5 comments about Positive Energy: 10 Extraordinary Prescriptions for Transforming Fatigue, Stress, and Fear into Vibrance, Strength, and Love.

1. Positive Energy: 10 Extraordinary Prescriptions for Transforming Fatigue, Stress, and Fear into Vibrance, Strength, and Love
   Dr. Judith Orloff's book has given me so many important insights about myself! One of the most important is how to act in order to maximize my positive energy. This has an impact on practically everything I do AND the things I choose not to do! Sometimes when my awareness of my true needs are a bit clouded I use one of the other things that the book has taught me: my intuition. It's so amazing that all the answers to our questions are within us but sadly enough most of us never listen to our inner voice. Earlier, I could hear my inner voice from time to time, but the voice was so faint that most of the time I chose not to believe it. After reading the book I now realise that it's the true me that is trying to tell me something important. Today its voice is a lot louder and I LISTEN carefully!
   Thanks for teaching me all kinds of wonderfull things, Judith:-)!
   
   Peter Rahm
   Malmo, Sweden



2. Dr. Orloff tackles issues dealing with difficult people and situations in everyday life. She shares how these situations stress us and lower our energy levels. With exercises and discussion, the reader is lead on a path toward a healthier life. The book is interesting without a dull moment. Anyone reading this book is sure to benefit



3. Heard the author speak and love the book.
   Am also a Psychiatrist and agree with her views.



4. This book is excellent because of the empowering information. It opens up new perspectives and ways of thinking. Very positive and motivating on the journey to becoming a better human being. Highly recommend it as part of self growth and self help library.
   Risa



5. I really enjoyed this book. Anyone out there that has problems with negative energy and needs help with lifting their energy level - this helps! I am very sensitive to energy changes and pick up on other people's energy constantly. It's great to know there are people out there that can help with the overload. Great Job Dr. Orloff!

5 comments about The Power of Your Subconscious Mind.

1. I have always been curious about the subconscious mind and this book explained it so clearly. It just makes such perfect sense and I love the simplicity of his writing. I recommend this book to anyone even the slightest bit curious about how your mind works. Awesome read!



2. This is an excellent book. I already had it and thought this was new because of the different cover.



3. I am a psychologist and a 'dyed in the wool' Freudian one at that so I don't recognize "subconscious" as a legitimate name for a mind function. For me there is conscious and unconscious, the unconscious part coming into my recognition as a very legitimate, active and powerful force. The following thumnail sketch will explain.
   
   About five years ago I had to undergo a surgical rebuilding of my right hand as the result of a condition called teno-synovitis. This disease causes rigidity and shortening of the tendons that allow the hand to grasp and relax in its healthy state. Rather than operate normally both my right and left hands had closed into tight fists. A long surgery had cut and freed the tendons of my right hand so that eventually I regained function once again. Then the time came for surgery on my left hand. That night before the operation I sat in front of a log fire and sipped a glass of red wine as I contemplated the ordeal that lay ahead. The wine and the fire had a soporofic effect and I fell asleep. When I awoke in a short while my left hand for whom the surgery was scheduled was as free and flexible as the day I was born. And it still is so.
   
   I hadn't asked for this to happen and I certainly didn't recite any prayer. I am thoroughly appalled at the perfidy of religion in all its forms and I am quick to identify and shun any attempt to rope me into its incredulous beliefs.
   
   But what's going on here??? Something incredible happened that I do not understand. I'm no mental slouch and if I don't know neither do I know, within scientific certainty, anyone who does. But if Joseph Murphy wants to tell me what works for him . . . I'll listen. He's welcome to his religious point of view but I'm not sure that's what he's proffering. I'm sure enough of my own mental (conscious) prowess to read what he has to say and pick out what I want. You never know. I might, at least, find a point of reference.



4. In an attempt to make his book accessible to the masses, Dr. Murphy has taken a useful truth that contemplatives throughout history have known for centuries and diluted it and dumbed it down to the point that it looses much of its believability. For example, on page 22, he relates a story in which a man says, he would, "...give his right arm" to see his daughter healed from her arthritis and psoriasis. He then goes on to say that, "one day" the family got into an automobile accident in which the man lost his arm, but from that point on the daughter's medical problems disappeared. Oh come on! I know an urban legend when I hear one! If your going to make a wild claim like that, you need to back it up with specific documentation, something Dr. Murphy fails to do. Another example of an extraordinary claim which he fails to back up is on page 19 where he states, "Your subjective mind can leave your body, travel to distant lands and bring back information that is often of the most exact and truthful character." A claim like that needs to be thoroughly backed up by pages of specific, documented accounts, not just thrown in to be believed without a challenge! I've studied at length the results of the CIA funded SRI study on remote viewing and I can tell you that there is no evidence whatsoever that such a thing is in any way possible! Another problem I have with the book is it's insistance on using Christian references and biblical verses as proof of the doctor's claims. While he does this in a more deistic fashion than mainstream Christianity, it still becomes an unwanted and unnecessary distraction. He also has a rather unique definition of prayer which he uses often when a more accurate word for what he proposes would be meditation or self-hypnosis. He also mentions nothing about the corresponding brainwave states - in this case alpha and theta - which relate to the proper mental state for self-healing. Finally, he looses what little credibility he has left with his use of infomercial-like "carny" sales technics. Phrases like, "Get the promotion you want...", and Miracles will happen to you, too..." make the book sound more like a Robert Tilton fundamentalist pep rally than a useful strategy for improving your life. If you're interested in this subject, I would recommend any of Ken Wilber's books, particularly, "The Simple Feeling of Being". Ken's books are extremely useful and don't insult your intelligence like Dr. Murphy's does.



5. I thought the ideas in this book were very good. The advice is solid and can help anyone overcome most challenges that life may hand them.The only item I found disappointing was the disclaimer near the front of the book that talks about the book not representing the values of today because it was a product of its time. I believe the book was written over 40 years ago. In my mind this book is a classic with the insight it gives.
   Tim Gibney

5 comments about How to Do Good After Prison: A Handbook for Successful Reentry (w/ Employment Information Handbook).

1. As the mother of a son who is currently in prison, I have ordered several books in an attempt to get some kind of idea of what we can expect both in prison and when he gets out. This is one of only two books that I have found to be most helpful. The writer has a unique understanding of the system on both sides of the barbed wire and gives some excellent tips on how to succeed. Our family has never dealt with anything like this so we are completely in the dark and this book shined the light on some points I had never thought of that might have taken me by surprise if I had not read this book first. I highly recommend this book both for inmates and their families.



2. 
   The book is an insightful honest passionate look into what issues an ex-convict will have to face when they are released. The book is basically a lot of very common sense advice to ex-convicts written and presented in a language and style I am sure they are uniquely qualified by their prison experiences to understand.
   
   While I suggest the book has lots of so called, "Common Sense" advice I speak as a man who has never been to prison and will hopefully never know the prison experience first hand. What is simple basic "Common Sense" self respect, personal dignity, manners, and civics' 101 that I learned at my grandmothers knee and at church is likely a strange new world to ex-convicts. I am the product of a loving home and strong grandparents who took time to teach me to be a strong civil respectful black gentleman. I am a far cry from ex-convicts many of whom had no strong father figure so they learned how to survive on the hard cold gang and thug infested streets.
   
   This book is a rough blueprint designed to show life long thugs and ex convicts with the desire to improve themselves how to strive for goals and demand levels of respect far greater than what a clinched jaw, a strong fist and a loaded gun will ever bring them. The book is written by a person who speaks a highly cultured rarified version of prisonese but that just proves he is real when he says he divorced himself from his former prison life \ mentality.
   
   The author states specifically that this book alone will NOT save an ex-convict from themselves. The author states correctly that this book is merely a tool. Honestly it is not the quality of this book as a tool that defines the likelihood of an ex-convicts ultimate success. It is the strength desire and passion to rehabilitate them selves that burns in the heart of an individual ex-convict that will determine the effectiveness they make of the awesome tool this book can become in the hands of an ex-convict who is committed to eventual total success.
   
   The book does not sugar coat reality. The book does tell the reader that they will face the once a convict always a convict felon mentality and how that Neanderthal mindset is particularly dangerous for them during any encounters with police. The book tries and effectively teaches the balance an ex-convict must walk because, many in this society never totally forgives an ex-con no matter how much crime free straight time they have racked up. The book teaches that sometimes you survive by letting most fools be themselves unmolested because for an ex-convict fighting a fool is just an engraved invite back to prison and NO FOOL IS WORTH THE LOSS OF FREEDOM, DIGNITY AND YOUR GOALS a fight demands.
   
   I used to help ex-convicts learn community living skills after being released from long periods of incarceration and I remember teaching the exact same lessons this book offers. Many ex-convicts honestly want to go straight but they don't know how and few people skilled at living the crime free life actually want to teach ex-convicts how to live crime free. Most crime free people are afraid of ex-convicts because, they have too much to lose if an ex-convict is just running a game about living crime free. At the time as a disabled black man on government subsidies I had nothing to lose, so I could risk helping ex-convicts and did. I found IF an ex-convict was totally serious about living crime free and getting his life together your guidance, friendship, support and time were his private stash of gold and he would defend, protect and love you as if you were a beloved family member.
   
   Weird thing is a convict wanting to live crime free is often the best friend a crime free teacher could have. I laugh at times when I see successful old ex-con friends I taught community living skills to upon their release because, I am like so TOTALLY a straight arrow Joe citizen looking disabled geek people do a double take when some thuggish looking dude walks up, hugs me crying tears as if he has found a long lost family member. I shared my story here because this book teaches everything I used to teach ex-convicts how live in society and I know for the committed real man these pearls of wisdom all work but only if an ex-con remains strong enough to stay crime free no matter what to the very end! This book teaches that despite all the prison convictions and hellish prison experiences there is hope. Ex-convicts are garbage only if they buy into other loathesome peoples ignorant stereotypes and if they do so they have only themselves to blame for their own weakness. Society in this way is just like prison life. If you let other stuck up people in society steal your hope, your joy and commitment to live crime free then society has made you its punk slave society has turned you out. In society its about keeping your dignity, commitment to living crime free and love of others when society does its best to turn you out as its punk slave rotting in its prison like an animal whose upkeep feeds someone else's children and builds others families while yours go wanting. Look at prison for what it is. Prison is a capitalist society's way of culling then turning out its weakest, uneducated or most vulnerable people for use as slaves to feed this nations growing prison industrial complex.
   
   To all the ex-cons out there trying to go straight and live a crime free life you have my undying love, respect and admiration gentlemen, stay strong and do not let anyone steal your joy or commitment to live as your own man instead of enslaved property in some fools prison. Hugs love my constant prayers to a higher power and peace to you my brothers and sista's!



3. This is the 2nd book I have read by Mr. Jackson, and have passed this along to others that are in the similar situation. Great, easy read. Wealth of information! Mr. Jackson himself is an inspiration!



4. My son has been back and forth to prison for 20 yr. + . I bought him this book and to my amazement he is reading it. He tells me about it all the time. It has given him some great food for thought. I hope he finishes it and refers to it in difficult times. He is going to share it with his Parole Officer.



5. My Boyfriend who is in prison for some time now, read this book. He loved it and he used the word insightful. He said he wished he read it before he went in. I think it helped him and will be very useful when he gets out and I think it helped him changed his way of thinking. He has passed it along to other inmates and they have enjoyed reading it too! I suggest sending this book to someone who has a love one in prison. It's worth it!

5 comments about The Confidence Plan: How to Build a Stronger You.

1. I got this book because even though I am quite confident in the work place I tend towards lacking it at times in my personal life. The book is simple to follow, doesn't spend lots of time having you "analyze" your past but focuses on where you want to be and where you are. It has simple exercises to nudge you towards your goal of having greater confidence in whatever area of your life you find it lacking. I highly recommend.



2. I had high expectations for this book, based on the reviews that I had read on amazon. The author has done a great job in ensuring that most, if not all, of his chapters are backed up by research and studies. I found that this gives his advice context and also greater credibility. Another great feature of this book is the number of exercises that Ursiny provides for the reader, both throughout the book and also the extra section at the end. This helps to ensure that the reader is able to put into practice the advice and tips that the author recommends.
   
   There were a few things that I did not like about the book though. Firstly, despite being over 300 pages long, I felt that most of the chapters did not go into enough detail. Each chapter is almost like an introduction to a topic that is not followed by a more indepth analysis or discussion of the points. The author seems to skim over a number of different topics and I felt that every chapter of the book could have had a lot more substance. Secondly, I felt that the book lost some credibility with what seemed to be constant references to God and religion. It is clear that Ursiny is passionate about his religion - something that I do not criticize - but it undermines the credibility of the arguments and points for those who are not religious.
   
   I think that a lot of people will be able to get a lot out of this book. I do not feel that this is the best confidence book that I have read, but it is well written and is an enjoyable read.



3. This is one of the best books I've bought in a long time, and I buy a lot of books! Tim Ursiny has a really interesting perspective on how to build confidence. This book is not full of the obvious or "common sense" stuff, but instead is really much more in depth. There are exercises after each chapter that you figure out just how to relate the lesson to your life. This book isn't just for someone that is struggling with confidence, but for someone that really wants to take a healthy level of confidence to the next level!



4. This book talks on all the types and definitions on confidence. If you want to write an exam on confidence, get this book. I could not read more than half of this stuff! :-(....For me it was too much of theory.



5. it tells you somethings that you can do which are really helpful. The tips that you get from it are not all necessary

5 comments about You'll See It When You Believe It: The Way to Your Personal Transformation.

1. I am writing this review after seeing "The Secret" on DVD and browsing that book. I remembered reading those exact same concepts (which work, by the way) in many of Wayne Dyers books. In my opinion Dyer far surpasses all the other gurus for a couple of reasons.
   
   First of all, his perspective focuses on giving out or sending out love, practicing forgiveness and of course visualizing to manifest rather than just this "genie granting wishes" attitude that I find so offensive in other law of attraction oriented works.
   
   Dyer explains the whole process and leaves you with a very good feeling, not a cheesy, warm fuzzy feeling or a quick fix but a genuine "aha" type of feeling.
   
   Also, he presents the material with careful thought and sincerity, and many many detailed examples. What you won't find are the many insults to one's intelligence in the form of a book cover designed to look like some stupid ancient scroll, no ridiculous marketing campaign, and none of the pretentiousness of the others who claim the info is somehow secret. It's not. Dyer also has the decency and the confidence to not present the concepts as if they were given to him by some bizarre spirit guide, which I vehemently do not believe it.



2. This book will change your life. It spooked me, but the changes I did allow have lasted almost 20 years. Even I still can't believe what the power of thought could do. Some are simple things; I ALWAYS get a great parking space, but that's an inconsequential thing. I realized I had and was able to stop an addictive behavior. But the spookiest thing, which doctors say cannot happen, was I cured a disease; scared me and I never did it again. I had plantars warts and when I was ready for them to be gone, with my entire mind and heart I insisted that they stop and they were gone the next day, plus they have never come back. "Spontaneous remission" is the term doctors use, but they really don't think it can happen. I just nod my head in amazement. Thank you Dr Dyer.



3. The hardcopy version of this book was the very first book I read in the spiritual growth category. To this day, nearly two decades later, I still look back on it as a pivotal, life-changing work. The chapter on "Forgiveness" in particular is the best content regarding that subject that I have ever come across. For this reason and more, I include "You'll See It When You Believe It" as a "must-read" in the recommended reading list included within my own book.



4. I have actually been through a long period of spiritual chaos. I have owned this book in the past. I also owned many other books that are of this kind. I thought that this book would be helpful because it was written by a psychologist. This book is actually useless. The best thing to do in times of turmoil is to keep things SIMPLY. That is the best solution. Think in a positive way but not to the extreme end that is advocated in all these self improvement books which are actually self DESTRUCTION books.
   For those who question my opinion, I have been severely depressed for over 6 years. I stop being depressed back in 2003. I am currently a psychology major. REAL psychology books are VERY different from these SHAM books.
   I hope my review have helped someone. If you have books like this, you should throw them away.



5. Seems as though Wayne just randomly pieced together this CD. ABSOLUTELY nothing like the book which I value beyond words.

5 comments about Introducing Neuro-Linguistic Programming: Psychological Skills for Understanding and Influencing People.

1. I consider myself a dabbler in NLP and have read several books on the topic. Perhaps, "attempted to read" might be a more accurate depiction. I found the works by Bandler and Grinder and the Andreas's very difficult to get through. At the other end of the spectrum, there are other works on NLP or NLP-related techniques that are quite readable but seem geared towards those lacking all self-esteem. This book by O'Connor and Seymour is an easy-to-read, logical, and objective overview of NLP without the claims of life-altering benefits.
   For those interested in using NLP to improve communication skills and learn more about how our minds work, this book is the place to start.



2. The book presents a few ideas and techniques from the field of psychology (ie critical thinking) but , because its an introduction, does not go into any real depth. It leave the reader feeling a bit cheated really. Anyone who's really serious can get more knowledge by picking up a few college level text books in psychology and skip this introduction.



3. Book is easy to read...Easy to understand and keeps you interested all the way! There has to be a way to market this book better so everyone can be encouraged to READ IT. My college students have expressed time and time again, how this book has helped in their linguistics and logic classes as well as their own life.



4. i bought the introduction to nlp the new technology for achievement. but my question is this the same book but older. OR is this a tool to influence people, a education of social psychology and how people think.My question is is this
   any different from steve andrea version and is it a focus of social nlp. ??



5. I met Mr. Joseph O'Connor in 2002 in the NLP Master Practitioner course with NLP Comprehensive, Denver, USA. I started my journey in NLP with this book and before any training I got. I can passionately say, this is the "BEST INTRODUCTORY BOOK I EVER RED IN NLP".
   
   The main contribution of the Authors, in my opinion, was to segregate, organize, and simplify an interrelated material of NLP into very Compressive Homogeneous Easy Reading Chapters. This is very essential to any beginner who wants to understand, how to put together Neuro with Linguistic with programming..!!!!???? It is a very fragmented title that is difficult to be structured to any beginner, in my opinion. It is really a very challenging task, but the authors did extremely well in their texting.
   
   The other main contribution of the Authors, in my opinion, was the amount of knowledge they expressed. They refer, if I am not exaggerating, to every Book that has been written upon their time. And I am welling to bet, that they did not write this book until they have digested every aspects of NLP.
   
   This book is a very condensed and a long reading book, though it is very interesting. I still consider this book as a reference material. But honestly, I could not find any other book better for the beginner.
   
   The only comment I have to any NLP beginner, is to depend more on training than reading, to understand and apply NLP. NLP is all about "How to Apply".
   
   If you want to know NLP, this is the best beginning for you....Have a great reading; you will never regret it..!!!!.

5 comments about Decide Better! For a Better Life.

1. I never really thought about how many decisions I make every day until
   reading this book. I just seemed to approach everything in life as
   individual challenges or opportunities, but since I read this book,
   I've started to look at all of my decisions in a more conscious way.
   Now when I make the most important decisions, I try to apply a lesson
   that I learned from the book to make the decision, especially by
   carefully understanding how to weigh the pros and cons of each
   decision. I never thought about "decisions" as being what I constantly
   do throughout my life, but now I can't stop thinking about how to
   improve them.



2. I was truly surprised at how easy it was to read this book. I've always
   thought decision making books were only for businesspeople, but this
   one was great for me. I really enjoy how each chapter can be read quickly without drowning in formal, boring, decision making techniques. The chapters are fun and provide real-life situations that are easy to relate to. I would definitely recommend it for everyone - I've already given my copy to my best friend.



3. Just what the doctor ordered...wit, wisdom, and insight into making decisions in our everyday lives. The book is written with humor and is broken down into easy to read sections. A perfect read for those who only have a short amount of time and would like a daily dose.



4. Could your team benefit from having the tools to make better decisions? Do your personal life decisions fall short of your expectations? Are you disappointed in the outcome of your decisions? Do you facilitate decision making and need a fresh approach? If you're seeking a better way to make decisions, live with the outcomes, and learn from your experiences, then this book is a must read.
   
   For every idea, recommendation and suggestion, the author provides anecdotal data and examples. In many cases he recites personal stories to demonstrate the benefit of the particular decision-making lesson.
   
   For a nice touch, in eighty-nine of the ninety chapters, the author highlights his significant points in a mini easy-to-read reference. In the final chapter, the author concludes by giving highlights of the powerful lessons conveyed throughout the book.
   
   I like the author's writing style. He conveys his decision-making lesson in a way that you can relate. He is positive in his approach and genuinely engaged and motivated to support your future decision-making success.
   
   This how-to book will be the perfect gift for the procrastinator, fence-straddler and self-doubter.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: If the shoe fits, decide to read this book, and then do it!



5. Good decision making skills are a skill that can affect everything about one's life. "Decide Better! For a Better Life" is a guide for making one make better decisions about everything in life as a whole. Success or failure at anything in life is about making good, educated decisions every day, from what one eats, to what jobs to take, to how to spend one's free time. "Decide Better!" is an enthusiastically recommended guide for readers who take the wrong road all too often.

5 comments about The Power of Positive Confrontation: The Skills You Need to Know to Handle Conflicts at Work, at Home and in Life.

1. It's only natural for a popular self-help speaker with a truly great message to want to put it into book form. The Power of Positive Confrontation teaches a truly great technique for confronting others that will help everyone who has trouble standing up for him or herself. Too bad there's only about three chapter's worth of actual content in its sixteen chapters. Instead the author gets into telling us how to dress for success, how to convey the information that a friend or loved one is in the hospital, do's and don'ts of International Travel along with several chapters of warm-up before finally getting to her actual WAC technique. Don't get me wrong, I still recommend this book highly but an abridged cassette version would be a lot less painful.



2. I like the tone of the book. Its not about self esteem etc. It provides valuable concrete techniques for dealing with conflict effectively and constructively.



3. this book has common sense tips for clearer, more effective communication. I recommend it.



4. so far, so good. I'm only about half way through the book, but what I've learned so far has been helpful with situations at home and work!



5. Excellent summary of basics that are desperately needed by all of us. Steps are simple enough that people can actually practice and use them at home and at work.

5 comments about There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem.

1. I have actually been through a long period of spiritual chaos. I have owned this book in the past. I also owned many other books that are of this kind. I thought that this book would be helpful because it was written by a psychologist. This book is actually useless. The best thing to do in times of turmoil is to keep things SIMPLY. That is the best solution. Think in a positive way but not to the extreme end that is advocated in all these self improvement books which are actually self DESTRUCTION books.
   For those who question my opinion, I have been severely depressed for over 6 years. I stop being depressed back in 2003. I am currently a psychology major. REAL psychology books are VERY different from these SHAM books.
   I hope my review have helped someone. If you have books like this, you should throw them away.



2. I bought this as a gift knowing that it will enhance the life of my friend tremendously. Dr. Dyer is always "right on". I have been one of his "disciples" for many years.



3. All this one is a bit older than some others that I have listened to recently but I think I have enjoyed it more. This one I believe was put out in 2000. He reveals in the beginning of this CD that he had already written this book when he experienced a heart attack. Which was a piece of information that despite all the information that I have listened to and read from him he had never mentioned. The first part of the CD is dedicated to Patañjali who was some kind of yoga master, I am not sure I get that but this portion of the CD but is deep and spiritual.
   
   Yet my favorite part of this program is the second. It explains the prayer of Saint Francis, Could not nothing be better?
   
   let me be an instrument of your peace.............



4. After 4 or 5 ex-wives 'enslaved' by Wayne Dyer, I know the 'spin' he expounds for the $,$$$,$$$... SOOOOO sad that he twists the truths of the universe (whatever those are) to his slimey advantage. Better to return to raw simple truths (like the Dalai Lama, Thich Nan, Tao, etc) instead of promoting this shyster. His ex-wives could tell you he's a bossy abusive pr*ck. Sorry if this is a disillusion, but as most 'gurus' are fake... this guy happens to be a TOTAL fake. So Sorry :(



5. very good audio tape. I have listened to over and over. Some new agey stuff- but very helpful ideas and practical aprlications!

5 comments about The Not So Big Life: Making Room for What Really Matters.

1. I got this book from a friend who knows how VERY much I enjoy Susanka's Not So Big House books. I also love reading books about how to improve myself and my life, so this seemed at first glance like it'd be perfect for me.
   
   Unfortunately, since I have read a few self-improvement books, I didn't find anything truly new and helpful here. I appreciate that Susanka is trying to draw in an audience that might not normally buy self-help books, but her writing pace here is slow, lacks passion, and didn't get me fired up to do even the things that I already thought were a good idea. (I think a good editor might have made all the difference here, unfortunately the editor didn't edit much.)
   
   Don't get me wrong, the book is not without value; but for me, growing up with a new-age mom, excited all my life about reading books that help me make the most of myself - I didn't find anything truly new here, and it wasn't presented in a fashion that made up for its lack of newness.
   
   At the end of the book I had three bookmarks in it - one for a quote that showed the importance of our surroundings to our inner life, and two for points that Susanka made that I felt were new takes on old subjects. But overall, I didn't get the cover price in value out of this. Not that I am bitter, the Not So Big House book that I own is falling apart at the seams from use, so I owe the author a debt of gratitude there.



2. Incredible! No one should ever build a house without reading this book and the whole series of her books.....it is simply amazing the insight provided .....she sees things at a completely different level; things that are hidden to the rest of us. If you are not building a house this is a great book about life. Will save you thousands of dollars in wasted $ and will insure that you build not just a house but a home!.



3. I LOVE the Not So Big House books - I have purchased all of them. I saw "The Not So Big Life" at our public library and took it home, and am I glad I borrowed and didn't purchase it. I enjoy the writing style and outlook of her architectural style books, but unfortunately this book is lacking in practical method in simplifying your life, which is what I expected from the title. It makes annoying assumptions that the reader has the luxury (as obviously the author has) to step back from the real world. Making copious lists of life experiences and their effect on my psyche doesn't do it for me. I tried several times to read it from the beginning, to "flip through," to try and find chapters that applied to me, with no luck. Some reviewers say the book worked for them, but I highly encourage you to check it out at your local library before placing your order.



4. This book has been amazingly helpful with looking at my priorities and making time AND changes. Well written and packed with gold nuggets that are helpful in everyday life.



5. One of the worst books I've come across in a while--I barely got half way through it. In fact, I was listening to it on audio book in my car on a long trip--good thing I didn't fall asleep at the wheel. Repetitive, mushy, new-agey mumbo jumbo--nothing practical to grab onto here. The most interesting comments in the book were about planning homes--something she REALLY knows about. Stick to architecture, ditch the psychology, Susanka!