2 comments about Life After Betrayal: A Practical Guide (The 10-Step Empowerment Series).

1. Reviewed by Catherine Phelps for Reader Views (4/07)
   
   Lynda Bevan resides in south Wales, United Kingdom with her husband. She is currently employed as a manager of a charity which supports individuals suffering with HIV. She has brought extensive personal and professional knowledge to print through the book "Life After Betrayal: A Practical Guide." Mrs. Bevan has counseled many who were recovering from the pain of betrayal in their personal lives as well as guided married couples.
   
   Mrs. Bevan stresses throughout her writing the pain and difficult recovery anyone must overcome to heal from betrayal. This can be from any relationship including family members, co-workers, romantic partners and others. She writes in a very straightforward manner with many examples, descriptions and commonsense approaches. Although damaging in many degrees, this guide will direct the reader on ways to overcome and heal from the agony of betrayal. One will be able to regain their sense of trust in others to continue on to establish healthy relationships.
   
   From the beginning of life, when complete trust is not only desired, but required, each relationship we face is different. All interactions by two individuals include a portion by each in contributing to the final betrayal. To place blame solely on the other is not only inaccurate but prevents the future ability to end this pattern of denial of fault. It is not the subject of who is as fault that needs addressing as much as the wisdom gained as to how to change your actions and reactions to bring forth a change in self and communication.
   The negative affects of betrayal includes the feelings of jealousy and control as well as others. The positive effects of healing may be acceptance and forgiveness. This will allow you to love again in a healthy relationship which is supportive, not destructive.
   
   This book is intended for those recovering from betrayal, however; I would recommend it to anyone entering adolescence to young adulthood. It may likely prevent future heartache and misunderstanding in the future.
   
   If you think of yourself as a victim, this book is for you! From regrets to love, Mrs. Bevan will show you how you can trust again even after betrayal. In reading "Life After Betrayal: A Practical Guide," you will discover the difference between loving someone because you need them, and needing someone because you love them. This is a straightforward, easy-to-read and put-in-action book.



2. I found this book to be filled with useless generalities that could not be applied to my circumstances. The book is written by a woman on her 3rd marriage. For me this is a strike against her credibility.

1 comments about True to Her Nature : Changing Advice to American Women.

1. Have women always been viewed as the most fit parents to rear children? Have they always been considered the sex more naturally inclined to the domestic sphere? And what's up with Martha Stewart?

   In this clear, concise, and highly readable account, author Maxine L. Margolis analyzes advice manuals, articles from ladies' magazines, and the dicta of social scientists in an effort to reconstruct and explain changing ideas about motherhood, fatherhood, and gender roles within and beyond the home. More specifically, she seeks to answer how and why advice to mothers and families has changed over time. The analysis reaches backward to the colonial period and continues into the year 2000, discussing some of the most up-to-date research, debates, and public figures. This historical perspective proves interesting even for the non-historian, since one of the author's points is that ideas about women's and men's proper roles are rarely new-they are more likely to be recycled, in keeping with prevailing socioeconomic and political realities.

   Readers will appreciate the author's lively examples. Here, for example, is your chance to sample the original 1946 Dr. Spock manual, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care. While the baby-care guru counseled mothers to trust their instincts and common sense, he gave the following instructions on how to prepare for the baby's bath: "Before starting the bath, be sure you have everything you need close at hand. If you forget the towel, you'll have to go after it holding a dripping baby Take your wristwatch off. An apron keeps your clothes drier " Alternatively, readers may prefer the advice dispensed by the widely influential early 20-century psychologist John B. Watson. Concerned that exaggerated maternal coddling would cause children to develop "crippled personalities," he suggested that mothers who could not resist showing some love to their children should "kiss them once on the forehead at bedtime, but shake hands with them in the morning." Finally, the helpful hints provided by a syndicated columnist from the 1960s would make Martha Stewart proud: the column "Hints from Heloise" told readers how to make artificial flowers "bloom again" with a bit of nail polish and how to restuff old throw pillows with lint from the clothes dryer.

   Ultimately, besides making for a good read, Margolis' book provides an invaluable framework for understanding contemporary debates about women's work, day care, and the role of fathers. It is a book for anyone interested in these debates, for those grappling to balance work and home in their personal lives, and of course, for anyone who has ever tuned in to Martha Stewart Living.

4 comments about Hannah Keeley's Total Mom Makeover: The Six-Week Plan to Completely Transform Your Home, Health, Family, and Life.

1. This is a great book with great ideas. It really does work for a full-time working mother, as well as a stay at home working mom. Even if you only utilize a handful of her ideas it is worth it.



2. When I first received this book, I read the book quickly without taking the time to get a notebook and complete the daily exercises. When I finished the book, I grabbed a notebook and started back through each chapter. Hannah's advice hit right on target in many areas of my life. Hannah understands the chaos and emotions involved with motherhood. She offers avenues for mothers to take back control of their life. In a world where everyone is selling external fixes to problems, it's nice to read a book that focuses on the internal you.



3. This book was exactly what I needed I'm an at home mom of a 1& 3 year old and have been trying for 3 years to keep my life balanced on a regular basis but only have done that in waves. Until now. Since I quit my job as a 2nd grade teacher to become a full time homemaker, I've never been so driven and motivated. I'm better in so many areas and I'm only at week four in the book. I spend 1/2 hour every day doing the exercises and taking notes. I love that time I spend.I can't wait to get up and read the next day. I recommend it to every mom I know because it has helped my life so much. Hannah is funny and organized the book so well. I love the sequence of chapters, exercises, reminders, and her writing style. It's very easy to read. I want to tell more...but my baby needs me. Any mom could use the information found in this book!WOW! If anyone wants to ask me about it, just e-mail me at Morjulie@gmail.com :)Julie Morris (Patrick Morris is my husband)



4. Hannah Keeley is my hero! This book has helped me get back on track and in control of my crazy life with two sets of twins. Hannah is smart, funny, and well educated. She has a unique perspective and gives you the tools you need to make a difference in your life today. Buy the book.

No comments about Art of Self Discovery, The.

5 comments about Success and the Self-Image.

1. Extremely motivating. I would highly reccomend this life changing piece by Zig Ziglar!



2. The only thing I knew about Mr. Ziglar before buying this audio cd was that he was a Christian named Zig. I came to find out more about this great speaker through about 2 hours of solid commentary. He speaks universal truths and gives real life examples to convince you that there is no doubt that what he is saying is real deal. If the more you give, the more you get philosophy is not one you are sold out on yet, Mr. Zig Ziglar will clear up any confusion with his memorable tales. Big ups!



3. I appreciate the real life experiences used in his story. I love his voice. I listen to this every trip over three hours! Well worth the investment - it will change your life.



4. If you enjoy being motivated then Zig is for you. Good ole country boy that is an excellent speaker. Get pumped on your way to work!



5. I purchased this DVD based on previous highly rated reviews. Unfortunately, for me, the heavy-accented, preach-from-the-pulpit style of presentation irritated me so much that I lost all sense of its content. What little I did absorb might have appealed to audiences of the 70s and 80s era, but his repetive humdrum was not my cup of tea.

2 comments about If Only I'd Listen to Myself: Resolving the Conflicts That Sabotage Our Lives.

1. After a terribly traumatic break-up, I was on a mission to fix what was wrong with me. Thank God someone recommended this book! It is filled with thought-provoking and intelligent insight into the dynamics of our relationships with ourselves. The title says it all. This book assisted me in really looking deep within myself to find the answers I so desperately sought. Not only is this book worthwhile, it should be required reading!



2. I have been doing alot of personal growth work around improving my own communication skills. This book has been very useful. It is a book that focusses more on developing self-awareness than in techniques to use in communication with others. In fact, my only criticism of the book is that the back cover suggested the authors would provide techniques and skill practice activities, and they didn't. It is easy to read, engaging, and insightfl. The title, as the previous reviewer stated, really does say it all.

   This book would be a terrific addition to the library of any counsellor or teacher who teaches counselling skills. A counsellor could even loan a copy to a client to read. The book has some very good vignettes that illustrate the concepts. Some of the chapters are long, but the writing is good enough that most will not notice. I found I could pick up the book and go to any chapter and gain valuable insight, so a person using it as a teaching tool would not have to assign the entire book.

2 comments about Daily Affirmations for Parents: How to Nurture Your Children and Renew Yourself During the Ups and Downs of Parenthood.

1. Get this book of daily affirmations and never let it out of your car! Yes, I'm serious. If you are a parent, you know about all the 5 minute intervals you spend waiting... Am I right? There is no easier, quicker or more direct way to change your attitude toward the gift that is your child or the challenge that is your parenting. This is an investment in your parent/child relationship. It is worth the purchase price if it changes your relationship with your child and enriches your lives for just one day. Also a great stocking stuffer and/or baby shower gift!



2. I LOVE this little book! When I was raising my children it quickly became a source of daily inspiration for me. As a parent striving to NOT pass on to my kids all the "junk" from being raised in a home with alcoholism, I soaked up the daily reflections like encouragement from a wise mentor.
   Now that my children are grown and have their own children, I have made sure that each has a copy of their own as well. And as a professional in the field of substance abuse-related issues, I have purchased many, many of these terrific little books to both inspire and anchor recovering parents through their tumultuous parenting years.

2 comments about Move Over, Mrs. Robinson: The Vibrant Guide to Dating, Mating and Relating for Women of a Certain Age.

1. Finally, A well-written laugh-out-loud book about understanding relationships that does not bore you to sleep! Highly recommend to every living, breathing female AND male who wants to understand the thinking of the opposite sex! I feel this little book is one you will not want to put down because it is so "right-on" and entertaining at the same time! By far, the best "relationship" book I have ever read. Thank you Wendy and Maggi for sharing your knowledge in such an enjoyable way! You will not regret picking up this treasure chest full of bright, shiny gems of useful information. I am going to order three more copies for my friends!



2. I just finished reading "Move Over, Mrs. Robinson" and feel fabulous about my life for the first time in 10 years. I thought I was buying a fun, joke book and it turns out it's the wisest, most life-affirming book I have read about enjoying life, love and sex for older women. Thank you, Maggie and Wendy. I am buying this for all my girlfriends.

2 comments about Acceptance Therapy (Elf Self Help).

1. I think this book is good for people with low-self estem! This can really help you deal with your problems!



2. my only complaint about this book is that its too short. each page is a delight and inspires a really great form of perception. if only everyone had this book!

1 comments about A Girl's Guide To Glamour.

1. I thought this book would be more along the vein of The Bombshell Manual of Style in terms of uniqueness. There was a great introduction of mantras -- which is what got me to purchase this book, but the rest was ho-hum. The same old makeup tips, clothing tips, travel tips and diet tips all in a tiny little book. There are a thousand other books like it. Save your money!