5 comments about Yoga Nidra Meditation CD: Extreme Relaxation of Conscious Deep Sleep.

1. As some other reviewers have complained, the voice rather drones, but that isn't the worst thing in the world: who needs an excited guide when looking to relax? Anyway, the guided, point by point relaxation is just what I was looking for, so I'm pretty happy with it. I can fathom better though (e.g. maybe have binaural beats going in the background or some such), so 4 is the best I give this.



2. I'm saddened by the "1 star" review on this item. As someone who does a lot of meditation, and a variety of meditations, I enjoy this CD very much. Could I have done it myself? Yes, but that's true of almost every spoken meditation CD. But I didn't.
   
   As someone who meditates frequently, I enjoy this audio CD because it has a variety of meditations, which I can mix up into various length "programs" of different lengths. It's not just the short version, the medium version, and the long version.



3. As in everyone this is something that either touches you deeply or helps in other ways.



4. On the recommendation of a friend I ordered and began immediately using this CD. There are a number of reasons why I have recommended this CD to all my friends. The primary reason is that though I am still a fairly new practitioner of this particular kriya I'm already seeing numerous positive effects including a pervasive calmness post-listening which continues on into the next day (I listen to the CD every evening all the way through and then go to sleep). In addition, while I used to have occasional unpleasant vivid dreams...so far, those have stopped completely. The voice that guides you through to the yoga nidra state is one I find soothing and pleasant to listen to. The practice of bringing attention to various points of the body also appears to be assisting me in my daily meditative practice as well as helping me during the day keep bringing attention back to any changes of mood or mental states.
   
   I highly recommend others try this CD for themselves and see how the practice and entering into Yoga Nidra assists the practitioner.



5. Bought it last week. I must say I am very impressed with this DVD. I am one who has great difficulty in taking time for myself and relaxing. I have a lot of stress which has caused much heartache. My counselor has suggested I try meditation so I got this DVD. That night I used it and was very impressed with the instuctors smooth clear voice. It is a very guided meditation that concentrates on body and breathing. When ever my mind started to wander, it helped a great deal in helping me to concentrate on me and breath. I was able be concious but be in a deep relaxed state. It helped me to release thoughts and stressers in a concious manner yet I was able to remain in deep relaxed state. I felt it also brought clairty to things that were causing the stress.

5 comments about The Life Organizer: A Woman's Guide to a Mindful Year.

1. Whether you are organized or unorganized, this book provides a way to get in touch with your deepest values and goals. This is a great starting place for anyone wishing they had more balance in their life and the author's emphasis on treating yourself with kindness and respect is refreshing and encouraging.



2. I ask myself, why does a woman need a life organizer? What has happened to create a need for us to seek answers through various devices and advice gurus? We've become so goal-oriented we can't even listen to our own intuition. Simply lying on the earth should give us any answers we need, but we're too busy, too stressed, to do even that. So we turn to today's guidance, often in the form of books, to find out how to come home to ourselves.
   
   One of our helpers is Jennifer Louden, also known as "The Comfort Queen." Louden is the author of several books including the bestselling The Women's Comfort Book and is devoted to nurturing women to express their "true creative power." I love books and look to them for inspiration and, frequently, affirmations of what I already know. This one is a heart-based, spirit-directed approach to listening to ourselves.
   
   The Life Organizer is glossy, full of color and original artwork, and is written in Louden's warm, over-the-back-fence, casual style. She doesn't offer advice, but rather, "a collection of possibilities to inspire you in creating your way of participating with life and with your gifts."
   
   Those possibilities are ways to stop and "tune in to what you really want and what you really know." She notes five main steps that make up the life-organizing process: connect, feel, inquire, allow and apply. Louden cautions readers not to focus on the five steps, but rather on your own life experiences, posing questions to assist you in getting in touch with your life experiences.
   
   Besides the main steps to help you "create your optimum life day by day, moment by moment," Louden offers six "life-planning concepts." All of these suggestions grew out of Louden's busy life experiences and the intuitive planner she created for herself, which she shared with her coaching clients and those who attended her workshops and retreats. The results, and the stories of several of those women, are included.
   
   "Shadow Comforts and Time Monsters" is one of Louden's life-planning concepts and refers to those comforts that masquerade as self-care techniques, but in fact drain your energy. For example, chatting on a message board may be energizing, or it may be a tactic to avoid talking to your partner. Among the women Louden has coached are those "whose lives consisted almost entirely of time monsters, because they were too afraid to do what they really wanted to do." Watching TV, spending a month cooking for the holidays, and spending a week decorating your child's classroom may be among your "time monsters." Some discerning questions are helpful to consider. We so often say we don't have time, but if we look at what we're really doing with our time, a light may go on.
   
   I particularly like the chapter on "Creating Your Life Planner." I'm a fan of journals so that's why I probably enjoyed the various approaches women have taken to crafting their own Life Planners. You may write in Louden's book, but if you need more room, a spiral notebook will work just fine. Then you need to place your life planner where you have easy access to it, by your bed, or alongside your date book. One woman constructed her own card deck using the questions throughout the book. She uses the cards as her own divination system, drawing a question card or two on which to reflect. She has decorated them with her own images so she can stare at those images and see what they spark in her.
   
   Thirteen elegantly designed planning sections that include four weeks worth of theme-based questions also include "Stories Along the Way," true stories of women who have used Life Organizing to improve their lives.
   
   Each week, on a two-page spread, there is space for writing your intention. Three circles provide space for completing these phrases: "let go of", "have to" and "could do." Questions, and some possible answers, give impetus to a creative and intentional week.
   
   Although this book is full of possibilities, at the core is its intent is to bring you back to yourself, eliminating what no longer serves the life that you, in your heart of hearts, desire. It looks very organized, but in fact you can approach it in your own non-organized, non-linear way. Using it as a divinatory tool seems a good idea to me. Just open the book and see what tips and stories appear for you today.
   
   Jennifer Louden is a bestselling author, personal coach, radio show contributor, columnist for "Body & Soul Magazine" and creator of learning events and retreats. Louden is married to cinematographer Christopher Mosio, living in a small house on an island in the Pacific Northwest, along with their daughter, Lillian.
   
   You can share a cup of virtual tea with Jen at www.jenniferlouden.com and www.lifeorganizerbook.com.
   
   by Mary Ann Moore
   for Story Circle Book Reviews
   www.storycirclebookreviewsorg
   reviewing books by, for, and about women



3. I cannot tell you how rough this year has been. I felt like I was drowning in "have to do" and "I wish I coulds." This book helped me connect my true wishes, secret desires and priorites. I was free to let go of the rest. I was even able to deal with conflicting emotions surrounding a romance. I have had this book for awhile and have used it at different points, but 2008 marked the first time in a long time I was in overload mode. I happened to notice the book "waiting" for me on a side table in my living room. I picked it up and I have felt better since that day.



4. I'm a firm believer that when you're facing a big life transition like a wedding, it takes away a TON of stress when you have all the other facets of your life running fairly smoothly. So as a bride looks into the future, she'll know that she's in great shape when she has actual, useful, organized and entertaining steps to take to bring some order into her world. I just got married in April, and Jennifer Louden's books have always brought me a deeper sense of peace -- this book is the PERFECT book for brides-to-be. You're giving them a better chance at a happy life. That's way better than a blender!



5. After reading this book and fully appreciating its message, I have recommended it to several of my women clients --- all have appreciated the recommendation --- and I've seen results in their lives. I want to congratulate Jennifer Louden on creating a very useful resource for women of all ages who are looking for a way to create more meaning and purpose in their "cluttered" lives. I especially appreciated the personal stories and illustrations from other women lives. I'm going to buy two or three more right now and pass them on to friends as well. Pamela D. Blair, author The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Mid-Life and Beyond

5 comments about The Enneagram Made Easy: Discover the 9 Types of People.

1. For me this book is delightful (I am a type 7). I already had a couple of very dry and informative books on this topic and then my friend and I were introduced to this book at an Enneagram training session. I makes us laugh, helps us to understand the types in an easily accessible way and I pick it up often. Have just ordered copies for friends and other books by the same authors. Enjoy it for what it is, the clue is in the title. It does not cover all aspects of the Enneagram, you wil need other books for that.



2. This book makes it easy for beginners to understand the nine types of the enneagram. Illustrated with a number of simple cartoons, this book makes an excellent companion to more in-depth works such as the introduction by Richard Rohr and Andreas EbertThe Enneagram: A Christian Perspective or by Helen PalmerThe Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and the Others In Your Life. The book includes quizzes for readers to use in identifying themselves or others; I found these to be quite helpful. It's a fun book, both textually and visually, but don't think that it's shallow; it contains a great deal of excellent information. If I had one criticism, it's that the book struck me (a male) as written primarily from the female point of view. Then again, that in itself might be a valuable source of insight! This book is well worth the price and a great addition to one's library.



3. True, this is not going to be one of those dense and scholarly tomes footnoted with information on the deep spiritual history of the Enneagram - but that's okay. In fact, it's a good thing. These authors have decided to put a new spin on the Enneagram and serve up information in a fresh new way. Basically, they're bypassing the reader's formal, conscious mind which has a short attention span and is probably hopelessly burdened with information-overload, and are appealing to one's sense of play.
   
   You open the sturdy, oversized trade paperback and immediately see the cartoon drawings: fun and appealing. Look closer, and you'll notice their insightfulness. Many illustrate all nine Enneagram types in the same setting (such as a dinner party), having distinctly different reactions. The opportunity to compare and contrast the types is funny and illuminating.
   
   Meanwhile the text organizes a chapter for each Enneagram type. Within each chapter is a helpful quiz to determine if you are that type, plus capsule descriptions of that type that emphasize the practical rather than the abstract. For example, How to Get Along with a Four, What I Like about Being a Six, Eights as Children, Twos as Parents, What's Hard about Being a Five, Typical Thoughts of a Seven.
   
   Once you've identified your type, you can turn to the helpful suggestions about improving your health, career, and relationships. You also learn all of the basic information about the Enneagram that one needs to know: the Wing of each type (that is, the neighboring type that influences you), and to which direction on the circular Enneagram diagram you tend to move when evolving in positive or negative ways. Not quite enough info in the book to warrant a five-star review (that would be asking a lot) but highly recommended as an introduction.



4. this book is soo insightful .... i just breeds compassion for everyone else
   out there, who doesn't do things "your way" .... now you understand
   their motivation ..... weather it's fear, love, curiosity .... ect. It also
   helps you understand where you go under stress .... and when you are in
   alignment .... you can see why 2 people who have had the exact same experience
   can see things COMPLETELY differently ....



5. I hestitate to place anyone--particularly children--into personality categories, especially because by using the methods taught to me in this book, The Enneagram Made Easy, I couldn't find a single personality type with which to identify whole-heartedly. One minute I believed I was "The Achiever," only to find equal identifications with "The Perfectionist," "The Helper" and "The Romantic." Now, I ask, is that a flaw with the way the determining factors of the enneagram are presented within these pages or a flaw with me/my interpretation? And what do we really gain by placing labels on people? I will say this philosophy is a bit more interesting to me than using signs of the Zodiac. But they're on a par.
   
   With artistic, coloring book-like layout and several simple cartoon depictions, this book serves as a good and easy-to-understand portrayal of what can be a complicated theory. We used it with high schoolers in a Sunday School program and it served as a good springboard for discussion.

5 comments about Drawing for Dummies.

1. This is a nice basic drawing book. This book teaches you how to do tonal drawings by crosshatching. She doesn't smudge her drawings to save time and you can tell by the finished piece. This would be good practice for someone interested in printmaking.



2. I like this book on some levels. On other levels...erm...there are problems. I agree that there are a lot of cartoony drawings, as well as some more realistic ones where she seemed to go through a looong period of giving people strange looking round clown type noses. The effect is off putting...not charming as I think was hoped.
   She also uses what I think is a lot of inappropriate hatching..making her subjects sometimes seem kind of...hairy looking.
   But these are all style issues...I really can't find fault with her technical ability. In fact, many drawings are beautiful.
   As for blending, she feels it is more difficult to do well , and that's why she doesn't really approach it here. On her website she states more or less that to blend or not should be up to the individual artist and gives a reasonable tutorial on blending correctly.
   Her examples are often not illustrated enough...and written instructions seem hurried, without details on how to do what she is talking about.
   Also the pics in the examples are far too small...
   But this is a good book as far as being approachable goes.
   It gives good solid info, and does cover many subjects.
   One book is rarely definitive in any endeavor one tries to learn...and often you can't cover everything in one book.
   Publishers sometimes have to think about the larger market and what it will pay for.As far as we know she may have a limit on how many words and images she can use!
   These books are designed to be inexpensive and general.
   Given that fact, I think this particular "Dummie" book, does pretty well.



3. Well, I really wanted to learn how to draw well, so I picked this up. The first few chapters really help, but then it became was to hard for a beginning artist. Some of the stuff she wants you to draw is insane, and I just gave up on this book. If you want a good drawing book for beginners, don't look at this one.



4. Drawing for Dummies was a gift for my nephew, who likes to draw comic chacters.As you might expect, they are all out of proportion and child-like.He is a teenager now and is looking for some guidance to improve his drawing. When I first received this book, I thumbed through it and read the chapter headings. I'm sure he will profit from this book. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
   A.R.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   



5. Drawing for Dummies is a great drawing guide. I am somewhere between beginner and intermediate but no where near advanced in my drawing skills. I found this book to be of great help in learning new things and sharpening skills that I already have.
   It offers many exercises to improve and enhance your drawing style.
   It is a simple read; the author doesn't make it all technical and boring.
   I think this is a book that every aspiring artist should have on their shelves.

5 comments about A Short Guide to a Happy Life.

1. I really liked this little book. The pictures are really cool, and the comments on what it takes to be happy are good reminders, like:
   
   -- Being a good spouse, mother and friend
   -- Laughing, listening and just showing up
   -- Keeping still and being present
   -- Being generous
   -- Remembering to live instead of just exist...and many more
   
   This is a very quick read, so it's easy to pull it out again from time to time to remind us of what's really important. It would make a nice gift book, too.



2. Anna Quindlen's charming and engaging little book is a refreshing reminder that life is short, magical and that every moment matters. In a direct and elegant way, Quindlen shares the lessons she learned during and after her mother's death. These lessons focus on embracing your life and not taking it for granted whether you're in one moment enjoying spring flowers or being of service to another human being. I was really touched by the author's honest and humble sentiment throughout the book; Quindlen manages to bypass the drama and darkness of the experience of her mother's death and offer up the richness of what she experienced as a result. Reading it felt like receiving a sweet gift from a friend.
   
   Another book that shares profound life lessons with a similar sense of sincerity and sweetness is Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, by Ariel & Shya Kane. Through incredible stories and examples from real life, the Kanes share what they have discovered on their 20+ year journey as a couple about how to have life be richer and more fulfilling than you ever imagined. If you want to feel inspired, refreshed and enlivened (rather than 'worked on' or preached to), pick up both of these books and treat yourself to a truly delightful experience.



3. I highly recommend this book as a graduation gift, wedding gift, and as a gift to new mothers! I love it! Every now & then I get it off the shelf and read it ALOUD to myself...it is much more powerful when read aloud. Anna Qundlen's words of wisdom put everything in perspective and get me back on track to being the mother, wife, and friend I want to be, but often lose sight of in my hectic life. It is a quick read and very inspirational.



4. Wow- Anna Quindlen's book "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" is a revelation. This small book may offer the appearance of brevity, but when it comes to wisdom and applicable life-altering perspectives, Ms. Quindlen offers an approach to life that is abundant with possibilities for hope and happiness. I have long been a fan of her fictional work, particularly her novels "Blessings", Black and Blue (Oprah's Book Club)" and "One True Thing: A Novel", in addition to her insightful articles in The New York Times. However, in this brief- yet abundantly wise reflection- she is able to document her quest for attaining a peaceful, enlightened existence.
   
   Quindlen's life abruptly shifted when her mom died during her freshman year of college. Subsequently, she spent many of her formative adult years looking for a deeper meaning to her life. She spends a good portion of the book examining popular misconceptions about how to achieve a fulfilling, happy life. She questions which of our life experiences we will prioritize when we are faced with our own mortality. When that last day, last hour, last minute beckons will you be able to reflect upon a life has been busy with meaningful, enriching experiences- or a life that has simply been `busy'? Quindlen derives a simple, yet very applicable philosophy that has helped her attain an enlightened life: "Show up. Listen. Try to laugh."
   
   Two of my favorite authors, Ariel and Shya Kane, also offer inspiring, magical examples of how to live a fulfilling, happy life in their book "Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment." The Kanes write about how the art of listening and showing up for your life by simply becoming engaged in the `current moment of now' can transform the qualitative experience your life- in an instant. In one of my favorite passages, Ariel and Shya are working with one of their clients in a weekly workshop that they facilitate in New York City on Monday Nights. (btw- if you find yourself in NY- check it out at www.ask-inc.com - these workshops are truly life altering!) Their client, Sarah, talks about how she always finds herself in a stage of "upset" in her life. The Kanes suggest that when you find yourself complaining about life, awash in a pity party for one- pretend that you are driving a car down a one way street, apply the brakes and back out of it! There is no need to indulge, justify or rehash your misery- just put your foot on the brake of unhappiness and drive down an alternative road! It sounds simple. It sounds easy. It is. It just takes brakes and the willingness to travel down an alternative pathway.
   
   After reading the inspirational ideas set forth by both Quindlen and the Kanes, I can see that living a magical, transformational life is both accessible and easy! All it takes is being open to the possibilities.



5. Anna Quindlen wrote this book as a commencement address to college graduates, and while she said she was not expert in economics, she is an expert in reminding us how human we all are. Together with her own words, this little book is filled with beautiful photography that captures lifes little moments.
   
   I enjoyed Quindlen's wisdom about living life, about how to enjoy the journey and not just the destination. How to enjoy the small things - hugs from your kids, birds flying against the blue sky, your hubby's smile...these are the really important parts of life.
   
   RECOMMENDED

4 comments about Chicken Soup for the Soul Love Stories: Stories of First Dates, Soul Mates, and Everlasting Love (Chicken Soup for the Soul).

1. I ordered ten (10) copies of this book and sent to family and friends for Valentine's Day in 2008. The feedback was terrific as several read stories that reflected/imaged their relationships and found "hope" in knowing their problems are "universal" and solvable. Loved the book!!



2. I've always loved the Chicken Soup series but,this book is dear to my heart. I'm a believer in love so much and believe that everyone deserves to have a love that's so great and dear to them. This book is filled with heartwarming,sweet stories. From stories of 'How We First Met' to stories of gratitude and friendship. This is Chicken Soup for the Soul @ its finest.



3. This book has great love stories in it. It also lets people know that true love is STILL out there. So don't give up.



4. Those books are amazing, the way they touch your soul and make u relfect upon life !!!! God bless all the colaborative authors that make this book a reality!!

4 comments about When the Past Is Present: Healing the Emotional Wounds that Sabotage our Relationships.

1. "When the Past Is Present" is one of the best books I have ever read. In this beautifully written work Dr. Richo explains psychological terminology in a manner that is easy to understand. This aspect of the book refreshing, clear and illuminating. Yet it is also a very spiritual book that speaks to one's heart. The material provides a profound and useful way for us to examine relationships so that we can move away from and let go of the past. I believe that anyone who reads this book will be positively and deeply affected by it.



2. In this book, David Richo gives very helpful and practical information about how we can turn the relationship challenges of everyday life into resources for personal and spiritual growth. His compassionate understanding of the struggles we have and his clear directions for working with them provide a warm welcome to taking on the demanding and rewarding task of making changes for our own good and others around us. This is a potent resource for self development and transformation.



3. As great as Richo's How to be an Adult. Richo's a poet. He gives unparalleled insight to why we act/react the way we do. If you are practicing mindfulness and a Twelve Step program, this book is for you. Both of Richo's books I've mentioned have increased my personal work and deepened my husband's and my relationship.



4. this is good book however the author speaks about the transferences only in sentences only like onliner but a lay person need more detail of the mechanism of the transfernces in his work or life to appreciate them
   he says when you have a problem with one of your staff in work it means that you hvae a unresolved inner conflict but he does not explain the exact mechanism of it so you have no clear understanding of what is happening however this is good book for introduction of transference
   i would recommend robert firestone conquer your inner crtical voice

5 comments about Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds (Second Revised Edition).

1. This book was recommended to us and I would recommend it to anyone living outside their own culture with kids. The information is very valuable to helping children adjust and understanding how growing up outside their culture will affect them.



2. This book discusses emotional and identity development of children growing up in foreign countries and re-entry issues. This is an excellent book for those who have lived abroad during the developmental years 0 - 18 and for parents. A must read!



3. I think this is the best book written on the topic of third culture kids. The book is insightful and answers questions that are just under the surface for both kids and those who love them.



4. This book is so helpful for anyone married to a third culture kid - or contemplating it. It provides great insight to help understand a very different world view. Congratulations to the authors.



5. Still reading this RARE topical find. It is mostly about people who grew up as kids or "brats" around the world -- State Dept., etc. There are certainly big paralells, ideas that applied to us military people who grew up around the country and world. I'm still on the hunt for a modern day publication that addresses US specifically -- growing up on post/base, in the environment, with the military culture and then the cut away from it, the adjustment, the lack of support because we're "used to be's" for services but "once a brat always a brat" inside. It would be great, a God send, to find a resource such as this for which I am searching. Closest read I've found yet. BIRTH ARMY TO ARMY TO LOCAL NAT'L/MILITARY TO ARMY CIV TO AIR FORCE TO civilian non military: "out here". M. Donnan

5 comments about Stop Wondering If You'll Ever Meet Him: A Revolutionary Approach for Putting the Date Back into Dating.

1. I am a pretty skeptical person when it comes to relationships and I was very pleasantly surprised by the depth of the content in this book. I felt like the authors were speaking directly to me because so many of the mistakes I've made are covered in this book. Not only do the authors identify the mistakes, they offer a solution which is refreshing since so many people write books about the problem, but then leave us hanging. This book has made a huge impact on how I view relationships and I feel hopeful about my dating future!



2. Of all the people in the world to give me this book, my ex-girlfriend, whom I am still friendly with, gave it to me. As a favor, I read it. And to be frank, I thought that it was fantastic. Maintaining a conversational approach, the authors identified the patterns of behavior that I have commonly fallen into, which have hurt my relationships in the past. Though I consider myself to be the last person to recommend a dating book, I felt compelled here to express my opinion about it. I am not saying reading this book will get you a date, but I think that it might give you new insight in how you go about dating. It has for me.



3. I've read a ton of dating books and they usually fall into one of two categories. There's the "wait till your married" to have sex category or the "how to be a hot [...] (or pick up artist)" category. Neither of which is realistic and neither of which works. This book gets it right with (finally!) a sane and easy to follow approach to dating. Since reading this book I've been told I'm more self assured and confident and attractive. None of those things is true. It's simply that now I know what to do when it comes to dating. I only wish I had read this a few years ago!



4. This book completely changed how I view the dating process. Everything about dating is viewed in a new light, and to have the perspective of both sexes really helps. It's very honest, and not formulaic like most other dating/relationship books I've read. The authors feel like old friends.....friends that have my best interest at heart. And it works! Using their simple, step-by-step approach, I found the man of my dreams, and we are happily dating and progressing.....Thank you, Ryan and Jessica!



5. After I read How To Be Wanted: Use the Law of Attraction to Date the Man You Most Desire and Live the Life You Deserve, I went on the lookout for more books that really deliver a punch. This so happens to be the one. It's got some really good stuff any woman who wants a man/relationship needs to know. A must, must read!!

2 comments about The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder: New Tools and Techniques to Stop Walking on Eggshells (Essential Family Guide to).

1. Now in 2008, Randi Kreger has another blockbuster book to add to her wonderful treasure trove of resources.
   
   *The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder: New Tools and Techniques to Stop Walking on Eggshells* is stimulating, challenging, educating and thought-provoking. It is an essential book for both the practioner, family member, students of mental health, psychology and Borderline Personality Disorder.
   
   Everyone interested in mental health with some personal experiences of BPD will love this book.
   
   This book is absolutely superb. It has a stimulating collection of essays that taken together really open up the subject of Borderline Personality Disorder.
   
   *The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder* is full of information on how to find a therapist, insurance concerns,and different types of treatments and therapies.
   
   The second part of the book is about the Power Tools for the non BP to get a grasp on how to set limits, boundaries, take care of themselves and to be heard by the borderline by using great communication skills and reinforcing the right behaviors.
   
   Most 'family guides' focus on a broad spectrum or general overview and very little of the personality disorders. *The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder* is a family guide that specifically focuses on Borderline Personality Disorder for the non and what to do about the disorder and what steps to take.
   
   This is an excellent book. It deserves more than five stars. It is well worth reading by those seriously interested in Borderline Personality Disorder. It's a scholarly academic text that is well supported by recent research and literature in the field, but remains easy to read and understand, given the complexity of the material it covers.
   
   *The Essential Family Guide to Borderline Personality Disorder* is very well-researched with contact information, references, resources, up-to-date brain research, genetics, biological approaches and the role of the pharmaceutical industry, together with well-represented and refreshing analysis of psychological and social approaches.
   
   Rita Closson, M.A. Social Psychologist
   Kansas City, Missouri



2. Very few books can actually change your life. Randi Kreger has written two. "Stop Walking on Eggshells" (SWOE) changed my life and the lives of many others. "The Essential Family Guide" now offers the tools to family members and professionals to help deal with BPD with great efficiency and effectiveness.
   
   "The Essential Family Guide" hits the nail directly on the head and drives it home. Where SWOE left off, the Family Guide picks up. It is critical reading for everyone - including counselors, psychologists, and legal professionals - living with or dealing with someone with Borderline Personality Disorder (a "BPD").
   
   After reading through the first few chapters, I realized that "The Essential Family Guide" is the next step in my own recovery in dealing with my BPD ex-spouse and in caring for my children exposed to this disorder. If you are coping with a BPD - personally or professionally - you must read the Essential Family Guide.
   
   I think of and hear from others out there dealing with the craziness of a BPD in their lives and searching for understanding. If I can convince one person to read The Family Guide and get the benefit that I have received from Randi's books, then I will have done a good thing.