5 comments about Through Time Into Healing.

1. After reading this book, you may want to jump onto Dr. Brian Weiss' couch for a past life regression! The stories of how past life regression helped many people overcome problems in this life is truly inspiring. (Unfortunately, Dr. Weiss isn't taking any patients!)



2. Yes some of the stories are a little mundane, and some of the stories are fascinating. However I had been getting severe migraines for ten years. My friend introduced me to this book; I followed the Regression steps and have been migraine free for 6 months now. (It hasn't been very long since I've done this) The doctors couldn't find out why I was getting my migraines, the MRI didn't show anything, there were no triggers, no doctor could figure out why I was getting them. Thanks to Dr. Weiss and the Regression steps I found out that I was killed numerous times from head wounds, after that regression I have not gotten a migraine since. I am looking forward to continuing my regression to see why else I have some problems that the doctors can't just seem to figure out. This book is to help yourself, along with stories of proof that have helped other people. If you're looking to figure out why you have some of the problems that you do and that the doctors can't figure out, this book is for you.



3. This is Dr. Weiss's second book in which he goes into different case histories and how the hypnotic techninique can help certain types of patients and illnesses. It's really more for the practioner, but still a good read.



4. This book was fine but the other book that I ordered at the same time by Weiss was supposed to have a CD in it. It had been removed before the book was sent to me.
   
   When I asked about it, I was told I could get 50% off or a full refund if I sent it back. I sent it back some time ago since the only reason I bought that particular book was for the CD. As of this week, I've been told that you never received it!
   
   Disappointed,
   
   Julie



5. Hi, books arrived earlier than expected in excellent conditon through the post. I haven't read them yet as they are Christmas presents. Great service as usual.

5 comments about Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder: A 4-Step Plan for You and Your Loved Ones to Manage the Illness and Create Lasting Stability.

1. My husband of 13 years was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2. In an effort to try to understand his recent upheaval of our entire life, I bought this book. The author was bipolar herself and struggled for many years to get her life back together. It is easy to read and gives a lot of helpful hints for people like me. I gave it to my husband to read as well, and he really did find a lot of the suggestions to be helpful. There are lots of exercises you can do either together or alone, if the patient can be motivated enough to do them. It's definitely a great start to trying to get a handle on this disease from either the perspective of the patient or the loved one trying to help.



2. If I have to do all that is recommended in this book to feel well, I'd rather not feel well. Following all the advice in this book would be a great way to let bipolar disorder take over and control every aspect of your life. Reading this book was a very depressing experience for me. If I were to boil it down to one sentence, it would be: "To cope with bipolar disorder, you must let go of all your dreams, stick rigidly to a schedule and never, but never drink coffee or eat sugar again."



3. This book has a nice overview of different ways one can better manage their bipolar disorder and find and maintain stability more easily. It shares a "prevention" approach to the illness, rather than a "reaction" approach, which is helpful to anyone who is willing to help themselves as much as they can. It does also talk about when one is experiencing the illness and different ways to plan for these times, and how to ask for help. Family members can also use this book to better understand their loved-one's illness.



4. This year I ended up in the hospital for severe re-current depression & anxiety- my outpatient psychologist & inpatient therapists all thought there was a mood disorder- but my awful doctor wouldn't hear of it. He put me on a lot of anti-depressants & shoved me out into the world 10 days later.
   
   Everyone was pushing me to go back to work, but I didn't feel right. A month later I ended up in the ER for an overdose- not because I wanted to die- but because my Psychologist/Psychiatrist still knew there was a mood disorder & did nothing to treat it. You can only take so much of feeling like you're living for nothing with no control over yourself.
   
   When I got out of my second inpatient hospital stay a week later, this book was the first thing I picked up. I highly recommend it- it's not just a one time read- it's a guide to go back and read up when you need help. This also helped my mom and the rest of my family tremendously with dealing with my mood swings & how to deal with me. I only wish I'd have picked this up when I had a good feeling I was probably Bipolar in the first place.



5. This is am excellant book written in "english" that clearly explains what is happening with a loved one and how to help yourself and him.

5 comments about Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Work and Life.

1. David Allen's "Ready for Everything: 52 Productivity Principles for Work & Life" is excellent! As the companion book following his widely popular "Getting Things Done", it is a great addition to enhance personal productivity. I found myself revisiting the book time and again to get back on track whenever I felt overwhelmed. It inspired me to look with clarity and I discovered that it is entirely possible to make things happen with less stress and more effectiveness.
   
   Another great resource I found that has helped me tremendously are books and podcasts by Ariel and Shya Kane. If you like David's approach, you might enjoy the Kanes' Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, and Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation. Though not specifically tailored for productivity, the Kanes' books have made a huge impact on my work and life because they have inspired me to look at the root- how I operate in my life and not to judge what I have done or see. It is very freeing to learn to live in the moment. I can be appropriate to what's showing up in my life and this helps me get things completed with satisfaction. I highly recommend them!



2. Both books by David Allen: "Getting Things Done" and "Ready for Anything", are amazing. I recommend starting with the first book and then proceed to the second one. I have reviewed "Getting Things Done" on January 3, 2003, and since that, did not find a better English-writing author on productivity and time management. The only one who is as influential as David Allen is Gleb Arkhangelsky, with his famous book "Time Drive" and other titles.
   
   "Ready for anything" is a shorter reiteration of David Allen's principles first laid out in the "Getting Things Done", but this reiteration has deeper philosophical approach.
   
   The most valuable technique that I have borrowed from David Allen is e-mail management habits. While there are many books devoted to email like "The Hamster Revolution", "Never Check E-Mail In the Morning", "Time Management for System Administrators", for me the framework by David Allen is the most actionable, which I'm using successfully for five years so far.
   
   I can also recommend the audio version of "Ready for anything".



3. Compared to nothing, perhaps this book gets four stars, but you just can't be objective about the writer of the classic book "Getting Things Done." This little book is a very fine accomplishment, easy to read, and packed with great advice. The quotes which also litter this book from other writers, philosophers, etc, are excellent - it's almost worth reading the book just for those quotations.
   After finishing the book, I thought, "good, but not great.." so I guess I'm sticking with that initial reaction. One of the best things about this book is it's length. It's short. Right to the point, not a lot of fluff nor repetition of the same ideas. It's easy to read in one sitting, and I think I'll end up reading it several times. I usually wait until the second or third reading to make a complete judgment on a book, so I'm wagering that this one may rise in stature after a couple of more reads. I'll also say it was well worth the price I paid for it - I bought the hardcover at Building #19 for $2.98.



4. This book is a waste of money. It is a collection of emails that David sent to his subscribers and repackaged in book form. Just stick with the original book, "Getting Things Done"; you don't need the sequel.
   
   Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity



5. 1) read Getting THings Done. The knowledge inside this work has been so powerful it has even effected how I sleep; much better. The information here is life changing but like most revivals it can be like thunder a loud exciting burst followed by stillness. Read ahead---->
   
   2) get Ready for Anything 52 Principles.... I read a chapter from this book everymorning, after listening to GTD, and it has helped me through the most difficult part; maintaining enough enthusiam and focus to make it a way of life. The chapters are short to the point and filled with everyday, real life, easy to digest reminders on getting things done.
   
   The fire is still burning well after the storm.

5 comments about Willpower's Not Enough: Recovering from Addictions of Every Kind.

1. I sent this book to my cousin. She has battled seriously with addiction. She told me that she enjoyed it very much, and that there was a lot of usefull information. She said she would continue to use it as a reference tool.



2. As an addiction counselor, I am always looking for books to recommend to my clients. This book in my opinion is one of the best out there. I usually will have my clients read this along with "7 Tools to Beat Addiction" by Stanton Peele. This gives them an understanding of two very different ways of approaching the problem and between the two you get a pretty comprehensive overview of treatment strategies.



3. Willpower is not Enough is the best book on addiction that i have read so far and i have read dozens. it gives a brilliant breakdown of the personality traits that most addicts tend to have, why people become addicts and why they continue to use drugs despite such painful consequences, the typical kinds of families that addicts tend to come from, what drugs really offer the drug addict that make the consequences so worth it, what codependents get out of their obsession, and finally a step by step guide explaining how to pull oneself out of the hopeless cycle of addiction and into healthy living. this book is comprehensive, brilliant, original, brave, and hopeful.



4. Wow, what can I say. A book that really helps the user to understand themselves and why they continue to do what they do and ways to help themselves as well as reach out for the help they need to break their addiction. Helps them to understand relapse and what it really means and how to deal with it. Highly recommended for the family too. ANOTHER GREAT BOOK [ASIN:156838999X Addict In The Family: Stories of Loss, Hope, and Recovery.]meant for the family how to really understand the user and how we enable the user without knowing it... how to stop enabling while giving love and support to the user leading them to recovery Helps the user understand how their substance use really affects the ones they love and the family dynamics.



5. This book is one of the best I have read on addictive behaviors. Most of these titles have one or two chapters that are helpful, while the rest are mediocre. This volume has valuable insight from cover to cover. Although not a specifically Christian work, the author does encourage people who struggle with an addiction to call upon a higher power. I recommend this book highly.

5 comments about I Need Your Love - Is That True?: How to Stop Seeking Love, Approval, and Appreciation and Start Finding Them Instead.

1. I got taken in by Byron Katie's "work", used to think it was great. It seemed to "work" in the beginning. Over time I started finding holes in it. Bigger and bigger holes. Then I did some internet research and learned that people have been reporting big problems with Byron Katie and her method. I've come to agree that she's full of it.
   
   Under NO circumstances do I recommend taking a seminar with this woman. I urge you to do a search for "Byron Katie" and "cult" and evaluate the info that's been coming out about her.
   
   As an alternative source of self-help, I recommend "Authentic Happiness" by Martin Seligman. I've found it incredibly helpful and completely without harmful side-effects, unlike what I ended up experiencing with Byron Katie and her bogus "work".



2. I titled this review "Instant peace", which is quite a claim. When aching for or feeling stress about something/someone - this book, and "Making Your Thoughts Work For You" with Byron Katie and Wayne Dyer, bring me back to peace the fastest. *Highly recommend in Audio*.



3. This, along with Byron Katie's other book, Loving What Is, have definitely changed my life forever. I also highly recommend reading A Thousand Names for Joy by Byron Katie, and The Power of Now and A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. They are very compatible.



4. This book was easy to read and mostly easy to identify to. I can't express enough how it changed my outlook on life immediately during the 2 days it took me to read it. I reccomend this book to anyone out there struggling with relationship issues, negative feelings, or simply just wanting to find peace in their life and thought process. Thank you Byron Katie!!!
   P.S. I had previously read Byron Katie's book on Accepting What Is, and although I found that book to help a little, following it up with this book really brought it all together!



5. I Need Your Love - Is That True?: How to Stop Seeking Love, Approval, and Appreciation and Start Finding Them Instead
   Tis book is amazing! This book can help you heal all the devastating pain you feel from painful relationships! MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 comments about Quiet Mind: One-Minute Retreats from a Busy World.

1. "Welcome to a new way to cope with the demands of a too-busy life. Welcome to a way that requires no difficult skills, adds no new burdens, and accommodates all spiritual systems and life-styles. Welcome to all who want to do nothing-more often, more creatively, with joy, and without guilt. Welcome to one-minute retreats that can be yours at any time of the day or night." - From the book
   
   According to author David Kundtz, a mindful posture centered from the quiet state of your being is *crucial* for any undertaking. In fact, he asserts, if we do not take the time to pause with purpose, disappointment and failure awaits us.
   
   In his book Quiet Mind, Kundtz invites us to do nothing-but to "do" it with purpose, meaning, and value. That is, to take time for ourselves, to rest, to find peace, to awaken, to remember, and to find ways to recognize what we may have forgotten, and how not to forget again.
   
   At 370-pages, Quiet Mind: One-Minute Retreats from a Busy World is brimming with dozens of meditations designed to promote thoughtfulness, calm, and quietude. The mini-retreats, one and a half to two pages long, feature a sage quote and Kundtz's wise and gentle commentary. At the end of each, the author offers one-sentence encouragement, inviting readers to observe life and apply the wisdom found in the meditation.
   
   Kundtz has organized these meditations under fourteen general categories, including:
   
   * Making Room for Life
   * Creating Opportunities for Serenity
   * Defining Your Values
   * Finding Peace at Work
   * Knowing Thyself
   * Awakening to Wonder
   * Giving Back to the World
   
   Under the category Finding Peace at Work, for example, is a meditation about Weariness. Beginning with a quote from Eric Hoff saying, "Our greatest weariness comes from work not done", Kundtz observes:
   
   "...what tires us most is not work, but the anticipation of work still to do. Here is a time when living in the present moment is vital. The past is gone, the future is a just a concept and a projection of our minds. All you have is now. It's all you need..."
   
   In the section Making Room for Life, a meditation called What's Going on Here begins with a quote by George Wilson: "Things are seldom about what they seem to be about." Kundtz notes that all too often we narrowly focus on accomplishing a particular task that we overlook the obvious cause of pain and distress in those around us. He relates the story of a frustrated mother bringing her son to him for counseling. The boy refused to go to school, and neither the son nor the mother was very communicative as to possible causes. Kundtz couldn't figure out what was at the heart of the problem! When he suggested they come back next week the mother replied that they could not come back next week because they were moving across the country. Aha! At last, a window into the boy's world: he was grieving the loss of his friends and all things familiar.
   
   Quiet Mind by David Kundtz is a delightful book, providing a much-needed respite from overloaded senses, cluttered thoughts, and hurried lives.



2. This is a great little book that reminds us to stop and breathe to clear the mind. It helps us to manage some peace among our crazy lives. Thanks!



3. Quiet Mind is such a thought provoking book. It points out issues that, in our ridiculously busy lives, we forget to even think about. Kundtz challenges the reader to be introspective and to take the time to notice, consider, be, and most importantly, look inward to determine what is really important in our lives.
   
   The quick, two-page bursts of thought are perfect. They really are one-minute retreats.
   
   One criticism, though, is that there are some editing problems. Being a grammar instructor and freelance proofreader, I can't help but find these things where they exist. It's the curse on my life.



4. I originally picked up this book because of the title, figuring it would have some nice observations about existing in our "busy" world. I was surprised that not only did it have some pithy, and relevant thoughts about our lives, but that they were insightful and thought provoking as well. The short one or two page comments are just enough to read quickly, but deep enough that I found myself thinking about them at various times throughout the day. I have enjoyed this book so much, that I bought four more for Christmas gifts. One of those incidental purchases that turned into a real find.



5. Thoughtful questions or ideas to consider as meditation, focus for the day, or a daily reminder for mindfulness. We know our bodies need rest and recovery; it is important to give our minds the same gift. There are interesting thoughts about every day events.

5 comments about Mind Performance Hacks: Tips & Tools for Overclocking Your Brain (Hacks).

1. Many of the 'hacks' are actually more difficult than the problem they are intended to solve.



2. Great book! You can learn many hacks to save time, sharpen your mind, remember things, Etc. Etc. Buy it! You will surely find something that will interest you, or help better develop your mind!



3. This book is a summary of techniques taken from the mentat wiki. While skimming a sample of hacks from each section, I discovered some less-than-scientific ideas. So, I went to the URL and tracked some of the links. I discovered that some of the links were legitimate links to peer-reviewed wikis, like Wikipedia. However, the contents of mentat do not appear to be peer-reviewed. For example, one link was to an interpretation of a research project which contained the researcher's comment that the site did not correctly interpret his research. Also, some links were to commercial web sites. So, the mentat content is simply a collection of individual opinions about different subjects. Therefore, as always, the hacks in this book should be evaluated with a critical mind. Some of the ideas are legitimate; some are simply extensions of long-held myths; some could be self-motivated trivia.



4. Help with clear thinking is essential now that the information flow has reached fever pitch and the demands on our brains have escalated so dramatically. When you consider that people base votes for politicians on 'who they'd rather have a beer with,' it becomes obvious that people need help. The paradox is that the people who most need the help are the least likely to benefit from this book, because some degree of clear thinking is necessary before you can gain the advantage of it.
   
   That said, it's a commendable read, it lays out in simplest terms that there are things you can do to clean up your messy brain and actively participate in modern life. Compliance professionals have hijacked the thinking ability of our society, and hacking your brain may be your only hope of escaping from their clutches. Each of these tips serves that purpose, but only if you act on it. I'd put a good night's sleep at the top of the list, because once I got a good night's sleep, i was able to read, recognize and integrate all the rest pretty effortlessly.
   
   Wonder what I mean about compliance professionals? We now understand what people respond to when it comes to persuasion. Insider's Guide To The Art Of Persuasion That can be a good thing when good (and thoughtful) people use it for good purpose. But our only protection from less than desirable persuasive efforts is using our ability to think for ourself. And the more you learn about how to do this, the safer and smarter you'll be. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!



5. This book has a few non-practical (and thus weak) sections, but overall this is required reading for members of the human species.

5 comments about Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2.

1. This was a good book because most of the stories were from kids my age (11). Some stories were really funny! Espically the crushes! But there were a few really sad ones where I almost cried out loud. In school even! One was when a girl's mother dies and she actually sees her getting hit by a car! i thought about how i would feel if my mom died and i saw her getting hit. That one almost made me cry! Really, it did!
   And another one was when a girl's best best friend dies! Of cancer! That one was really sad! I almost cried when i read that one too because of all the stuff that had happened to this girl before she met her friend. IT was sad because i thought of my friends and how sad I would be if my best friend, Hannah, died. It was said!
   
   Trust me, you'll laugh and you'll cry, but this book was really REALLY GREAT!



2. Full of heart warming stories.I could not put it down!Some I favored stories more than others. I strongly recommend this book 4 anyone!!!



3. Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2 is a superlative book for preteens(mainly girls) who need advice for problems they might have. This awesome book is full of great, true stories for preteens- by preteens about family problems, friends, crushes, deaths, dreams, and even more unbelievable stories. Being a preteen is a tough time to go through- your body is going through changes and your emotions are higher than ever. Sometimes you just need someone to talk to or something to read. Hopefully this book will inspire you, help you achieve a lot of your dreams, make you laugh out loud, and show you that you're not alone- a lot of people have gone through the same situations. If you don't like to read long, extending books then i would not recommend this book for you or anyone else that doesn't like to read a lot. This book will prove that you can defeat those tough times and decisions. You have the power to make a better, more positive life for yourself and the world around you- start now by reading this book.



4. The chicken soup for the preteen soul
   
   
   Chicken soup for the preteen soul is great book for teenage girls and boys to read if they
   
   Like short story's about teens and there life. This book has a lot of stories to tell you, if
   
   It's about love; friendship, care, or family then this would be the book for you. There are
   
   A couple of story's I like in this book but one of my favorites is called My problem. Its
   
   About an eleven year old boy who has trouble eating to much and becomes over weight
   
   And the kids at his school make fun of him for example they call him fat so or four by
   
   Four until one day he got into a program called tops witch changed his whole life. There
   
   Are a lot more different stories by different authors and most of them are your age. So if
   
   You read this book I promise you, you will love this book just give it a try. When I read
   
   This book I felt like if some of the story's where telling part of my life and if I was the
   
   One going through every thing that was happening. At first I thought this book would be
   
   Boring because of the way it looked I thought It would maybe about recipes about how to
   
   Make soup but when I read it, it turned out to be a great book with a lot of story's you
   
   Maybe can relate to. While you are reading and stories are getting better the book finishes
   
   But its okay I understand you would want to read more but all you have to read is the
   
   next Part of the book called chicken soup for the teenage soul just because its says
   
   Teenage soul doesn't mean it will be just for teenagers because you can read it to.



5. As with all the other Chicken Soup For The Soul books I've read, this one was thoroughly enjoyed by my daughter. Children should read more, more and many more real life stories like this. It shows them that there are so many things that they have to be gratefull for.

5 comments about Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids: 7 Keys to Turn Family Conflict into Cooperation.

1. Anyone with kids knows that it isn't always easy to get your kids to "cooperate". But in the novel guidebook Respectful Parents Respectful Kids, the authors probe parents to ask themselves, what do you mean by "cooperation", "respect" and other expectations you have for your children? The handbook provides seven easy to follow keys for turning family conflict into cooperation. Written exercises help parents explore their own communication skills, emotional and physical needs, and problem areas in regards to parenting. As the authors write, this book "addresses the only behavior you can actually change - your own". The book exposes why culturally accepted forms of parenting - lecturing, advising, making demands - don't usually work. Then they provide a solution, based on the fact that at the heart of every conflict is a communication of needs.
   
   The book is organized into three parts. 1) Foundations for Respect and Cooperation; 2) 7 Keys to Cooperation; and 3) Family Activities and Stories from the No Fault Zone. Non violent communication is a foundation of the book, and other Puddle Dancer Press books elaborate on the core ideas presented in this book. Don't pass on this useful handbook, which teaches that respecting all family members' needs equally will lead to a healthy, happy home.



2. I have followed the principles in this book as well as other NVC books and love the quality of connection I have with my kids (ages 5 and 2). However, now that my older son is in Kindergarten, we're dealing with a huge problem. The teacher has 24 kids in the class and does not have time to negotiate and find a win-win solution with each one. My son is getting in trouble almost every day for not following directions (i.e. clean up when everyone is cleaning up, not on his own schedule)and is starting to feel like a bad kid. Now I feel like we have to re-parent in some ways using a more 'love-and-logic' approach. I never wanted to be the kind of parent who says, "Do it because I said so." But I now realize that kids need to learn to follow the rules so that they themselves can be happier in society. We now do a lot of talking about what a 'team player' does. This is a great book but for me, it's missing the piece about teaching your kids to follow the rules, because that's how school, work and much of society work. It's wonderful for a parent and child to respect each other equally but this needs to be balanced with the idea that kid's individual needs (or anyone's for that matter) often cannot be accommodated. The philosophical conundrum for me is when to be the NVC parent and when to be the parent who says, "If you're a member of this family, this is what we do (i.e. sit down all together for dinner)." I guess the perfect parenting approach is eclectic; borrowing a little from each theory.



3. Respect and co-operation between parents and children - sounds impossible doesn't it?? This book is very well written and gives really meaningful instructions for developing compassionate communication with your own children and others. Really makes you think about how you communicate with your children and points you in the direction of how to fulfill both yours and your childrens' needs without experiencing conflict!
   A very useful tool



4. It is always written about how children just don't show respect in this day and age. Well, to give respect, children need to receive respect and have respect modeled to them. What an eye opener! A very easy read with lots of priceless information!



5. This is a great book - easy to read and most inspiring. Sensible clear ideas and straight forward to put into practice

5 comments about Halftime: Changing Your Game Plan from Success to Significance.

1. Though Buford goes on about his life a bit too long at times, it was an exceptional book that really got me thinking. While I am still in my 30's and haven't hit my "midlife crisis" yet, I am glad that I read this book now. Perhaps, I can avoid having a midlife meltdown by taking some of his suggestions and apply them. I would recommend writing down your responses and come back and revise as you proceed through life.



2. Buford's concept of "Halftime," an arbitrary time in one's life when he or she moves from thinking about success to thinking about significance, describes an important process for people to regular go through. He advocates thinking about what is really important and then making adjustments to pursue that one thing and to subordinate all other things in life to that item. The short version of this idea is what the character Curly (Jack Parlance I think) in the movie City Slickers suggests to Billy Crystal's character. Remember him holding up his finger and saying "This one thing." Buford uses that as an example of what he is promoting in his book. He then elaborates with suggestions resembling most motivational and success-oriented types of books.
   
   The flaws in this book include the fact that Buford is continuously and overwhelmingly self congratulatory about his accomplishments, success, wealth, status, who he knows, talents, offerings, etc. Rarely does a page go by on which he does not remind us of how successful he is. I think all of his anecdotes include his success or this or that CEO friend. This undermines the message of the book, because it is off-putting and distracting, even though the author has clearly adjusted his life to help people; the emphasis on altruism is a major theme of the book. He just pats himself on the back quite often.
   
   The focus on wealth and success in the "first half" of life makes the idea of a second half seem like something only for the rich and comfortable who can make changes without making sacrifices. It also conveys a false assumption that one must pursue and gain success and wealth before shifting toward selflessness. Why not forego the first half self-centeredness and play the second half gameplan from the begining?
   
   Another flaw is the mix of self-help, psychology and theology into one. Buford is a Christian, and writes this book from a Christian perspective. Buford however is not a theologian but writes as if he is one, even calling a conflicting idea "heresy." His "theology" reflects the flawed Western approach to Christianity that equates it with the dream of success and wealth and being all one can be using God-given talents and rugged individualism. This is an approach that would make no sense to Christians in most of the rest of the world and does not find resonance in the early church. Buford too often applies worldly success and wisdom to Christianity in the pages of this book and not vice versa. I don't doubt his sincerity, but the core of Christianity is not our power, strength and wisdom; it is as Paul said "Christ crucified, the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men." I question whether seeking significance itself is supported by Scripture which rather promotes sacrifice and service at the risk of obscurity. This theology leads to advice that I think contradicts Scriptural lessons.
   
   The epilogue to the book also confuses the issue when he imagines being asked two questions as a final exam when approaching God after death. One is what did you do about Jesus and the other is "What did you do with what I gave you to work with?" Like most of the theology in the book, this last question is taking a couple of texts out of context and building a doctrine upon them. It promotes judgement or pride, condemnation or self-righteousness. The Bible rather teaches that because Jesus died for my sins I will be welcomed into Heaven with great rejoicing--that is the message of grace not performance. But the author's message of this book is clearly that he is quite pleased with what he has done about Jesus and what he has done with his life. But according to what standard? Rather than present my works, strengths and productivity to God, I'll relax and rest in Christ's righteousness.
   
   I think the idea behind Halftime is important but the delivery is poor. I think the activities prescribed of self-evaluation and life adjustments are things we need to continually do no matter our stage or age of life. In that sense, this book is helpful but because of the flaws it might do more harm than good, except for those people that closely resemble the author in several important characteristics such as beliefs, age, career, aspirations and resources.
   
   Craig Stephans, author of
   Shakespeare On Spirituality: Life-Changing Wisdom from Shakespeare's Plays



3. Buford attempts to provide a process for the middle aged ("half timers") to improve the second half of their lives. Buford believes:
   
   "the second half of your life can be better than the first. Much better. But first, you need time to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life. So he recommends that a reader call "halftime" to reflect not only on where he's going, but why. What is the source of Buford's wisdom? A "blend of personal insight, true-life examples, and quotes from those who have successfully navigated the exhilarating and potentially dangerous shoals of midlife."
   
   Despite its portrayal as a resource for Christians, Half Time is essentially a "man made" process for making decisions because it:
   
   1. wrongly assumes that everyone has a similar history ("first half" experiences) and needs;
   
   2. measures success ("significance") by man made criteria;
   
   3. replaces biblical sanctification (getting closer to God) with accomplishing certain steps to obtain significance;
   
   4. presupposes that a "one size fits all" process will work to make major life decisions; and
   
   5. gives the false impression that a formula can be implemented to secure one's future.
   
   We are led to believe that there are many options besides learning Scripture to know God and acquire direction for our lives as Christians. Half Time demonstrates the danger of elevating "man's wisdom" above biblical sanctification (an intimate relationship with God) as a means of establishing goals or direction for ones life.
   
   Teachings such as Half Time confuse the process of knowing God's will for our lives. It places action before relationship and puts trust in one's own calculations rather than in God. When we embrace self improvement programs characterized as Christian "teaching", we remain at the mercy of our circumstances. Man's wisdom is limited. By contrast, learning Scripture equips us to operate in the spiritual world. When we are consumed by God's presence in our lives, we are truly free of our circumstances -thereby able to successfully navigate and even minister in any situation. "Success" no longer depends upon implementing a plan that may or may not happen, but is measured by knowing God.



4. Definitely on my recommended book list. A must read for women in business.
   
   Susan Bock
   The Success Coach for Women in Business
   www.SusanBockSolutions.com



5. This is one of the most helpful books I've ever read in regards to connecting with men at the mid-point of their life. The transition from success to significance is a message that men need to hear. Highly recommend if you are a guy in your 30s, 40s, or 50s.