5 comments about The Heart of Addiction: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing Alcoholism and Other Addictive Behaviors.

1. A respectable service to addiction by questioning tradition thoughts and treatments. Without trashing other systems, the author transers years of insight and research from his own practice into a framework that is logical, consistent and practical. He deftly removes the overtones of religion, shame and isolation that can (and has) resulted in what I call 'orphaned addicts'. His content inspires rethinking of the addictive process and yields to constructive self-examination without 'preachiness'. A safe-read for anyone who may be questioning their own addictive behavior and a must-read for those familiar with traditional addiction methods.



2. The field of addiction counseling has struggled with how to understand and treat addiction for decades. For some, addiction is best understood as a disease that can respond to the standardized treatment of detox, group work and self-help programs, AA in particular, that focus primarily on addictive behavior. For others, addiction is a behavior driven by underlying conflicts and issues that need to be addressed in a treatment process designed for each individual, one that addresses his/her specific underlying psychological dynamics. This book is a comprehensive presentation of that second perspective. It is a thorough discussion of the psychology of addiction. Whether one agrees fully with the perspecitve is less important than the importance of understanding what it contributes to efforts to develop effective intervention with persons struggling with addictive disease. This book does provides the reader with an opportunity to make that assessment.



3. I don't usually buy books of this nature but it was recommended to me by a friend. Even if you don't have an issue of addiction this book will help you understand and cope with others that do in your life. I have a degree in Applied Behavior and I can say this is one of the most useful books I've ever read. The examples of real people and reasoning is extremely sound.



4. I am licensed as a therapist specializing in chemical dependency and have worked in the field of addiction for many years and have treated hundreds of people and thousands of family members. I read about addiction constantly, review all research and I must say that although this book is very well written is fraught with the same misconceptions and twists of logic that have been around and answered for many years. This is just a more stylish manner of refuting redundant research and twisting logic by lumping terms together and holding out the hope that if an addict or alcoholic can address their inner demons they can use in moderation. The book equates compulsive obsessive behaviors such as sex addiction with alcoholism. It tries to convince you that apples are the same as oranges. It suggests that problems cause addiction when the opposite is true. This book would be totally refuted if openly subject to scientific review alone. It doesn't even address AA. They book is written by a therapist who wants to "treat" you for your "addictions" that are caused by your own supposed "inability to cope". Although this may be true of sexual compulsivity or hand washing, it simply does not fit with known and documented bio genetic predispositional properties and cellular bio mechanical attributes of chemical dependency. Ask a responsible therapist if individual counseling works on addicts. It almost always ends in failure. Why not address AA? Perhaps because it does not entirely jive with the premise of this book; That people can "learn" or be "therapized" into wellness from drug and alcohol addiction, which is not only irresponsible, but potentially hazardous to the alcoholic who is desperate to learn how to drink "normally". I guess, if not for the intentional misinformation, it could be an entertaining read for someone with OCD issues. The book perpetuates ignorance and false hopes about chemical addiction. A better read can be found in Milam and Ketcham's milestone book "Under The Influence."



5. I found this book refreshing and very insightful regarding the issue of addiction. Anyone could use the insight contained here, whether or not you are an addict. I would encourage friends and family members of addicts to read this to get a better understanding of the real heart issues behind addiction.
   
   It's time for the mental health community to recognize that treatment must get to the root of the problem - the heart, or drive, behind the negative behavior. Meds and meetings won't solve the issue; they just control the 'symptoms' of a broken heart.
   
   If you are suffering from an addiction, read the book and start journaling as though you are talking to a therapist like the author (if you currently don't have a therapist like him). Ask for truth to be revealed as you do this. It may be that you can find the point of helplessness that drives you to your addiction. It's worth a try. The main message of the book is very powerful. A must read for students of addiction.

No comments about The Sexually Confident Wife: Connecting with Your Husband Mind Body Heart Spirit.

3 comments about Dissolving Barriers.

1. Louise Hay is so positive and has such an insightful way of making you look at your negative "tapes" and change them into positive ones to enrich and enhance your life. I also love her humor, it makes perfect sense in the way she uses it! I like the tapes so I can listen to them over and over and really understand her message. She is a very intelligent and "tuned in" person to what we need to do to make ourselves and our world a much better place. This tape and her others are well worth every penny.



2. This is the first program of Louise Hay's that I've listened to. I've heard a great deal about her, and everything I heard was correct. This is a very inspirational, practical CD on living life to the fullest. She's great.



3. This is a great CD that will help you release barriers in your life. I hear it over and over again and learn new things every time I listen to it.

5 comments about Your Life As Art.

1. My disappointment with this book began before completing the first page. His reference to the creative process as a an "operational practice" was the first indication that this book would be geared to readers of more linear, structured makeup than myself. "Mechanized," "systematic," "measurable," were words I tired of reading. I hadn't seen so many boxes and flow charts since working on my undergraduate business degree.
   
   I loved The Path Of Least Resistance. That book I have reread about every five years, (which means I have read it five times at least and yes, he does make a point about looking at your life cycles.) Each time I have read it, I would again benefit from his organic analogies and his frequent quotes from famous people in music, literature, and politics. His humor and light touch make the read like a talk with a good friend. There are lines from that book that I have permantly etched into my consciousness and I now share them with my two musical children (who incidently are both composers).
   
   In a nutshell, if you are a random abstract thinker who prefers literature to business abstracts, stick with Path of Least Resistance. It is truly a pearl. In fact, now that I have finally finished slogging through "Your life as Art", I am going to reread The Path Of Least Resistance.



2. Fritz is a genius. He provides a visual definition of the creative process that serves as a structure to create a desired outcome in every aspect of life. His genius lies in his ability to present the creative process so simply by asking simple but very demanding questions. What do you want to create? What is the relevant current reality (starting point)? What are the action steps required to change current reality to match my vision. Do I want this enough to organization my life around it?
   
   Just now leading business minds are beginning to see the importance of managing from current reality. Fritz has been teaching for over 30 years that one of the biggest challenges is being able to recognize, be honest and manage from current reality to the next action step on a daily basis. The vision doesn't change but current reality is constantly changing.
   
   Bravo to a genius mind that has added untold value to thousands of lives.



3. Robert Fritz is the only self-help writer that makes any sense to me. If you want to pretend you're changing your life by changing your thinking, there are a thousand other books for you. If you want the tools to actually DO something, Fritz is your man. This book loses focus near the end, but by then he has given you everything you need. The title is a little misleading, this book isn't just for artists, it is for anyone who wants to live their life creatively, outside of the box and on their own terms.



4. I have read this book twice and find Fritz's approach refreshing and not in conflict with my personal belief systems. It actually works along to enhance and in many cases, redirect my thinking. It's not your normal positive thinking book which is also refreshing. For too long authors have been telling us to "think positive" and Fritz actually talks about why this is self defeating. Interesting perspective.
   This book is a slow read due to the processing of it as you go along. Have actually heard Fritz speak twice and he's into personal honesty. In a workshop setting he calls one into accountability if one's thinking is askew with reality. Good book.



5. I have enjoyed Robert Fritz work in the past. This book does not dissappoint. It is down to earth practical. The beauty of structural tension it creates momentum toward the fullfillment of your goals. It leaves out all the emotion that can bog you down. Throw out all your beliefs about your life as art and get ready to create something that will last a lifetime.

5 comments about The Pop-up Book of Sex.

1. Give this book as a gift and watch what "pops" up! Great naughty fun!



2. Well constructed amaxzingly life-like and sexy pop-up book hilariously illustrated and attuned to those who enjoy a refreshingly humorous but realistic view of sexual positions. A perfect gift for the "he" or "she".



3. I got this book awhile back and I love it. This is definitely adult content but in good taste. Alot of fun to read/look through with your partner or loads of laughs with a group of friends. The illustrations are fabulous. I couldn't stop laughing. It's a keeper.



4. I thought it was great, I gave this to my boyfriend as a gift. He had to show it to his male roommates as well as his frat boy friends. They all love it and called it the "Adult Christmas pop up book." Our love life hasn't really gotten any better, but he did learn some new things that were pretty good. Id suggest giving this to a guy, I ended up giving it to a whole fraternity and they Love it!



5. I found this product to be alot of fun, but a few of the pages were a bit uneventful and didnt really have much of an interactive experience like other pop-ups. The pages that were the most impressive had FUN interactive aspects to them and whimsical humor. AND understand that you only get about nine pages, but half are so uninteresting that it seems more like five. Overall- it is still an interesting and fun gift- I ordered one for a gift and one for my collection.

3 comments about From Anger to Forgiveness: A Practical Guide to Breaking the Negative Power of Anger and Achieving Reconciliation.

1. This is a good book and anybody that has an anger problem should read this book.



2. Stepping with greater ease and lightness as I apply Larsen's theories in my Recovery walk!



3. It was just what I needed in my life at the time. I read it twice and highlighted areas that were important to me. I passed it on to a friend.

5 comments about Our Lady of Weight Loss: Miraculous and Motivational Musings from the Patron Saint of Permanent Fat Removal.

1. I have read some better books when it comes to motivating me to keep healthy. However, never was it this enjoyable. Awesome read, and funny!



2. This book is great if you are trying to lose weight and have an artistic side to yourself! This is definately for someone who doesn't like the weight loss regulations out there, not to mention the expense!! Plus, if you have faith in God, this book brings weight loss on a whole new level that is inspiring and fun! Pray, forgive and move on! :o)



3. This is an interesting, fun and factual book. You are encouraged to 'think outside the square'.



4. Well written, entertaining and easy to follow. I definitely reccommend this to anyone looking for a sane solution.



5. I love this book! There is lots of humor mixed with good basic weight loss advice, much easier for someone like me to pay attention to and actually follow, compared to the no nonsense, drill sergeant type of weight loss book.

5 comments about A Woman's Guide to Successful Negotiating: How to Convince, Collaborate, & Create Your Way to Agreement.

1. I am sending my marked-up copy to my daughter who will be graduating from business school in the spring. Every chapter offers up a solution to negotiate a favorable outcome to get that better deal either in negotiating a job, buying a home, car or handling complex relationship issues. I wish I had read this book a decade ago! A male friend recommended it several years ago and I recently ordered it through you.



2. You'll find practical advise in clear and direct language. Highly recommended. Don't wait to read this book - if you want to stay yourself AND get what you want out of life. As quoted on page 54: "Human nature will not change" (Abraham Lincoln). Learn how to change your negotiating style, or adopt one in the first place. Wonderfully simple presentation of "Active Listening".



3. This book has a lot of suggestions for how women can be more effective negotiators. However, if you're looking for a book to read I found Women Don't Ask by Linda Babcock to be much more insightful and a much better read.
   
   This book is written by a man and his daughter and some parts of it come off as a bit patronizing. There are a number of instances when the daughter recounts anecdotes about how her father taught her negotiating skills that somehow just bothered me.



4. Practical and Insightful
   This is one of the best books on the topic of negotiating for women that I have seen. Since this book was written a number of "academic" books that tell you why women "don't ask" have come out but this book gives practical and useful advice from a father/daughter team on how you can negotiate successfully in any situation. If you want to actually become a better negotiator this book is for you. I highly recommend this book to all women. It was by far, the best book on negotiating that I have ever read.



5. I found the book to be very helpful for negotiating in all aspects of life. The book is written by a father/daughter team who wrote more from personal experience and interviews than research. I found their style to be more insightful. The format is a little hard to follow, the book does not break down the most important points within chapters or key concepts for reference. Some of the very best information is buried in the text, if it were bolded or pulled out as a key concept it would stand out to the reader.

5 comments about Veterans's PTSD Handbook: How to File and Collect on Claims for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

1. I'm sure the books are great; if I ever receive them. They have been shipped three times and I still haven't received them! The third time they were shipped they still went to the wrong address. Getting Amazon.com's customer support phone number has been like breaking the DeVinci code.



2. Veterans face many special challenges and obstacles in applying for benefits related to post-traumatic stress disorder - not the least of which is drawing connections between a veteran's service and the disorder whether in combat or noncombatant settings. That's why any collection strong in military resources - and many a general-interest lending library - needs THE VETERAN'S PTSD HANDBOOK: it packs in discussions of how to file a well-grounded claim for benefits, and comes from the four years the author spent helping one veteran establish a 'service connection' for his claim. Essential reading.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. Best I've seen dealing with this issue. The author writes with insight, and also, with deep concern for the plight of veterans suffering PTSD.



4. Veterans's PTSD Handbook: How to File and Collect on Claims for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
   Highlights the pitfalls of applying for PTSD benefits. Good case history, with insights from a former VA benefit researcher. Easy read, good examples. This book would be especially good for someone who is trying to collect benefits who may not have a local support group.



5. OUTSTANDING BOOK. HELPED ME, AND WILL HELP ANYONE LOOKING TO FILE A CLAIM FOR PTSD !!!!!!!!!!!!

5 comments about Satisfaction: The Art of the Female Orgasm.

1. This book is definitely for people like picture books! The anatomically correct pictures are a big help and everything is diagramed for easy understanding. My husband and I found that this book is oriented very much at teaching the man to please the woman because a man likes and enjoys sex no matter what. I would have liked to see more equality because I feel partners like to give to each other and not always take or always give.



2. What a wonderful book for a guy to read. There are things I've wondered about and wanted to learn for 25 years. Satisfaction helped me understand the "How" and "where" to satisfy my wife.
   Now the real fun begins!!
   It's never too late to learn. I expect the next 10 years to be much more enjoyable for my wife (and me too) than the last 15. Hoping to go from Good to GREAT!!!!



3. Two reasons make this book worth the purchase:
   
   1. It gives emphasis to the idea of the orgasm as part art and part technique. I practiced piano technique for years before I ever became proficient enough to "play" the piano and forget the technique (consciously). The book enphasizes the idea that technique isn't the answer; the answer is in the art. That idea, the art of orgasm, if caught makes the book valuable.
   
   2. The pages on cunniligulus display clear, beautiful, and tasteful descriptions and sketches about how to practice the art in a way better than other books devoted completely to the tongue.
   
   I wasn't that interested in the details of Ms Cattrall's life (I don't own a television, never once watched her show, and never found the personal testimony of movie stars convincing) except that she gives convincing testimony that a lover/artist who takes time to learn the instruments (his and his lover's body) can create a new level of pleasure and a new level of understanding. Also, it's probably encouraging for some to know that rich and beautiful doesn't equate with spectacular sex life.
   
   The amount of information at first seemed less than the size of the book promised. But, if you enjoy a beautiful book (the feel of it and the sight of it), and if you carefully study the techniques offered in the section on cunnilingulus, THEN if you forget the book and the mechanics of the techniques in the spirit that a pianist forgets the scales--leting his fingers "play" the instrument, I think you may improve your art and find the book worthwhile.
   
   --Charles Runels, MD
   Author of "Anytime...for as Long as You Want: Strength, Genius, Libido, and Erection by Integrative Sex Transmutation (A 15-Day Course for Men to Improve Life and Sex)"



4. Great for couples....with a surprise....focus on the woman. Who would of thought it could be such fun!



5. You cannot beat this book. I saw another review saying that the reviewer would buy one for every son of theirs when they were of age... and I must say I think that makes sense. I considered, NOT KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR SEX LIFE, giving this anonymously to my dad just because I feel like my mom deserves it if she's not getting what all this book has to offer. This book is a tasteful and educational book about how women can achieve orgasms with their lovers... but above all it emphasizes the importance of both partners having the desire and know-how to please each other. And desire does not always equal know-how! I can't say enough about the value of this book. Buy it and read it. Or buy it for your man and ask that he read it. Or buy it and read it with him... only good things can come from it! Pun intended.