Revenge: On the Dynamics of a Frightening Urge and its Taming

“All the collected phenomena on the theme of Revenge from many areas of research make this book into a mine of discovery for insights and differentiations. It is my wish that it will find many readers from the areas of psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, medicine, social work, education, penal law, and politics. It is also, however, suited for every interested person, because it is written in a very readable way, without simplifications.”–Helmut Hinz, psychoanalyst, Tübingen, Germany

“In this book, where revenge as a theme is described in all its expressions, there is a leitmotif that turns up all the time and is discussed in every context: the authors view revenge as a reaction against trauma, shame, denigration, loss, and similar feelings of low self value. The revenge is directed towards an avoidance of this experience, instead of acknowledging it and working it through. Therefore, Böhm and Kaplan never see revenge as a solution that can lead to real change and reconciliation, but instead it leads to a revenge spiral that will always play a part in the life of the victims. The authors discuss thoroughly how this principle expresses itself in real situations, in the playground, in couples’ relationships, in sexuality, as a reaction against the Holocaust, in Rwanda, in former Yugoslavia, thus everywhere where revenge may play a part. Kaplan and Böhm show ways of how to further space for reflection, and what professional helpers can do, and also what they do, to help victims to reconciliate with traumas that may lead to revenge, to acknowledge and to survive without revenge. Thereby both authors use their research experiences and their own lengthy work with survivors from several genocides that recently have been added to our history. Although the book uses depth psychology it is not written only for professional people, and therefore it becomes an important source of information for everyone interested in this theme.”–Marion Oliner, psychoanalyst, New York

“This meritorius book, written by two experienced psychoanalysts, explains the mechanisms of revenge and shows ways to overcome it. It is written for everyone who wants to clarify the destructive power of revenge in the individual and in society. The overcoming of revenge is a prerequisite of the humanizing of humanity.”–Werner G. Jeanrond, Professor of Divinity