Fragile Power

Why Having Everything Is Never Enough; Lessons from Treating the Wealthy and Famous

By: Dr. Paul L. Hokemeyer

Narrated by: Mike Lenz

Having treated some of the world's most successful people, psychotherapist "Dr. Paul" sets out to answer why so many people who have everything end up feeling like their achievements are never enough - as well as what that pattern can reveal about ourselves and the society in which we live.

The exclusivity of living behind the velvet rope or the gilded gate doesn't guarantee happiness for the rich, famous, and powerful; there are downsides to attainment as well. We all - including people who seem protected by their privileged lives - can experience the self-destructive behaviors common to modern life, including chronic stress, addiction, anxiety, imposter syndrome, infidelity, negative body image, and narcissism.

Division marks our era. There's a growing separation between the haves and have nots, men and women, as well as the empowered and the disenfranchised. At the same time, our culture is defined by celebrities, and the powerful, affluent people we put on a pedestal to idolize and emulate. Too often, we think our lives would be better if we could have what they have or be more like them. It's time to realize that even the most admired people can go through life feeling unloved and unable to escape their problems.

©2019 Paul L. Hokemeyer (P)2019 Tantor

A true must-read - or rather..."listen-to" book!

Fascinating read. Really well written. An important commentary on how narcissistic power destroys. This topic is something that everyone can learn something from.

Pace and story

I liked the story, I think writing about how wealthy people need care at first parts of it I had a incredulousness about, but over time found that it’s all relative. We all wish to heal and fragile power shows how a certain group of people that do hurt can and do heal.

Brilliant ground breaking work:

A brilliant and ground breaking work. Dr. Hokemeyer’s “Fragile Power” gives the reader privileged insight into the psychology of wealth, power and celebrity. If any one wants to understand how these identities lead to destruction like addictions and ‘abuse of power’ buy this great book and listen carefully.

Unexpectedly Good

I thought this book might make me grateful for the simple life, the “oh how the mighty have fallen” approach to happiness. It is that, but also so much more. The author is serious about his work and has solid arguments to provoke compassion in this average person for the elites. I learned a lot about how to treat the problems of these people I’d always assumed had no problems but the hedonic treadmill.

Couldn't get 3 chapters in

I purchased this book trying to better understand my own personal lack of satisfaction. Instead I found that I couldn't get past the 2nd chapter due to boredom with the author's own childhood struggles and a general lack of empathy for the patients' stories. Perhaps I NEED to read this book, but I simply couldn't get past some of the "woke" speak regarding the author's own "white privilege". Not what I signed up for and I only wish I would have dug into this book sooner, so that I could have returned it.