5 comments about Second Journey, The: The Road Back to Yourself.

1. Having read and enjoyed Joan Anderson's A Year By the Sea, I was very excited to begin this book, and especially so because Iona is a sacred place - the perfect destination for someone seeking a spiritual renewal. Having read over halfway through the book before she arrives on Iona, I was very much disappointed in the last few chapters.
   
   My doubts began when she stated that the Argyll is "the island's only hotel". The St. Columba Hotel, right next to the Abbey, was originally a manse for the Abbey, and has been renting rooms to travelers since the mid-1800's. I have stayed there twice out of the three times I visited Iona. It is a larger hotel than the Argyll, where I have also stayed.
   
   Her mention of St. Columba and his role in the spread of Christianity was very slight, and her description of her stay on Iona expressed none of the holiness in evidence in the Abbey, the high standing crosses, the Nunnery, or the beauty of the island and the sea.
   
   I don't doubt that she found it a peaceful place, but she clearly missed the whole point of a visit to Iona: discovering the "thin place" where the veil separating heaven and earth is very thin.



2. Ms. Anderson validated my feelings as I enter my 50's and this book gave me the courage to face the next half of my life with eager anticipation and eyes wide open. In fact, I found it so encouraging and refreshing that I've since purchased copies and presented them to my girlfriends who share my concerns and worries and who seek fulfillment and meaning in their own lives.



3. While I have truly loved all of Joan Anderson's books, this Second Journey is so welcome because of the tendency we all have to "slip back" into old habits after breakthroughs. Every time I realize a personal truth and attempt to own it consciously, the Universe provides tests (obstacles), to see if I can really integrate this truth into my everyday life. It was so refreshing to know that Joan experienced this also and I am so grateful she wrote about it. This book was truly special!



4. Joan Anderson books came into my life at the same stage in her life that this book is based on. It is an exceptional book for all women who have raised their children, their role as homemaker has greatly deminished and are floundering to find their new role. The book has become my bible for the new me!



5. I kept wanting the book to give me more... to tell me how I got off-track, where the track was, and what lay along that track. Joan Anderson has the same questions that many women ask. Her first book inspired many to examine their lives and goals and relationships.
   Reading this book shows that she's on the same journey as the rest of us and doesn't really have any magical answers. Although she had made progress in discovering herself in A Year By the Sea, in the ten years after that book she falls into another trap. I remember the feeling from my own career; the feeling that being needed by others was all-important. We become so addicted to that feeling that we create elaborate scenarios making ourselves essential to holding it all together. In this book, she starts to question her books and workshops that now trapped her in ever-escalating demands.
   Taking three weeks on a Scottish island, she tries to find perspective.
   Ultimately I found the book imperfect, but perhaps that's the message. We are all involved in a journey and it's important to pause now and then to be sure the track for that journey is the right one for us individually.

5 comments about The New Peoplemaking.

1. My Comments:
   I don't know that giving a summary of the book is feasible, so I'll just point out a few things that I liked and didn't like. First, the book is huge, 385 pages. Admittedly what Satir has to say is important and perhaps even very beneficial to some people, but I highly doubt anyone but the seriously interested in psychological self-help will wade their way through every page of this book - even though the type is big and there are gobs of pictures. Perhaps this will sound demeaning to Americans but we (I'm American too) seem to like answers that come in small packages; this is not a small package answer. I guess what I'm saying is that she could have covered all of the information in about half the space - cutting out a lot of unneeded stuff.

   Now something positive: I think the content is pretty good. Satir has simplified her message to where the educated layperson can read it and omitted all of the psycho-babble. The advice she gives really reads like common sense, but that is the subtlety of the message - it sounds just like the way that things should be (for the most part) which, to me at least, means she is probably on the right track.

   There are a couple of other things about the book that I didn't particularly like. First, near the end of the book Satir starts giving advice on how to attain world peace and how to solve the world's problems. Well, she's a family therapist and not a political scientist or a sociologist - she is out of her league here. What really drives the point home (pun is intended as you will see) is that she compares everything - national governments, international societies, etc. - to families. I guess when you only have a hammer (family therapy experience), everything begins to look like a nail (solving world hunger, ending the use of war to resolve conflicts, etc.) and can be solved the same way. Satir may know quite a bit about families, but I really didn't buy her advice on solving world problems.

   Satir also discusses the notion of spirituality. Now, what makes this so interesting is that she seems to think that spirituality and understanding spirituality are very important for resolving mental health and family relations issues, as a matter of fact, I believe she calls it the most important thing that people can do to get healthy. But she only spends one chapter discussing spirituality. I'm guessing that she realizes that her book will absolutely not appeal to 'a'-spiritual people if she emphasizes spirituality too much so she cut the chapter short and left it at that. Well, maybe that was a good decision.

   There are three more things I'll mention briefly and then I'm done. First, the concept of a healthy family is a relative one. She makes attempts to rationalize why her conception of a 'healthy' family is the right one, but they aren't particularly convincing. But, keep in mind, her conception is likely the societal norm; the point I am trying to make is that she doesn't do a good job of arguing her perspective. This leads to her biases. She doesn't reveal them until the end, but we end up finding out that she is a pacifist and feminist in either the last or second to last chapter. In my opinion, things like that should be revealed up front. Again, keep in mind that I don't disagree with those perspectives or opinions, I just think she should have revealed her biases at the beginning of the book instead of at the end.

   Lastly, she has a tendency to make broad, sweeping statements about the way things are (how families were in the late 1800s for example) and fails to cite any references to back up her claims. Sure, this is a self-help book for the layperson, but this leaves the scholar wanting for evidence for her claims.

   Overall, like I said above, I think the book has good advice. Whether or not it will make a difference for people pr families, I don't know. If you have to read the whole thing to change, then probably not; it's just too long. The exercises she suggest sound interesting, but I don't have any kids and most of them are designed around kids. Those that are for couples, well, I guess I could try them, but I think my relationship with my significant other is pretty good, so I'll pass for now and if there are problems, perhaps I'll pull it back out in the future. If you really think that you would be willing to use the exercises and you are committed to reading a very long book, perhaps this will help. If you are looking for a quick fix (which is not likely to help anyway), then don't waste your time or money because it isn't until you are willing to really work to make things better that something like a self-help book like The New Peoplemaking will make a difference.




2. I'm not a fan of existential therapy. Satir's theme throughout this book is positioning your bodies to match a particular attitude, e.g. "placating" would look like begging on your knees. There are too many activities to do with your family that I find pretty ridiculous, including tying each other with rope to signify something or another. By the middle chapters, reading this book was a chore (I had to continue because it was assigned reading). I would not read this book again.



3. May the last reviewer forgive me. After reading such review I felt compelled to speak up for this book. First of all, this is not a book about existential theory, so if that is what you are into, look elsewhere.

   Existential theory is largerly individual. Satir on the other hand is a Family Systems theorist. I am not gifted enough to explain the difference well in a small space, but systems theories are worlds apart from individual, and perhaps especially, existential thought. What her theory is called is experiential, so maybe that was just a typo.

   Anyway, I feel that saying that positioning bodies to match certain attitudes by begging on your knees was the theme of this book is a large exaggeration. That is by far not Satir's theme; it is only one chapter in a 26 or 27 chapter book. And, Satir herself claims trying those postures will probably feel ridiculous. They are simply meant to bring up exagerated feelings so we may begin to recognize when we are assuming certain roles in subtler situations in everyday life.

   Her actual theme is communication, healthy and unhealthy, between family members and how it affects what goes on in the family. I would also say that her thoughts on self-esteem underly most of the rest of her thought.

   Now the book is indeed long, but I do not believe in making something unduly short so it may make it in the top ten. Perhaps it would have been possible if she had wrote it in highly specialized terminology, but the grace of this book is her ability to make it simple. To do this, one has to explain what one means, and that takes space, but makes the book highly readable and friendly. I indeed agree with the reviewer who claimed if what you are looking for a quick family fix, you will waste your time looking here. Quick fixes were never known to change the world.

   And folks, let us remember that this book is 16 years old. Corny, but very adorable. Still, good things last a long time. And if you must laugh at Satir, I doubt she would mind it; she herself claims in this very book we must be able to laugh at ourselves.

   Just please, if you must heed some negative criticism about any book, (and this one is by no means perfect and immune to real negative criticism) just make sure it is by reviewers who have read the whole book.

   Why someone who doesn't like a particular theory at the outset reads books about it I don't know. Hopefully not to feel entitlement at criticizing opposing viewpoints without even knowing the theory behind it.




4. Okay I listened to the rave review that "The New Peoplemaking" got here on Amazon so I bought the book. Before I say anything bad about the book I thought that the parts dealing with past-present transference (feelings about someone you knew in the past were good (transfering that to the present with someone you think is similar) Also I thought the section on negative communication styles was very good (the author could have gone into more depth with each style instead of making them into sweeping generalizations).
   
   However, I couldn't finish this book the exercises were way too ridiculous and moreover part about viewing the world from the eyes of a baby quite frankly made me want to gag it was so long and irrelevant. After getting past page 238 I literally could not stand reading another page.



5. People who find Virgina Satir's work and ideas interesting will probably also enjoy reading "A Passage to Intimacy" by Lori Gordon. Gordon took the ideas of Satir, George Bach, Daniel Casriel and others and incorporated them into her relationship skills classes (PAIRS--Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills)--[...]

5 comments about First Impressions: What You Don't Know About How Others See You.

1. Go ahead and buy this book, and act on the authors advice, and watch how subtle changes in first impressions can make a big difference. Probably the best among us will find something to learn to make it worthwhile reading.
   
   That said, the authors do overstate their advice. First impressions have an important part in social encounters, but they don't determine indefinitly how others perceive you. For example, in one story the authors describe one of their clients who took some time to warm up during a simulated date, but was otherwise socially adept. But they explain, by then it was "too late" to make a positive impression. In reality, the chances are that intelligent people from all walks of life can understand that it is natural for someone to take some time to open up to someone they meet for the first time, and won't hold you to it. Just think about the people in your life; probably quite a few of them didn't make a great impression on you the first time you met them, and you probably didn't either.
   
   But of course, the authors have built a large consulting business purely focused on training their clients to make good first impressions. You wouldn't expect them to downplay its importance.
   
   Overall, its a recommended read, as long as you keep in mind that first impressions are not a substitute for a lack of other much more important social skills you will need for building meaningful relationships.



2. I bought this book after listening to Dr. Demarais on NPR. This is a very well written and easy to read book with good concepts that you need to put into practice. Therefore, I wish the authors come out with an abridged audio version to listen to again and again because you need to get these ideas ingrained inside you and become second nature. Even though this book is geared towards creating impressions on a date, I highly recommend this book to anyone whose job involves dealing with people.



3. I didn't get all the way through or even more than partially through, it just bored me too much in the beginning and seemed to just state common sense. I didn't read the ratings but most people (who I'm assuming read it all the way through) seemed to really like it so I suggest reading their reviews and seeing what I may have missed later on in the book.



4. At first glance, this book seems pretty simplistic--make good eye contact, don't talk too much, choose topics appropriate for the situation--but this book is far more valuable than the elementary advice would suggest. First, almost everyone needs these reminders now and then. More importantly, the authors are able to explain vague but universal concepts in an exceptionally clear way. For example, what is the definition of "nice" or how would you define "sex appeal"? This book defines those words and more, making it extremely insightful in the study of personal interactions, from first impressions and beyond.



5. Love this book. Very insightful and helpful. Eye opening, really. Have been putting the principles listed in this book into practice and so far so good. Can be life changing, if you're serious.

5 comments about What You Think of Me is None of My Business.

1. The book was very helpful in my search for answers in my quest for self development. The book is a must for the beginner who are questioning there life and the way others influence us with there opinions and ideas.



2. For those who choose to put their faith in themselves rather than something "out there," I'd like to suggest a couple of excellent titles that will encourage you to disregard what others say/do and build your self-esteem. My hubsand and I (both in our fifties and self-help, motivational junkies) actually had life-changing experiences with Larry Winget's "Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get A Life" (and yes, Larry believes in God), as well as Randy Gage's "Why You're Dumb, Sick, and Broke." (Randy also has a strong belief system.)
   
   Don't be offended or mislead by the titles. Both men are big-time motivational speakers who really have something to say and who teach you why others want you to buy their opinions . . . and how to build a solid foundation of self-esteem based on your own strengths.
   
   And if you need a solidly-based kick in the derriere, try anything by Tony Robbins. You can't feel bad about yourself listening to or watching Tony.
   
   I hope this helps someone out there . . . .



3. I began my personal growth journey years ago. The fact that I missed reading Terry Cole-Whittaker's work surprises me on one hand and delights me on the other...I just finished reading this gem, laughing, breathing deeply, savoring this perspective. It is in such alignment with who and where I am! Being reminded that 'my happiness is my responsibility and is not dependent on your behavior' is but one of the things that affirms that my life experience is an "inside job." I've been listening to Abraham CDs and attending workshops for some years now and when this book was mentioned, I bought one copy for myself and 5 for special people with whom I wanted to share. Her use of the words "God" and "Heavenly Father" initially distracted me. I quickly tranlasted them into "my" vocabulary and "all was truly well!"



4. I found this book to be very helpful. It has made me more aware of how I handle situations and why I handle them in the way I do, and how to improve and enpower myself to be more positive and happy.



5. I've read a fair amount of self development material, listened to CDs, DVDs, seminars - you name it - and this is as simple as it gets. I read through some of the negative reviews and I respect what those reviewers had to say because what works for one doesn't necessarily work for everybody. I would have to say that I found the material shared by the author to be very practical and she discussed so many topics that I was impressed by the concise, yet hard-hitting information that was shared. Information that if put to use could certainly be pivotal if not life-altering.
   
   I don't think that books can take the place of clinical help. If someone has a serious problem there is no way that a book will solve someone's specific issues. However, as a guideline to positive thinking and progressive living this book so many tools that its possible for a reader to grab on to one thing and make a shift in the right direction. I think that's worth $7 to say the least. This book is worth the read and I highly recommend it.

5 comments about Working With The Law.

1. I found the book overly simplistic long on theroy and short on logical thinking. But I must admit that his chapter on the Law of Attraction very unique. I have read everything that has been written on the Law of Attraction Holliwel's use of the theroy of we get the results of our "expectations" is brilliant and made much sense. Thoughts are a function of the ego and are not very useful, but expectations are are a function of the inner being . . . much more authentic.
   That chapter and the chapter on non-resistance made the book worthwhile, but otherwise the book was pretty outdated theroy.



2. I have read many books on the Law of Attraction and I found this one to be the best. It covers it from so many aspects and perspectives, and it gives many direct quotes from the bible. If you are interested in the Law of Attraction, this one is a must read!!!



3. I think this book is excellent. I would say that everyone would do well to have a copy. This guide is not unlike a roadmap to living. I have other books which go into these subjects but not to this level. The mind must be disciplined and he explains why things go wrong. Man/woman can be their own worst enemy. His analysis and approach to the subjects are to be applauded.



4. This book is great! I have read many books on the Law of Attraction from The Secret to The Science of Getting Rich and although all books have given many perspectives and understanding, Working With The Law has been life changing. It wasn't until I read Raymond Holliwells perspective on the Law of Non-Resistance and The Law of Attraction did I start actually seeing amazing changes in my life. I would highly recommend this book.



5. Raymond Holliwell, says "Like nature, we must follow a natural Law. This is one of the best book I ever read. Very helpful.

2 comments about Think and Grow Rich (Your Coach in a Box).

1. Think and Grow Rich embodies Andrew Carnigie's philosophy of achievement to help individuals reach their full potential and succeed. I read Think and Grow Rich all the time (Think and Grow Rich!: The Original Version, Restored and Revised is my version of choice). This audio CD is a great companion to the book. I was introduced to Think and Grow Rich when I read former world champion and International Boxing Hall of Famer Ken Norton's autobiography entitled Going the Distance : The Ken Norton Story. Norton shared in his book that he read Think & Grow Rich repeatedly and it changed his life. Norton's book states he was given Think & Grow Rich to read after he suffered his first boxing defeat and had to start over. Norton then went on a fourteen fight winning streak that lasted over three years, including a huge upset over Muhammed Ali for the heavyweight title.
   
   Also Recommended: The Richest Man Who Ever Lived: King Solomon's Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness



2. One of the all time greats. Never waste precious time in your car by listening to music...plug in one of the greats and expand who you are. Listening to Think and grow Rich over and over with make you prosperous.
   
   Greg Arnold
   www.greg-arnold.com

5 comments about The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well.

1. The author of The Book on Writing really knows her "stuff." As an English and Composition teacher, this is the best book I've come across in a long time. Highly recommended for teachers of writing and those wanting to learn how to write. Paula LaRocque practices what she preaches.



2. Paula LaRocque's writing seminars are legendary -- I've attended two -- and this book lives up to them. It's like a month-long writing seminar packed into one book. Clear, concise advice and inspiring examples.



3. If you need to learn to write well, this is the book to buy! It's not only easy to read, but understand as well. (School teachers never seemed to explain it as easily.)Everyone that knows me, said my writing got 50 percent better after studying this book! That says a lot since i wasn't half bad before then. (Please dont take the way i write this review as a representation of what this book teaches- it's late at night and I'm too tired to correct any grammar errors, etc.).



4. This book shares secrets of the profi. They are so simple that you can't believe first. When I read a quarter of the book my writing style revived. Thanks to Paula LaRocque that pointed the way to great writing.



5. I think the other 5-star reviews say it all, so I will just add another 5-star review here with the rest. Refreshingly, this book does not just focus on writing for business, but addresses fiction and other writing as well.

5 comments about The 45 Second Presentation That Will Change Your Life: The World's Best-Selling Network Marketing Guide.

1. The 45-SECOND PRESENTATION really will CHANGE your life. It's the most important book for new networkers!



2. This book was an easy read, very informative, to the point that I am making up an outline of it to share with my downline to use as a guide. I am a seasoned networker, and I wish I had had this information when I got involved in networking in the past, and it also would have helped me to weed out the ones that I should not get involved with. This book doesn't say "don't do this or that company", but once you see the information, you can see which companies fit with the important points necessary for a positive money-making experience in networking!



3. Easy to read. This book was recommended to me by a speaker with 10 years experience in a huge Network Marketing Company. I am a novice when it comes to N.M. and found this book excellent.



4. If you want to succeed in Network Marketing you need a book to carry in your back pocket. This is your book to carry.



5. It will give you a better understanding and prospective about Network Marketing. If you are or going to be one of the Network Marketer, please do read this book. It will change you life especially select the right Networking Company.

5 comments about How Far Will You Go?: Questions to Test Your Limits.

1. My friends and I had a girls night out and I decided to whip this book and the other "If" book out. Two hours and a few tears later we know more about each other than we did the years that we've known each other. I would recommend it to anybody, not just for social situations and in getting to know others but to get to know yourself better too, your limits, strengths, and weaknesses.



2. The title of this book is misleading. I expected the book to be about hypotethetical situations where the major question would be "how far will you go?" Unfortunately the book is a bunch of random questions, most of them uninteresting, but several of them thought-provoking. It's good for a laugh but don't expect to have any deep conversations over this thing. I got it as a present but I wouldn't spend any money on it.



3. This book has sparked some very interesting conversations with my friends.
   Thanks for the ideas.



4. Book of interesting questions. I got this because I thought I'd enjoy answering the questions, and getting to know myself even better. Don't you like it when someone asks you a thought provoking question, and you know that they really wanna know your answer? This would be a fun book to use with company or your friends or family. (Course, there may be some questions that would be better left unanswered from some people.) It would also make for a good coffee table book.
   
   Some of these questions I'm sure you've never thought of, or how you'd answer them. The back cover of the book says "Define your boundaries". I know people, who have no idea what their boundaries are or if they even have any. Some questions are fun, some are trivial, and some are more serious. Some will take longer to answer than others.
   
   I think this could also be good excercises for writers, as a writing prompts.



5. I bought this book for a friend for Christmas. As soon as she opened it, we started reading and answering the questions. Questions like, "Who is the person you miss most right now?" "What would you most readily die for?" or "In what way are you least understood?" Not only will it tell you alot about who you are talking to, but it will also make you dig deep within yourself for the best possible answer, and end up telling you alot about yourself. She is planning on using this book at our New Years Eve party and I know that it will be a hit. If you want a good conversation starter, a new party idea, or you just want to get to know more about your friends (or yourself) you should buy this book. It may be small in size, but it's contents can be powerful.

5 comments about Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul: Stories to Inspire, Support and Heal (Chicken Soup for the Soul).

1. Wonderful! Inspirational! I love all the Chicken Soup Books!



2. As the co-author of this book, I have to thank the amazing story contributors who wrote deep and moving stories about their journey through breast cancer in order to help those who have been newly diagnosed, their families and friends. This book would not have been possible without their courage, strength, and humor. Yes, there are a lot of funny stories in here too. It was an honor to work with such talented and generous women survivors (and one man) who are all surviving and thriving. This book is inspiring, it gives you a lift and lets you know that as you go through the often scary treatments for breast cancer, you are not alone.



3. In the format of the bestselling series, breast cancer survivor Mary Olsen Kelly has gathered snippets of courage, healing and hope into categories like "Love," "Challenges," "Character," "Survival" and "Gratitude." Each story is written in a different voice and, though some are far better than others, all provide an important perspective and insight into this devastating illness.
   
   A powerful source of encouragement for survivors, family, friends and all who love them.



4. My son and daughter in law purchased CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR'S SOUL for me when I was beginning my chemo treatments. The stories and the cartoons brought both laughter and tears. I recently purchased the book through Amazon.com for a dear friend of mine who is currently facing her uphill battle with breast cancer. Great insight and thought provoking chapters. A fantastic "pick me up" for those who are facing one of the biggest challenges of their lives.



5. This was nice to see how other women had handled their recovery, and breast reconstruction after breast cancer. So many encouraging and wonderful ways in which each person dealth with their stock, and sadden. This book was a big help to see that I am not alone, or the only one that has faced this facely enemy. Breast Cancer.
   Stepaheda