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RELATIONSHIP BOOKS
Posted in Relationship (Friday, December 5, 2008)
Written by Margaret J. Wheatley. By Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
The regular list price is $17.95.
Sells new for $2.48.
There are some available for $1.58.
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5 comments about Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future.
- Margaret Wheatley's Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future is one of the most important books I've read.
It is based on the incredibly simple premise that growth, real growth begins with two people having a conversation.
Part 1 discusses a range of subjects: Wheatley's views on conversation and listening, including the importance of staying with conversations that sometimes get "messy" to reveal deeper truths and commonalities; her belief in the importance of being surprised and even shocked by the person(s) with whom she converses, versus seeking people who agree with her, affirm her thoughts, or where the conversation follows either a predictable course, or safe outcomes; the belief that differences between people can lead to deeper commonalities and greater closeness.
Quite frankly, there are simply too many gems of wisdom and insight in this book to do more than recall a handful that particularly struck me.
Part 2 is very short, restating some fundamental principles or concepts explained in greater detail in Part 1.
Part 3 is a list and explanation of 10 possible conversation openers.
This is not per se a "how to" book, as if there is "one way" either to converse, listen or relate to another person. Quite the opposite. She talks, for example, of the reality that various people can have a seemingly unlimited number of interpretations and reactions to a given event to stress (implied) that what matters is the process, the act of conversing and relating.
Wheatley's book is about possibilities, the possibilities that everyone possesses in terms of relating to one another, personal growth, healing oneself and restoring hope in the future, compared to the fragmentation, isolation, pressures of day-to-day life, the impersonality of technology, etc.
It is an exciting book to read, a book that virtually anyone can benefit from no matter where they are in their lives. It is, fundamentally, a gift that those of us fortunate to read this book should be grateful Margaret Wheatley wanted to share.
- Margaret has created such a powerful book on conversation, learning, and change. I can not imagine a more powerful book telling stories that can transform how we work, play, and learn together. This is a life changing read and one that I highly recommend. And even more importantly, in such a turbulent time, keeping in conversation with others may be the only thing that helps us hold this world together. Therefore, do not only read the book, but put into action conversations that can change the world.
- So simple, and yet such a fresh way of looking at life, leadership, community and conversation. I learned a ton from this book, very helpful in specific situations I am involved in. It teaches me how to become an ever better listener.
- Read this book with a group of your friends, or neighbors, or with a group of the willing. The opening premise simply states: "I believe we can change the world, if we start listening to one another again. Simple, truthful conversation where we each have a chance to speak, we each feel heard and we each listen well." The book encourages us to actually listen to each other, to different perspectives, to our own perspective, with the aim that we are better off when we have genuine connections with others. One of the best parts of the book is "A Prayer for Children" by Ina. J. Hughes; the poem is poignant, humorous and intriguing.
- I enjoyed reading Margaret Wheatley's book, "Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future". This book is easy to read, applicable and possibly life-changing.
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Posted in Relationship (Friday, December 5, 2008)
Written by Virginia Morris and Robert M. Butler. By Workman Publishing Company.
The regular list price is $18.95.
Sells new for $7.44.
There are some available for $2.64.
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5 comments about How to Care for Aging Parents (Morris, How to Care for Aging).
- This is exactly what I needed. All the answers to questions I hadn't even thought of! GREAT BOOK!!
- A friend recommended this book--excellent resource on a variety of subjects. I've referred to it several times, finding a topic and reading that chapter. I bought one for me and a second one for my sister. I'll continue to refer to it through the weeks, months and years ago. I'd recommend this book.
- This book was recommended to me by a co-worker who had dealt with the illness and eventual death of her father-in-law. It provided so much excellent practical information that I used immediately in caring for my parents. An added bonus is the reassurance it gives to me and my siblings as caretakers for the ones who once cared for us. Highly recommended!
- I was alerted to this book by a friend. Originally, I used a library copy, but decided it was so full of information I may need in the future that I purchased my own copy for reference. It is the most help in one place that I have found.
- This book is an exceptional reference for anyone who may care for an elder, who is taking care of their elder, making funeral arrangements for them, or who is settling their estate. It is comprehensive. The book includes, among other things, ways to approach sensitive topics with one's parents, preparing to contain crisis management, signs that an elder may need help, options, resources and best practices for application at any point from full health through closing an elder's estate. Additionally, the author understands the emotional and physical impact to the care giver and offers very helpful recommendations. This book was a tremendous help to me and, because of its pointers, my father. I used this book for the three years I had the privilege to be my Dad's care giver. I have given this book as a gift to numerous friends who have shared it with their friends and family.
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Posted in Relationship (Friday, December 5, 2008)
By EMK Press.
The regular list price is $29.95.
Sells new for $19.43.
There are some available for $18.94.
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5 comments about Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections.
- I bought this book because I am interested in adopting from the foster care system in the US and I was looking for advice and information about dealing with trauma and attachment issues. While this book certainly contains a lot of information, most of the chapters focus explicitly on children adopted internationally. Some of it might be applicable to foster care adoption, but most of the information seemed pretty un-useful. I found other books much more useful, particularly "Adopting and Advocating for Your Special Needs Child".
- This is a great book!!! If I had to pick one adoption book from the huge stack I have, it would be this one. I recommend this book to anyone that is adopting or has already adopted.
- Egads, what is Alan Pertman doing hanging around with this bunch of fringe psychotherapy promoters?
Brain Gym, EMDR, Sensory Integration, Attachment Therapy, Federici methods ("belt-loop parenting"), forced age regression, Neurofeedback, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, and Foster Cline's Love and Logic parenting!
These practices range from silly and worthless to abusive and dangerous.
Alas, Pertman has given the well-respected Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute a black eye by legitimizing these unvalidated practices and in many instances, leading trusting parents to practices known to be abusive and dangerous. The APA and APSAC have, for example, condemned Attachment Therapy, which is mentioned frequently in this book. It has been connected with numerous criminal child abuse and death cases in recent years.
Readers will be often mislead by unconventional beliefs about child development and directed to sources which contend that their abusive parenting and therapy methods are the only hope for adopted and foster children (e.g. Attachment Disorder Network)
Look up the BBC programs on Brain Gym to see how idiotic it is having kids tap their "brain buttons" and the like. Pure nonsense.
EMDR is just about as silly. The therapist waves a finger in front of the child's face or taps the child's head while the child is directed to think about traumatic memories. The practice has been shown to be no improvement on simply thinking about traumatic incidents.
Love and Logic claims to be evidence-based, but no study of its effect on children has ever been published.
Like most books that promote quackery, there's some common sense advice added to look plausible.
- This book is very helpful for anyone interested in adoption. It covers everything you'd like to know.
- This compendium is top-notch. A couple of criticisms: The content is highly useful, but the editing needs help. Random and incorrect comma usage was distracting, and there are more than a few typos. This book could use a revised edition (already). Also, read this book to be prepared, but be aware that it is slanted towards the belief that adoptees WILL NECESSARILY HAVE certain issues, feelings, problems, and I think it is dangerous to make such generalizations. It is good to be informed, but put these potential issues in perspective. Your child will also have plenty of issues that have nothing to do with adoption. All that being said, this book was sorely needed and is quite informative.
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Posted in Relationship (Friday, December 5, 2008)
Written by Marta Felber. By Ave Maria Press.
The regular list price is $12.95.
Sells new for $7.46.
There are some available for $4.29.
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5 comments about Finding Your Way After Your Spouse Dies.
- Helpfully reminds us that our grieving process is as unique as we are unique as people. Provides a reassurange hat where we are and what we feel in this loss is acceptable and will continually change and return to the moment as the time goes on.
- After reading these reviews, I selected this book to give to my mother in the weeks after my father died. She said it was extremely comforting and helpful. She plans to use it as a resource in the coming months.
- I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It has helped me in a lot of ways.
- The book and the seller met my expectations.
- The thoughtful daily meditations full of gentle encouraging words are extremely helpful and uplifting as one meanders slowly through the grief process.
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Posted in Relationship (Friday, December 5, 2008)
Written by Kendall King and Alison Mackey. By Collins Living.
The regular list price is $15.95.
Sells new for $4.95.
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5 comments about The Bilingual Edge: Why, When, and How to Teach Your Child a Second Language.
- The authors do a great job of explaining the research in plain terms and debunking odd mythgs. It's an easy read (not "researchy") and talks about different strategies for bringing up a bilingual child. My daughter is 7 weeks from her due date and I feel very well informed about how to teach her English and Spanish in the years to come.
- I bought this book because my wife are expecting a child and were wondering how to deal with the language issue in our family. We live in an English language environment, our mother tongue is Spanish, yet we are in an equally good position to talk to the child in German. The question was how to approach this "dilemma".
The book gave us many answers. Read it. And even if you decide not to, do not deprive your children of the opportunity to learn languages from the start. They have, as the book explains, nothing to lose and, as I can assure you personally, everything to gain from it.
- I enjoyed reading this book, It was very informative. If you plan on raising your child/children bilingual buy this
- I absolutely love this book. It is an excellent resource. I recommend it to anyone who is raising a bilingual child.
- These days there is a great deal of interest in raising children with bilingual skill. "The Bilingual Edge" is a great resource for parents who want to give their children the gift of bilingualism and to prepare them for the ever more connected world of the future.
The two authors are professor of linguistics specialize in second language learning. They give the book a scientific favor and much of the materials are backed by research data. Nevertheless it is written in everyday language and is not at all academic. Moreover the authors are parents themselves. They are walking their talk by raising their kids bilingually. Despite their credentials, they face many of the same parenting and social issues like we do and they also share their struggles in the book.
Just why do we want our children to become bilingual? Contrary to conventional thinking, learning a second language does not compete with the mother tongue. People who are good in a second language are actually more likely to be good in their first language. Besides the inherent advantage of speaking more than one language, studies have also shown that there is cognitive, academic and social edge in bilingual kids. In short, it makes you children smarter. I think this is more than enough motivation for most parents to consider bilingualism.
Some families are naturally more concern about bilingualism because they have emigrated to another country or they are bilingual themselves. But the authors make it clear that raising bilingual kids are not restricted to them. Indeed it is very much attainable for monolingual parents too. They guide the readers in choosing a second language by understanding the language strength in themselves, their family members and the resources available in their community.
I find their scientific approach especially relevant when dealing with the myriad of learning products being pushed to the parents. Just consider if there is any research to back the claim they make in the advertisements? Is it the product really more effective compares with other approaches, such as simply reading and talking to your children? The authors are skeptical about the claim of some popular products like Baby Einstein. Yet their opinions are actually nuanced. For example, they suggest you to watch the video with you children so that you can guide them, thereby turning a passive activity into an active learning process!
All in all this is a short and well researched book. It should answer many questions regarding learning a second language and help prepare our children into the amazing world of language learning.
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Posted in Relationship (Friday, December 5, 2008)
Written by Glenn Doman and Janet Doman. By Square One Publishers.
The regular list price is $13.95.
Sells new for $8.22.
There are some available for $8.92.
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5 comments about How To Teach Your Baby Math: The Gentle Revolution.
- I hated math after 6th grade and didn't want my 16 month old son to 'catch' my frustration. I taught my son math so easily. His favorite subject is math!
- I bought this along with Teach Your Baby to Read and I can't say whether or not it's working yet, but if nothing else you spend some time with your children. So much of the book is reprinted from Teach Your Baby to Read, and I haven't had much luck finding the cards they suggest to use. But the books are valuable in that they advocate a respect for the learning potential of young children and offer specific instructions on how to develop that potential.
- Doman's books are a must read. I already suggested that one should start with How to Teach Your Baby to Read, because it has the philosophical underpinnings of their theory, but that book is a little time consuming to implement because you have to write words in a cardboard (see cover).
How to Teach Math should be the second, but it is much easier to implement the program because you can purchase an inexpensive kit from the author's institute (see cover).
I also recommend you to take the author's courses, in Philadelphia, but they are a couple of thousand dollars or more. Do it all before your baby is born.
I read How to Multiply your Baby's Intelligence 10 years before my wife got pregnant and it changed my life... and my daughter's (I hope). It changed how I saw child's development. Now she is 3.
But don't get too carried away. Believe me, some parents do get carried away. The ones in Philadelphia seem to belong to a sect. Just enjoy your children and add this program to the fun.
Although I spend a large amount of money with the course, I really don't do much of the program. Still, I raise my daughter differently from what I would otherwise have done without having read this book or taken the course. You will not be the same person after you read it. And it is not about teaching your baby to read. It is about learning how to teach your baby about life.
You will have more respect for your child and will not let your baby grow "by accident." Instead, you will be able to actively participate in the learning process and challenge your child to fulfill his or her intellectual potential. If you have a child, or if you don't but you love someone, this is the only book that you must read. Remember, read it before the baby is born. This collection is a wonderful present for an expecting mother.
- Bought this book for my daughter to use in teaching her son. It is a great reference book.
- Babies don't come with instructions so every piece of information helps,
what I learned in this book applies to many areas of every day teaching, learning and understanding. Short enough to find time to read, and interesting.
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Posted in Relationship (Friday, December 5, 2008)
Written by Bonnie Arnwine. By Future Horizons.
The regular list price is $19.95.
Sells new for $11.70.
There are some available for $13.43.
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5 comments about Starting Sensory Integration Therapy: Fun Activities That Won't Destroy Your Home or Classroom.
- this is a great book for parents who have autistic kids.the activities are easy to do. I highly recomend it
- WHO would know that just simple things around the house along with some brilliant ideas can help you get your child throw a sometimes ruff difficult day. What an "EXCEPTIONAL BOOK" when in your heart of hearts your seaching for answeres and need HELP this book offers a wealth of information.
Ardith
- This book has great ideas for activities that are simple to do at home! It's straight forward and a must have for anyone wanting to help their child with sensory issues.
- I have found this book handy for coming up with new ideas for a "sensory diet" for my son. Most of the materials are easy to find if you don't already have them around the home. I recommend it for parents who are their child's primary "therapist." Does not replace a good occupational therapist, but I consult with one and once I learned about my son's sensory profile, we picked some activities together that would be helpful.
- my grandson is not at a level for most of the ideas but we will use them as he gets there.
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Posted in Relationship (Friday, December 5, 2008)
Written by Jaiya and Jon Hanauer. By Broadway.
The regular list price is $9.95.
Sells new for $5.47.
There are some available for $5.15.
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5 comments about Red Hot Touch: A head-to-toe handbook for mind-blowing orgasms.
- This is a wonderful and sexy book that would be a great gift for your partner, especially if your guy is a little clueless like mine.
Here's why I love it:
1. I like the cute, straightforward and playful language/approach to sex. For example, "hedonistic humping" or "...try letting your hands drift over to her Grand Tetons...".
2. I love the diagrams, not only because I am visual, (diagrams make it abudantly clear how to execute some of these moves), it's really the best compromise of clarity and class. They're hand drawn (so even though they're depicting sex acts, they look tasteful and classy, like a WSJ portrait (LOL). I think color photographs would have been a little too much for me.
3. I like that it covers what I had considered basics (like how to uncloak the clit) to more advanced concepts and finally even things I consider avante garde (such as fisting and anal entry).
4. The best part about this book is everything is included. LOL. (Don't you hate getting something that needs batteries but they're not included?!). While you're reading about these techniques, you get so excited to try them. And because all you need are your hands and the rest of your body, you can start right away.
5. Finally, I really like that there are tips for how to pleasure both guys and gals.
6. The diagrams are pretty circumized-penis centric, but it was very comprehensive of them to also include a diagram of a non-circumized penis as well as instructions on the different kinds of pleasures you can give to one. As for females, I really liked that they had pubic hair (instead of a brazilian wax, which I find unrealistic/demeaning/painful/infantile).
My one itty bitty change about the book: I would have preferred a non-erotic, even mis-leading intellectual cover (like Sarte, maybe? LOL) so I can keep the book in plain view any time anywhere.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for better sex and orgasms!!! It's chock full of ideas and you can try a different one for every night for a year (or longer).
- This book pulls out all the stops, and tells it like it is. Unlike most "how-to" books, this one does NOT read like stereo instructions, and yet manages to be very thorough and clear in its instruction. I love that it has sections on both male and female genital massage, as well as anal massage techniques. Oh, and did I mention the fabulous sexual position instruction? There are even exercises that teach you how to develop more sensitivity in your hands, so that your touch becomes more pleasurable. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants learn to explore deeper ecstasy in the bedroom!
- The authors have put together an incredibly useful and informative book on the use of the hands to create and intensify sexual feelings. I judge a book on sex instruction on whether it teaches me things and gives me ideas that I would not have thought of on my own...and this book passes with flying colors. From hand and finger flexability...to massage...to intensifying the feelings of other techniques, the ideas are presented in a fun and enjoyable way that leaves you with a smile on your face (among other things)! :)
- This is a fun, easy to read book packed full of practical instruction on how to use your hands and touch to pleasure a body.
From the more commonly known erogenous zones, to body parts that we don't normally think of as erotic... the whole body is covered. From the nose, ears, arms, A-spot, C-spot, G-spot or U-spot... no part of the body is excluded from sensuality here.
The techniques are specific, detailed, easy to understand, and many even have catchy names such as "testicle teaser", "tug the rug" and "bowing the violin" to mention a few. Helpful drawings illustrate anatomy, and hand and/or finger positioning for some of the more unusual touches.
The last chapter "Putting it all together" provides ideas for hours of pleasurable partner practice.
- They have done a great job on a very sensitive subject for many. This will put spice back into a dulled relationship and send it over the the top. There are so many options, you almost don't know where to start. But, start experimenting and I'm certain you will find a number of winners. Thanks for putting the sensitive stuff in writing. Maybe a few more illustrations or pictures would be helpful to make it even more understandable. Great Job.
JJW
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Posted in Relationship (Friday, December 5, 2008)
Written by Shmuley Boteach. By Main Street Books.
The regular list price is $14.95.
Sells new for $8.76.
There are some available for $7.00.
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5 comments about Kosher Sex: A Recipe for Passion and Intimacy.
- I can't believe how long it took me to finally get around to reading this superb book (is there a ranking higher than five stars). On a semi-long flight, I'd almost finished it off in one sitting, but I hesitated, not wanting to gobble it up in one go. It was precious, meant to be savoured, and absorbed very slowly into the bloodstream.
I'd been meaning to read Rabbi Boteach's books for over five years now, ever since I heard Rabbi Boteach go toe-to-toe intellectually with Larry King (someone else whom I respect highly). Despite the long wait, I wasn't disappointed.
Look, again (as I've said in numerous other spots in my Reviews), I'm not going to tell you what's inside this book. I don't have to, seeing as I'm positive the countless other reviews which you can find here under this listing describe the outline of this book thoroughly, and people have gone into the specifics of what to find inside. I don't wish to repeat what may already be here, and I imagine that I won't do as good of a job as they have -- admittedly, I haven't had a chance to read all of the reviews either. I'm going to laud the high quality of the reviews which I generally find here, and make the necessary presumption.
I think all of us who pick up books like KOSHER SEX are essentially seeking answers. Answers to the things which may have troubled us with our relationships in the past, and we're seeking advice on how to place less of a personal emphasis on meaningless sexual encounters, or the constant state of one-upmanship we play with ourselves in our minds, rationalizing the corrosive things we might do sexually. We need to begin to see the harm it inevitably causes us, our selves, and Boteach points out a way. Not *the* way, but *a* way.
I had many blessed "eureka" moments in reading his narrative, when my simply jaw dropped, saying things aloud like: "That's EXACTLY what I was thinking!" or "So I'm *not* the only person who feels this way?!" Reassuring in the extreme...
Ultimately, my aim has been to learn to become a better father, husand, lover, and partner. While there isn't ONE single book that encapsulates the skills required to do so, I'd have to say in the breadth of titles I've already read on the subject (Jewish, non-Jewish, and everything else in between), this one ranks rather highly up there. In a nation (the US) which seems to pride itself on its soaring (over 50%) divorce rate, books like Boteach's just *scream* out to be read. There is something dreadfully wrong in society in which sexuality is a commodity, and in which -- as Boteach notes -- there is little difference today between the genders which essentially levels the playing field (one advantage), but to the deteriment of the family unit (an even greater disadvantage).
I found myself dog-earing pages and note-taking during my read, something I generally avoid doing as it disrupts my flow. But like I said, Boteach's lines just pulled me in.
Five-stars. Because of this, I'd now like to read the rest of Boteach's books. The time has come.
- Rabbi Boteach takes a wonderful enlightened approach to this very sensitive subject. Beautifully written work with excellent sources, well documented and builds a terrific case. Having read his book, it has changed my relationship with my wife of 20 years, this is really great, wish I would have read this earlier. I passed it on to each of my teenage children as a must read.
- The rabbi's pose is transparently hypocritical because Judaism's "holiest" book, the Talmud, teaches misogyny, the fundamental "orthodox" Judaic doctrine about women:
"Though a woman be as a pitcher full of filth and her mouth be full of blood, yet all speed after her." ---Talmud, Shabbat 152b
and also, "...a man may do whatever he pleases with his wife at intercourse: Meat which comes from the abbatoir may be eaten salted, roasted, cooked or seethed; so with fish from the fishmonger.... A woman came before Rab and complained [of her husband's sodomy with her], "Rabbi replied: 'Wherein does it differ from fish?" ---Talmud, Nedarim 20b, Soncino edition, p.58
- The Truth: I'm a Girl, I'm Smart and I Know Everything
As a positive psychologist extremely concerned with both the development of good values and also the preservation of strong self-esteem in each of us, I have to say I loved this book. I think it elevated intimacy in a way that adults, both Jewish and non-Jewish can really understand. And once you understand the sense of elevating ourselves in the most intimate parts of adult living, than it is also easier to begin to understand taking the time to elevate oneself in all areas of life. This book is an easy, but powerful read. Read it for yourself, your spouse and for creating a better and holier world for your kids.
- i am a huge fan of the Rabbi but i felt let down and even somewhat betrayed by this book. the notion that one should STAY with an abusive man b/c one is married to him i find repugnant. verbal, emotional, or physical abuse, it matters not. and the devastating effects this will have on your child is most certainly of dire consequence. the Rabbi paeans for a time when all marriages are perfect fairy tales, for when his own parents were not divorced, and wistfully describes the idealization of having a united family--WITH NO IDEA OF WHAT IT IS LIKE to live in a violent, terrifying home watching one parent abuse another or both your parents abuse each other... the horror of listening to the screaming fights, the foul and filthy unholy language, the terrifying threats, the destructive criticism, the shame of bearing your secret and not being able to let other children play at your house or your teachers know how you live... not to mention the total lack of empathy for you, the child, or hope coming from either one the two most important role models in your life--your own mother and father-- is never mentioned. instead, women are ENCOURAGED to wait out an abusive man to "prove" their loyalty--and i suppose men in this situation are to do likewise. i wonder if schmuley would ever have BECOME a Rabbi if he had been forced to endure this type of family home and his parents had not had the wisdom to divorce one another and spare their child this torture. most children, esp. boys, who witness parental abuse remodel it in their own marriages. and he has the nerve to advocate indulging a bully or a loveless, absent spouse. i cannot abide by this. divorce is certainly not a wonderful invention, but to any terrified child who kneeled on their parents' kitchen floor and prayed for them to leave one another as the dishes flew and broke around their heads and the screaming escalated to the point that neighbors called the authorities i say FOR SHAME. this type of black and white thinking keeps our society in the dark ages and does UNTOLD DAMAGE. i loved the TLC documentary series "shalom in the home", i have enjoyed the author's other books, and i have great respect for my religious leaders, but i felt abandoned and betrayed by this advice. no person should endure an unloving, empty relationship just b/c they made a mistake in selecting a mate. ridiculous.
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Posted in Relationship (Friday, December 5, 2008)
Written by Patrick Morley. By Zondervan.
The regular list price is $7.99.
Sells new for $3.50.
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5 comments about The Man in the Mirror : Solving the 24 Problems Men Face.
- I came accross the book at a men's retreat program and read a few pages from the middle of the book. I was impressed with what I read and ordered four copies of the book when I got home (to share with friends). The book is very practical and teaches on how to live a real christian life as compared to an expected life. One example is how to love when you don't have the emotional capacity.
- This book is being used for a Men's group and although we are not even a quarter way through the book, it has been outstanding. It really causes us guys to examine ourselves.
I was disappointed that the book itself was a small "pocket" paperback as the print is very small.
- I don't like reviews like the one by Daniel L Edelen - sorry Daniel - which is the main review featured here. Not only does the phrase "been there, done that" sound naive and adolescent, it is reflective of the very thing Morley is condemning: Cultural Christianity. Which may explain why Mr. Edelen and his friends didn't like the book. He compares Man In The Mirror - which was one of the first Christian "Men's" books ever to be published (1992) - with later books, like John Eldredge's Wild At Heart, saying that if "you've read one, you've read them all." That just isn't true. His superficial understanding of the book gives me the impression that he never finished it. He at least admits that his group never finished discussing it. Well, mine did, and I can tell you that we all loved it.
Mr. Edelen makes a comment about the "endpiece bio on Morley" (at least he did read that) that "Morley comes off as being your standard 'plastic and Brylcreme' Christian rather than as a real person." Nothing could be further from the truth. Mr. Edelen does Morley a great injustice. Man In The Mirror contains many, many nuggets of truth that will help anyone - CEO or average working stiff - in their walk with Christ. This book is a classic that has been quoted often by most Christian writers and speakers, so naturally the material is going to sound somewhat familiar. Shouldn't the man be credited for his original ideas, rather than written off because he has so many imitators?
One quote - one - is worth the price of the book, because it defines the number one problem facing our age and ourselves individually, and has become one of my favorite quotes:
"There is a God we want and there is a God who is, and they are not the same God. The turning point of our lives will come when we stop seeking the God we want, and start seeking the God who is." - Patrick Morley
Now, does that sound like a "'plastic and Brylcreme' Christian?" I don't think so. This is practical Christianity - not feel-good philosophy, although there is a place for that as well. If you're a practical, thinking Christian, and you're interested in reading a Christian classic, you'll LOVE this book. I would also recommend Morley's The Seven Seasons Of A Man's Life - another wonderful classic.
Waitsel Smith
- Man in the Mirror, by Patrick Morley, is an excellent resource for men's groups with practical application to daily issues in life. It provides biblical principles for 24 problems men face as they search for meaning and purpose in life. A list of discussion questions in included following each chapter and additional resources are available at recommended web sites.
- fit for the choir...nothing for a thinking rational person...fodder for sheep...self help book for those with an invisible friend..
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Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future
How to Care for Aging Parents (Morris, How to Care for Aging)
Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections
Finding Your Way After Your Spouse Dies
The Bilingual Edge: Why, When, and How to Teach Your Child a Second Language
How To Teach Your Baby Math: The Gentle Revolution
Starting Sensory Integration Therapy: Fun Activities That Won't Destroy Your Home or Classroom
Red Hot Touch: A head-to-toe handbook for mind-blowing orgasms
Kosher Sex: A Recipe for Passion and Intimacy
The Man in the Mirror : Solving the 24 Problems Men Face
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