Question:

'Why are the good people of America
constantly acting, behaviourally extreme,
vocally excessive, emotionally maladjusted,
sexually fixated and dysfunctional?'

‘Collective Sexual Repression and Denial’

'Total Resensitization Therapy'

Introducing . . . LETTER TO AMERICA
- the book and the philosophy -

Dear Citizens of America,

HANG ON TO YOUR HATS! A new and fearlessly frank, psychological appraisal of your great country is, we believe, about to become THE self-help/relationship sensation of the book world.

Foreign observers have long regarded America as psychologically 'different', but now, after his 30-year long, independent study of its mental world, the British author of an electrifying book titled LETTER TO AMERICA concludes from observing established behaviour patterns and characteristics that: "Americans' true feelings lie buried under a century of repression", adding: "The society is a breeding ground of fear, conflict, neurosis, denial and lies in which everyone raised therein is involuntarily conditioned by inherent psychosocial and cultural forces into a state of emotional and sexual detachment - and, once afflicted - remain so throughout their lives!'

In this powerful but engagingly compassionate, psychobabble-demolishing analysis, the mysteries of American life are brought into sharp focus in a single volume. London psychoanalyst Bill Howard demonstrates how Americans' behaviour is indicative of far deeper psychological problems than they are willing to admit.

With challenging and uncompromisingly forthright assertions on how the twin evils of DENIAL and SEXUAL REPRESSION totally dominate the emotions, thought patterns and lifestyles of the American people, Howard contends that a unique malaise he dubs: 'The American Neurosis' took root in their psyche over a century ago, and has evolved into a 'collective emotional disorder'; a massive, deep-rooted emotional block that has been, in his words '... systematically poisoning intimate relationships in America ever since'. In a social environment with no outlet for genuine emotional release, American relating, according to Howard, has become: '... a living lie; a gargantuan psychological diversion from reality.'

Clear, direct and pulling no punches, Howard explodes the starry-eyed myths America's image-makers would have us believe. Stringing together a bewildering spectrum of seemingly unconnected factors he skilfully interprets the sexually-repressive significance of everything from skyscrapers, blondes, guns, gangs, acting 'big and tough' and overt materialism to feminism, stretch-limos, rap, slang, entertainment, lawyers, talk shows, the cult of celebrity and even Barbie dolls. These elements, and many thousands more, are manifestations of, and compensation for, Americans' 'abrogated masculinity and frozen femininity'; and, he claims, all form part of a 'subconscious cry for help' to which Letter To America is the long-overdue response!

Bill Howard's stated aim is to open Americans' eyes to a festering issue which for too long has been skirted around, glossed over or ignored, adding that the evidence for his theory defies any system of logic to refute it. Logically structured and very comprehensive, his simple philosophy is that all societies are derived from a common source, and that humanity's unifying thread is the need to feel that you belong and can relate happily with your loved ones. His effective relationship therapy includes practical approaches to improving daily living by optimising interpersonal interactions through honesty, vulnerability, emotional support, warmth, mutual respect, caring and sharing.

An authoritative template for inter-gender equilibrium, this stimulating addition to our understanding of the human mind offers a distinct context in which to confront a societal trend that badly needs to be reversed, with a simple and effective strategy for rededicating Americans to the ideal of emotional honesty.