Life Maps; a mini book review

So i just finished reading Life Maps by Jim Fowler and Sam Keen. I'd say it is a book that every adult that is interested in growing (or even just growing up) should read. It's a little weird in that there are two men with differing perspectives on human development that share their thoughts on how people grow, don't grow, or just get stuck for life in a single way of thinking and processing the world around them.

I found that I like Fowler's method of explanation more than Keen's, but Keen was probably more relatable in many ways. I was reminded of some of our NATCA Constitution Committee meetings where two people would passionately argue their positions when a third member would interrupt and point out they were in violent agreement, but coming from very different perspectives.

One odd thing that wasn't really addressed in the book, but obviously exists in real life, is that we sometimes cling to primitive (childlike) thought processes on things like faith, politics, or other specific areas of thought, but graduate to more mature processes in business, science, community, etc.
It was difficult reading and not seeing the behaviors of others, but there came a time when one is forced to see themselves and their own progress or lack of it and assess what (if anything) needs to be done next.

I can't say it was truly an enjoyable book, but I don't think it was meant to be. It was (and is) a kind of necessary book when it comes to understanding people, how and why they think the way they think, and how to communicate between stages of thought processes.

John