5 comments about Secrets You Keep from Yourself: How to Stop Sabotaging Your Happiness.

1. What's that adage that you can't judge a book by its cover? Although I compliment the publisher for the cover's clean, contemporary design in sea-foam green and backlit-blue, this understated cover actually undersells this gem of a book. In fact, this is like three books in one. The first third of the book is a thorough investigation into how denial and self-defeating behavior really work, along with numerous ways to nip self-sabotage in the bud. For me, that in itself was worth the price of admission. The book's middle section is an inspiring and affirming motivational text that includes several excellent exercises which helped me clarify values, yearnings, and goals that matter most to me. This section showed numerous ways to live your highest dreams rather than settling for your limitations. The final part of the book is primarily a practical, nuts-and-bolts primer on effective problem-solving, offering a half-dozen no-nonsense methods to solve any personal problem. Any one of these sections could stand on its own as an entire book, yet the three "books" work together seamlessly. I found this book full of insights, though never dense or obscure. Quite a bargain for the buck.



2. Surprised by how much good information and advice was packed into the book. The scenarios used to explain various traits and behaviors were especially useful.



3. This is a top notch book to build self awareness and effectiveness. Mr. Neuharth writes in clear terms that allow for anyone to understand a somewhat complex topic.



4. Dan's book is absolutely exceptional. It is not filled with psychological mumbo jumbo, but is a truly practical book about what a person does to themselves in times of cricis, pain and stress. He gives straight forward and pracitcal steps for recovering and creating the changes you want and need to make and may not know how. Dan puts your life in your own control and not that of others, a place I have been.
   
   I recommend this book highly. If you are facing difficult times and/or want to build a better and happier life this book is essential.



5. Simply put, this book is great. It's not filled with psychobabble or hard to grasp concepts. I had SO many "Ah-ha" and "of-course!" moments reading this book. It doesn't change your life, it helps you understand how to change it yourself and make better decisions. I'm very glad to have found this book.

2 comments about On the Wings of Self-Esteem: A Companion for Personal Transformation.

1. I am a therapist and have led groups using this book and had clients read this book to accompany our individual therapy. I think I have had at least 35 clients use it. Every single client has loved it! They have found it to be practical and useful to help them overcome poor self-esteem and feel better about themselves when they didn't get this foundation in childhood. It is easy to read, encourages insight, offers specific ways to change. A very useful book. Thanks, Dr. Hart!



2. I certainly didn't think that such a little book would have such a big impact on my thoughts about myself and others, but it did! While much of what Dr. Hart says feels often "common-sensical", and the analogy of the emergence of the butterfly seems simple and cliche, everything she has to say is also very valid. The way in which it was presented was accessible without seeming condescending or too simple. (More "a-ha" moments than "Well, duh" ones.) I took several weeks to read through this book, do (most of) the simple exercises, and really think about what I was reading and how I felt about myself - past and present. I've read a lot of things on self-esteem, and this was the first book which really helped me CHANGE my self-esteem. I think almost anyone would benefit from it, and highly recommend it.

2 comments about Create Your Own Affirmations: A Creative Visualization Kit.

1. Create Your Own Affirmations by Shakti Gawain is a very helpful tool in my own personal journey. Having to deal with some of my own demons, as we all do, I turned to this book to explore some positive methods to create effective affirmations.
   
   The affirmation kit has 25 pre-printed cards, 25 blank cards for you to use to create your own affirmations, along with a helpful booklet. I've scanned the cards into .jpg format (picture format for a computer) and added them to my desktop collection. They are a subconscious, positive, constant reminder through my workday that keeps me focused on how great it is to be me and all the wonderful things that I have and continue to accomplish.
   
   You can just utilize the cards, but I like to be creative in surrounding myself with positive messages while not obtruding on other's. If they want to know my secret to happiness, all they need do is ask. :-)
   
   There are other tools by this author that you might find useful in work with self-esteem, self-confidence, and finding and using your own personal power. These include:
   
   THE WORKBOOK (practicing the methods)
   --The Creative Visualization Workbook: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in You Life by Shakti Gawain
   (Lots of exercises, space to write, good reading)
   
   THE BOOK (reading)
   --Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life
   (read the theroies, her point of view, and some exercises to try)
   
   THE CD (audio)
   -- Creative Visualization: Use the Power of Your Imagination to Create What You Want in Your Life
   (an audio version of the book... for those of you on the go!)
   
   These tools are empowering, and I really enjoyed the kit and the workbook. Here's hoping you'll find them useful on your journey, and good luck and health to you and yours.



2. A hands on approach to creating affirmations to make positive declarations for your life and the type of life you want to live!

No comments about A License to Chill: Nuggets of Truth to Encourage the Heart.

5 comments about Unlimited Power: A Black Choice.

1. I found this book to be absolutely what the doctor ordered! Anyone can use these practical tips and techniques to change their thought patterns and create success in their lives. I have been a Tony Robbins fan for over 10 years and I read the original Unlimited Power and several others he has authored. I found this version, co-authored by Joseph McClendon III, to be refreshing, exciting, surreal and a must-have for any true booklover! Joseph adds a positive, dynamic force to this writing duo! I am interested in buying more books written by Mr. McClendon. I recommend this book highly!



2. Unlimited power is a milestone in black personal achievement. It tells the reader how to take control of your mind, body and emotions to get what you want and become a force for good. What I like about it the most and what sets it apart from other black self help books out there is its based on science. NLP is the science of modeling excellence in people wherever you see it whether its in self made millionaires or someone who just knows how to be healthy or you could even use the technology to learn algebra or calculus it doesn't matter. I've used it myself to learn computers now I'm using it to learn how to make more money. The book has Anthony Robbins name on it but it's Joseph's voice through the whole book except for the intro. I think it is essential reading for any black man or woman that wants to become a success in this white dominated society. This book does show you the skills of persuading yourself and other people to do what you want them to do.

   The book's goal to give black people access to "unlimited power" I think definitely this book should be read by all african americans because it got me to make decisons about what I wanted and got me to take action. I also learned to actually control my emotional states of mind. There are some deep things in this book about the lies of success that didn't make sense to me initially but they do now. I can sum this book up like this : If black people are to succeed they must change three things: 1. We must raise our standards. 2. We must change our beliefs. 3. We must change our strategies . This book if taken to heart is a golden opportunity to do all that.




3. This is based on Robbins's classic UNLIMITED POWER, which McClendon has rewritten from his perspective as a Black man. He starts off by telling of some of his experiences - being beaten up one night by a racist gang, being asked by the police `What were you doing in that neighbourhood?' when he reported the incident. He speaks of how this resulted in his developing a fear and mistrust of all white people - which also affected his relationships and interactions with Black people. McClendon's experiences, attitudes and feelings will echo those of many of us.

   He then goes on to describe his first meeting with Robbins, and the workshop Robbins led which helped the author to turn his life around. McClendon describes and explains many techniques which Black people can use to improve our mental and emotional states in order to empower ourselves in any situation. This book is very inspiring, as it proves that we truly have the power over our own lives in our hands.




4. This book as whole provided a great thought provoking experience. It starts out by addressing some of the real issues that plague African American people today dealing with racism and oppression. The fact that the book speaks directly to African Americans takes into account the lingering affects that past oppression has had on black psychology. I liked that the authors acknowledged that these problems are still present, but enocouraged a greater focus on self-accountability. They effectively motivate the reader to visualize themself as an achiever rather than a failure. It encourages people to focus on achieving the outcomes of their desire. The overall value of the book lies in the fact that the authors provide a great strategy for action.



5. As the London Financial Times put it, "NLP is simply a half-baked conflation of pop psychology and pseudoscience that uses jargon to disguise the fact that it is based on a set of banal, if not incorrect, presuppositions."
   
   NLP methods, put forth here, were scientifically tested by the US Government in the late 1970s in order to determine an ability to improve performance of civil servants, soldiers and police. Results showed a small, temporary boost but no long term effects.
   
   The disappointing, temporary nature of these results is corroborated by many Amazon.com reviews of Anthony Robbins materials.
   
   Sorry, there is no fast, cheap and easy way to success (unless you can cook up books like these).

5 comments about Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness.

1. Book in impeccable condition. Fast shipping. Haven't read it yet, but am looking forward to reading.



2. I hesitated to buy this book because I thought it might be "too Buddhist" or too sentimental. Do not be deterred by these reasons. I have treasured it, recommended it, and as a minister leant it out with great joy to people from all walks of life, rich and poor, highly literate and plain-spoken. It is one of those books that cuts through a lot of folderol and gets to the inmost heart, giving folks something nourishing and simple like a good breakfast for the soul.



3. A great introduction into a way of thinking foreign to the western mind. Well worth the time invested in reading it and a treu value at twice the price.



4. A great introduction into a way of thinking foreign to the western mind. Well worth the time invested in reading it. A true value at twice the price.



5. This is a quick read, and the practice instructions are easy to find and understand, but after a while it starts to read like a collection of dharma talks (i.e., sermons). That said it's easier than slogging through the Vishuddimagga. The lack of discussion of absorbtion states is a significant weakness.

3 comments about Truly Tasteless Cartoons.

1. It was so funny I just about fell on the floor laughing. the pictures are great.



2. The best of all the (very good) National Lampoon cartoon books



3. Well, I a just have that kind of humor that I enjoy looking at alone. Very funny if you are into this.

2 comments about Pleasant Dreams: Nighttime Meditations for Peace of Mind (Puffy Books).

1. Amy E. Dean provides her readers with peace of mind through night by night passages to explore different thoughts and aspects of your day. She then concludes her passage with an inspirational quote that the reader is directed to meditate on while falling asleep. This allows that thought to be focused on in the subconscious mind and gives chance for the reader to fall asleep confident on the day ahead of him. Dean focuses on one theme for each night. She varies her message but still allows it to be applicable to all readers. This book is great for the curious mind or one in need of self help.



2. This little book is a great inspiration that I recommend to all as you journey through life. The stories that apply to each day of the year are short, informative and uplifting. They really put things into perspective. I have had the book for about 4 years and continue to read it nightly year after year, and since you are not likely to remember a one-page vignette you read exactly one year ago, it continues to deliver a new message to me on a nightly basis year after year. You can keep it at your bedside forever potentially. An added bonus is a table of contents in the back so you can look up an inspirational story that applies to an area you're particularly interested in at that time like "communication" or "children," for example. This book really is a jem!

5 comments about How to Grow a Backbone : 10 Strategies for Gaining Power and Influence at Work.

1. This is a must read for anyone that wants to move further faster in the business world -- especially those who are fledglings in Corporate America! Marshall writes with clarity and good humor spiced with pithy observations and examples. This is more than a pie-in-the-sky, ethereal how-to book. She backs up her advice with practical, easy to implement ACTIONS to integrate the strategies into all areas of interactions with others. And her "excercises" are more than informative and effective: they're fun to boot!



2. I found this book to be different than the typical management book. Rather than filled with the usual platitudes, it contains some real world advice on how to deal with and capitalize on situations that occur in a corporate environment. The book starts a bit slow, but it gets moving once it gets into the 10 strategies. The author has a nice conversational, straight-talking style of writing. The exercises and advice at the end of each chapter are excellent. I would recommend this book for new graduates starting in management and for seasoned veterans.



3. After finishing Disc 1 of 7 it's a thorough pleasure to hear a practical approach to career development. While attitude is great, sooner or later the rubber hits the road. Ms Marshall provides excellent guidance for what to do in real, modern, business situations.



4. Encountered it first as an audio book and then decided to buy it as a print book. The book is small in size but has an impactful message. How to be assertive and cooperative at the same time. Very useful tips on how to achieve both in the workplace. Highly recommend it for people like me who cave in on pursuing their agenda in our current corporate culture.



5. I liked this book, but mine is better. Of course I am biased, I am like that. Secret Habits of Successful Bastards is the best self-help book for people who are too nice!

5 comments about Why Is It Always About You? Saving Yourself from the Narcissists in Your Life.

1. If you run from the narcissist in your life, you'll always be running, because there's always another one waiting around the corner. I am not speaking about physical abuse or horrifying marriages. I'm talking about the self-absorbed monsters that we frequently have to deal with at work, socially, or (God forbid) our own families.
   
   It's better to be fully prepared to deal with those who somehow manage to suck all the oxgyn out of the room as soon as they enter than beat yourself up wondering why you have such a problem in your life. They are the problem, and they are probably the problem in every relationship they have ever been in.
   
   If the realationship you are having with a narcissist is not of the "disposable" variety -- if it will not cost you unduly to walk away -- then this excellent book will teach you ways to take control as best you can with as little cost to you as possible.
   
   However, I must add that if your exposure to one of these monsters has involved physical abuse to yourself or a child (or severe emotional trauma) get away by any means possible. There's no negotiating safety issues!



2. "Why is it Always About You?" starts off being quite helpful but then falls into the "why did I start this" catagory. The book becomes very technical after the first couple of chapters and the jargon becomes disruptive to the non-professional reader's apprection of the subject.
   I didn't finish it and am now looking for something in a more "reader friendly" format. Big dissappointment.



3. After breaking-up with my boyfriend of several years, I started searching for answers to explain his unreasonable behaviors. I started looking into personality disorders and came across this book. For anyone who has experienced a narcissist, this is a must read! By the time you get done with the book...even before you're done, actually...you will understand so much more than you did. Your questions will finally be answered, and you will learn that you're not crazy afterall!



4. This book provided exactly what I needed to understand the underlying issues of a person with narcissism. It was in-depth, but in laymen's terms so the understanding came quite easily. I am better able to deal with the narcissist that I am in love with and the one that I work for. But most importantly, I'm better able to detect these traits in others that I meet and underdstand the part I play in engaging them in narcissistic behavior. My relationships are much better particularly because of the strategies to know myself, embrace reality and set boundaries. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand why a person is narcisssistic and how it affects us in relationships.



5. This book very accurately describes how narcissists become how they are in the first place, but even more clearly describes how you can be ensnared by them. I learned a great deal about myself and why I was vulnerable to codependent relationships with narcissistic individuals, and strategies to prevent this in the future. Most importantly, the author gives very practical and helpful ways to cope and thrive when exposed to a narcissist. The section on the narcissist in the workplace was phenomenal; this applies to the dynamics of a church with a narcissistic pastor at the helm, or any organization, for that matter, dominated by a self-absorbed individual(s).