5 comments about Marriage Fitness: 4 Steps to Building & Maintaining Phenomenal Love.

1. When I am giving premarital coaching to young couples, or marriage coaching to married couples, they often want to focus on their problems or potential problems. Of course these issues are of great concern to couples so its not always easy to direct their focus to the solutions, not the problems. Problems are unimportant. Solutions are what is important and with his book, MARRIAGE FITNESS, Mort Fertel has given a simple, yet effective four step plan to marital solutions.
   
   I can't tell you how refreshing for me it has been to read a book by someone who understands and teaches what marriage is really all about. Love. I often use the analogy that love is like a fire. Even an out of control wildfire will eventually run out of fuel and burn itself out. To keep the fire of love alive, we must continually stoke the embers and feed it fuel. This book teaches it differently but essentially says the same thing, and shows couples how to provide the fuel their marriage must have to survive.
   
   The book is very well written and contains some excellent projects for couples. Certainly intended for couples working together, there is also definite help here for one with an uncommitted spouse to help get things back on track.
   
   Part 1, the first two chapters, give couples a deeper understanding of love. This may sound ridiculous, but most people confuse character traits with what I term "soul conscientiousness". Fertel deftly explains why character love makes you role mates, not soul mates. If you really want to take your marriage to a higher level, it is critical that you come to understand the differences between what I call outward love (loving the character traits of a person) and inward love (making the choice within your soul to love a person on the inside, regardless of their character traits). Once you fully understand this concept, your marriage (and innerhappiness) will be changed forever.
   
   Part 2 is Fertel's 4 step program for building and maintaining love in your marriage, as well as his twenty exercises.
   
   Mort Fertel has certainly given my some new ides on how couples can enrich their marriages and take them from ordinary to extraordinary. This is one of the best books you'll find on building a strong marriage. Highly recommended.
   
   Pastor Monty Rainey



2. I would recommend the book to any couple whether they are having relationship problems or not. It gives many examples of ways to uplift each other.
   I received it in a very short period of time.



3. Kudos to Mort Fertel. Relationships are difficult to understand at the best of times, especially for left-brain dominant people like me. Mort Fertel does an AMAZING job of getting to those 'places' that we all get to at some time. Instead of wallowing in self-pity and sitting in a rut, he helps the willing dig out and get going again.



4. I read this book in one sitting. That's how desperate I am to bridge the gap between my husband and me. However, it's going to be really hard to implement the really sound advice offered within as my husband has already moved out. And he's not sure he wants to come back. Ever. So, that being said, I wish I would have read this book before we reached crisis mode.
   
   If you really want your marriage to be based on deep and unconditional love, it does take work. The advice and exercises contained in the book seem really intense, but I read it with an open heart, and I know deep inside that a lot of these exercises (as touchy-feely as they are) can make a relationship so deep and loving.



5. I haven't read this book since last year so unfortunately I can't get too specific. I want to reread it. The author explains his philosophy and then gives you specific daily, weekly and yearly assignments to do that will enhance your intimacy together.

5 comments about Undercover Sex Signals: A Pickup Guide For Guys.

1. Wow! Your book - Undercover Sex Signals: A Pickup Guide For Guys has changed my life. Many Thanks. I also highly recommend The Exclusive Layguide: When Dating and Having Sex with Incredibly Hot Women is No Longer Mirage Even If You Don't Look Like a Model or Don't Make a Fortune



2. Worth it even if only for 1 thought.
   "I'm not looking at who I pick, it's who picks me."
   Everything else was good, if somewhat repetitive.
   The pictures show some points better than pages of descriptive text.



3. Read Mystery. Read Strauss. Don't read this. There are a bunch of photos of woman with come hither looks(all looking like 80s disco queens), one of which has the women showing thigh. Lowndes helpfully tells us that these looks mean a women is interested and men need to pick up on the looks. No fooling. (Although I have not been blessed by one of the looks. Guess I am toast.) One photo shows a nerdy looking guy being touched by three women and Lowndes says that women touch men they desire. She forgets to say though that many women just touch you to stress a point they are making.(Sure if they play with your hair, that's another thing.) This is dangerous advice. She has tiresome chapters on genetics and early imprinting(she tells the story of a pal of hers who falls for a guy who looked like the pal's dad). She also says us that women are always judging men so be careful what you say and how you say it. How exhausting.



4. While the writing style of this book is no better than her other book "How To Talk To Anyone..", the information is. If you follow Mystery's or any other PUG really you will most likely only hear about 3 or 4 IOIs through body language. This book actually discusses and shows pictures of 26 and even sites the information present very well (a well know sociologist sat in a bar for 9,000 and studied this). It brings to light a much more rich, colorful, and complicated set of body language actions to watch for that will give you a much better understand of what she is actually trying to tell you.
   
   The bad points. 1) The name is less than creative. 2) The cover makes the book appear sleazy and diminishes it's credibility. 3) She uses bad metaphors like a machine gun with the trigger taped down. If you took out the metaphors I am pretty sure the book would be a quarter less in length. 4) Her attempts at humor fall short. 5) Her "Men's Voice" sounds like Stallone's retarded cousin.
   
   If you can get past the issues above the book is a great resource. The good points. 1) The information in the book is plentiful, sound, and backed up with sources. 2) She references a lot of sources that would be good for a future reading. Honestly, the list of sources alone is worth the cost of the book.



5. If you are a man, live on the planet Earth, and have any interest in dating women or catching the woman of your dreams, you had better read this book. There is a huge number of books, programs, DVD's and seminars on the subject, but they don't hold a candle to this book in terms of clearly described info, immediately useful info and researched-based information. And, it's an easy and quick read. No fluf or boring academic details; just enough academic background on each point she makes to convince you. And besides the author being a highly knowledgeable and experienced authority, she's a woman!

5 comments about Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self.

1. This book was well-written and informative---a wonderful introduction to this traditional shamanistic practice, updated for modern application.



2. I purchased this book to learn a little bit about Soul Retrieval. Well, I learned a TON about it. It was a very interesting book and very easy to read and understand. I am so glad I bought the book!



3. I studied soul retrieval with Sandra Ingerman and find her to be an excellent teacher. This book is a continuation of her excellence! Ingerman has a down to earth teaching style so that all can understand and her book is written in this style as well.
   
   I have found soul retrieval to be a life changing experience for most people. I love performing soul retrievals as I know that in asking for the soul parts who are ready and willing to come back at this time, that the person and the soul parts are ready to work together. It was my own soul retrieval after the death of my son that helped me to come out of the deep well of grief I was in. And my soul retrieval led me to become a shamanic practitioner and teacher. I have found the language of my heart! This book is a must for all who seek to get well after trauma.



4. This is the most beautiful and beneficial work I have ever come across in my 35 years as a Massage Therapist.



5. This powerful book written by a highly experiencd practitioner gives extensive background, details and thoughful reasons behind the practice of "allegedly" helping people to reconnect with parts of their psyche that are causing them grief or are simply no longer available to them. The puzzle is involving oneself in this activity and that we may not have access to all the reasons for the initial disconnect. The words "better left alone" resonant with these activities because of our own arrogance and lack of all the pertinant details essential to back bringing together that which is broken. Even the most carefully mended object still exhibits the signs of the mend. Tread carefully unless you REALLY know your stuff.

3 comments about Stopping the Pain: A Workbook for Teens Who Cut & Self-Injure.

1. I bought this book for my daughter, we are learning about self injury, unfortunately where I live, there is almost any information about SI, when my daughter opened this book, she didn't wanna stop reading it, there are a lot of interesting excercises that help teens to understand what they're going thru, and it says them what to do, to learn to live free and be happy, without having to hurt themselves, I give 5 stars to this book, it's great.



2. This workbook is effective in helping people who suffer from an addiction to cutting limit if not completely stop their urge to cut.
   
   Stopping the Pain: A Workbook for Teens Who Cut & Self-Injure



3. As a counselor I have found this book a valuable source in helping the teens I see with SI. Easy format and the teen actually enjoy working through the book and discussing it.

5 comments about Making Peace with the Things in Your Life: Why Your Papers, Books, Clothes, and Other Possessions Keep Overwhelming You and What to Do About It.

1. I really enjoyed reading this one. I actually have a better understanding of myself and my stuff after reading this book.



2. As others have written,I too have read many, many, MANY clutter, organizing, packrat books. I still have so many, they have contributed to the clutter. This was one of the good ones. My problem is not organizing my stuff-- I want to get rid of it. Most books give you detailed file organizing and specific instructions. I wanted to know WHY I couldn't let go of so many things. This may not be everyone's problem, but it was mine. Once I understood why, it actually helped to get rid of them - not organize them.



3. This is by far the most useful book on decluttering I've read. It gets right down into your heart and helps you sort out what you find there. It doesn't tell you what products to buy, but helps you understand what blips in your brain chemistry or psychology may be contributing to the clutter problem, and suggests specific strategies for dealing with the various reasons.



4. I did not read the book entirely. From my brief scanning the book seems to be very informative and instructional-- a good guide.



5. This book is the only book I've read that has had a permanent effect on decluttering for me. While it is a little tedious to get through, I discovered that upon finishing it, I was actually changing my habits. I had been in the midst of a house-wide declutter project, but it would certainly have crept back to the normal messy state of things if I hadn't changed my habits. It changed the little day to day ways I manage my things and changed my way of thinking. It was a little short on specific strategies, and was quite deficient on managing papers, reading materials and documents (was more focused on getting rid of/managing things), but I am still giving it 5 stars since it has had such a positive impact in my life.

5 comments about Chicken Soup for the Soul.

1. This is the original Chicken Soup book. It was filled with all kinds of various good true stories.



2. Help sort out life's challenges; this book provides a basis for life's everyday choices and decisions and comfort for times of stress.



3. As CEO Coach, Poet and author of a leadership book that helps leaders unleash their genis, the genius of teams and the genius of corporations, I have found the stories in this book to be inspirational. Story telling preceeds the written word as a form of communication and as I tell my CEO's, is the best way to inspire people. This book is full of masterful stories. Additionally, Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield are doing good work in the world. They help people help themselves. Support them and their work by buying their books. Paul David Walker Unleashing Genius: Leading Yourself, Teams and Corporations



4. I love this book, it's a feel-good book and can be read in short bits and pieces, ideal for someone like me who doesn't get a great deal of spare time.



5. If you haven't read a Chicken Soup book buy one NOW. When you find one that fits your life it is inspirational and comforting to read.
   
   They definitely name this series correctly~It will comfort your soul while your read it.
   
   Bring your Kleenex!
   
   Merna
   
   Pocket of Pearls: A 30-day pocket workbook to start hearing a softer voice inside of you!

5 comments about 50 Prosperity Classics: Attract It, Create It, Manage It, Share It (50 Classics).

1. It's difficult to over-estimate the beneficial effects that Tom Butler-Bowdon's books have had on my life. Whether he is discussing Classics in the Self Help, Success, Spiritual or Psychology - and now Prosperity - genres he has entertained, informed and guided my future reading. There are so many books in each area that it can be difficult to know where to turn when you want to take steps to improve your life. If you face this dilemma Butler-Bowdon is here to help, with his useful summaries and commentaries on classic books in each genre.
   
   In 50 Prosperity Classics the writing is as crisp and clear as ever. The summary of each 'classic' is just the right length to give you a flavour of the book being discussed, but never outstays its welcome. While each book is heralded as a 'classic' Butler-Bowdon isn't afraid to note where criticisms have been made. You can read 50 Prosperity Classics from start to finish, you can dip into it at random, or you can follow certain themes. The 'In A Similar Vein' section is your roadmap if you decide to take the latter route. Even if you don't want to investigate the books further - and I'll be surprised if you don't - then 50 Prosperity Classics is enjoyable in isolation. As I read it I felt my mood lift as I was made aware of countless possibilities I had never considered before.
   
   If you are interested in finding out more about property investment then you will enjoy reading about books such as William Nickerson's excellently-titled How I Turned $1,000 into Three Million in Real Estate in My Spare Time. For those that want to know more about investing in the stock market Peter Lynch's One Up on Wall Street: How To Use What You Already Know To Make Money in the Market will be one for you. Elsewhere there are the stories of entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson (Losing My Virginity: The Autobiography) and Felix Dennis (How To Get Rich) and for the Self Help fans out there you get numerous books about 'the law of attraction' (including Rhona Byrne's The Secret).
   
   If you buy this book - and follow the advice given - you are bound to make a profit on the deal. Even if you don't follow the advice you will have been entertained and enlightened. Recommended.



2. I chanced upon this book during my usual lunchtime browsing through bookshops in Singapore. Tom has done a great compilation of all the great books and ideas on the "wealth (about money)" and "prosperity (about life)". And he has presented these in a very readable and easily understood manner.
   
   I will definitely recommend this book to all my friends.



3. This book read as if, I was sitting down with the author over a cup of coffee while he told me his insightful and intelligent opinions of books that he has read on the subject of prosperity.
   
   I find his writing style fun and descriptive and the attitude that he delivers is that of someone who is curious and well informed in the subject matter.
   
   The books covered in 50 Prosperity Classics included some that I would have never read for various reasons, but since I was able to quickly gather the essence of those writings, I have discovered some interesting books that I will read in full someday.
   
   At first glance, you might think this to be a compilation of book reviews; I found that it was much more than that. It is informative opinions as well as background on the authors and thoughtful distillation of the subject.
   
   I have read other books by Tom Butler-Bowden and have found them all to be equally useful, informative, and entertaining. I strongly recommend this book for anyone serious about understanding, prosperity from different perspectives.



4. Although many good business books come and go, those writings summarized in this book are writings that will endure when all has shaken out. The authors are from the pool of the truly great who can "Walk the talk".



5. Butler-Bowdon's "50 Classics" series is one of the most comprehensive collections of summaries I have come across. This new book, "50 Prosperity Classics" is captivating, filling the reader with both modern and legendary knowledge about the game of wealth. From contemporary stories such the growth of companies like Starbucks and The Body Shop to well known social theorists such as Adam Smith and Max Weber, Butler-Bowdon provides succinct summations that are both engaging and enlightening. On a personal level, this book has changed my perspective towards my finances, career and way of life. I highly recommend not only this book but the series as a whole.

5 comments about Healing Your Aloneness: Finding Love and Wholeness Through Your Inner Child.

1. This is really one of the most profound books out there on Inner Child work. It is written in a concise, easy to read and follow manner. I bought it some time ago and recently was drawn back to reading it and this time the light bulb really went off and I really "got it." The authors do an excellent job in really making it very reader-friendly. My copy is now dog-eared and highlighted all through...it has helped me tremendously and continues to help me tremendously as an individual, and also as a counselor/therapist.



2. Most of us have been raised by parents who did not realize the damage they did to us in our formative years.
   
   This book allows us to see and repair that damage and therefore to treat ourselves as our parents should have treated us.
   
   I recommend this book highly.



3. I gave this book to my friend on her 45th birthday. She can't stop talking about it and how much it has helped her.She says she just keeps reading it over and over again.



4. This book is tremendous to help to heal the wounds inside. I rate it 100 stars



5. I recommend this book to everyone! We all have inner issues, even if we're not aware of them. This book helps us understand where they came from and how to start healing them. There are so many good points that are made in this book. After reading this book, for the first time in my life, I was happy being alone. It changed me, and I am SO thankful for that!

5 comments about Food Addiction: The Body Knows: Revised & Expanded Edition.

1. I think the maximum benefit of this book comes to a person with a serious binging problem. The first part of the book describes the nature of food addiction and gives many examples. The second part of the book descibes the recommended food plan for people with a food addiction. The food plan is extreme - but probably appropriate for treating a severe problem.
   
   For the sort of people who sometimes fluxuate between being 30 pounds overweight to being in the normal, healthy BMI range (like me), I found the first part very interesting and could relate to some of it. However, since I don't consider my weight problem to be severe, I would be unwilling to follow such an extreme food plan. Perhaps some would say I am in denial, but I would have to be very desperate and have a very large problem to want to follow a food plan which is so restrictive.
   
   This is an interesting read, whether your weight problem is large or small. I will keep this book around in case my food addiction ever becomes unmanageable, then I will need to try the restrictive food plan. Until then, Weight Watchers seems to be a better solution for me.



2. If you are truly suffering from food addiction then this book will change your life. I only gave it 4 stars because I have had to modify the food plan to fit my life, but the concepts and facts in this book are things I have never heard before. And the way she describes food addicts describes my life.



3. Terrific book for those serious about thier recovery. A heavily recommended book for your journey!



4. I didn't understand until I read this book why I could be so disciplined during the day and after 3:00 p.m. ravage the refrigerator. By 5:00 p.m., I'm ready for a glass of wine and then I'm tired. This book teaches about keeping the sugar levels even throughout the day, even energy and clearer thinking, not to mention a better mood. I'm not doing it perfectly yet, I have good and bad days but at least I know what to do and why. It's a great book!



5. For anyone who finds food controlling their lives, Kay Sheppard's book is a portal to freedom. There are two twelve step programs for dealing specifically with food addiction. Each of these programs has some form of written literature, written by and for food addicts, but Sheppard is a writer as well as a food addict. Her book is a seamless introduction to what this deadly disease is and how to fight it. Without a profusion of distracting emotionalism, she guides the food addict coming out of denial to a new way of living. I recommend it as the very first thing anyone dealing with this disease should read.

5 comments about I Never Knew I Had A Choice: Explorations in Personal Growth (with InfoTrac®).

1. This book attempts to cover most if not all the major areas of life in which we must make choices about who we are as individuals, what direction we wish to go. The title of the book suggests that the book's design is to enlighten the reader about the nature of such choices.
   
   Unfortunately, in the my eyes and those of the other introspective members of a class just finished that required this book, the book is a failure in that it attempts to cover so very much material, is insufficiently edited, and generally fails to focus attention on the key life choices suggested by the book's title. Instead, we found the book a rather empty promise of good things to come.
   
   Chapter one begins with some good insight into various ways we learn or relate to the world that may differ from others. That's useful information. Chapter two deals with the major issues children must deal with to mature (at least in western cultures). Chapter two is the highpoint of the book, and its rapidly downhill from there thru another 400pgs and 12 chapters.
   
   A typical chapter will open with 2-4 pages of well conceived, well written text outlining in general terms a life issue such as sexuality or aging. But then the authors will drone on in needless and counter-productive detail without every reaching a point or conclusion, and often going into tantential personal examples that add little -- both clear signs of an absentee editor.
   
   The chapter on sexuality has no -- repeat, no -- mention of birth control, abortion or masturbation, suggesting a Catholic bias to their approach. Does that make sense to you if this is a book about choice?
   
   In fact, my central complaint about this book is that the title could have been a great focal point for the authors. Instead, it seems to have been a marketing afterthought and has little to do with the authors' book.
   
   Our class of 13 had a hand in selecting this book at the beginning of our spring term. While the choice was unanimous, we were equally unanimous in our great disappointment with the book when it was all over.



2. This book in its 7th edition is well written and easy to understand. "I Never Knew I Had a Choice" is yet another fine work by the educational psychology team of Gerald and Marianne Schneider Corey and one that you do not have be a psychologist to appreciate. It is written so that anyone who is on a quest to search their inner-self can benefit from it.
   
   What I like most about this book is its structure. Prior to the beginning of each chapter is a self-inventory questioner that opens up the mind of the reader by planting seeds of thought to germinate and encourages reflection on the upcoming pages. The questions are designed to boost the reader's perception and digestion of the the material.
   
   I feel that if there was one psychology book any person could pick up and learn how to help themselves this book would be it. It is well rounded and well written. It is the kind of text that if one wanted to know what the basic tenets of psychology are all about in a nutshell, this is the book I would recommend.
   
   It appropriately begins with an invitation to personal growth and transitions the reader to review and to reflect; first on their childhood and then adolescence setting up an internal foundation for which the reader can build upon on before going into adulthood studies and other theoretical constructs.
   
   Chapter 4 covers the all-important theme of maintaining sound health practices and is a miniature lesson in health psychology. In the following chapters, the Coreys deal with the subject of stress and how best to manage it. They also cover the topics of love, sexuality, and relationships in the ensuing chapters.
   
   In addition, the Corey's addresses the all-important subjects such as our search for meaning and purpose, the foundation of meaning, and the importance of embracing diversity. They illustrate well our values in action and challenge us to self assess with a discrimination index to see where our real values lie with concern to an area that is vital to human growth and evolution.
   
   The book in the seventh edition, not too sure of the others, is dedicated to a student of the Corey's named Jim Morelock who died at the tender age of 25 years making their chapter on death and loss even more meaningful to the reader. If you are a searcher, you will love this most excellent and basic book on psychology.



3. This was a textbook assigned for an online psychology course. This was one of the best "self-help" books I have ever read. This book is easy to read, plus each chapter has a section for activities pertaining to the topics covered. I learned a lot about myself from this book. I recommend doing the activities and answering the questions from each chapter to get the most out of this book. Authors make this a very interesting and uncomplicated read.



4. Here is a sample paragraph from "I Never Knew I Had a Choice" by Corey & Corey, "Instead of talking about adjustment, we tend to talk about growth. The notion of personal growth involves the induvidual in defining and assessing growth for him- or herself. Personal growth is best viewed as a lifelong process rather than as a fixed point at which you arrive. You will face numours crisis at various stages in your life. These crises can been seen as challenges to change, significant others, your community, and your world. You do not grow in a vacuum but through your engagement with other people. To continue to grow, you have to be willing to exercise new choices and take action to bring about change. Ask yourself these questions:
   
   What do I want for myself, for others, and from others?
   What do I like about myself?
   What about my life am I having difficulty with?
   How would I like to be different?
   What are possible consequences if I do or do not change?
   How will my changes affect others in my life?
   Whate range of choices is open to me at this time in my life?
   How has my culture influenced the choices I have made? How might my cultural values either enhance of inhibit my ability to make changes?"
   
   Frequently, the book starts by comparing and contrasting the induvidual and the collective. It tries to create a divide between you, the induvidual, and the collection around you. It does this paragraph in and out. It uses the philosophy of integration. It builds itself in esteem... tries to tear down in esteem other beliefs, such as Socrates, and place itself in the void. It tries to make a void within you so you long for the book through rough spots in your life.
   
   What this book wants to do is make an ice cream sunday from the bottom up out of the reader using Maslow's hierarchy of needs. It's from food->safety->love->esteem needs->self-actualization. The intent of this book is to create lots of neat perfect looking chocolate ice cream sundays. Self-actualization is the cherry on top. This is all very well intentioned. But it asks you to give up your induvidualality in the process.



5. I had to purchase this book for a Masters Class but it is a very good book. There are a lot of exercises that help you to self analyze and discover new or clarify not so new things about yourself. So far, I am enjoying it very much.