5 comments about The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal.

1. This book explains how managing your energy, not your time, is far more productive.
   
   Focusing on the 4 elements of power usage/renewal (spiritual, mental, physical and emotional) can help you become a more productive professional, no matter your field. The idea of renewal, that we all need pause, from micro pauses (taking a deep breath and closing your eyes), to sustained removals (two-week hiking trip for example), is one you don't hear about much. Far more often (managers in particular) people tend to think you need to work long hours almost as if it were a badge of honor to work more than the person in the cube next to you. This is a myth, the most successful people are the ones who bring high energy to their work - not the most hours. Renewal, and recharging, are the keys to keeping a healthy level of productivity.
   
   Time is NOT money; this old saying was from our parents generation. It is wrong through and through. Focusing on your energy, and how and when you use it, will provide far more success and productivity. This book tells you how to do it and for this reason I highly recommend this book.



2. If you feel like you're not enjoying all life has to offer, than get this book.



3. Much of the information in this book can be found in other books on time management and personal productivity. Readers will need to decide whether to revile the authors for repeating so much conventional wisdom or appreciate their efforts to gather it together in one place. Information about proper sleep and nutrition habits, for example, remains useful even when it is not new.
   
   The unique value of this book goes beyond its organization of personal energy into physical, emotional, mental and physical energy. We have read most of these concepts before in the sales motivation literature. The book's practical value is in its advice about how to incorporate regular energy renewal routines into your life. Steven Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) calls this "sharpening the saw." These authors expand on the concept with a full range of suggestions and examples.
   
   The authors' studies of professional athletes have taught them two principles. One is that high performers work hard to stretch their limits and increase their capacity over the long term. This is not news. The second--and more interesting--lesson is that top athletes build replenishment into both their training and performance routines. In one example they describe a tennis player who uses breathing exercises to lower his heart rate between each set. They authors argue that this kind of renewal in the middle of the game is essential to high performance. And that it generalizes from athletes to the rest of us.
   
   I'm sufficiently convinced of the value of renewal rituals that I have used the book's advice to design two of my own. I have discovered an unexploited hour of time in the mornings between when I drop off my son at a before-school activity and when I must leave for work. It is just enough time to fit in 30 minutes of swimming that will help me face the day. I've also resumed an old habit to walk two extra miles toward home after work before getting on my commuter train. I hope that this will not only give me some additional exercise, but provide a buffer between the stresses of work and returning home. Both seem to be helping after two weeks. We'll see about the long-term.
   
   I advise borrowing this book--or audio book--from a library or a friend to see what good it has to offer. Frankly, I wouldn't buy it if I could borrow it.



4. This book is awesome, and the concepts are so true and helpful. There are way to many books out there to help manage our time, when if we focused on our energy we would accomplish so much more in day. The book covers a number of different aspects that help you become effective in your daily tasks, each one of them could fill a full book alone.



5. The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz is great book that offers good information and practical recommendations which are easy to implement. The authors share real examples throughout the book that almost anyone can relate to their own daily life. I love the balance of energy - physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. If you aren't happy with your life - feeling stressed, overworked, down on power, missing something, ... - read this book! With an open mind and a desire to change, you will find useful information that you can immediately begin to use to change your life.

5 comments about The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.

1. I think this is one of the best books that I have read on relationships in trouble. Principle 2 - Nurturing your fondness and admiration and Principle 6 - Overcoming Gridlock are worth the price of the book. The book contains a lot of tests and exercises most of which are very useful and insightful. The book assumes that both the husband and wife are trying to improve their marriage. It also works to some degree if only one person is working on the marriage.
   The author does come accross in the first couple of chapters as arrogant but he tones it down in the remaining chapters. It is only slightly distracting.



2. I was looking for some answers with my current situation, and I found more than what I hoped for here. It struck a great number of familiar chords with both of us, and has true to life examples than any couple will relate to. This is a definite "must buy" book for any married couple.
   Other excellent and unique book for relationships is I Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't



3. My Husband and I are reading this amazing book. It is enlightening, eye opening and it is a fabulous book for any relationship, not just marriage! A definite must get!



4. I first read this book some time ago, and I've read it quit a few times since. At least in parts. The seven principals of making a marriage work can be applied to any relationship. I've certainly tried to apply them in my life, to some success. We all need these reminders at time to help us get our thoughts and priorities in a relationship back on track. Regularly leafing through this book helps me to do that. While I didn't agree with absolutely everything the book says, it is certainly full of invaluable advice for all couples, and should be read by everyone in a relationship.
   
   I also recommend...
   
   The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
   
   How To Keep Your Man: And Keep Him For Good



5. This is an excellent book full of interesting information and useful exercises. If you or your counseling clients want to make marriage work, this could really help. I bought the Kindle version, though, and now I have no access to the exercises.
   
   I borrowed the book from the library and made some copies of the exercises. There are so many good ones, this turned out to be a lot of time and money spent that I wouldn't have if only I had bought the book in the first place.
   
   So, my message here is buy this BOOK! Work the exercises with your partner. Pass it along to someone else, too. Buy something else to read on Kindle.

5 comments about The Road Less Traveled, 25th Anniversary Edition : A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth.

1. I'm not one of those people who stalk the aisles of the self help section at all. But when someone lent me this book seven years ago, it was a turning point in my life. I've since bought my own copy of all three books in the series and have found it necessary to go back and read them from time to time (especially the first and third books).
   
   When I first started reading this book I couldn't fathom that the brand of spirituality that Peck offers was even possible. I had discarded all spirituality since childhood because I had learned early on about the hoorors of religion. More than anything, this book spurred me to start along the path to discovering my own sense of spirituality and my own life philosophy. It also helped me to think in more complex terms and beocme more comfortable with ambiguity and contradiction...reality essentially.
   
   This book should make you uncomfortable when you read it for the first time. You have to be uncomfortable to evolve. I am grateful for having come across it at a relatively young age because my life has been better for having read it.



2. Parts of this book are simply incredible. Peck's thoughts on the role of problems, the content of genuine love, the nature of miracles and grace are truly phenonemnal. Peck is certainly a brilliant man who brings remarkable insight to the table. While this is true, parts of this book lack cogency. For example, his thoughts on the problem of evil, original sin and the religion of science are neither convincing nor compelling. Part of the problem is that he deals with these subjects in a cursory way, not giving them the attention they demand. It is as if he quickly offers his thoughts to these age-old issues as panaceas that save the day, allowing the human race to exhale a sigh of relief. I doubt that this is how Peck intended to be read, but this is my perception of these sections. Overall, this book is worth reading for the sections when Peck shines. However, be warned that there are also parts that will fail to satisfy.



3. I found this book to be a great starter book as I begin the travel of my own towards personal growth. It's full of psychotherapy, and although I'm not an expert in that field, I found it to be very satisfying and thought provoking. I would, and have, recommend it to others.



4. this is a really great read and the copy was imaculate. thanks amazon and those who supplied the book!



5. IT WAS A SUBSTITUTE BUT PROMPT DELIVERY SERVICE.
   NOTHING ELSE TO SAY . HAVE NOT READ YET.

5 comments about A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61).

1. Nauseating New Age pablum for the porridge-brained. It was a gift from a clueless and flakey acquaintance so I tried to read it but it was just terrible. I'd have never imagined this hokum would lure so many people. I might write one of these and cash in on the trend if I didn't feel so sorry for the types who fall for this psychobabble. But someone has to take their money, I suppose . . .



2. This is a great book and I highly recomment it. I read it in one day and gave it to my sister-in-law to read. She agrees with me that everybody should read this book.



3. If you are thinking about reading this book - then you should - you need to be ready for this book albeit most people just like reading a lot - this book is chalked full of information that you need to be ready to receive.
   
   Good Reading
   
   Jan Simpson



4. I guess I'm one of the people who get absolutely nothing from this book. I purchased this book with high hopes, but after the first four chapters I couldn't convince myself to keep reading. I don't really get how this book is supposed to be revolutionary or life-changing. It better much rehashes things I've already heard before.. I wouldn't wait my money on this book...Sorry



5. This book is a profound insight into changing the way that we think to Be a catalyst for a universal awakening into the eternal. It will either activate the spiritual in you or get your mind to delve deeper into an awareness of the process of thinking. It reinforced my own awakening and bought a peace that indeed life is not random, but organized and intricately designed by the Master. Read and be challenged to see the vision of God, "outside the box!"

5 comments about How to Survive the Loss of a Love.

1. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ!! ITS SO POWERFUL FOR YOUR HEART, BODY, AND SOUL!!



2. I am a divorce attorney. I order ten copies of this book at a time and give copies out to people who are hurting. You can read this book in one night, and I recommend that you read this book over again during the next days as needed.
   
   When my own girlfriend/partner had a sudden stroke, I was devastated. One of my divorce clients who I had given this book to, told me, Gary, there is this book.... I read this book again that night, and found it to be quite helpful as I supported my Marilee with her stroke and then a painful death from cancer that was discovered.
   
   This is an excellent book for anyone who is experiencing a loss, be it due to divorce or separation, or any other loss, such as a sudden illness of a loved one, or even the loss of your own employment, etc. Also, people who initiate a divorce are also suffering from a loss, albeit a less sudden loss. They are faced with the loss of the dream that they had when they committed to their partner.
   
   This book walks through many of the steps involved with loss, and the three mega-stages of surviving, healing and growing.
   
   But this book! Dollar for dollar, it will be one of the very best investments you will ever make. When you are next hurting due to an unexpected loss, read this book that day, and the next day or days as you need to. And buy a second copy of this book to give to friends who are devastated by loss.



3. If you experience an end to a relationship....the loss --- it leaves one vulnerable, raw....and this book, written by 3 authors: doctor, poet, counseler....will give instant First Aid!! Amazing! Such a Blessing!! And it is such a small paperback! You just may find yourself carrying it around with you! Jotting down sentences on post-it notes and leaving them around the house to uplift you... Interspersed with poems that are short and very much to the point...you will find they often speak as if directly from YOUR heart!
   Quite amazing book which helped me many years ago! Since then I have always made a point to keep a copy on hand in case someone experiences such loss and is in need of comfort and good help! I give them my copy! They may find they do the same whenever they run into someone with similiar sorrow!!
   
   May you never need this book...but if you do....may you be pleasantly surprised to find such deep satisfaction from the Comfort and Hope it brings!



4. in this book you won't find any hard core advice on how to deal with the loss of love and it does not offer anything you haven't heard before or you haven't read on the internet or from a magazine. the advices are good, but they are very light and nothing new. it's easy to read and it's short. i finished reading the entire book in less than 3 hrs. the poems were very nice though but over all this book did not really help me.



5. This book was so helpful & easy to read. I got it as a gift, and now I have purchased several to give to friends & family.

5 comments about Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief.

1. No one truly understands the grief, emptyness, and sorrow one feels with the loss of a loved one until, the inevitable comes, and they themselves experience the hurt. So often, people, want to be supportive, to give solace to the survivor but find it difficult to find just the right words to console. A friend of mine, who had also experienced a loss, sent me this book when my dear husband of 54 years passed away. What a tremencous void had come into my life! However, it was comforting to read this book each day and to focus and reflect on one simple "thought". Not overwhelming, but soothing to the spirit. I have sent this book to a number of my friends who needed support and they have all been equally inspired.



2. This little book easily provides a comforting word as one struggles to deal with the loss of someone close. I liked the way each page offers a wise saying, the author's comment around it, then an affirmation to use. The wisdom is simply yet meaningfully presented. Keep it by the bedside or dip into it at random - it will always bring you what you need.



3. Someone gave me this book after I lost my 13 year old to cancer. What I love about this book is each page gives you something to think about or ponder. As you read each page, you will either be moved by what is said, or not. If it resonates with you, you can stop and ponder what has been said. If one particular page is meaningless,
   you just continue to read on until something else hits home with you.
   
   It is hard to concentrate when you are grieving, so having a page a day to read and think about is a very good place to start. ....I have purchased this book several times now for other bereaved parents and for a friend who lost her husband... another who lost a sister....I highly recommend it!



4. This is the best book for one who has lost someone that I have ever read!! It was given to me after my husband died, and I have been giving it to others ever since!! It's a daily reading, and practically always hits you between the eyes!!



5. 
   This little book is an absolute Godsend after the death of a loved one, in my case, a spouse. Each day's short reading is about all one can process in the initial phase of grieving. I read from it every morning before starting the day's activities and, almost every day, it seems to be speaking to me! The author truly "hits the nail on the head."

5 comments about Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway (r).

1. I think that this book is meant for every one of us on this earth.Reason is that we all go through tough times in our lives.Sometimes everything falls on our head all at once.Then we have no breathing space.We cannot see clearly were we are going,and what we should do.We are stressed to the maximum.This book shows us a way to analyze ourselves in different prospectives.How to handle things that are good,bad,overwhelming and at the same time destructive.
   We need guidance sometimes,and this book has helped me see the light of many things.Friends that unless you share with them their misery will dump you like a sack of potatoes.They use you and throw you away.
   Almost losing a loved one, the desperation of that moment,what can you do, so that you can help your loved one live longer and not die in front of you that such thing does not happen.To extend life for many years more.Is it in our power to do so?I think to a certain extent we can extend it.It happened to me.
   How to react when you are not welcomed in a different culture.How to accept defeat and yet move on.
   I think that we should really analyze how we interact towards each and NEVER take each other for granted.But see the love that is within all of us, and try to express it in every way we can.With a smile, a caress,and a look.It makes the person that sees it feel happy and wanted.



2. I must say this book helped me to identify some of my fears as far as stepping out into the unknown. Susan Jeffers, wrote an awesome book. All the issues she touched on proved to me that she was once where I am at now. At times I find myself slipping back into my old way of thinking, which usually contribute to the chatterbox in my head.
   
   Her book has given me encouragement and hope that I can someday be relieved from this fear that I have carried around for many years. I just have to believe in myself and know that whatever happens, in the end, it will be alright.
   
   As Susan has written, "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" and that is what I am planning on doing.
   
   Thank you for having the book and delivering it to me in a timely fashion.
   
   God always knows what we need.
   
   Ivory Rivers-Scott



3. Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway is a great read. The positive and practical approach to fear and things we dread doing is quite useful. I was surprised to find that the book has been in circulation for more than 20 years and still rings as true as ever.



4. Its a great book, gives great advice on positive thinking, changing our behaviour to get the best out of life and selves. Recommended to anyone, buy it without fear no matter how old you are or you'll be missing a great companion and friend, in fact you are going to love Susan and see her as a friendly mentor who'll be there whenever you need her..thank you Susan for your wise, kind and helpful advice :)



5. Anyone struggling with fear or anxiety would do well to read this book. Susan Jeffers has written a wonderful book full of practical advice for overcoming fear and building courage to do what you want to do in life. She does it in a humane way without stigmatizing the person who is suffering. She recounts the story of one person who showed up for her class on coping with fear, and announced that she almost didn't attend, for fear of having a panic attack in front of everyone. Susan then asked her to show the class what a panic attack would look like, and of course, the student was unable to conjure one up. Throughout the book, she tells stories about how people overcame things they were afraid of, and started having fuller lives, using the techniques in the book. One of the main tenets of the book is that fear is not going away, and the only way to get past the fear is to go out and do what you want in spite of the fear. This is not a book you will want to read once and forget about. It is one you will want to refer to time and time again, for reminders on actions you can take to Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway. They are actions you will need to remember to do often, until they become habits.

5 comments about Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time.

1. I had to read this book through work, and I have to say it made a powerful change in my company. If you are tired of having the same conversations over and over with employees or your spouse then this book will teach you that the conversation IS the realationship. Fierce conversations are REAL. They are not mean are rude, they are robust, intense, strong, powerful, passionate, eager, and unbridled. they are meant for confronting reality, understanding why a problem exists, and discovering the solution. The book guides you with 7 principles:
   
   #1 You must interrogate reality. Discover the truth first.
   #2 Make the conversation real. Take off your mask and speak the truth with tact.
   #3 Be here. Focus on the conversation at hand, focus on it. No fading away!
   #4 Tackle your toughest challenge today. Stop procrastinating. What can you solve that will bring you the most value, today?
   #5 Obey your instincts. You know in your heart what is right.
   #6 Take responsibility for your emotional wake. You must understand how you in your position emotionally effects people.
   #7 Let silence do the heavy lifting. Slow down your speaking, take time for quiet gaps and to think about what to say next.
   
   This is a powerful book that can change your life, your family, or your organization.



2. Fierce Conversations is a must read for anyone. Period!
   Nothing else to say. It has fantastic information on communication and understanding. Two levels beyond talking ...and helps readers improve their level of interaction to reach win win results.



3. I have read many business books, and this one is in a class all itself. It's contents apply to personal and business relationships of all types. Real world experience that is well written, humorous, effective, and easy to implement. I highly recommend this book for anyone that maintains a relationship of any kind with any other person.



4. I did not consciously choose this book. A friend regards this book highly, couldn't find it in her library, ordered another and then found her original. I became the beneficiary...happily, I might add. And that's because this book so succinctly and smartly puts forth what a life of quality looks like. For instance, Scott says, "Each of us must first answer the question 'Where am I going?' before we can address the question 'Who is going with me?' It is essential not to get those out of order." She then goes on to say, "You will bring into your life whatever it is that you have the most clarity about."
   While I did find this to resonate as true, the book goes beyond being a mere motivational speech. It is a handbook for those who are charged with responsibility or compelled to align the movements of masses so that some higher-order ideal is realized. How that is done practically is "one conversation at a time." Scott shows how to, as Shakespeare would say, "screw your courage to the sticking place" so that this clarity can consistently see the light of day. She has some interesting processes, guidelines and touchstones. My favorite take-away is to ask yourself, when analyzing a situation, "what are your pretending not to know?"



5. Fierce Conversations is a life-changing book. It brings to stark consciousness the weak, limp, lukewarm, and inhibited manner in which we converse with each other today. It reveals a style of "conversation" which we all have with others that simply is not working. The author encourages us to "come out from behind ourselves" and let people...in conversation...get to know the real us. It eschews the vapid, dead, superficial, lifeless way we talk to each other, and the abysmal results that ensue in our lives together. The book is filled with simple strategies for the reader to make his or her conversation more meaningful, more moving, and more memorable. For those who thirst for honest, heartfelt, intimate conversation, the book is a spiritual fountain of many waters. The "Fierce" in the title of the book does not mean violent, demeaning, or angry but instead brave, pure, un-prepackaged and watered down to meaninglessness, etc. It is well worth the money and is watered with many illustrations in people's work, business, and personal life.

5 comments about The Power of Intention.

1. Dr Dyer has shared an enlightening tool to allow us to become who we would really like to be, to achieve, to accumulate all that we can...on all levels. This book came along in my life at the absolute perfect time, to move me forward, to allow me the inner ability to strive to achieve my dreams. What a journey, so simple! Yet so powerful!



2. Check out this critical review of Wayne Dyer. It brings up some good points.
   
   [...]
   
   The article above makes some good points. Why do such wonderful and wise New Age gurus who want to transform lives make their teachings only available to the wealthy? Why not make them affordable to the poor too? Gee, I'm sure there's no ulterior motive in that. (sarcastic)
   
   The same goes for Deepak Chopra. What's hypocritical is that both Dyer and Chopra teach the abandonment of one's ego and promote non-materialist values, yet they both charge thousands of dollars to appear in public seminars, and their books sell for an average of around $30 each! Definitely not for the poor or those on a tight budget. Anyone can see in their PBS seminars that the studio audience members appear to be upper middle class and above.
   
   Isn't that ironic?
   
   Could it also be that their "thought creates reality" teaching sells to the upper class because it allows them to take credit for their riches and status, whereas such concepts do not sell to the poor who have a more practical view of reality?
   
   Fascinating. (as Spock would say)
   
   Perhaps what they teach only works in making the rich feel better about themselves, but doesn't offer anything of use for the poor or struggling class who deal with harsh everyday realities. After all, it's easy to those with sheltered lives to sit, meditate and try to "manifest abundance" when they already have it. And it's easier for the rich to "create reality" with their "thoughts" than it is for the poor, because they already have the resources to "manifest their reality" of course.
   
   Nevertheless, many poor people believe in the "thought creates reality" concept as well (e.g. pot smoking hippies, alternative/holistic-oriented youngsters, etc.)
   
   But what I can't figure out is why Deepak Chopra is successful. With Wayne Dyer, it's understandable, because he's charming, personable, charismatic, and has a likable endearing persona as well as a gentle tender father figure image. And he's easy to follow, his voice captivates you and his personality is engaging. But Chopra's voice is dry, dull and monotone. And his personality is not engaging, captivating or charismatic. In fact, there are millions of well read spiritualists in India just like him with the exact same knowledge. So there is no logical reason why Chopra should be successful or famous in his field.
   
   Nevertheless, neither of them seem to be good at logic or common sense. For instance, they can't answer these simple 15 questions of mine about the "thought creates reality" teaching, which are never addressed in their books and seminars. Using simple everyday examples, I show in these questions why their core teaching falls flat on its head.
   
   [...]
   
   Perhaps they aren't as interested in "truth" as they would have you think. Perhaps they too are only interested in what "sells". Thus they are prone to the same human frailties as you and I. So perhaps we should not put them up too high on the pedestal.
   
   PS - By the way, I just heard that Wayne Dyer got divorced a few years ago, after being married for 20 years to his wife and having 7 children with her. She left him for another man.
   
   Very sad and unfortunate of course. He has my sympathy. But you gotta ask, if his thoughts and intentions create his reality (his core teaching), then how is it that after 20 years of "thinking" that he has a wonderful marriage and family, that his wife would leave him for another man? Why didn't his thoughts keep the "reality" of his wonderful marriage going?



3. bought this for my husband who refuses to read anything and even doesn't like audio books, well, he just loved these cd's. he starting to listen for the 2nd time and he has even been affected by making some life changes. very good,would recommed to other's like him



4. I just bought this book in cd version and I'm LOVING it. I'm getting over a Power Of Now trip that I had been on which basically involved thinking that the present is all there is and nothing else matters. I actually owed this book and threw it away along with many others because of my spiritual breakthrough with Echarts work.
   
   This book is linking up unseen events and really confirms my feelings of the unknown. Things just seem to work out for me and my life gets better and better because I'm going against the grain. Thought is very powerful...I had thought that it was useless to a large degree, but now I'm back on track. This book is beyond valuable...worth more than its weight in gold.
   
   Please get this book and allow your mind to soak in the wisdom and guidance.



5. I came across "The Power of Intention" for the first time a couple of years ago and was impressed by the contradictory nature of Dr Dyer. He appeared utterly ego-centric while advising us of the importance of giving up this very way of thinking. In addition, he seemed to place an emphasis on "success" that seemed very worldly indeed. This angered me, and I dismissed him out-of-hand.
   
   A couple of years later I watched the same program, listening closely to what he was trying to teach rather than listening to him. His program was quite thought-provoking and inspirational for me, a person with limited exposure to the ideas he presented. Dr Dyer's synthesis of his own extensive reading list brings a sense of joy to the process of spiritual growth. His very human presentation reminds us that while not perfect, we can bring many good things to our lives and the lives of others.

5 comments about Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence.

1. Ok book on retirement planning. But, like all such books, it pays to be rich before you retire. Nothing of use for us "poor" souls.



2. The other reviewers have pretty much covered the content of this book. Admittedly I haven't used all of the ideas, however now I have become very aware of how I spend my money and how many hours I have to work to purchase the ever evasive 'thing I must have or die'. Totally amazing! I now realize how much stuff I really have that I really do not need. Keeping these things actually cost you more by using up your time and energy to maintain 'your stuff'
   Once you can get this change in your thinking, it's amazing how much more money you really have.
   
   Before I purchased this book, I found it referenced and recommended all over the place. That must mean something.
   
   If you're still not sure about it, get it from the library. (Yet another of their money saving ideas.)
   xox
   MEF



3. I have read over 50 books by all the most popular financial authors today, and I believe this classic from the early 90's is by far the best if your goal is to be financially independent from your job once and for all. The author himself actually became independent in his early thirties and remained so for over 20 years until his untimely death due to a critical illness. So this book is not about theories it is showing how some one achieved financial independence in real life.
   The philosophy of this book is that you earn money through sacrificing your precious life energy through work. It talks about how the majority of people have destroyed their quality of life in pursuit of a high standard of living. The end result being they lose their identity in the position they hold and no longer live, they just work on a treadmill of endless earning and spending with little enjoyment.
   The author proposed a nine step plan that will cause you to be mindful with your money. Track your spending, are you really getting the value out of what you have bought for the effort you gave to earn the money? He proposes a chart graph to track your monthly spending against your monthly income, with a third line of savings. When the interest on your savings surpasses your expenses you are completely financially free for the rest of your life. You have the rest of your life to enjoy and do what ever you please. Volunteer, work part time at something you truly love, of just sleep until noon until you are bored. The key to this program is:being frugal, aggressively eliminating all debt and cutting expenses in every way possible and saving diligently. I admit that this program is a little extreme for most people, but I am willing to follow it for the ultimate pay off, financial freedom to do as I please for the rest of my life. The new American dream.
   
   I would highly recommend also reading Dave Ramsey's :"Total Money Makeover" if you find this book to Spartan for your personal tastes. Dave has lead me to being debt free with a large net worth over the past 15 years, and I started with nothing.



4. I read this book many years ago, and while I really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it, I ignored its advice to invest in bonds instead of stocks. Of course, with the global economic meltdown that we are now witnessing, I now wish I had done that.
   
   This book was remarkably prescient.



5. There were some good concepts in this book, such as the ones about considering each purchase and weighing it against the time it takes to work for it. Living within your means and paying off your debts is also a timely lesson.
   
   However the author requires you to follow their prescriptions to get the full benefit of the book. This includes accounting for every single penny that comes in and out of your ownership. There is one category called "lost money", that in my case because of the stock market, way overwhelms any of the other nickels and dimes. Of course the authors don't recomend investing in stocks. They claim that inflation is not really a big problem, and that you should invest in laddered long term Treasury bonds. This way you get a steady income that is predictable, I guess 30 year bond, would last you the rest of your life. Now that you know the monthly income you have, you just make sure that your expenses are always kept below this income level, and you have reached Financial Independence! Only problem is that expenses grow with inflation, whereas long-bond interest does not. However no guidance was given to that other than to look for items whose price has dropped, like computers, and electronics to offset those whose price has increased.
   
   Unfortunately, price increases in basic necessities, like food, health care, and transportation pretty much wipeout decreases in electronic gadgets. This is the major weakness in their Financial Independence plan based on 30-year T-bills.
   
   That said, the concepts of living within your budget, careful spending, avoiding debt, frugality are useful, even if you don't follow their prescription exactly. But it's not like your grandma never told you that before!