Maxwell Maltz

Maxwell Maltz (March 10, 1899^[1] – April 7, 1975^[2]) was an American cosmetic surgeon and author of Psycho-Cybernetics (1960), which was a system of ideas that he claimed could improve one's self-image. In turn, the person would lead a more successful and fulfilling life.^[3] He wrote several books, among which Psycho-Cybernetics was a long-time bestseller — influencing many subsequent self-help teachers.^[4][5][6] His orientation towards a system of ideas that would provide self help is considered the forerunner of the now popular self help books.^[7]

In 1923, Maltz graduated with a doctorate in medicine from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.^[2]

In 1960, Psycho-Cybernetics: A New Way to Get More Living out of Life was first published by Prentice-Hall and appeared in a pocket book edition by 1969. The book introduced Maltz's views where a person must have an accurate and positive view of his or her self before setting goals; otherwise he or she will get stuck in a continuing pattern of limiting beliefs. His ideas focus on visualizing one's goals and he believes that self-image is the cornerstone of all the changes that take place in a person. According to Maltz, if one's self-image is unhealthy or faulty — all of his or her efforts will end in failure.^[3]

Maltz also wrote fiction, including a play called Unseen Scar (1946)^[8] and a novel, The Time is Now (1975)^[9]. His autobiography, Doctor Pygmalion: The Autobiography of a Plastic Surgeon (1953)^[10], was popular and influential,^[11] being discussed in many subsequent books on body and identity.^[12] It was re-titled Doctor Psycho-Cybernetics after his self-help work was published.

Although the book Psycho-Cybernetics was first published in 1960, as of 2008 the book is one of 50 recommended in the book 50 Self-Help Classics.^[13]

References

1. ^ SpringerLink - Journal Article
2. ^ ^{a b} "College of Physicians and Surgeons Obituary Database". Archived from the original on 2007-06-09. http://web.archive.org/web/20070609134343/http://library.cpmc.columbia.edu/hsl/arch/psdbrecord.cfm?RecordNum=1372. Retrieved 2007-09-27. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Welcome to 50Classics.com". www.butler-bowdon.com. http://www.butler-bowdon.com/psychocybernets.html. Retrieved 2008-03-14. 
4. ^ Gray, Michael C.. "Psycho-Cybernetics Book Review". www.profitadvisors.com. http://www.profitadvisors.com/psychoc.shtml. Retrieved 2008-03-14. 
5. ^ Manz, Charles. "Emotional Discipline". Berrett-Koehler Publishers. http://books.google.com/books?id=txWxbf4xKssC&pg=PA115&dq=Maxwell+Maltz&lr=&ei=npYhSej9MYX6kgTdnunxCA. Retrieved 2008-11-17. 
6. ^ Joseph L. DeVitis, John Martin Rich. "The Success Ethic, Education, and the American Dream". SUNY Press. http://books.google.com/books?id=0dAAdXuYLm0C&pg=PA44&dq=Maxwell+Maltz&lr=&ei=npYhSej9MYX6kgTdnunxCA#PPA44,M1. Retrieved 2008-11-17. 
7. ^ Lynn Bridgers, James W. Fowler. "Contemporary Varieties of Religious Experience". Rowman & Littlefield. http://books.google.com/books?id=sL0i8rVXMNoC&pg=PA97&dq=Maxwell+Maltz&lr=&ei=v5whSc27BpO2kwSZ_MDiCA. Retrieved 2008-11-17. 
8. ^ Maltz, Maxwell (1946). Unseen Scar: A New Play. New York: Hart Stenographic Bureau. OCLC 44450040. 
9. ^ Maltz, Maxwell (1975). The Time is Now. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 067121859X. OCLC 1009493. 
10. ^ Maltz, Maxwell (1953). Doctor Pygmalion: The Autobiography of a Plastic Surgeon. New York: Crowell. OCLC 14656784. 
11. ^ D. H. J. Morgan, et al.. "Gender, Bodies and Work". Ashgate Publishing. http://books.google.com/books?id=4_aLPBRjv8wC&pg=PA152&dq=Maxwell+Maltz&lr=&ei=rJkhSfTYCZu8M7afzMUI. Retrieved 2008-11-17. 
12. ^ Davis, Kathy. "Dubious Equalities and Embodied Differences". Rowman & Littlefield. http://books.google.com/books?id=8Q8rE-PwcIIC&pg=PA46&dq=Maxwell+Maltz&lr=&ei=rJkhSfTYCZu8M7afzMUI. Retrieved 2008-11-17. 
13. ^ "Welcome to 50Classics.com". www.butler-bowdon.com. http://www.butler-bowdon.com/classicslist.html. Retrieved 2008-03-14. 

Persondata
Name	Maxwell Maltz
Alternative names
Short description	Plastic surgeon, self-help author
Date of birth	1899-03-10
Place of birth
Date of death	1975-04-07
Place of death