1 comments about Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy 4th Edition: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner, Fourth Edition.

1. Dr. Worden's latest edition of his now classic handbook offers updated research, further refinement of the task model, and greater clarity regarding the mediators of the grief process. He presents a very balanced look at efforts to define complicated mourning and offers timely commentary on the proposed changes to the next DSM. From advanced psychotherapists, to students, and even lay people interested in grief, all will find his book enlightening. It is rare to come across a book that has such broad appeal on such an important topic. There are many choices on the topic of grief, but few if any are as well researched and thoroughly conceptualized as Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner, 4th Edition.

5 comments about Behavioral Intervention for Young Children With Autism: A Manual for Parents and Professionals.

1. Hi I am a BCBA and Autism Intervention author. I think this is a great book on ABA and has been for many years. The reasons behind why the scientfically validated principles of behavior should lead your home program are well explained in detail and the book offers a useful curriculum for those who do not have access to a Board Certified Behavior Analysts to help you. The issue with this book is that it was written with the the best recommendations of the early to mid 90's much has changed and continues to change in ABA. Particularly the inclusion of Skinner's analysis of Verbal Behavior, the importance of Motivating Operations and Natural environment teaching. Some books to consider in addition to this one that will update your program into the 2000's are The Verbal Behavior Approach by Mary Barbara for an introduction to ABA/VB The Verbal Behavior Approach: How to Teach Children With Autism and Related Disorders and for a more complete Teaching Manual on ABA/VB, my book, Educate Toward Recovery by Robert Schramm, MA, BCBA.Educate Toward Recovery: Turning the Tables on Autism



2. If you want to do ABA with your autistic child, get this manual and the book Overcoming Autism - I have read a dozen books and these are the 2 I go back to time and again. I use this manual as a guide, picking a few lessons a week to build upon. Gives you the focus and direction to know what to do with your child.



3. A Review of Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism: A Manual for Parents and Professionals. Edited by Catherine Maurice Co- edited by Gina Green & Stephen C. Luce.
   
   Whether new in the field of applied behavior analysis or someone who either knows or works with children with autism, this book is an educational reference to have. There is a variety of items that can be taken away with after reading through this book, such as teaching strategies, what programs to teach, how to teach, legal issues in the classroom, what to expect from parents, etc. However, what I wanted to focus on in this review was what I felt Green did an excellent job communication clearing and precisely in the introduction of the book, that is evaluation claims and treatments for autism. an area that I feel so many of us need to become more proficient in, especially because there is so many `claims' out there.
   Science is a set of methods for learning about our world is that science is a way to gather knowledge to minimize subjective bias and maximize accuracy. In science objective, systematic, and direct observations of phenomena are being studied and how we can make changes. Science is likely to be the most accurate source of knowledge for how things work in the world.
   The difference between science and pseudoscience is that science uses specific tools to put hypothesis to logical and empirical tests. Some of those tools include operational definitions of the phenomena or behaviors of interest. In science we use direct, accurate, reliable, and objective measurement. In science, controlled experiments are conducted and there is a reliance on objective data for drawing conclusions and making predictions to verify independent effects. In the introduction of this book, Green aims to helps the readers identify and be able to analyze the many treatments that they will encounter that claim to "recover" autism.
   In contrast, pseudoscience lends credibility to beliefs, speculations and untested assumptions by making them appear scientific. In pseudoscience, scientific jargon is often used by using endorsements from individuals with scientific credentials. Pseudoscientists offer testimonials, anecdotes, and unverified personal reports to back up their claims. Little or no objective evidence is provided. Catchy, emotionally appealing slogans are used in marketing the therapy and belief and faith are often said to be necessary for the therapy to "work."
   In order for consumers to tell the difference between science and pseudoscience is to be skeptics and weigh the evidence. We should ask certain questions when evaluating science such as "what is the intervention?" "What is it supposed to do?" "Have its effects been tested in controlled experiments using direct, objective measures?" "Were those studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals?" These are just a few examples of the kinds of questions that should be asked. Once these questions are answered published research should be sought and if necessary, it is always a good idea to consult with an expert in scientific research methodology to help evaluate the research.
   In Green's book there is an entire section in which several treatments are broken down with background information and how to answer such questions. I felt that she provided a variety of documented research on a variety of pseudoscientific treatments, which are not evidence based. Each chapter covers basic issues, whether a parent or teacher of a child with autism the information is both useful and serves as guidance towards the most effective treatment based approaches.



4. Catherine Maurice points out the strategy of this manual very succinctly by stating "We are putting ourselves in the shoes of parents." Definitive ways to begin a home based program dealt with issues such as the hiring of an A.B.A. therapist and obtaining volunteers from local colleges. Examples of the efficacy of parent groups such as F.E.A.T. allow us to see the possibilities of cost effective home programs. Starting up an early intervention program was compared to beginning a small business. It requires parents motivated to work closely with professionals in both home and community settings. Interventions were clearly described, and systems of recording data to track individual student progress were labeled and detailed. Passages explaining how to determine the effectiveness of programs based on scientifically proven facts are specific and simple enough for a layperson to understand.
   Dr. Ivar Lovass` chapter states "Behavioral treatment is based on stepwise and cumulative knowledge from scientific research." (Page 242).
   Speech Language Pathologists and A.B.A. therapists working in tandem enhance similar goals. The importance of tracking progress in these areas by parents and professionals in contact with the child were clearly highlighted.
   Broad explanations of legal rights were provided by a special education lawyer. Specific concerns of what to address in an I.E.P and determination of where a child will have optimum progress, not just the "least restrictive environment," were outlined by professionals and effectively following A.B.A. programs conclude the manual. Many experts and parents collaborated on this manual, and I believe the purpose was to provide parents and educators with a comprehensive overview and summation of exactly what a good A.B.A. program is and does for children.
   Parents of young children newly diagnosed with autism will greatly benefit from the scientific and personal support that is found in this manual. My local state run special education resource library has this manual in the early childhood section. I will keep this in my personal library and reference it frequently. Out of the hundreds of books I've read on the subject of autism, this manual surpasses them in terms of practical and hopeful ideas, whether or not it fits into your immediate plan of therapy. There is a broad range of abilities and differences among all people, and especially those on the spectrum. It behooves us to discern exactly how we can help our children, and if, in fact, there is objective evidence and success to justify therapies in use, and whether or not they will generalize into the future.



5. Just beginning in this field, I did not know what to expect concerning the reading material I would have to read and study. Like many naïve people, I assumed most ABA material would be too scientific or difficult to understand. Although I use ABA at work daily, thinking of it as a scientific treatment made me wary that it would be too hard to explain to others or even too difficult to truly understand myself. However, that all changed after I was assigned to read the second chapter in this book. The second chapter of this book is evaluating claims about treatments for autism. The chapter begins by describing the difference between science, pseudoscience, and antiscience. While describing each of these terms, she provides examples, easy to understand definitions, and describes how each can be seen in current treatments in autism. I believe that many parents who have children with autism are not fully educated on the types of treatments being offered to them for their children. Instead in their need to find a "cure," they are choosing treatment plans that may do more harm than good. However by reading this chapter, parents can begin to learn how to evaluate treatments and separate the ridiculous from the scientific. In this chapter, she describes in detail the factors professionals and parents should use for evaluating treatments, such as is there any evidence, are their replications of the studies with positive findings, is there too much subjective evidence, did they perform controlled experiments, etc. As a result, parents are able to find a treatment plan that will benefit their child and not harm them in the long run. The parents are able to become more involved and have a clearer understanding of the type of treatment their child is receiving. Also, it will allow them to become more involved with the treatment because they will have the research and information in front of them of what they should expect from the intervention chosen.
   Another positive aspect of the book is that the authors may prefer ABA treatment for children with autism but they do not discourage other treatments or tell a parent what to do. Instead, they describe other intervention programs, their history, purpose, and any research regarding treatment. They show parents how treatments that look appealing may show no scientific backings for treating children with autism. Unlike many other interventions, it provides parents with the research and information to evaluate the treatments they may have tried besides ABA. The research presented is a starting point for parents to go out and find more research about different interventions plans, but it also provides an example about what parents should look for and disregard when evaluating treatments. I believe this book provides a good guide to use for parents and professionals on how to effectively evaluate treatment programs for children with autism. In this day where many pseudoscientific treatments are becoming available making promises of "curing" children with autism, parents and professionals need a manual that will help them learn how to scientifically choose the right program for their child without relying on other people's subjective reasons.

5 comments about Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child / Your Fussy Baby.

1. This book was a God-Send! Our son was only sleeping 10 hours maximum a day. He was fussy and irritable in the morning when he woke up. We did not realize how much sleep a baby needed. He is now sleeping 12 hours at night and taking 2 naps during the day. He is a very happy little boy and eager to go to bed at night. He wakes up happier and the fussiness has gone away. Dr. Weissbluth has excellent examples and stories shared by other parents. A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WITH A NEW LITTLE ONE!! GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR NEW PARENTS! DR. W covers other topics also that I wish I new 11 months ago!! READ IT, IT WORKS!
   Lynn



2. I highly recommend this book even for mothers who will not let their child CIO (cry it out) like myself, because is it chock full of research and information which is goads better than the other alternatives. Furthermore, it had some REALLY handy tips and information as to how important sleep is for your child and charts and figures on exactly how much sleep you should be expecting out of your baby, toddler, and even teenager (also handy are figures on how much sleep most parents are ACTUALLY getting out of their babies and kids). Weissbluth's famed "two-hour rule" is mouthed by mothers everywhere -- make sure your young infant doesn't stay away for longer than two hours -- or they're wired. For those mothers who do believe in his method of letting your child cry it out, there are plenty of anecdotes that are sympathetic and helpful in encouraging them. My complaint though is that this book is sort of poorly written (i.e. written by a doctor, and not a writer) and organized all over the place. I would love to see a revised edition with a professional writer and editor to streamline and reorganize all the information inside. It's a BIG book and it's hard to get to the practical heart of the information sometimes (especially when you're sleep deprived).



3. As a first time mother, I had no idea what to do about sleep and naps.
   My Pediatrician told me that the childs naps were really for me (but why was the child so tired and cranky?). After reading this book, we followed it to the letter, and everything the Dr. said was right. We now have 2 very well rested daughters. I give this book to every new mom I know. If they follow it, they thank me. If they don't, they call me and want to know why their kid isn't sleeping. My 5 year old and 3.5 year old STILL go to bed at 6:30 pm and sleep until 7. You really owe it to your child to get them the rest they need to develop and grow into smart little peolple.



4. This is a great book to understand why your baby is fussy. This book has some very good recommendations on how to help your baby sleep better and there is more than one way to do it. There are several strategies and you pick and choose which will work for your baby. I follow the 2-hour window rule and it worked like a charm. My son sleeps 12 hours at night and naps 3 times during the day for 1-2 hours. This book has really helped me sleep train my son.



5. I read a lot...too much probably on baby stuff, anyway. I read several books about helping babies sleep. I appreciated Dr. Weissbluth's so much--he just tells you how sleep works. It's non-judgemental and he's not pushing a parenting-style agenda (most other books I read about sleep clearly did)....just helpful tips whatever your style is. My little guy wasn't napping at all, and just some of the suggestions he had have let to my 6-month old (4 months adjusted age--was a preemie) to 11 hours at night and 3 naps during the day of 1 to 2 hours. Now, the night sleeping he's been doing for a while, but getting the naps worked out and helping have a more pleasant baby during the day we can thank Weissbluth for. A great read for first-time parents especially!

4 comments about For Young Men Only: A Guy's Guide to the Alien Gender.

1. This book is basically a book meant to teach older boys, teens, and young men how to interact with girls and women. It discusses what young women want, how to talk to them, how to interact with them, what they say, what they mean, how they feel.
   
   Jeff, Eric and their wives have collaborated in whole or part to write For Women Only, For Men Only, For Parents Only and For Young Women Only. The writers admit they wrote For Young Men Only last because they were trying to avoid it altogether. They didn't think young men would ever pick up a book and read it to learn how to relate to young women. But, after receiving hundreds of requests, they relented. They did scientific studies of what young women think about various topics and published the most surprising the results. The best part of the study from my perspective was that the women sampled came from all backgrounds: different religions (or none at all), different racial, ethnic and cultural groups, different social classes, intellects, etc.
   
   This was an excellent book and a real eye opener for me. I'm 37 years old and when I was young(er), I assumed no one else felt the way I did about what's attractive in a young man, communication styles, s*x, love, dating. What I learned from this book is not only was I not alone then, but the majority of young women NOW still feel the way I did. I thought differently (worse) of "the next generation".
   
   This book is a great read for young men (ages 10-30, in my opinion), youth pastors, teachers, parents, basically anyone who interacts with young men. While I don't personally fit into that category, I am going to get For Women Only and might read For Men Only and point out relevant passages to my husband. To be honest, there were even a few items in the For Young Men Only book that I thought my husband would benefit from knowing!



2. For Young Men Only - this is a great little book for guys, but I have one question: why wasn't this book written in 1987? Boy, I could have used this valuable information back then!
   
   Lucky for young men today, a resource is available to help you understand the "alien gender." FYMO is packed with humor, statistics, real-life stories, examples and good advice. I recommend this book for any young man who wonders why girls can't be as predictable and easy to understand as iPods are. In fact, I know a couple of guys that I will be giving this book to.
   
   If you are a young, single guy - I recommend you get and read FYMO. If you know and care about a young, single guy - I recommend you get the book and give it to him!



3. For Young Men Only by Jeff Feldhahn & Eric Rice is a indispensable tool for guys who want to know how girls think. The authors did several surveys and studies of teenage girls to understand why they act the way they do. Why do they go from everything's hunky dory one day to don't let the door kick you on your way out the next? Why do they fall for bad boys? How do they really feel about sex? There are some surprising answers that are bound to help teenage guys in their relationships with girls. The book is never preachy, just funny as even the authors learn things about women that they didn't know. It's a short book, so getting guys to read it shouldn't be hard, and it speaks in down-to-earth language without being condescending. An excellent book in a stellar series.



4. So, I spent a good part of the afternoon reading For Young Men Only by Jeff Feldhahan and Eric Rice (with Shaunti Feldhahn). I laughed as I realized how accurately it portrayed the "inner workings" of the teen girl's mind. With answers to questions from a survey of 600 teen girls, I found the surprising statistics both accurate and surprising at times. And I am absolutely terrified knowing that my oldest, Elijah, is at an age where he's going to start having questions about girls. I'm so glad to have this book to share with him! And even more glad that it's his dad's domain to answer most of those questions!
   
   But if you're looking for a great book to open the discussion with the teenage or even older tween boy in your life, I'd highly recommend For Young Men Only. It will *not* disappoint! (You can view even more information and the complete survey results on the website - www.foryoungmenonly.com.

5 comments about Approval Addiction: Overcoming Your Need to Please Everyone.

1. ....For anyone who thinks "people-pleasing" will do anything for your social-life or personal self-esteem except leave you feeling frustrated and feeling unappreciated...this book is for you.... Great practical Christian teaching on following your own destiny, being the authentic you and trusting God to bring the people to you that are suportive and the rest, well....like Joyce Meyer implies, and the old words of wisdom state "You can't please all the people, all the time."



2. Joyce Meyer did a great job on writing this bestseller. Approval Addiction is another one of Joyce's masterpieces. I saw a lot of me in this book, and she stepped on all of my toes....(even though I didn't want to hear it). The good thing is that she uses references (via scriptures from the Holy Bible) to explain how approval addiction can be harmful not only to you, but to other relationships. NOW, I understand that I need to change my behavior. Thank you, Lord, for having people like Joyce Meyer for keeping it real.



3. You can't please all the people all the time, and this Christianity-based book will help you realize that truth.



4. I enjoy self-help, self-exploring books. However, it is disturbing yet another self help book reads more on being the right type of Christian then being a better you, regardless of your faith!
   I am a Christian. A person of faith with an open mind. I believe that the diversity amoung people are to be celebrated rather than feared and I won't tell people what God wants them to believe.
   I do belive that it is rare indeed when one person can tell another what God thinks about any controversial issue.
   This book would have saved me a lot of "here we go again", er, time, if Ms. Myers could have written it with out all the Christian Right B--- S---!



5. This book is an absolute eye opener! Joyce Meyer is an amazing woman with powerful wisedom from God that applys to everday life. She's a perfect example of how God works in your life and with a relationship and faith and trust he'll do amazing things. PLEASE DON'T BOTHER AND READ the 1-2 star reviews, it'll just make you angry. There are some people that are hurt and want to blame god for their problems and are hateful towards Christians and look for ways to try and hurt us. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do. It'll be one of those books that I'll always reread from time to time. Just see what God can do in your life too! Enjoy!

5 comments about Ages and Stages: A Parent's Guide to Normal Childhood Development.

1. This book is good at summing up the different stages your child's development. Every age of your child's life has milestones and challenges. This book helps parents to keep things in perspective and helps reduce the stress of parenthood.



2. As a new parent, I have found this book helpful - especially since I haven't spent a lot of time around other children. It provides great suggestions on optimizing your child's development & helps parents have a sense of what is normal and what to expect during different phases. I like how it is written in a somewhat "text-book like" style and not anecdotally like many parenting books.



3. This book is very easy to read and understand. It gives all sorts of fun and realistic ideas for helping your baby develop skills.



4. I love how this book is very easy to read, yet full of valuable information about the development of your child. It cuts out the fluff of many child development books, as well as the techno-jargon of others. I just want to know (in laymen's terms) what my child is experiencing and how I can best support and guide her. This is probably not the only child development book you should have on your shelf, but definitely one you shouldn't leave out.



5. There really isn't anything new in here and just states the obvious like don't beat your kids and love them. Not worth the money.

5 comments about How to Date Men: Dating Secrets from America's Top Matchmaker.

1. Well, all I can say is Janis has hit another home run with this book - no wonder it is a bestseller in the relationship category already! Janis' wise, funny, honest, and down to earth advice will be heaven to anyone who is panicked when the doorbell rings and "Mr. First Date" is on the other side. Moreover, Janis takes you by the hand and leads you right through the first date and down the aisle...this book should go directly into your Fendi Fanny Pack and STAY THERE until you have met and married Mr. Right!



2. This is the first book that lets you know how men think. It is not about game playing. If you are looking for a serious relationship this is the book for you.
   EC New York



3. Not impressed with this book at all- its didnt give me an new information! Very disappointed in the purchase!



4. I don't happen to agree with her advice that it's okay for a woman to ask men out on dates. She claims this will make you seem confident to men. I disagree. I think it makes a woman seem desperate instead, and it takes away the "thrill of the chase" for the man. A truly desirable woman doesn't need to ask men out. She's too busy getting pursued by them.
   
   The author also says that if a man has your phone number but doesn't call you again after a date, then you should call him. WRONG. If he doesn't call you again, it's because he wasn't that into you, and you should take the HINT and move on. By calling him, it just sets you up for further rejection. Who needs that?



5. This book wasn't for me. It wasn't bad though, it gave some interesting advice and some good advice.
   
   For me I'm a mid-20s girl and I'm just looking for someone I can get along with and maybe grow old with, have a white fenced house and a couple of kids sort of thing.
   
   This book is for girls that want to get the "catch" the rich guy or something like that. This is the book that tries to tell you how to play the game, so they guy will want you more and want to marry you. I mean this is all well and good, but I don't want a "rich" guy. It will be nice I must admit but not something I'm really looking for.
   
   If you want to be a stay at home mother or wife and cater to your "rich" husband, than this might be the book for you.
   
   If you have run out of relationship books to read and want another point of view, this might be the book for you.
   
   If you haven't read that many relationship books, then there are other good ones out there, this shouldn't be your first relationship book, is all I'm saying.

5 comments about Shattered Vows: Hope and Healing for Women Who Have Been Sexually Betrayed.

1. My husband cheated, lied, and broke our vows. My heart was broken into a million pieces. When one partner breaks your vows of marriage, you have biblical grounds to leave. So I did. Once the trust is gone, a marriage can never be the same. I'm sorry - but I do not understand how anyone can stay in a relationship that has been ruined by infidelity. I kept wondering through the whole book, why I was expected to stay, to forgive, and continue on in the relationship - when my husband had already "left me" and went outside our marriage for his own selfish desires. I felt by staying I was condoning his behavior. Someday I'll have to forgive him, regardless if were are together or not. But divorcing was my only option. He chose to risk it all, and he lost. If your marriage is ending (for any reason) here are some better options: "When He Leaves," and "Live, Laugh, and Love Again."



2. The old Indian proverb goes something like this: "Don't criticize someone until you've walked a mile in his moccasins".
   Whether you have been hurt by the revelation that your husband's sexual betrayal or you are the husband who has perpetrated the betrayal, this Debbie Laaser's book is a must read! I also highly recommend it to every therapist involved in counseling both couples and individuals. Mrs. Laaser provides an personal account of how she was affected by her husband's infidelity. In addition, she provides a number of stories of other women who similarly affected. This all works to give the reader an excellent understanding of what it's like to be hurt by infidelity.
   In addition, Mrs. Laaser provides tangible steps one can take to navigate the troubled waters and how to restore the marriage to a new relationship.
   Well done!



3. A very helpful book for women (or anyone) who has been sexually betrayed by a loved one. Debra shares her most intimate story of her own betrayal and the amazing road back to forgiveness and grace.
   
   Debra shares what she's learned about her relationship and herself through a time she describes as "crash and burn." She shares with us her own personal recovery and outlines helpful tools and information for anyone who has been hurt in relationships. Her insights can help you understand and deal with the situation you may find yourself.
   
   This book gives couples hope for the future, hope for their own relationship, and healing of wounds for the present hurt but also the past hurt we have experienced just living life. She and her husband, Mark, did not take the easy way out and get divorced. She chose marriage and commitment when so many others may have been encouraged them to leave the relationship.
   
   She talks about many things, but to mention a few:
   ~ do I stay or go?
   ~ how can I learn about myself when it's his fault?
   ~ is forgiveness possible and when do I forgive?
   ~ should I continue to be sexual with him?
   
   Recovery is certainly not painfree. However, her marriage is still in tact and lovingly restored for a bright future of togetherness. For that, I praise her courage and strength.
   
   Many of the ideas and strategies she's learned she has used to help hundreds of other women going through similar tragedies. Take advantage of her hope and healing and her tools to get through your own difficulties. I know I will definitely recommend this book to my clients in similar situations.



4. Have you been crushed by your husband's infidelity? Do you wonder if you can ever heal from the pain and have the marriage you dream of having? I have read a lot of books on healing from this pain, and this is an excellent resource. It has a different perspective from a woman who has been where you are. Her life was turned upside down by her husband's betrayal. Her path to healing is shared here, and you can take benefit enormously from her advice here. She strongly encourages every woman who is experiencing this pain to find a support group and work through the pain with the love and care of other women. You will greatly benefit from this book. Don't hesitate to pick it up and find out what you can learn and what God can do to transform your heart and your marriage.



5. Thank-you Debbie for writing this, this has been a very healing book. I wouldn't have asked for adultery in my marriage. But what Satan plans for evil, God can turn out for good. My husband and I have learned so much more about each other through this. Now we can use the new ways we've learned to make better parents and spouses. It feels so good to let go of my control to God and actually feel my feelings other than stuffing them! There is hope, I pray you will feel it in your marriage too!

5 comments about Dog Man: An Uncommon Life on a Faraway Mountain.

1. This book has touched me. The main character is morally strong, and the result of his strength has affected a breed of dog to a point beyond comprehension. If you own an Akita, this is a must read. If you do not own an Akita, you need to read this as well.



2. I had to leave it at the library because i wanted to leave it for my friend who i intended to send right down to check it out. It's about an eccentric in a culture not known for eccentrics. It's about his wife and family. His wife is a stoic and her relationship with her husband is like reading science fiction to a 21st century American. The dogs are great. Great. Please do not go out and buy an Akita though. This is a lot of dog. A whole lot of dog. They almost need a mountain.



3. I bought this book for my brother, who loves dogs as much as I do. When he finished it, he sent it back, so I read it as well, and we both enjoyed it. This is a very sweet book which makes a great gift book for someone who loves dogs, someone who loves Japan and its history, and especially for someone who loves both. I would have liked to see Penguin go the extra mile for Martha Sherrill and spring for glossy pages for the many great photos in the book, but that would be my only criticism.



4. I don't own an Akita, but this book caught my eye because it was a different kind of story. The subjects of sexual discrimination, poverty, wartime in Japan, and the Morie's singlemindedness in raising dogs are explored. If you love Akitas, you'll love this book. If you're not a dog person, you'll like this book, but may not go ga-ga over it. I thought the writer jumped around a bit in telling the story, and could have been better with the continuity. But all in all, I recommend this interesting look at a life far different from ours in America.



5. This book is a great book for a Akita owner. The author gives you lots of insight into the Akita behavior. Being a Akita owner, I found the book enlightening and a joy to read. This book is a must for any Akita owner or anyone considering a Akita.

5 comments about How to Get a Worth Keeping.

1. I bought this book for my two single adult children, based on a friend's recommendation. This book is very much about helping single people think about their lives in a rational, human, holistic way. It pulls the focus off getting a mate, and puts it on being an involved, healthy person who has good, real relationships, which, yes, will lead to a mate. There is some specific Christian guidance in here, but it is embedded in the main topic, so this is not a biblical commentary on singleness. A strength of the book is that he gives some pages to addressing the issues that cause a person to pick the wrong companions over and over again, and perpetuates craziness and dysfunction from generation to generation. It is a valuable book for any single person, Christian or not, as it addresses head-on the messed up thinking they can get trapped in as part of the single life. The only thing that would make the book stronger is a section on some of the angst of what a Christian life is really supposed to look like, and maybe some discussion on singleness as a calling of God. The singles I know feel like the church treats them as 2nd class citizens, as in, "get married and then you can be part of the real church."



2. This is absurd!!! Everything this book says goes against what God teaches us in the Bible regarding dating. The Bible teaches that our ONLY fulfillment in life is Jesus Christ. This book states that we can be completed by our spouse. AND DATING A NON-CHRISTIAN?!?! My parents always taught me not to date someone I wouldn't want to marry. It goes hand-in-hand with the love is blind thing. You can fall in love with anyone, even a non-Christian. Don't follow this man's advise. He obviously isn't very wise anyway (although I don't know how he achieved getting a doctorate degree?), and you're not going to find a date worth keeping with this advise!!!



3. When compared with other Christian dating books this author's perspective seems secular. He mentions the fundamental importance of a personal relationship with God, and then focuses on practical ways of learning healthy dating patterns. The book is not directed at teenagers but adults who are either not dating or in a dating rut. He is a professional councilor and this book systematically addresses common psychological pitfalls involved with dating.
   
   While some Christians might be disturbed with the idea of dating around, he emphasizes the importance of actively pursuing members of the opposite sex. This is not worldly dating; in his words "Dating is an activity where you do fun, meaningful things with interesting people." I like the way he emphasize the importance of casual dating as a way to strengthen one's dating muscle. "Dating is not about marriage!" I often fall into the trap of requiring an interesting person to pass my large list of internal marriage requirements before I'll think of asking her out to do something. This would be fine if I had a strong dating muscle, but my weak dating muscle leaves me feeling over-anxious and under-prepaired in the rare event I find a "worthy" candidate.
   
   Of the half dozen dating books I've read this one is the most useful. In fact--I'm rereading it.



4. This book has some good ideas but unless you are ready to totally go out of your comfort zone and try some different tacticts this book isn't for you. You have to rethink some of your ideas on dating and that is not a bad thing but his idea of date every thing and any thing because it is "just a date", is too out there for me. He want's you to put Dating for marriage out of your head but ultimately isn't that why we date? We all have standards (religous views) and I am not going to put them to the side "just for a date". I plan on being equally yolked and don't want to accidentally fall in love with the wrong yolk because it is "just a date"



5. This book is the healthiest most well rounded advice I have ever read. After reading this book and applying its principles I met a great guy in less than 6mths. Most Christian books I've read are full of broad religious themes. How to Get A Date Worth Keeping is not one of those books.This book is truly effective. If you follow the program exactly you will be successful in finding a Date Worth Keeping.