paranoia, his divine madness was not a sign of mental illness, but a powerful spiritual experience conveyed in the images of science fiction., Widely recognized as one of the most imaginative writers of the 20th century, Philip K. Dick helped to shape science fiction into the popular genre it is today. His stories, renowned for their sophisticated philosophical themes and startling portrayals of simulated realities, inspired numerous television and film adaptations, including the 1982 cult classic Blade Runner.Dick's personal life took on an otherwordly quality when, in 1974, he famously had a series of bizarre visions. According to Dick, a pink light beamed psychic information into his brain, awakening memories of a past life as an ancient Christian revolutionary and granting him contact with time-traveling extraterrestrials. He witnessed scenes from ancient Rome superimposed over his California neighborhood, and warned local police he was a dangerous machine programmed to self-destruct. After the visions faded, Philip K. Dick spent the rest of his life trying to fathom the meaning of what he called his "divine madness." Was it schizophrenia? Or a genuine religious experience?In The Divine Madness of Philip K. Dick, clinical psychologist Kyle Arnold probes the fascinating mystery of Dick's heart and mind, and shows readers how early traumas opened Dick to profound spiritual experiences while also predisposing him toward drug dependency and violence. Disputing the myth that Dick had schizophrenia, Arnold contends that Dick's well-known paranoia was caused by his addiction to speed. Despite Dick's paranoia, his divine madness was not a sign of mental illness, but a powerful spiritual experience conveyed in the images of science fiction.

LC Classification NumberPS3554.I3Z545 2016