pbThis much-anticipated follow-up to the critically-acclaimed and bestselling iThe Fantasy Bondi tackles the complex question of why so many of us are compelled to repeat the pain of our past while avoiding positive experiences that could enrich our lives.b p Why are many of us compelled to repeat the pain of our past, while avoiding positive experiences that could enrich our lives In this thought-provoking book, clinical psychologist and theorist Robert Firestone explains how the fantasy bond, an illusion of connection, develops early in childhood to cope with the pain and frustration resulting from parental misattunement, neglect or mistreatment. It is manifested as a destructive internal thought process, the critical inner voice. Later, the fantasy bond is extended to family members, intimate partners, and social groups. In iChallenging the FantasyiiBondi, Dr. Firestone presents his latest thoughts and observations about the self-defeating aspects of this process and places the orig