Reviews (5)

Laugh and learn
Finally a book on this topic that is powerful, direct, clear...and funny.Friedman has vast experience in the US and overseas in getting governments to use outcomes and it shows in this book.The advice is extremely well thought-out, effective, and fun to read.This book works if you are just learning about the topic or about to launch a major overhaul.Highly recommended.

Plain language common sense approach to large scale change
For anyone committed to large scale change, either in the public or private sectors, this book is a must read. The straight-forward language and practical examples ease the reader into a provocative discussion of what's wrong with many complex initiatives, and better yet, provide a clear road map for how to get better. Highly recommended.

A practitioner's view
As a leadership coach, management consultant, and university instructor I find this book a very helpful read for leaders trying to make a difference and for students interested in learning how to make a difference in the lives of children and families. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative agencies    2. Evaluation    3. General    4. Management    5. Organizational effectiveness    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Psychology    8. Self-Help    9. United States    10. 05-1308,051308,1-4120-6397-3,1412063973,trafford publishing,Trying Hard is Not Good Enough,Mark Friedman,results accountability,Result,Outcome,Accountability,Performance,Management,Customers,Community,Change,Strategic Planning,RBA,Quality of life    11. Self-Help & Practical Interests    12. Self-Help / General   

Subjects:  1. Cabala    2. Inspiration & Personal Growth    3. Jewish Mysticism    4. Judaism - Kabbalah & Mysticism    5. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Self-Help    8. Spiritual    9. Kabbalah & hermetic thought    10. Self-Help & Practical Interests    11. Self-Help / Spiritual   

Reviews (74)

The title of the book says it all!
Marilyn Wann wants us all to know that we don't have to apologize for our size.Wann published an indie zine on the topic in the mid 1990's and currently runs a body-positive website of the same title as her book.Her oversized paperback reads like a spunky zine, full of sidebars, drawings, candid photos, quizes, and personal stories.Wann's tone varies from body-positive affirmations to near-radical fat crusading.She wants the public to reclaim the word fat, to live without apologies, to exercise and eat sensibly, and to avoid a paralyzing life of denial and shame in the quest for a perfect body.
Awesome Book!
The first thing I noticed about this book was the colors. It was vibrant and just looking at it I felt good. The second was the humor. I absolutely loved the was the book was written. It is kind of a quick read version of Fat Girls Guide to Life, with paper dolls.
fun read
it is more a collection of info-splinters.. but it is fun to read and has some really insightful phrases that stick in your head. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body image    2. General    3. Obesity in women    4. Overweight women    5. Personal Growth - Happiness    6. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    7. Popular Culture - General    8. Psychological aspects    9. Psychology    10. Self-Help    11. Anthropology    12. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (8)

Like Being on a Bad Date...
When I received the book, the first thing I did was flip to the "About the Author" page and I was really pleased to see that Ms. Bacon had both a degree in psychology and a background in law enforcement.Those things gave me high hopes that the book would contain some real insight and solid information about the on-line dating dynamic that would work alongside the real-life experiences she'd be sharing with the reader.I was so wrong.Her introduction was pretty good, however, once she got into the advice and anecdotes the book went straight down hill.I found her level of social naivet� to be kind of shocking and her inability to understand why someone (both her dates and her readers) would do something, or even view a situation, differently from her personal viewpoint or opinion, downright irritating.Also, the attempts at humor led me to far more "Huh?" moments than "Ha!" moments.I think the author was going for wit, but she missed.What she got was sarcastic and even demeaning to her readers in several places.I had to force myself to continue past about page 20.The second half of the book was a bit better than the first, but by then she'd already lost me.
Don't waste your money
Don't waste your money. I bought this book and read it cover to cover without gleaming an ounce of useful information. Firstly it is primarily geared towards women, not much useful in there for us guys. That being said unless you are a 5 year old girl or have been kept in a box your entire life, all the suggestions are plain and simple common sense. The book has numerous stories of Bev Bacons' encounters with dates. There is absolutely nothing funny or out of the ordinary about her dates. It just goes to show that no one is perfect. As one would think the ultimate goal of Internet dating is to find a long term partner I was left wondering why the author spent so many years dating. Maybe it is her that has a problem! The only useful information that I took home from reading the book I gained from reading between the lines. This is that the internet will attract those who like "shopping" for their dates. So if you meet someone who loves shopping run away, run away, because next week when you are out of fashion they will be back on the internet looking for something bigger and better. Alternatively if you are out of work consider doing the same as the author, write a book about common sense things to do, then spend a year dating normal people and write a book about it, then con loads of people into buying it.

How annoying....
I can hardly read this...every cliche you can imagine and some more. Sarcastic, mocking, with tips such as...your picture is very important. A waste of $$. Don't let this book discourage you from getting on line to meet a match. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Personal Growth - Happiness    2. Self-Help   

Editorial Review

"There's no escaping it: without a healthy psyche, we create a bogus spirituality," writes Jacqueline Small in Read more

Reviews (2)

Psyche's Story is everyone's story
There are many ways to gauge the value of a book, an important one for me is how well it bears up to being read a second or third time. This book passes that test. It has legs. The myth of Eros and Psyche is the story of our own lives. It illustrates the challenges of loving another, of waking up to our own inner gifts and strengths and claiming them for ourselves and the world. The story shows that the growth of spirit and the opening of the heart will always take place in the school of hard knocks. Throughout the book Jacqueline gives 'seed thoughts' which the reader can begin to incorporate into their day to day lives. The book is blessed by a subtle tone of non-judgement, acceptance, wisdom and humor. Small writes of her own struggles and 'failures' and shows how these events have helped her to take the necessary steps to change that a life of comfort and ease would have denied. There is power in thinking of your own life in mythical terms. Thank you Jacqueline for a wonderful retelling of this old story that has such resonance with my modern everyday life.

Psyche's message relatesto us all
Jacquelyn Small outdid herself with this, her latest, book! Starting out with the love story of Psyche and Eros, she translates the myth into every human's story.I was most impressed with the principles of soul psychology that Jacquie expounded upon as universal "seeds" for living a conscious life.The tasks of Psyche have never been this capably and beautifully expressed.She has presented them as being absolutely relevant to us all.This is a book that you will want to refer back to again and again. A definite "must read"! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Cupid and Psyche (Tale)    3. Inspirational - Protestant Self Help    4. New Age    5. Pastoral psychology    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Psychology Of Religion    8. Psychology, Religious    9. Religion    10. Religion - Inspirational/Spirituality    11. Religion - Prayer & Spirituality    12. Spiritual life    13. Spirituality - General   

Editorial Review

This brief, eloquently presented book offers a simple and inviting strategy for handling the most complicated holiday of our times--Christmas. Reacting to the commercialization and overspending that has come to define it, author Bill McKibben(Read more

Reviews (6)

interesting take on Christmas
But it's awfully simplistic and in some cases, wrong.For example he claims based on some survey that we all consider time more valuable than money.I disagree.I think many people do consider time more important, while others, such as those struggling to get by on low-wage jobs and affluent workers who do a lot of overtime, value money more.Very ambitious people also tend to value money, both for themselves and for their children.IMO, that's part of why so many upper-class children have lives crammed with extracurricular activities:so they can be "balanced" and go to Harvard, get a great job, and make good money.
Thought-provoking
This book is a call to reconsider our Christmas traditions, where they came from, and what we want from them.The book is extremely short, and can be read in only an hour or two, but the ideas in it are profound.McKibben begins by describing some of the details of how the American commercialization of Christmas came about in the early 1800s.At that time, wassailing was getting a bit out of hand, so some upper-class New Yorkers decided to reinvent the holiday around some more wholesome traditions of family celebrations and gift giving.As part of this movement, in 1818 Clement Moore brought St. Nicholas into the picture complete with reindeer on the roof with his famous "Twas the Night before Christmas".From there, the idea of centering the holiday on gift-giving grew and grew, much to the delight of department store owners, who were eager to add their own contributions to the holiday pantheon (such as Rudolph, courtesy Montgomery Wards).
Just make sure you know what you are getting
I read a newspaper article on financial planning at Christmas that recommended this book as a helpful guide to paring down holiday spending.Based on that, I expected a how-to book of recipes, craft instruction, and volunteering ideas.Though the last chapter does present these, it is short and very generalized.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christmas    3. General    4. Holidays - Christmas    5. Inspirational    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Religious aspects    8. Self-Help    9. Simplicity    10. Social life and customs    11. United States    12. Literary Criticism & Collections / General   

Editorial Review

Before Read more

Reviews (6)

Excellent
Would do business with this seller again. Fast shipping and product in great condition.

simply abundant(Like 'The Journey:Where seagulls dare to f
simply abundant with pearls of wisdom......simply learning how to breathe again...to reconnect with myself again...to retune to my inner child again....simply beautiful.Still haven't found a book though as good as 'The Journey:Where Seagulls Dare To Fly' (www.amazon.co.uk)...therefore 4 stars only!

Simple but not Simple
Simple can be a negative word in some contexts. However, simple is beautiful as Sarah writes about it. When I began my own simplicity movement 15 years ago I felt all alone and sometimes felt like caving in and jumpingback on the materialistic bandwagon. Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Inspirational    3. Inspirational - General    4. Meditation    5. Meditations    6. New Thought    7. Personal Growth - Happiness    8. Religion    9. Religious life    10. Women    11. Body, Mind & Spirit / New Thought    12. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    13. Popular psychology   

Reviews (13)

Sincere, practical advice, a motivational book
As a student working to finish a university degree while dealing with a chronic illness (indeterminate IBD with myalgia and fatigue) Ms Hartwell's experiences of living a successful and joy-filled life despite her illness has been an inspiration and source of hope for me.Her humor despite trials is motivating, her wisdom is an amazing resource.
A must read especially for those with Chronic Kidney Disease
As a social worker on a dialysis unit I have found this book extremely helpful in my own education of what new dialysis patients face, but also what patients deal with as a long time dialysis patient.The author leaves no stone unturned and not sugar coating a thing- she's going to tell you how to deal with failure and success each with a bit of unique humor and empathy. She has suggestions how to handle you illness in professional situations as well as how to not get bored if re-hospitalized.Bottom line she is an inspiration and a beneficial read to all!

Inspirational!!!
This is one of the best books that I have ever read.I was very inspired by Lori's thoughts on chronic disease.The book also had very good resources on ways to go about our everyday life.I would highly recommend this to anyone with a chronic disease. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Diseases - General    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health & Fitness / Diseases / General    7. Health/Fitness    8. Motivational & Inspirational    9. Personal Growth - Happiness    10. Self-Help / Happiness    11. Anecdotes    12. Chronic diseases    13. Chronically ill    14. Encouragement    15. Health & Fitness / General    16. Motivational    17. Psychological aspects    18. Self-Help   

Reviews (24)

The angst of your personal silver anniversary year
Turning 25 was no fun at all! I was still living with roomates in a rented furnished room and working in a job versus a career. Everyone else seemed to be on the up and up except me and it threw me into a myriad of emotional distress that if the first 25 years could do this fast, what's going to happen to me in the next and the next. Thank God it wasn't just me! At 25 most people are less than 5 years out of post-secondary and less than 10 from High School graduation. For me, it was the fear that I would be the only one who wasn't "successful" at my tenth anniversary reunion. The pressure to get a foothold in life is tremendous and 25 is a measurement point becuase 30 lurks much closer than ever. So, do know you are NOT alone. In fact, many people share the same concerns and only hit stride in their 30's. Glisten some tips and tactics for making it through and don't try for too many quick fixes. If this book offers any uplifting options it is ... that you need not figure this out alone. If I can personally offer you any advice after passing through 2 mid-life crisis points at 21 and 25 ... it is this .... find out what you love, discover what calls to you, and build your inner strength to go after it. A great place to start is "Finding Your North Star" by Dr. Martha Beck ...and see where it navigates from there. Above all else, create and sustain a nourishing love for yourself and seek communities of people who do the same for themselves and to you.

not as bad
i don't usually like these types of books but just knowing about other people's stories kinda helped. :)

What a Waste of Time!
I borrowed this book from the library (I borrow books first from the library because so many are just hot air).This book's banal assertions come from authors who have been pampered and seem to have faced little adversity in their lives.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescence - General    2. Attitudes    3. Conduct of life    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. General    6. Life Stages - Adolescence    7. Life skills guides    8. Personal Growth - Happiness    9. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    10. Self-Help    11. Young adults    12. Popular psychology    13. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (23)

LES HAS THE OVERVIEW
One man's viewpoint: I've seen Les' videos many times. I play them for my students, and he really does inspire and motivate. Also, he comes from some high principles, saying that if you're going after your big dream, "Put your heart into it! Give it everything ya' got." Simple and true. Of course, there's much more to his vision.... I recommend Les to anyone.
if you want a thing bad enough to go out and fight for it...
this book was outstanding when les first handed it (signed) to me back at a motivational speaking/business seminar many many years ago that i was also speaking at...and it is just as grande and effective now.the ditty 'if you want a thing bad enough...' became a personal motto.i have learned to 'be unreasonable' in my expectations of myself...knowing that 'no matter how many times life knocks you down...if you can look up, you can get up!'i managed at 35 to get into the army, and then to surpass not only what was expected of my age group in fitness (APFTs)...but also of better than half of those 10 years my junior!it has very much become this soldiers credo...and too now is effecting others as i continue to preach it.
Good News for Modern Man
Les Brown is a great motivator. His writing style is easy to read and right to the point. Les has an interesting background, coming from poverty and literally pulling himself up by the bootstraps to achieve success as a state legislature, disc jockey, and motivational speaker/writer.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Happiness    2. Motivational & Inspirational    3. Personal Growth - Happiness    4. Personal Growth - Success    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Success    8. Modern fiction    9. Self-Help / Motivational   

Subjects:  1. Ethics    2. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    3. Personal Growth - Happiness    4. Philosophy    5. Virtue    6. Virtues    7. Philosophy / Ethics & Moral Philosophy    8. Philosophy | Ethics & Moral Philosophy    9. Western philosophy, from c 1900 -   

Editorial Review

No matter how many self-help books we read, workshops we attend, spiritual endeavors we pursue; no matter how often we cuddle our inner child or redesign our outer adult, many people keep returning to a gnawing angst and vague unhappiness, according to T. Byram Karasu, author of Read more

Reviews (5)

A Breakthrough in Spirituality Requires a Backward Leap To Faith - Believing And Loving God
How do we live life with all its "twists and turns" to find meaning and happiness? T. Byram Karasu in his extraordinary book, "The Art of Serenity", takes us on a journey to find the answer. Karasu, presently Silverman Professor and the University Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Psychiatrist-in-Chief at Montefiore Medical Center, serves as an excellent guide in finding the answer.
Rare And Precious Wisdom
T. Byram Karasu, a respected teacher and author in the field of psychiatry, has ventured far beyond his field in this masterpiece of spiritual wisdom. Clearly he has been doing more than seeing patients all these years, he has been reading assiduously, absorbing the wisdom of the ages. Now, in The Art of Serenity, he distills this wisdom and his own expereinces, for all of us who are willing to taste. Well-titled!
"The Art of Serenity" is RIGHT! This book is incredible in that it really brings you directly into the glaring face of serenity--and then serenity doesn't break eye contact!! People always say: "Do not judge a book by its cover" but I'm going to have to plead the opposite in this case. The cover of this book gives you a perfect idea of the calm nothingness that awaits inside.Read more

Subjects:  1. Inspirational - General    2. Personal Growth - Happiness    3. Religion    4. Religious aspects    5. Self-Help    6. Self-actualization (Psychology    7. Self-actualization (Psychology)    8. Spiritual life    9. Spirituality - General    10. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    11. Self-Help / Happiness   

Reviews (4)

Patience is good
I took my time reading this book.I found it very insightful and motivating.I do believe it has taught me to be more patient.

Definitely good for leisure. Really helpful? Hard to tell
The following passage on page 1 precisely describes my mind:-
The Power of Patience
This is a great book to learn how to deal with everyday life and being more patient with yourself and others around you!! It has already helped me a great deal and opened my eyes to new options in life! Thanks M.J. Ryan for writing this great book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Inspirational    2. Motivational & Inspirational    3. Patience    4. Personal Growth - Happiness    5. Self-Help    6. Self-Help / Motivational   

Reviews (1)

A Bridge from the Ivory Tower to Main Street
I first learned of Tal Ben-Shahar from a news piece on NPR;of how the most popular class at Harvard is now Tal's "Happiness 101" or PSY 1504-Positive Psy.Made curious by seeing some of his classes online, I purchased this book.The Question of Happiness is a thrifty writing, simple and to the point.But that is not to say Tal scrimps on his good, weighty ideas.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Personal Growth - Happiness    2. Psychology    3. Self-Help    4. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (14)

I don't dread being single anymore
The author is really helpful at pointing out the advantages of singles life. An easy, fun, whimsical read, and very uplifting! I also bought 2 other great books, "I Promise Myself: Making A Commitment To Yourself And Your Dreams", and "Imagine a Woman in Love with Herself: Embracing Your Wisdom and Wholeness", both by author Patricia Lynn Reilly.

Lonely no more
I broke up with my fiance after deciding that the marriage didn't seem right.It was my first time in 7 years to be without a boyfriend.
Not Agent 99! (LOL)
This book was such a ride!Since I grew up watching Agent 99 on Get Smart, as a kid, reading her book felt very intimate.I just kept thinking, "NOT AGENT 99!," as I read about the ups and downs in her personal and love life.Yet, it isn't a celebrity expose.Her words are meant to inspire and go beyond the shallow genre of gossip.You really do forget that this woman was a television icon because she is very down to earth and generous in spirit.As many other readers here have shared, I could not put this book down.I found it inspiring and helpful.Excellent!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - General    2. Life skills guides    3. Living alone    4. Motivational & Inspirational    5. Nonfiction    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Self-Help    8. Single people    9. Advice on careers & achieving success    10. Self-Help & Practical Interests    11. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (2)

Useful, meaningful, practical, and pragmatic.
The first of Reynolds' books, _Playing Ball_ is the gateway book.From one perspective, this book with its emphasis on practical, pragmatic ways of coping with life is all you'll ever need.However, you may find it souseful and meaningful that you will want the rest of his books, too, forexactly the same reasons.They're all useful on a day-to-day basis. The best part of _Playing Ball on Running Water_ is that there is nofiller, no b.s..It is all practical, useful, immediate, sensible advice. No matter what shape your life is in, this book can make it better.And itdoesn't hurt that Reynolds is an excellent writer.

Blueprint for a purposeful life
"Playing Ball on Running Water" by David K. Reynolds is a book that advocates conscious living.The subtitle belays that concept, "The Japanese Way to Building a Better Life."Reynolds takes the Morita psychotherapeutic concepts and adapts them to Western life.The whole basis for this Morita approach is to live life by doing it.Doing it conscientious, with full awareness.This approach is based in Zen Buddhism and it is deceptively simple. Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Morita psychotherapy    3. Personal Growth - Happiness    4. Psychology   

Reviews (2)

Both Biblical and practical
We are using this book for a small group study in our church and it is EXCELLENT. The principles are straight from the Bible and the practical application is easily grasped through Rutland's very picturesque stories and examples of the concepts being applied to every day situations. He uses a good balance of the Word of God and the application of it.

Very humbling yet educating and uplifting
I have just finished reading this book and it truly humbled me. Here I was thinking of myself quite highly and doing the "right" things. When measured on some simple outlines with great real life examples I had to admit that I was truly lacking and in desperate need for a refocusing of my commitment to God and His plan for me, my character and the influence I have on the people around me.Read more

Subjects:  1. Character    2. Christian life    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Character & Values    4. Christianity - Christian Life - Family Relationships    5. Christianity - Christian Life - General    6. Conduct of life    7. Personal Growth - Happiness    8. Religion    9. Religion - Christian Life   

Reviews (7)

Could NOT put this thing down!
I was up until the wee hours of the morning for three nights in a row--this book is a page-turner. I'm not gay (that's what they all say, but four beers later...), so the dating info wasn't really helpful to me, except in a fascinating, peek-through-the-keyhole kind of way. The narratives were riveting: two on Chanukah cruises in the Caribbean, threesomes gone bad, raw and real stories about coming out and breaking up, and hilarious, read aloud anecdotes about dating, bar-hopping, and "going in for the kill." I was sad to read about the parents crying over their beautiful gay girls and glad to see them come around. I've already recommended this book to half a dozen people--you don't have to be gay to fall in love with it.

Very Informative!
I really enjoyed this book, and it helped me realize that the feelings that I've been having toward women for the majority of my life are common and lots of other females have been in the same boat as me.The only semi-negative message I got from the book was "pretty popular girls can be lesbians, too".

It's just a collection of people's stories...
Not only is this book, that is authored by TWO people, unaffecting, it's not even really written by them. They've got an intro in every chapter, and that's basically it. It's a collection of people's stories. That is something that should appear in GoNYC magazine, not in a book. This is the first of it's kind, and I expected it to move me. It's not informative and it's not different. It's full of cliche's and there's even a rip of a dashboard song. "Turning to you is like falling in love when you're 10." If you're going to have most of your book written for you by real people, at least have what you write be REAL and YOURS. Even Greg Behrendt's "It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken" is more effective than this. This is the book that stereotypes are made of. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Female friendship    2. Lesbian Studies    3. Lesbians    4. Life skills    5. Personal Growth - Happiness    6. Personal Guidance    7. Sexual Instruction    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Self-Help / Sexual Instruction    11. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (10)

Letting go of Martha Stewart and embracing the home you have
I have purchased this book three times and gave copies to good friends.I have one for myself.Home is important and it doesn't depend on having fashionable and dust-free furniture.Whether one is creating a home for one-self, a child, a pet, a family, or any combination, it's the spirit that makes the home.If all you have is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, invite your friends and make it a celebration.

A book to go back to time and time again
I have read this book through many times and appreciate the messages every time.It is also a book that I give as gifts to friends (a great housewarming gift) because it is not preachy, it is an easy read, and it gets to the heart of our connection between the outer world and our inner spirit.

Find Peace In Your Home
I read this after thoroughly reveling in her other book, Leading a Charmed Life.This one was more work to get through, since it's not in the one-thought-to-a-page format of Charmed Life.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. General    3. Home    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Home economics    6. Personal Growth - Happiness    7. Religious aspects    8. Self-Help    9. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (24)

A Seven Week Program to Help Attain Happiness
This is Book 1 of what is advertised as a 5 book series, but I haven't come across the other titles.The authors are pioneers of The Sedona Method for releasing feelings as a means of attaining peace.This book contains 7 chapters that are designed to be read on a weekly basis, with blank pages for notes and observations between each chapter.There is some good advice in this book, that should fit pretty well into many belief systems.Although much of the book can be described as monotheistic, the philosophy is fairly inclusive.Some of the terminology is a bit dated, since the book is based on workshops that Lester Levinson conducted around 30 years ago.If you want a more comprehensive approach to this topic, you might explore the book, The Sedona Method, by the same authors.

Not a book on mood psychology as the title implies.
This book is not a book on mood psychology but propoganda for monotheistic religion, refering to God, always capitalized, on nearly every other page.If i were into such concepts I could easily dilude myself into any state of unphoria without needi