5 comments about The Truth About Love: The Highs, the Lows, and How You Can Make It Last Forever.

1. This book gives you a good deal of information on the "infatuation" phase that I think many of us go through in meeting someone. I know that I have gone through it, and it helps in understanding where things go from there or why they end.



2. So many people consider love to be like it is in the movies. We feel it should always keep us in a high state where we feel wonderful about the other person we have just met. But, as Pat Love reveals that stage of love, better known as infatuation, though exhilerating, is only a small part of what real love is all about. Love goes on to show how love includes the stages of learning to see each other more clearly after infatuation, building a greater level of trust and intimacy, basing it on a solid commitment to love and care for each other, forging a friendship, providing support and comfort from the outside world, communication with each other (especially through appreciation and positive support) and more! Also interesting is the biological information about what happens during the various phases of love to us chemically. In short, for those wanting a lasting loving connection with a partner, this book will help them understand what it takes, and how to make love stay in the long run. - Dr. Lisa Love, Beyond the Secret



3. This book had good, basic common sense about relationships. Do not let the authors last name of "Love" fool you into thinking the book is not informative because it is.
   
   The begining of the book was awesome especially the part about infatuation, which always fades but does not mean the relationship is over.



4. "When you look at societies with the least stable marriages and highest divorce rates, they are the ones that use infatuation as the sole or major criterion for marriage." ~ pg. 37
   
   Can you fall in love with the same person numerous times? Is this what the title implies? Why do couples make the mistake of ending their relationship when they don't feel "in love" anymore?
   
   Pat Love explores love in long-term relationships and tells you what you can expect. In a country where most people seem more interested in serial monogamy is it possible to convince people to stay with their partners even if they no longer feel the euphoric highs of being in love?
   
   This book is part interesting facts and part marriage counseling. Pat Love shows how to successfully navigate the highs and lows of love. She doesn't promise that you will always feel the bliss of infatuation but she does promote a more mature type of love that helps couples remain happy in a long-term relationship.
   
   On an interesting note, the author took testosterone to see what it felt like to have a high sex drive. She also claims that "one person can transform a relationship." You may also want to read: Red-Hot Monogamy: Making Your Marriage Sizzle.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



5. This is a great book that offers practical advice and realistic perspectives on what's normal for the different stages of a relationship. I'm currently reading it for a second time just to make sure I got all the information down.

5 comments about Love Is Never Enough: How Couples Can Overcome Misunderstandings, Resolve Conflicts, and Solve.

1. This is a great book on cognitve therapy as it applies to relationships. It is well-written, rigorous and illustrates important points with useful examples.
   
   This book goes way beyond what you might see in a pop psychology book and the material is presented in a way that it can be applied. It also provides a useful framework for understanding cogntive therapy in general.
   
   What I feel is missing from this approach is honoring basic compatability. While emotions are strongly linked to thought, there is more to making a relationship work than working through communication patterns and automatic thoughts.
   
   A useful complimentary book is "Will Our Love Last" by Sam Hamburg. This book looks at the aspects of relationship having to do with compatability along three dimensions... chemistry, what he calls wavelength and practical everyday living. This approach provides an alternative lens to look at what is going on beyond the cognitive aspects of the couple's situation.



2. I felt this book was insightful, consise, and most importantly helpful. The strategies in this book focus on automatic thoughts, your perception of your mate, and how to foster good communication. The tone of the book is very friendly and non confrontational.
   If your relationship is in trouble, or you just want to improve your relationships, this is a good book to get.



3. I purchased this book for a couple who were in need of some "3rd party" assistance to help them with communicating with each other. My understanding from the husband is that the information contained in the book has proved very helpful.



4. Good book! Finding it very insightful and very "real" life! Makes for entertaining reading while learning.



5. This is a great book. I would and have recommended it to everyone I know. It is a great way to get people to think logically about things. Has been a big eye opener to my husband. Who won't read it but will listen if I read out loud. Great Great book for the struggling marraige.

5 comments about Rhinoceros Success.

1. I have an infinity or a weakness for self-help books. Most are just tooooo puffed up and vain and really not that helpful. Given the short attention span of the employees of this current dispensation, the book is a great tool for helping employees understand your goals and their goals. As a business owner with a payroll of over a million dollars per year I find that most employees will not read a book to actually help them figure out where they want to go. The guiding principles of this book are loosely based on believing in a higher power (like God, remember him?)and not in the expedient 'get rich quick' mentality that currently pervades our thinking. It also addresses taking personal responsibility for your attitude and your actions...something also missing in this society. I read about 5 to 6 books per month and I read this book 4 or 5 times per year (usually in the bathroom...it's that kind of a library book.) I would recommend this book even for very young adults as this society currently believes we should coddle them until they are 25 or 30. Dust yourself off and buy this book. Charge!



2. "Rhonoceros Success" was given to me by a close friend and I am grateful that this book fell into my hands! This book is jam-packed with life lessons that ultimately guide you toward prosperity and abundance in all areas of life. It clearly charts out the path of success and if you heed the recommendations, wealth will surely follow. I especially enjoyed the part about happiness. Since everyone chooses their own state of mind, choose to be happy and you will be happy! That alone is a simple concept that has very powerful ramifications (positive) if you make the choice. Treat yourself to success and buy this book ASAP!
   
   - Dr. Matthew J. Loop
   
   Author of "Cracking the Cancer Code"



3. This book is meant to be motivational, but the message grows stale rather quickly. The author's main points are that one must be thick-skinned and aggressive (a rhinoceros) to succeed in life, but they are repeated so often that most of the book could be summed up in a few pages. There is an overuse of exclamation points, question marks and UPPERCASE emphasis as if the author is not just content to continuously repeat the message. In his opinion, there must be internal emphasis as well.
   After reading the book, I did not feel motivated, I felt relieved. The easiest thing in the world is to say, "Be powerful and tough" to anyone and everyone. However, life is far too complicated for a simple message, even a good one, repeated over and over to be enough to insure survival. Without some specifics about how a rhinoceros acts, then it is just a slogan. And let us not forget that the rhinoceros has the worst eyesight of any large mammal, so bad that it cannot tell a human from a tree at 15 feet. This means that it quite often doesn't know exactly what it is that it is charging. Charging ahead without knowing what is in front of you or what direction you are going is dangerous. There is little of that "think before you charge" mentality expressed in this book.



4. Any book in this series is a pleasure. Well written, illustrated and contains a wonderful message with regard to holding touch in life.



5. I used to sell cars. My sales were very low even though I read and tried to follow a lot of sales training. My co workers and I read and read to find the secret of the top dogs. Come to find out they were Rhinos. One of the best salesmen at the dealership told me he could help if I followed exactly what he told me to do. He gave me this book. My life is 100% better. My sales increased and I left the dealership to open my own sucessful insurance agency. The book is very simple. That is exactly why it works. I have set aside all the steps and procedures of the other books and all the crazy rituals all the self proclaimed sucess gurus offer. Now I just change. I am a rhino. I live like a rhino and change like a rhino.

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

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



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



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



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



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

5 comments about The Brain Trust Program: A Scientifically Based Three-Part Plan to Improve Memory, Elevate Mood, Enhance Attention, Alleviate Migraine and Menopausal Symptoms, and Boost Mental Energy.

1. If you are interested about the numerous "diet" books and health programs out there, this books helps to put it all in perspective. When you finish reading it, you'll probably want make your brain a priority. Why? Because the way we "feed" our brain by what we eat and what we do not eat, is going to affect our brain's health for the rest of our lives and no one wants to end with a "bad" brain.
   In this book you'll find awfully interesting, practical, explanations and a simple how-to help yourself guide. Dr McCleary's book is easy and enjoyable to read, so much so that I gave it to my 12 year old with the warning: "This is the most important book about your health you can ever read." A few hours later she was saying, "You know, mom? If I load myself with candy bars this is what happens to my brain..." To say I was thrilled to hear my daughter talking about the effect of sugar overload is an understatement. Dr McCleary's book might well become the key to good health to today's youth and the starting point to healing and prevention for us, the middle aged.
   Dr McCleary also has a web site with very good articles (www.drmccleary.com)



2. "The Brain Trust Program" should be required reading for those of us who have trouble remembering what we were going to say long enough to finish a sentence or where we parked the car; for anyone who suffers from hot flashes or migraines; in fact, for anyone who has a brain. Dr. McCleary's easy-to-understand articles on his Website are an additional bonus. Don't miss a single one.



3. Dr McCleary is able to review the relevant research and distill it into useful, meaningful recommendations. I urge everyone over age 40 and anyone caring for aging parents to look at this book very carefully. His advice could save years of anguish.



4. If ever there was an occasion to issue a must read recommendation, this would be it. The Brain Trust Program, by Dr. Larry McCleary, manages to provide a wealth of information on enhancing and maintaining brain function without being a boring biblically long mechanical medical treatise. Complete with supplementation (vitamin use and recommended dosages) guidelines, this book serves as an interesting read for anyone interested in retaining and preserving cognitive clarity.



5. I couldn't help but notice that Dr. McCleary's photo on the back flap of the book shows that he is a bit overweight. This is natural considering his apparent love for beacon and eggs for breakfast, and his love for red meats, butter, and cheese. In my opinion, this is the only questionable part of his book. I just cannot believe that a diet abundant in saturated fats and cholesterols is not harmful to the cardiovascular system. And what is harmful for the cardiovascular system is also harmful for the brain. Furthermore, any amount of overweight puts a strain on all internal organs - for both man and beast.
   
   Most readers may think I am some kind of fanatic. Well, maybe I am. But I believe that a calorie restricted, nutrient rich diet, leads to better health for the brain and all the other organs of the body. I also believe that calorie restriction is easy when the food served is simple and not made artificially enticing.
   
   Maybe Dr McCleary believes that most people simply will not be willing to eliminate these expensive and enticing kinds of foods. I do admit that almost everyone probably feels this way, and would greatly benefit just by doing exactly as he has written. For this reason I must bow to his judgment.
   
   I definitely agree with Dr. McCleary's recommendations for dietary supplements and mental exercises. What I'm really saying is that I plan to do as he says except that my diet is a bit more restrictive - simply steamed vegetables, whole grains, skim milk, more fish, less whole eggs, a little skinless chicken, and almost no red meat. And no candy. Candy kills more people than cigarettes.
   
   I'm a 70 year old 5'10" male weighing in at 150lbs. My goals are to reduce my weight to what it was at age 25(140lbs.), and to improve my cognitive functions as much as possible. This book is sure to help. I highly recommend it to others.

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

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



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



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



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



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

5 comments about Self-Coaching: The Powerful Program to Beat Anxiety and Depression, 2nd Edition, Completely Revised and Updated.

1. I am not sure of how I came across this book, though I think it was an Amazon recommendation. It is indeed fascinating and I think a worthwhile read for anyone. It is premised upon the author's contention that ". . . anxiety and depression are merely habits--and all habits can be broken". In fact, Joseph J. Luciani's suggestions and program could be effectively applied to any life situation from anxiety and depression to improving your golf swing.
   
   While Luciani's approach, at first blush, seems to have a lot in common with Albert Ellis's "cognitive therapy", it is significiantly different. Luciani is really much more oriented toward self-delivered life coaching through what he dubs "self-talk".
   
   On its face, the approach is logical and, in fact, what most of us do normally when we feel in control of the situation. Luciani's point is that it is in those situations where we don't feel in control that self-talk is most important - and, frankly, he seems to have a point.
   
   Luciani is certainly devoted to what he believes. He maintains a web site in support of the book where he freely dispenses advice (with appropriate disclaimers), but without trying to sell anything. Quite a guy and a very different approach to self-promotion.
   
   Depressed, anxious or not, this is a very interesting book and worthy of your attention.
   
   Jerry



2. Suffering from severe depression is immobilizing, and only you can tell what you really need. The important thing is to get help and address it - just hoping for it to get better is a dangerous game. For me the thinking with this book was that it wouldn't hurt to try. I find the book's emphasis on the present versus what happened long ago helpful, but others may want to work through some old things. It has a definite focus on now, getting through the day, and living through some rough and debilitating emotional strongholds. Personally I prefer the down to earth and occasionally in your face tone to some of the "softer" depression books I've read. Having very practical and well-outlined tools to confront my depression/anxiety has been beneficial to me - and I also like the way the author reframes emotion based on context (anger, wanting to control, etc) to help the reader understand the roots of the negative feelings. Overall, really great book - main improvement would be having spiritual and Biblical helps as well.



3. I suffered from Generalized Anxiety Disorder ("the worry disease") with underlying depression which fuels the worry because i was convinced that I couldn't handle life if something bad happened. Everyone has an internal dialogue going on in their head all day long and the reason why people are anxious or depressed is they have thoughts about something scary or sad all day long. This book shows what fuels those thoughts (insecurity and eroded self-trust) and how to change your child-reflex (how you react to situations that make you anxious and depressed) and this isn't written by someone who just got out of college. Dr. Luciani has had years of experience and knows what he is talking about. And if you don't understand something he is more than happy to answer your questions personally in his "Ask Dr. Joe" forum on his website www.self-coaching.net



4. I have social phobia and I've been on a hunt for the past few years for a natural treatment. I've tried herbs and supplements and nothing has worked. The last straw came when the supposed miracle supplement for anxiety-sufferers (magnesium) did nothing for me. Having read this book once before and not thinking anything of it, I decided I had no choice so I reread the book. I've learned that although the ideas in this book are great aids, they just won't work for someone in my position.
   
   Self-coaching is simple. You've lived for years with negative thoughts that cause your anxiety. All you have to do is change them. First, you must seperate your thoughts into fact or fiction. Most often, you'll find that your anxious thoughts are silly. Then you must change your thoughts into something positive. This will change your mood completely. People with anxiety problems live in their mind rather than living in the moment. They process and think and process and think until their anxiety becomes hellish.
   
   Self-coaching will and does work. Some may find it hard to believe but if you truly think about it, your anxiety is all in your mind. If you're having an anxious thought and you put on some music and sing along, you eventually lose that anxious thought because you're living in the moment. People with general anxiety will find the ideas in this book to be helpful.
   
   Unfortunately, for someone like me who gets anxious "in the moment", self-coaching will not work. I get extremely anxious around other people. Whereas self-coaching may help when you're walking through a busy mall or anticipating a public speech, it doesn't work when, say, someone comes up to you and begins talking to you. Self-coaching does help when you're anticipating something anxious but it certainly doesn't work when something anxiety-worthy comes out of the blue.
   
   I will use self-coaching in addition to medication. I do think this book is well written, motivating, and easy to understand but, unfortunately, it won't work for everyone.



5. I read this book trying to understand some of the reasons I have so much fear in certain situations and, hopefully to overcome it. Did it work? Well, yes and no.
   
   I read something profound in this book that told me I was the producer of anxiety. That it wasn't an illness that came and attacked me as a virus does, but that I generate it with my thoughts, which in turns produces imbalanced chemistry within my system. This clicked with me on so many levels and just knowing that helped me. It gave me encouragement.
   
   There were some other really great insights in this book also. It's very well written and gives the reader a lot of hope that better days will come if you try hard enough. And I believe Dr. Luciani when he says it.
   
   However, I am uncertain that there is a true "heart" to this book. If I had to summarize the main point of this book it would be this: You have the power to talk yourself and motivate yourself out of anxiety with the right thought patterns. Is the advice deep enough for a real meaningful change? I think it has the potential to be. Automatic negative thoughts are a huge problem for those of insecurity an low self-confidence, so the advice really is effective here.
   
   Is this book helpful to those who are struggling with anxiety and depression? I would say emphatically "yes" and you should really read it. There is only good to be gotten from it. Will it be the ultimate solution to abolishing your severe anxiety/depression? I doubt it. But it could a great stepping stone to doing so.
   
   I would give this book three and a half stars if I could - but since it only lets me use whole stars, I will tip the scale over to four. My summation of the book is this: It really is a worthwhile read with some effective advice.

5 comments about Wear Your Life Well: Use What You Have to Get What You Want.

1. I have all of her books and everyone of them have been so helpful to me. Thank you Marilu : )



2. I got this book on the advice of a very good friend o mine who knows that I am interested in the subject of self-improvement and taking care of your body and soul. In a sense this volume reminds me of my favorite book in this category titled Can We Lve 150. I like both books for the comprehensive approach to taking care of oneself. Instead of focusing on now so popular dieting program, the authors apply a much broader approach where taking care of one's mind and spirit is as much important as taking care of one's body and its physiological needs. Although I find Can We Lve 150 a superior book to "Wear Your Life Well" I still found here a few chapters that were not tackled by the other author. Specifically I found very helpful the chapter about self-sabotage as well as the chapter about sex. Actually these two chapters are the main reason I liked the book, as a lot of other stuff wasn't a new discovery for me, although it might be the case for some other readers. I think this book is definitely worth your time and money but I subtract one star for the lack of originality.



3. I very much enjoyed this book. Marilu speaks to you as a friend. She asks the questions that a friend would who really wants you to succeed in getting your act together. There are current references to her work on Trump's show. She speaks of what each person asked for in terms of food and other comfort items. Reading it you know why she and Carol Alt are so thin and have such great skin.
   This book is at the top of my book pile these days with frequent references to it.



4. Bought as a gift, but was told the book is similar to many self help books.



5. This book let me know any thing I need in a true and simple way, it just perfect.

5 comments about The Aladdin Factor.

1. Far too many people wander through life unfulfilled because they lack the skill set needed to experience life to its most bountiful. That's in part due to a fear of asking for that which brings us what we need, want or desire.
   
   People are afraid. Afraid of rejection, afraid of looking foolish, and a whole host of other things. Be afraid no longer. The Aladdin Factor will teach you how to ask without fear.
   
   Canfield's book taught me how to ask in a powerful, confident way that would guarantee my success. Simple phrasing combined with subtle reflection made for a life transforming read.
   
   At Pug Headquarters, it's a must read.
   
   Diana Taylor
   Top Dog
   Pug At The Beach
   
   Sometimes all you need in life is the wisdom of a good dog.TM
   
   Pug at the Beach: An Island Dog's Reflections on Life



2. Many years ago I read a book that changed my life. The beauty about books is they are truly timeless. Recently I revisited this book because the continued buzz about "The Secret" made me think of it.
   
   The Aladdin Factor is a simple fast-track to getting what you want. Originally released in 1995 (around the time Chicken Soup for The Soul series was really taking off), this book changed the way I approached business and personal interactions.
   
   I believe that one of the greatest lessons you will ever learn is included in this book. The art of asking for what you really want.
   
   Canfield and Hansen explore five barriers to asking for what we want:
   
   (1) The first is ignorance. Often, we simply don't know what to ask for. This occurs for many reasons including lack of exposure, not knowing the resources available and not fully understanding our personal desires and yearnings.
   
   2) Second, limiting and inaccurate beliefs keep us stuck in what we know to be true from past experiences. This includes programming from parents, teachers, churches, peers and the media.
   
   3) Fear is the third barrier (and one I believe we can all relate to). It is fear, usually based on past disappointments and experiences, that hold many of us back from asking for what we truly desire. The fear of rejection is particularly debilitating. Fear of looking silly, being humiliated, feeling powerless, punishment, obligation and abandonment are all key players in keeping us stuck.
   
   4) Fourth is low self-esteem. Often we can feel unworthy of love, happiness and our true desires. This is because of inferiority complexes and false beliefs that our needs and wants are worthy of pursuit.
   
   5) Pride is the final barrier and, according to the authors, is especially difficult for men. Although I see this trait in many of my women friends. We tend to remain guarded and not admit that we need help and support. Asking for this sometimes makes us feel inadequate.
   
   The key to getting what you want is simple. Recognize and correct the barriers that apply to you. Become comfortable with who you are and what you really want and need (this may take some time).
   
   Finally, ask for what you want in a way that is mutually beneficial for all involved. The key point I took away from this book (and continue to hold near and dear) is having the courage to simply ask.
   
   Look at it this way. If you really, truly want something, the only way to get it is to take actionable steps, including asking. If you ask for something you want the worse thing that can happen is someone saying "no". Although this may seem devastating, in reality, you are left with nothing less than before you asked. And, if the answer happens to be yes, you have moved so much closer to your end goal.
   
   So, go ahead, ask for what you want. The results may surprise you.



3. Good read and a lot of wonderful stories and helpful hints to boot. Worth the purchase. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to find their way to see all their dreams and desires come true.



4. The Aladdin Factor is a must have for anyone who has been unable to attain everything in which they desire. The book is analogous with the journey of Aladdin, his encounter with the genie and how Aladdin discovers what he really wants out of life. Jack Canfield does a great job of using real life cases to exemplify the Aladdin Factor. If you don't already know what is, you are missing out.



5. The authors are very specific in their advice on getting what you want in life, and their wisdom truly works. I have found that out by experience in using it to advance in my career. This is one of those books you can have complete confidence in: Not a bit of it is commercial psycho babble---this stuff is practical "take it to the bank" mentoring. One of the other customer reviewers called this a must-have book, and he is right. Don't miss out on this piece of gold.

5 comments about Empty Cradle, Broken Heart, Revised Edition: Surviving the Death of Your Baby.

1. Thorough, but needed something more to help me thru the death of my infant daughter.



2. Our first child, our son Wyatt, was stillborn and it has been the most devastating event of our entire lives. I bought this book after a fellow angel parent recommended it and absolutely loved it. It is so "nice" to see all the thoughts and feelings you have after losing a child right there in print. It makes you realize you're not going crazy, that those thoughts and feelings are legitimate, and that you are not alone. I carried this book everywhere with me and would highlight phrases that were personal to me. It really helped me understand the loss of our son and give me strength and courage to go on with our lives while still keeping his memory alive. I'm so sorry to those of you having to look at this book, but I hope it can help you as much as it has helped me.



3. After our son was stillborn in April of 2006, we were looking for any support we could find. We went to the beach and I read this book out loud to my husband cover to cover in 1 day. Everything we were feeling was covered in this book. It was to the point and very validating. We referred to this book daily. I have purchased several of these for our support group and the hospital where our son was born. We felt like this was something parents should leave with and for that matter a book the nursing and hospital staff should have as required reading. During our darkest days this book helped us work through the many emotions that come with the death of a child. If you have suffered the same fate or know someone who has I highly recommend this book.



4. After our fourth daughter was stillborn January 2008, I thought that no one or nothing could relate to how I felt. I was wrong after I read this book. This book accurately describes
   my feelings of guilt, helplessness, fears, etc. It is very comforting to know that I am not crazy for thinking the way I do.I have read a lot of books on this subject (which is so sad for it happens way too often to so many people) but this one is the best so far. I am going
   to recommend it to a local hospital for anyone who (god forbid), has this tragic event in their lives as well. Deb Davis writes knowing my thoughts
   and my questions, realizing at the same time that we will never know the answer why after 36 healthy weeks, her spirit was chosen to leave this earth. I love you so much...... and miss you...... we will meet again someday.



5. I purchased this book on the recommendation of a friend after the loss of my son, which was the culmination of a series of increasingly cruel and difficult miscarriages. More than any other book, this one helped me sort through all of my losses and deal with the grief and make some sort of sense of it. I especially liked how the book, although it has a religious tone, isn't overly preachy and the chapter for husbands was also something my husband thought was good. I have passed my copy on to a friend who lost her son, but since then have encountered a number of friends and colleagues who, sadly, also have had similar experiences. I have taken to having an extra copy at all times so that when a friend does open up to me about a loss (I'm very open about my son) I have one to pass on.