5 comments about The Art of Speed Reading People: How to Size People Up and Speak Their Language.

1. Wow, what an eye-opener this book is! I really enjoyed reading this book about human personality and strongly recommend it to everyone. The book compares different personality traits and guides the reader to effectively and efficaciously interact with people regardless of their trait. Wish I'd read this book in high school!



2. wow this book gives us the best of solution to understand and identify the personality of others. I recommend it!



3. My impression of personality tests where like Horoscope readings. However, after reading this book, I was mightly impressed.
   
   It really does identify your personality type and explore your personal traits. The thing that I found most interesting was the way they explained the four temperaments. It talked about how the 4 temperaments are nothing new and how it has been around since history. I found this quite fascinating especially since I believe that people are unique and different. Although this may be true, I was quite convinced by the book that there are very similiar traits within the same group of personality type or temperament.
   
   I think this is very interesting to think throughout history, even though we may evolve in different ways, we are basically the same people. Wow! To think there are many others out there that are like me is astounding. This book definitely opens up your eyes and gives you a great understanding of people and why people act that way.
   
   I think it's also very important how the book notes that while this provides a great perspective, to use caution because there are many factors that could influence how a person acts (social expectations, culture, etc.) However, the book goes on to further say that a person's most comfortable way of acting is living to their personality. This may not make sense, but after reading the book, I'm sure you will.
   
   The information as described in the book is about 80% accurate, plus or minus. There is a portion in there that seems highly contradictive for my personality type. Especailly when it talks about the I/E Feeling. However, most of it is pretty accurate.
   
   I haven't finished the book, but obviously the book says it's suppose to teach you how to speed read people. I have been able to do this partly, but I think it does take intensive study for you to learn the material and have it readily available when you actually interact with people.
   
   Overall, a definitely good read!



4. I generally like Meyers-Briggs personality books. The test is pretty acurate as far as standardized personality tests go. It's pretty flexible and encompassing and if you haven't taken it you should. You'll learn something about yourself.
   
   That said, I don't think this book was the best example of what one can achieve using knowledge of Meyers-Briggs. The speed reading is not very revealing. The tips they give are things anyone with familiarity with the system could figure out on their own. In the beginning of the book one of the authors talks about the time she had to give a presentation to someone and she observed that he was a meticulous fellow and then used her amazing people reading skills to determine that he might be very detail oriented, so she crafted her presentation with that in mind. Really? A meticulous person might be detail oriented? Well madame how DO you DO it? It's not bad information but it's stuff you don't need if you have any of the other Meyers-Briggs books and a bit of intellectual horsepower. If you've never been introduced to these personality tests I guess this is an ok introduction, but eventually you'll want to move on to something a bit more meaty, like "Please Understand Me", or "Gifts Differing". There is a little new material here but it's sort of a re-heated version of the previous two books I just mentioned. Sure some of it is useful stuff, I just think there are better books out there. But that's just my opinion. It is worth a look, maybe check it out from the library first and see what you think.



5. These authors really know their stuff. This book provides amazingly accurate insights to the human mind~ why people act the way they do. Of course, it's not 100% accurate because no two people are exactly alike. So while they generalize a lot, it's nearly always correct. Sound like psychology? It is! This book will give you a good foundation of understanding human psychology, and if you're like me, and are entirely UNINTERESTED in psychology, this will cure you and help convert you to the real validity behind it.
   
   I don't agree that it has helped me "speed read" people~ perhaps I am just so new to the concept of understanding people that I need more time. However, it has given me PRICELESS insights to the people I'm around everyday, and whom I have time to 'read' a little slower.
   
   BUY this book. I daresay this is as fundamental to life as basic mathematics.

5 comments about Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

1. Everyone working a 12 Step program - regardless of what kind (ie, AA, DA, NA, etc) needs a copy of this book by their side. Bill W. wrote this many years after the Big Book came out, and he wrote it specifically to help people understand and work each of the 12 Steps. And what a masterful job he's done! This book should be required reading for everyone, but if you're lucky enough to be in recovery, you've got the perfect tool for helping you to get the most out of the 12 Steps.
   
   I loved learning that one of my biggest problems was that I was driven by a hundred forms of self centered fear, all stemming from two core fears: either losing something I already had, or not getting something I demanded. How true! This book is filled with gems and discoveries that would take a lifetime for you to learn. The good news is that you can read it in a few hours!
   
   Again, regardless of the type of 12 Step program you are in, get this book and read it as you work your steps. You will always be grateful you did!
   
   Michael Z, Author of The Wisdom of the Rooms "A Year of Weekly Reflections"



2. This is a must own book for anyone who is in recovery - one day at a time from alcoholism. Every house should own this as part of your library and reading a bit of it daily. Your healthy sobriety depends on it.
   
   Sobriety seems very difficult at times, but it passes when you have your structure in place.
   
   It is soooo worth it!
   
   Merna
   
   Pocket of Pearls: A 30-day pocket workbook to start hearing a softer voice inside of you!



3. Imagine for a moment that you have just started AA. Your sponsor hands you this book, telling you that it, together with the Big Book, is central to an understanding of AA's "Simple Program".
   
   You start reading, and on page 26 you find the following statement: "AA does not demand that you believe anything. All of its 12 steps are but suggestions." What a relief! Guess those people who claim that AA is a cult don't know what they are talking about.
   
   But wait.
   
   Reading on, you reach pages 29-30, which address themselves to the "intellectually self-sufficient man or woman." Here, you learn that there are dire consequences for not following AA's "suggestions": "We saw that we had to reconsider (our intellectual self-sufficiency) or die." On pages 37-38 you are told that: "The philosophy of self-sufficiency is not paying off. Plainly enough, it is a bone-crushing juggernaut whose final achievement is ruin...we have been driven to AA, admitted defeat...and now want to make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to a Higher Power."
   
   Amazing. In less than 20 pages, you have gone from "only suggestions" to "do it our way or die." And the message is pounded home repeatedly the further you read in the book. On page 56, you learn the fate of those who don't fully confess their sins: "Some people are unable to stay sober at all; others will relapse periodically until they really clean house...without a fearless admission of our defects to another human being we could not stay sober." On page 69 you are assured that "Rebellion may be fatal."
   
   Would you stick around for more?
   
   If you would, then nothing is preventing you from doing so.
   
   But if you would not, how would you like it if all the treatment centers available had no other option? How would you like it if virtually ALL treatment for alcoholism in the US was based on THIS?
   
   Well, lots of us don't like that. And those of you who wonder why really should read this book.



4. My long experience as an active, recovered AA and as an unofficial A.A. historian is that you can fly into lots of flack when you mention Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions in A.A. today. Some don't know what it is. Some won't read it. Some believe it conflicts with the Big Book. Some recognize that it was edited by two Jesuit priests, Father John C. Ford and Father Ed Dowling, and some will passionately espouse and/or defend the book as valuable to all AAs and those taking or teaching the Steps.
   I think the best starting place is to learn our history.Real Twelve Step Fellowship History. This means learning where A.A. came from and what its Christian roots were. The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous. It means learning what the original Akron A.A. program was.The Oxford Group & Alcoholics Anonymous: A Design for Living that Works, The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible (Bridge Builders Edition). It means learning how much the original program was altered by Bill Wilson when he wrote the Big Book.Turning Point: A History of Early A.A.'s Spiritual Roots and Successes . It means knowing how many new people, new factors, and new approaches were introduced in the 1940's and early 1950's when: (a) Bill Wilson was deeply depressed. (b)Others such as Clarence Snyder, Sister Ignatia, Father Dowling, Richmond Walker, Father Ralph Pfau, Ed Webster, and others tried to fill the gap.Twelve Steps for You: Take the Twelve Steps with the Big Book, A.A. History, and the Good Book at Your Side. (c) How Dr. Bob dealt with the gap and uncertainty by fostering publication of the four AA of Akron pamphlets.Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book As a Youngster in Vermont.(d) What happened at the time that Anne Smith and Dr. Bob died and the General Service Conference were born.The First Nationwide Alcoholics Anonymous History Conference, 2d ed. (e) How, why, and by whom the Twelve and Twelve was written.
   In short, we all need to learn our history before we start the rock throwing, opining, or embracing. And that's the best I can suggest for this book, other than that the readers take the time to learn our history and then decide on the importance, value, and message of the 12 x 12.



5. The seller kindly emailed me after she sent the book off to me. She wanted to make sure it arrived in good time, and asked me to email when it arrived so she could monitor the actual days required to mail it. That showed a conscientious spirit, which is reassuring when buying blind from an unknown buyer.

5 comments about The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance.

1. I aim to emulate a lot of the practices described in this book. It's a fast and entertaining read, but I plan to go back and take notes on some of the recommendation sections. I recommend it to anyone in pursuit of excellence or who needs to overcome a major obstacle.



2. Josh is definitely on to something. The learning principles he outlines in this book are priceless. This book is thick with good ideas. I had to stop after many chapters to make sure I absorbed the information.
   
   He is clearly well-read when it comes to philosophy and human psychology. And he relates his academic training to his careers in chess and Ti Chi in an illuminating way. The parallels between these seemingly unrelated disciplines are striking. Josh's writing helps you understand how his learning process can be applied to many fields of study.
   
   This book is also very well written. Let me state that again because so few authors are as gifted as Josh: This book is very well written. I loved the vivid descriptions of his chess and Ti Chi battles.
   
   After reading this book I look forward to hearing him speak someday.
   
   The only negative I can think of is that this book may not be very accessible to people who are not already "learners". If you are not interested in learning and improving your ability to learn, this book may be inaccessible to you.
   
   I've always enjoyed learning and honing my personal learning process, so I absolutely loved this book. This is the type of book that I will apply to my learning pursuits and then read again (probably in a year) to make sure I absorbed everything.



3. "The Art of Learning" by Josh Waitzkin, while largely autobiographical, contains some really priceless ideas on concept of skill mastery.
   
   The book is an insider's look at what it takes to becoming world class in any field. The second part of the book, which talks about Josh's journey through the martial arts is particularly revealing in this regard. Focus, but also recuperation, are crucial elements... this is very well illustrated in the book, through examples from Josh's life.
   
   Besides that, a lot of it is downright inspirational... I was particularly inspired by Josh's account of training through an arm injury to reach an ever greater level of success. A lesson to all of us who sit on the sidelines as soon as we get hurt a little.
   
   I would have loved to hear perhaps a "metaphysical" perspective on the Art of Learning... does complete devotion to a skill lead to happiness, ultimately? Perhaps the subject of a later book!
   
   Paul
   paultheo2004@yahoo.ca



4. "Invest in Loss" is probably the best line and best principle to take away from this book. Although it is a universal philosophical principle the author highlights it well and gives good examples of how it helped him in his training through Chess and Push Hands.
   
   I'd also add that this is probably one of the few if only principles that support the title of the book. The invest in loss ideal is something I have incorporated into my own teaching and learning and recommend others interested in moving forward adopt this same principle, but you do not need this book to tell you how to do it.
   
   I would have enjoyed more about Push Hands when the author made the leap to that section of the book. Even though there are 3 main parts, the book is essentially divided into two - chess, and push hands. Unfortunately the author missed the mark here as the push hands section spends a majority of the pages bringing up the authors chess experience and regurgitating the first half of the book rather than spending more time discussing his push hands training and experiences.
   
   This book, simply put, is nothing but the author pandering to his own ego and not at all a book about learning or how to improve your learning. I made it to page 209 out of 262 and couldn't bring myself to finish another 50 pages of the same text reborn time and time again.
   
   I recommend you pass this one up or you'll be investing in loss through your wallet!



5. Josh Waitzkin is absolutely incredible. He has done so much at such a young age. My wife (Jane) and my two children (Cranny and Keet) went to the 25th anniversary conference of SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted)([...]) . Josh spoke at this conference about how he has achieved the success he has achieved in both chess and martial arts. It was clear that his intellectual abilities are exceptional and he is capable of learning to skills quite quickly. The one thing I learned more than anything is that when one learns a new skill, it is important to take a part of that skill and master it. Once the part of the skill is mastered, the rest of the skill becomes that much easier to master. Many of us when we are learning new skills try to do too much at one time. This one piece of advice has helped me immensely. It has also helped me give advice to others including my children and clients. Josh's book outlines his journey towards the mastery of his passions. It is quite an amazing read and will be an inspiration to us all. I highly recommend telling Josh's story to your children or to the children you work with.
   
   Steven E. Curtis, Ph.D.
   Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior: A Guide for Parents of Children with Behavioral, Social, and Learning Challenges

5 comments about The Courage to Heal - Third Edition - Revised and Expanded: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse.

1. People who have been abused and remember their abuse and have some evidence other than their own imagination can do much better than this book. They deserve our support as they move forward. The danger of this book is the potential for susceptible people to think that things that are not so good in their lives are the result of sexual abuse even though they don't remember it. They may "work" to remember and the pain and suffering of the person who is "remembering" and the people they accuse is like an atomic bomb going off. Our family has been the victim of a memory that supposedly was repressed for 40 years. There is NO supporting evidence and the pain of that accusation to the entire family is enormous! We are only now beginning to recover and the person who had the "memories" is suffering the most from the knowledge of the pain she caused. We love her in spite of all and are working to re-establish all the good things we shared in the previous years. Thank God for forgivenss!



2. this book is a great resource for survivors of sexual abuse. a perfect accompaniment is The Courage to Heal Workbook: A Guide for Women and Men Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. the books have an appropriate level of overlap, but each is enough different from the other to make both very helpful and informative. they can be read in succession or simultaneously because they build on each other either way. the book breaks the healing process down into more manageable parts and begins at the beginning, which i find much more helpful than jumping right to "forgiveness" or "moving on." one caveat is that the book can be overwhelming for some people, and other treatment to break into the territory of recovery may be necessary first.



3. I read so many reviews on here that say that this book is filth and a horrible buy and that whomever is interested should seek professional help and advice. I am currently seeing a licensed therapist and conferred with her over whether or not this would help and she supported it 100%. Yes admittedly there is such a thing as 'bad therapy' where they foster and encourage mistaken beliefs of abuse but to throw ALL accounts of abuse into that category is nonsense and absolutely ridculous. The ppl that write these reviews are the same ppl that proposed the idea of 'false memories' If you remembered the abuse before you entered therapy then it is NO fault of the psychiatrist that you feel and think like you do. I am a sexual abuse survivor myself and I am absolutely appallled at the backlash survivors are getting when attempting to seek help. The authors prior occupation as a creative writer matters not in the fact that all this book is intended to be is a place to read excerpts from others like you. Its only purpose is to let you know that your not alone and that with work it does get better. People would sooner think your lying than face the fact that humanity breeds filth. I would recommend this book for anyone already seeing a therapist so that you can work together to work through it. The best advice on knowing if it happpened or not is to listen to your heart. Only you can know for sure, if it feels like it did than im sure that there is some truth to it. Do what you feel is best for you regardless of what you hear or read anywhere. Your never alone. Whichever decision you come too you are never alone.



4. I purchased this book to "heal" from sexual abuse at the hands of a boyfriend during my high school days. I've since realized that "healing" is a broadly-used term for a trendy concept. The authors, Bass and Davis, never really define healing. Well, maybe they don't because they aren't psychologists, psychiatrist, neurologists, or pastoral counselors. They really don't know what to say!
   
   Yes, this book includes A LOT of vulgarity. I do not believe that we need to be so vulgar when we're discussing sexual abuse. Especially when there are very sensitive women trying to read this book. The vulgarity comes off as "angry womyn" syndrome- don't we want to overcome that stereotype?
   
   Yes, this book is amateurish! The advice is very basic. If you've read other self-help and pop-psych books, you won't find anything new here. Observations of the obvious with "feel good" statements thrown in.
   
   No, this book does not promote forgiveness. Forgiveness has nothing to do with condoning the action. It means not allowing the memory of someone and his/her actions to live in your head forever. Check out the books by the Linn brothers for true forgiveness and healing, from a healthy, biblical perspective.
   
   Yes, this book promotes witch craft. Rachel Bat Or changes her name from Ruthann Theodore. To honor this changes, she holds a Neopagan ceremony. I do not recommend showing this to women, as many are too fragile to work through said ceremony without attracting negative energy. (Pagan lit states that you have to be in a certain frame of mind before rituals!!!) Also, be careful what spirits you invite into your circle- you could pick up very bad energy that plays upon your mind. NEXT, there's the troubling story of Kyos Featherdancing. The woman is bitter, angry, ugh! I don't think women will learn much from her- except how to create more anxiety, ulcers, depression, etc. Kyos, a Native American, follows in the religious footsteps of her pagan grandmother. Be careful that you don't misappropriate their culture and get involved in Native American rituals- you don't know what you'll conjure up.
   
   I was a little weirded out by grown women holding each other in their laps. That happens at workshops and it is recommended for survivors. It's also appalling that the others encourage women to confront their abusers w/o any evidence. Check out other reviews for how this goes against the constitution.
   
   This book will definitely appeal to Neopagan feminists who don't want to go through a healthy healing process. For women who reject traditional thought processes, want something intuitive, and don't want to play by the rules, The Courage to Heal is the book for them. That's why I give it 2 stars- it fits a niche. This book did not help me grow. I stuck with it, but threw it out after S.R. Benjamin's story.



5. I think this book has caused a lot of needless pain. I don't address these ideas to those who have always had memories of their abuse, however:
   
   Any book that encourages people to believe they were abused with absolutely no concrete evidence is DESTRUCTIVE. Any book that encourages people to get as angry as they possibly can, as sad as they possibly can, and let their abuse define them and take their lives over is destructive. This book has been successful because people feel empty and confused, and they need something to hang onto. How does it help to decide all your problems are caused by abuse in your childhood? This is NOT the answer.

5 comments about Controlling People: How to Recognize, Understand, and Deal with People Who Try to Control You.

1. Insightful and thought-provoking. My only complaint is that it's mostly theory; there's only a tiny bit of practical suggestion near the end.



2. Intelligent, informative and accessible. Once you understand what is happening, you can respond appropriately. If you are an abuser, understand what is driving your emotions. This is a helpful book.



3. This book has helped me recognize controlling behaviors of people in my life; not only those close to me, but in work situations also. It has been a good tool in helping me deal with these situations.



4. The author is gender biased. The examples in the book present men as controlling, women as victims.
   
   Here's the recurring two sentences from the book,
   repeated time and time again:
   "One of my clients was struggling with HER controlling husband."
   Or
   "One husband, a client of mine, needed help dealing with his angry, controlling behavior."
   
   I can't recommend this book, because it implies women are the victims, never the controllers. In my own life, i see examples of both men and women controlling others.
   
   The author never discusses passive agressive controlling behavior. She only discusses verbal, angry outburst behavior.
   
   I find the examples highly biased. And since the author only deals with male forms of control, she inadequately describes controlling behavior, because she only studies one half of the human population.



5. Stay away from this book! Evans makes up terms for stuff that's been in psych textbooks for ages. Not only is this book not useful (since, as the other reviewers stated, her advice for dealing with controlling people is to simply say "What?" and a few other phrases), but it poses a danger to anyone in a severe controlling relationship--it might actually make that relationship worse by aggravating a controller. Although it's not quite the same, the book "Toxic Parents" by Susan Forward is much more recommended than this trite nonsense.

5 comments about The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap.

1. The first thing I did when I got this book was to look up what the author had to say about the Moynihan Report (thinking that based on the subject of the book the author would have many interesting criticisms). Alas, all that existed was a few sentence dismissal. After that I couldn't take the book very seriously and just jumped around to various things that I found interesting. Some things were interesting, others were foolish.



2. Coonz dissects piece by piece the ideal of the "normal" family and lifestyle that neoconservatives frequently point to, as a solution to society's ills. Coonz's research is meticulous, and this book is a potent antidote to the fallacy that too often guides policy making in Washington and statehouses across the nation. i.e. that only the reestablishment of the "normal" traditional nuclear family is the path to our salvation. A+



3. This book provides exhaustively documented evidence that our cultural myths, such as the idealized nuclear family of the 50's, were not typical of American history after all, and that some of today's problems are not new. It's slow going for most readers (unless you majored in sociology). It made me look again at my own memories of earlier times of my life. The end notes would be helpful to scholars in American history, sociology or even social work.



4. The tendency of people to look back on their past and see only the good and not the bad is all too evident in the agendas of conservatives and so-called advocates of so-called traditional families.
   
   Those of us who lived through the perfect era when dads worked, moms vaccuumed in pearls and kids have perfect lives behind white picket fences remember it far differently.
   
   We remember when domestic violence was considered a "private family matter" and battered women had no escape except a casket. We remember the days before Rape Crisis Centers, and when the law required the victim to first prove herself innocent at her accuser's trial. We remember women who gritted their teeth and stayed in bad marriages until their children were grown because they knew they'd have no property rights in the divorce. We remember the days before Title 9, when the boys got the gym and the girls got the cafeteria. We remember the girls who were sent away for the summer to an aunt, a euphemism for an unwed mother's home. (Check out Ms. Fessler's "The Girls Who Went Away" for more on this) and the women who could only quit their jobs while their sexual harasser was free to move on to his next victim.
   
   There was no perfect era, there was no perfect home, there was no perfect family. Time we realized it, and stopped looking for an easy fix to real problems.



5. I have just finished reading this book. Throughout the entire reading, I often felt that the author was taking her point too far to the left. And I'm a liberal democrat! I believe 100% in the rights of women to work... but I also believe that same right applies to those who wish to stay at home with their children.
   
   The author seems to downplay the importance, and the value, in staying home with children. While she is correct in the assertion that our nostalgia for bygone days clouds our vision of the truth, there is something to be said for taking responsibility.
   
   In the author's call for more social action and responsibility, there seems an underlying hint that the problems in the American family come from without rather than within. I disagree with this completely and think that we should stop blaming the media, the schools, our neighbors, the government, and our children's social group for the ills within our own homes. While it is an honorable endeavor, helping society clean up it's act, we must first start in the home. We must first start with ourselves, and with our children, before we can have any hope of helping someone else.
   
   Overall a good read, but this author is a product of her generation and her writing should be viewed as such.
   
   34
   Liberal
   Military Spouse
   Homeschooling Mom

No comments about The Community College Experience: PLUS Edition.

5 comments about Change Your Thoughts Meditation CD: Do the Tao Now!.

1. I absolutely adore Dr. Dyer, and found the 81 principle of the TAO, unable to grasp, until I received this unabridged CD. The tenants are meant to be read one or perhaps two a day, and then to meditate on each. Dr. Dyer is truly a gift to us all, and I hope he is discovered by many. He speaks in plain english, and will explain anything difficult, again, in a way that we can all understand. I do suggest that you become familiar with Dr. Dyer's previous publications, prior to listening to this wonderful CD. God Bless you Dr. Dyer. You have given me the tools that have truly saved my life. I hope that many can benefit from Dr. Dyer's insight. I truly believe he was a gift from God to all. He trancends all religions and cultures.



2. Wayne Dyer's meditations create a sense of inner peace and contemplation. By pausing for a few minutes a day, I find that my productivity increases and my creativity flourishes. By clearing the mind and opening your spirit to divine wisdom, answers are discovered effortlessly and easily. I feel the difference when I use this CD and other CD's of Wayne Dyer or Jack Canfield and Deb Sandella.



3. rating less than a star, I like Dr. Dyer's reading material and lectures; however his voice on this CD is terrible, don't know if even the masters can meditate to that loud, off-key scarry sound of Tao he repeats.



4. I have always liked to listen to Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, and found his positive and spiritual messages enlightening. However, I was very disappointed with this repording. I thought he would talk a bit about each of the 81 TAO affirmations. Instead, he read each one in his soothing voice while beautiful, relaxing music played, and then broke the spell with three loud and repeated chants. I found the chants so annoying that I could not absorb the affirmations. In fact, did not have time to absorb an affirmation before his chanting virtually destroyed their power. It was extremely difficult for me to listen to the entire CD for the actual content. I believe it would have been much more effective if Dr. Dyer had explained the chant-meditation method and provided an example of his TAO chant (one time) in the introduction at the beginning of the CD. Without the chants I believe the CD would be a wonderful tool for meditation. I still like Dr. Dyer's works, but will never buy another of his audio books that states it is a meditation.



5. I had experimented with a small sample that is given by joining wayne dyer's mailing list and rush to buy the complete cd. it's a good practice and i recomend you giving it a chance. (If you fell the need to try it first just do what i did)

5 comments about Power Thought Cards (Beautiful Card Deck).

1. Excellent positve affirmation cards. I love to have them to give out to family, friends and clients. Beautiful product with great information.



2. If I could give no stars, I would. I'm putting this review on each of Louise Hay's titles to warn people who fall into believing that this is a caring, compassionate person. I met her recently at an event and was about to compliment her on one of the books her company publishes that Dr. Dyer wrote for children. Louise Hay was so incredibly rude to me before I even got to open my mouth that I was shocked. The woman seemed to be only about capitalism, power and ego and, though I had been a previous customer of her publishing company, I will NEVER purchase anything by them again nor will I recommend them. I will not give money to someone so ill-behaved, let alone someone who's telling others to be nice when they haven't learned that lesson themselves. Louise Hay, I hope someone on your team shares this with you. You should be ashamed of yourself for being so nasty!
   
   By contrast, I have dealt with the people at Sound's True a zillion times and all of them are as nice as can be and behave in accordance with their products. I spoke with their people at the same event (and others before it) and they were all lovely.
   
   And, no, I do not work for or am in any way compensated by Sound's True. I simply people should know the truth about who practices what they preach and who doesn't. In my opinion, Hay's behavior was one step down from Cruella De Ville. If you're shocked reading that, imagine how shocked I was experiencing it from her.



3. 
   I USED TO ATTEND A WOMEN'S GROUP, IN WHICH, AT THE END OF THE GROUP EACH OF US WOULD PULL A CARD OUT- READ IT ALOUD, AND THEN PLACE IT SOMEWHERE WHERE IT WOULD BE READ AT LEAST ONCE A DAY UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK.
   
   ONE SESSION THE CARD I PULLED READ, "IT'S ONLY A THOUGHT, AND A THOUGHT CAN BE CHANGED."
   
   I HAD SO MANY NEGATIVE THOUGHTS FLOATING AROUND IN MY HEAD, AND I LOVED ADOPTING NEW THOUGHT CHOICES THAT WERE PROVIDED IN THIS DECK. I PUT THE CARDS EVERYWHERE INCLUDING ALL AROUND THE BATHROOM MIRROR. EVERYTIME I CRITIZED MYSELF IN FRONT OF THAT MIRROR, I JUMPED TO ONE OF THE CARDS AND WOULD FOCUS ON A LOVING THOUGHT INSTEAD. IT WORKS!
   
   I POST THE CARDS EVERYWHERE AND SAY THEM ALOUD CONSTANTLY. GO AHEAD & HAVE SOME FUN WITH IT! YOUR KIDS WILL GET A KICK OUT OF IT TOO!



4. I recently bought the Power Thought Cards to share with my yoga classes. Before each class I hand out a card to each participant and during the first few minutes of class each person takes a moment to reflect and meditate on the positive thoughts!



5. A friend lent me her box of Power Thought Cards when I had an unbearably painful event take place in my life. Before I was done reading the entire set of cards,I was already on Amazon placing my order.
   
   They are not only beautifully illustrated, but there are enough cards to cover pretty much any situation, desire, or outcome you are looking to improve in your life.

5 comments about Messages: The Communication Skills Book.

1. This book is a great look into the inner workings of the human mind and the relationship humans have with communication and with each other. The book is divided into six sections, Basic Skills, Advanced Skills, Conflict Skills, Social Skills, Family Skills, and Public Skills. Each section has subsections on each aspect of those broad topics. The book was a very good representation of good communication. The author effectively made his points without boring me. Also, he did a great job of highlighting all the most common problem areas of communication for the average person. I feel like a better communicator after reading this book.



2. I been working through the book in steps, it has helped my communication skills in my personal life as well as my professional one.



3. The only thing I don't like about this book is not having read it before.
   
   The authors explain clearly how to structure you communication in an effective way so you can accomplish your objectives without hurting other people feelings.
   
   I strongly recommend this book.



4. As a counselor I often use this book to help clients understand and develop communication skills. Messages provides a comprehensive overview and is well written. Lack of depth at times leaves the reader wishing for more, but that is a virtue in introductory surveys.



5. This is an exceelent book regarding communicating with others and is easy to read. I was at first worried that it would be to clinical but it is in layman's terms that is easy to understand and relate to on so many different levels. I highly reccomend it.