"Beneath the surface [of our society]," writes historian Robert Wistrich, are "ancient myths, dark hatreds, and irrational fantasies [that] continue to nourish antisemitism." But the larger question has to do with why we are so prone to believe them. To that end, Steven K. Baum has an answer. In this book, Baum carefully guides the reader through the social mind and explains how the formation of social beliefs can be used as a narrative to determine reality. He offers a new perspective regarding how antisemitic legends and folk beliefs form the basis of our ongoing social narrative. Baum asks the reader to consider a social unconscious-the cauldron of cultural fantasies that consists of superstitions, magical thinking, and racial tales. This witches' brew concocts a Social Voice that can be loud or quiet, benign or hostile, fleeting or permanent. Most importantly, this voice is undeniably antisemitic and racist. As is often the case in the court of public opinion, those who own the narrative, win. In Antisemitism Explained, Baum reminds us to think critically about our own social narrative and to be careful about what we choose to believe.

Genocide has tragically claimed the lives of over 262 million victims in the last century. Jews, Armenians, Cambodians, Darfurians, Kosovons, Rwandans, the list seems endless. Clinical psychologist Steven K. Baum sets out to examine the psychological patterns to these atrocities. Building on trait theory as well as social psychology he reanalyzes key conformity studies (including the famous experiments of Ash, Millgram and Zimbardo) to bring forth a new understanding of identity and emotional development during genocide. Baum presents a model that demonstrates how people's actions during genocide actually mirror their behaviour in everyday life: there are those who destruct (perpetrators), those who help (rescuers) and those who remain uninvolved, positioning themselves between the two extremes (bystanders). Combining eyewitness accounts with Baum's own analysis, this book reveals the common mental and emotional traits among perpetrators, bystanders and rescuers and how a war between personal and social identity accounts for these divisions.

Genocide has tragically claimed the lives of over 262 million victims in the last century. Jews, Armenians, Cambodians, Darfurians, Kosovons, Rwandans, the list seems endless. Clinical psychologist Steven K. Baum sets out to examine the psychological patterns to these atrocities. Building on trait theory as well as social psychology he reanalyzes key conformity studies (including the famous experiments of Ash, Millgram and Zimbardo) to bring forth a new understanding of identity and emotional development during genocide. Baum presents a model that demonstrates how people's actions during genocide actually mirror their behaviour in everyday life: there are those who destruct (perpetrators), those who help (rescuers) and those who remain uninvolved, positioning themselves between the two extremes (bystanders). Combining eyewitness accounts with Baum's own analysis, this book reveals the common mental and emotional traits among perpetrators, bystanders and rescuers and how a war between personal and social identity accounts for these divisions.

"When Fairy Tales Kill" offers the reader an understanding of why some beliefs e.g. antisemitism are more enduring than others. "When Fairy Tales Kill" begins with the unexplored region of fairy tales several of which quietly carry antisemitic messages. It then moves on to adult folk beliefs and provides examples of antisemitic folk tales from around the globe. The conclusions are inevitable. A listing of major antisemitic attacks, pogroms and mass killings is juxtaposed to the legend-rumor that triggered the attack. And the reasons that these legends persist in modern times, may surprise you.

As bariatric professionals we have watched obesity surgery as it evolved from boutique status to a demand industry. We now offer the first comprehensive guide specifically detailing the psychological aspects of bariatric surgery. "From the Inside Out" is an unbiased straight-to-the-point advice from health care professionals: dietitians, nurses, surgeons, and program coordinators, as well as heartfelt insight from over 25 post-operative bariatric patients.
One of the authors knows from experience after losing 160 pounds via bariatric surgery in 2002. Today Paula Magid has managed several hospital based bariatric programs. The other two authors have psychology backgrounds and work with hundreds of patients losing thousands of pounds and keeping it off. Follow their ideas and you will too!

Steven Baum was concerned with the big questions of life and asked others what mattered to them as well. He traveled extensively in order to find an answer. A great variety of people are represented here mostly ordinary and some famous: Miss America, a Tibetan lama, a Turkish shepherd, a cowboy, prostitutes, police and politicians. Their statements range in length from a one-word answer to a page reflecting at times a little thought, while others reflect the depths of the souls. He shares their wisdoms as they were told to him on his sojourn and the sense of meaning derived.

Between 1990-2001, Baum conducted interviews in the following nations: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bhutan, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tahiti, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, USA. He now shares those interviews with you.