Reviews (1)

This is a useful book
This book can be useful to any man or woman who already is, or wants to become, an effective, if not wise, leader of other people.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Business Life - Inspirational    3. Developmental - General    4. Leadership    5. Personal Growth - Success    6. Psychology    7. Self-actualization (Psychology    8. Self-actualization (Psychology)    9. Self-perception    10. Business & Economics / Leadership    11. Management & management techniques   

Subjects:  1. Child Development    2. Cognition    3. Cognition In Children    4. Cognitive Psychology    5. Planning in children    6. Psychology    7. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    8. in infancy & childhood    9. Cognition & cognitive psychology    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Cognitive Psychology   

Editorial Review

It's true that politicians blink much more frequently when they're lying, but what other behavior clues do people inadvertently give off? If you want to know if you're being boondoggled, how to tell if your date is interested in a serious relationship, or if you should take that new job, Jo-Ellan Demitrius will help you figure it all out. She gives away the tricks of her trade--jury consulting--in this eye-opening handbook for predicting the behavior and revealing the thoughts of others. She's consulted for more than 600 jury trials, including the O.J. Simpson, Rodney King, and John DuPont cases, as well as for Fortune 100 companies. If her name rings a bell, it may be because she's been on Read more

Reviews (74)

good book -- but forgets autism
As a person who has a difficult time reading people, due to autism, I found this book useful and interesting.Nevertheless, the huge exception to all of her information is the behavior that people on the autistic spectrum exhibit.And she never, anywhere in the book, addresses the differences.

Well thought out, balanced, concise, and to the point
If you look for reliable information thoughtfully presented, as I do, you will like this book. The first author is a top-flight legal consultant specializing in jury selection. She knows what she's talking about. I especially liked the objective, analytic attitude that permeates the book. The authors never forget to qualify their statements and warn the reader that there always are exceptions and false leads. What a difference from the watered down platitudes delivered with solemn confidence that are all too common in the self-help literature! The first chapter speaks about the method---objectivity is key; there are no silver bullets; practice makes perfect. The second chapter lays out the people-reading process in broad strokes. Subsequent chapters take on specific issues: physical appearance, behavior, context, etc. Most specifics are plain common sense but there is great value in having them gathered together and systematized. There is a one-page summary of the key points at the end of each chapter. Two detailed appendices list the various signs and their possible interpretations. All in all, this book bears all the marks of a useful and trustworthy source. I enjoyed reading it and I'm sure I'll refer to it every now and then. The sequel, 'Put Your Best Foot Forward,' is good too.

Overall well written
I had high expectation for this book. The book is enjoyable, and I can so recognize so many people descrived as liars etc around me, and want to explore how well to learn toread the other people.
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Subjects:  1. Body language    2. General    3. Miscellanea    4. Personality    5. Personality assessment    6. Physiognomy    7. Psychology    8. Self-Help    9. Self-Help / General   

Editorial Review

Today's responsible parents strive to raise children with healthy egos. But for a lot of adults, the word "ego" carries the negative connotation of "narcissism." Traditionally, the "good" child learned self-control, self-denial and placed parental needs and wishes first. If those needs were abusive to the child, there was no choice but to block the hurtful behavior in order to hold onto adults who were loved and needed.Miller recognized the link between certain emotional problems in adulthood and repressed childhood anguish. Her ideas in this pioneering study are a must-read for anyone seeking truth about the roots of suffering in childhood. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Frustrating But Extremely Valuable
It is unsurprising that Alice Miller's Drama of the Gifted Child has met with a certain amount of hostility from both the psychiatry and psychotherapy establishments. After all, she frowns both on the use of drugs and cognitive-behavioral techniques as treatments for anxiety--especially in children. She even suggests that those who would use such remedies may have unaddressed psychological problems of their own. What's worse, she appeals to no empirical studies (double-blind or not) in reaching these conclusions; in fact, a reader might be reluctant to conclude from this book that Miller would even be capable of assessing the value of a careful scientific study of this or that anti-anxiety treatment. So, as I've indicated above, this book is often very frustrating. But Miller's work is also quite valuable, at least in my opinion. Like Freud's contemporary Wilhelm Stekel, Miller may not be a systematic theoretician, but her extensive clinical experience has provided her with several important insights that I believe may be useful, particularly to parents of anxious children.
Beware
If you are like me:if you have a LOT of emotional baggage, and have only begun to scratch the surface of the damage done to your fragile psyche in early childhood, please take seriously this warning.
The core of much suffering
A book which goes straight to the essence of much of today's suffering...narcisistic disturbances as not one amongst many disturbances, but the one underlying them all.It is a book for everyone, and most especially for young parents, as the newborn child makes us live again all our unresolved stuff. This book should be recommended as educational material as it enlightens parents to choose not to repeat their own stories with their children. Excellent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Developmental Psychology    3. Movements - Psychoanalysis    4. Narcissism    5. Psychology    6. Psychology, Pathological    7. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    8. Self-esteem    9. Child & developmental psychology   

Editorial Review

Preeminent child psychologist, Michael Thompson is renowned for hisefforts to educate and assist parents with sons. First with Read more

Reviews (10)

This Book is Sexist and Stereotypes Fathers as Incompetent

Michael Thompson....not his greatest work
This book was a good information book to read.It did not offer the type of insights that I Was looking for when I bought this book.

Useful, practical, inspring advice!
What a wondeful book! I have 3 sons (aged 15, 11 and 4 years) and so many of the questions and answers here were relevant to things they are doing or have done and how I have felt about things. I found the advice very sensible and up to date and reassuring. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boys    2. Developmental - Child    3. Developmental - General    4. Emotions in children    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Men's Studies - General    7. Parenting - General    8. Psychology    9. Sex role in children    10. Social conditions    11. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (10)

A Great Developmental View of the Adoptee's Life
If you want a general idea of what you might expect to experience from the womb to the tomb (as an adoptee), this is the book for you. I always quote Drs. Brodzinsky and Schechter when I speak. One of the most profound things they say is that adoption loss for the child is more profound than death or divorce. Yea for the doctors--if more people would only listen to their wisdom and begin seeing adoption through the eyes of adoptees. A must-have for your adoption library.

Excellent resource for all members of the adoption triad
Thank goodness people are finally admitting that adoption, even if you had a great experience, still brings with it certain issues. Adoptive parents should read books like this to understand that their adopted child has special needs - so many adoptives take it as a personal affront if their child decides to search for birthparents, or even asks about them. For birthparents, it's affirmation of their loss (even if it was the best decision they felt they could make) and understanding of their surrendered child's feelings. Should be required reading for prospective adoptive parents

Okay, but repeat of many other better books
This was the third book I read as I began my search for my birth mother.It was repetative from other help books on searching and adoption and since I did not experience any negative feelings all my life from being adopted, I can't say that I can relate at all to some of the comments, stories, etc.It does have some good points though for helping in the search process. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adopted children    2. Adoptees    3. Adoption    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Life cycle, Human    6. Maturation (Psychology)    7. Personality    8. Psychology    9. Child welfare    10. Family & Relationships / Adoption   

Editorial Review

In 1998, a fierce debate was sparked by Judith Rich Harris's Read more

Reviews (15)

All Diamonds In The Rough Need Polishing
This book is one of the gems -- a diamond in the rough -- on parenting. Written in simple language, it's the "basic course" on "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS". So read, use, and understand. Hmm. Understand? What do you do when the kids ask, "WHY?"! Hmm. You'll need a book that makes you understand -- in simple language -- the philosophy of WHY character counts, of right and wrong, of good and evil, of moral and immoral, and of ethical and unethical. The school that exists to teach the "advanced course" in "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG, MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS" is West Point. The only book that explains the philosophy behind all the "WHYS" -- in simple language -- is the book titled "WEST POINT", by Norman Thomas Remick. It's THE companion book for all how-to books and "courses", basic or advanced, on parenting and character. It will become kind of an encyclopedia that you can refer to for explaining "WHY?" to your kids. And it will give Borba's diamond in the rough its required polish.

All Diamonds In The Rough Need Polishing
This book is one of the gems -- a diamond in the rough -- on parenting. Written in simple language, it's the "basic course" on "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS". So read, use, and understand. Hmm. Understand? What do you do when the kids ask, "WHY?"! Hmm. You'll need a book that makes you understand -- in simple language -- the philosophy of WHY character counts, of right and wrong, of good and evil, of moral and immoral, and of ethical and unethical. The school that exists to teach the "advanced course" in "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG, MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS" is West Point. The only book that explains the philosophy behind all the "WHYS" -- in simple language -- is the book titled "WEST POINT", by Norman Thomas Remick. It's THE companion book for all how-to books and "courses", basic or advanced, on parenting and character. It will become kind of an encyclopedia that you can refer to for explaining "WHY?" to your kids. And it will give Borba's diamond in the rough its required polish.

More Than A Book... It's A Handbook
Parents Do Make a Difference is more than a book, it's a handbook. Dr. Borba uses extensive use of checklists, exercises, helpful suggestions and real life examples to help parents teach the skills of personal, emotional and motivational success to their children.Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Psychology    3. Child rearing    4. Ethics & Morals    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family Psychology    7. General    8. Parenting - General    9. Psychology    10. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    11. Self-actualization (Psychology    12. Self-actualization (Psychology) in children    13. Self-confidence in children    14. Self-realization    15. Social Psychology    16. Success in children    17. Child & developmental psychology    18. Child care & upbringing    19. Psychology & Psychiatry / Developmental Psychology    20. Parenting   

Reviews (19)

In Memory of Sillie the Cat
Thank you Gary for this well written, insightful book.I was heartbroken at the loss of my kitty of 16 years.This book was able to comfort me during the time of sadness.While I'm not over the loss, I was able to stop agonizing over the decision to put my loving cat to sleep after so many years of shared love.

helping grieving pet care givers
This book had some good points, though not everything in it was
Goodbye Friend
I really enjoyed this book, Being i just lost my best friend! my dog after 14 years i needed something to read about to inspier me, i like the point Every thing dies Goldfish,Whales,Friends Family members, All life comes to a end!
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Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Death    3. Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. General    5. Pet owners    6. Pets    7. Psychological aspects    8. Psychology    9. Coping with death & bereavement    10. Domestic animals & pets    11. Pets / Reference   

Editorial Review

Can 1.2 billion exceptionally nervous nervous systems be wrong? No way, says depth psychologist Elaine Aron, bestselling author of Read more

Reviews (7)

The perfect companion to the HSP book.
If you are serious about understanding being a highly sensitive person and want to, ". . . Thrive When the World Overwhelms You," this book can be very helpful.It caused me to think hard about what I'd read in The Highly Sensitive Person; consider what I must do to overcome any obstacles and make positive changes in my life.
Sensitive types
Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) are already sensitive to the role a book like this can play in their ability to take an active approach to self-understanding. Once one's status as an HSP is established, by way of this book's sensitively provided self-tests, the book then goes on to provide the tools to categorise one's sensitivity-type (ST) even further. The rude and insensitive sector of the population (RAIPs) would no doubt be surprised to learn that there are several types of HSP, with different levels of sensitivity depending on the life domain. Introverted, creative, sociable, and worried HSPs everywhere will be grateful to have these tools at their fingertips to increase the depth of their self-awareness on the HSP scale.
Learned helplessness repackaged as coping skills
The highly sensitive person, a creature undefined in this text and rooted nowhere in the realms of psychology or sociology, deserves much better than being pandered to and infantilized. Rather than teach coping mechanisms and skills for interpreting interpersonal communication, Aron's advice encourages narcissistic behavior and serves to convince the reader that they are fundamentally different from others in an undefined way, incapable of functioning on a basic social level, and rudderless without her help.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Personality    3. Psychology    4. Self-actualization (Psychology    5. Self-actualization (Psychology)    6. Sensitivity (Personality trait    7. Sensitivity (Personality trait)    8. Coping with stress    9. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    10. Popular psychology    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / Personality   

Reviews (3)

Dan Brown helps reveal real Holy Grail of spirituality
This book was originally published in 1986 and Amazon.co.uk lists a March 31st 2006 reprinting under Transformation of Consciousness. If you want to read more of Ken Wilber's epicyclic models, then this is twenty year old epicycles (see Andresen and Forman: Cognitive Models and Spiritual Maps for a more recent Wilber piece followed by a sympathetic but still exposing critique by Christian de Quincey). Wilber's old friend Michael Bauwens has put up his The Cult of Ken Wilber on the web for those interested in this New Age cult.
dusty, but still therapeutic!
just one personal comment: merely reading the definitions of "split life-goals" and "dark night of the soul" by Wilber saved me several months (years?) of struggling - the book provides a novel structure of psychopathology and if you have a structure you have something to hold onto. very therapeutic book for (post)existential-level strugglers! Finally!!!
Where have the thoughts in this book been for so long??? Transformations of Consciousness thinks critically about issue's in psychology and spirituality that are so important and would seem so obvious, I wonder howthey've managed to escape us all so completely. Primarily, this text bringsattention and profoundly questions the motives of the psychological as wellas contemplative schools in such a fundamental way as to expose unaddressedpervasive issues that ignorence of which can constitute avoidablecasualties to mental and spiritual health. Emphasis is placed onrecognition of developmental/phase specific aspects of what constituteappropriate therapeutic and spiritual practices. Specifically,when ismeditation harmful as opposed to benificial. What are any of the obstaclesin selectively transplanting eastern contemplative practices into thewestern cultural context? What can both eastern and western traditionscontribute to and learn from each other? Wilber, Engler and Brown bothimpressed and stimulated me with the extraordinary depth and far reachingimplications of their considerations. Now, I know why my experience in aneastern influenced spiritual community was bound to end in disillusionmentand what has unconsciously motivated so much of my frustrating seeking!What better gift could you ask for?? If therapy has been repeatedlyineffectual, costly and disappointing, or if despite your interest inspirituality you've felt something was missing that you have had difficultyarticulating; This book will articulate it. What a glorious Gift!! Thisbook is my BIBLE now! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Consciousness    3. Developmental Psychology    4. Psychiatry (Specific Aspects)    5. Psychology    6. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    7. Non-Classifiable    8. Popular psychology    9. Topics in philosophy   

Reviews (39)

Five stars for the tragic elements, a health warning for the rest...
This is a tragic story and for that (and for that alone - in so far as the book is sold as an account of Treya Wilber's lamentable and extremely moving death) it gets five stars.However, the other side of this book is equally lamentable.It is also a desperately cynical and muddled stab at publicising Ken Wilber's ideas via a `soft' title.It stands as the work of a man who uses his wife's death to grandstand, once again well away from any rigorous academic spotlight, his untested `Integral' vision.He tells us that Treya herself wanted this kind of content to be published with personal diaries after her death, but, really...how sickening does the book rapidly become when chapter after chapter is devoted to stating how much of a genius Wilber is alleged to be, or how incisive his ideas are according to himself and the various spiritually biased writers he turns to for validation?Consequently, I have one or two questions, seeing the book is now actually in danger of being turned into a film starring Jennifer Aniston.
A mind & spirit opener
Other books may be eye openers, this one opened my mind and spirit. It was recommended to me by a friend who'd read it after his mother died, and I took it up after two recent deaths in my family and to prepare myself to deal with my own mother's severe illness. I found this book not only to be soothing andtruly inspiring, it also provided something I had long sought for without being able to put a name to it - an introduction to perennial philosophy, a starter and a guide on how to to explore and combine Western and Eastern philosophies and religions.
Paean to Life

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Subjects:  1. Developmental - General    2. Diseases - Cancer    3. General    4. Inspirational    5. Inspirational - General    6. Psychology    7. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (17)

Good info, though recommendations not practical
I really liked what I learned from this book about the kinds of thoughts and responses that characterize and promote pessimism and depression - it helped me see my own habits more clearly and look at the kind of example I might be setting.However, the very intricate exercises that the book lays out for helping kids change their habits - great as they may be for a therapeutic setting - seem to me something that would be awkward and forced between a parent and child. I would tend to adapt these to be much more casual - or forget them altogether and just concentrate on parents' changing their own behavior and the example they set for their children, and drawing lessons from the book for how you can work with your children to develop a positive and confident response to both good and bad days.

Do society a favor and read this book
we found this book very insightful and enlightening.It provides ideas to put into practice in order to help to encourage the creation of a self-sufficient adult with problem solving skills - something our society seems to have a lack of.Enjoyable reading as well.If you have gone as far in your consideration of this book as reading this review go ahead and buy it.worthwhile entertaining and useful.

Extremely useful
I was hoping this book would be more geared towards younger children and prevention techniques parents could employ early on, but it definitely deals more with older children.I skipped over the middle third of the book that is strictly about high school aged kids, but the other 2/3s was very useful to me. I even loaned it out to several friends whose children have had depression tendencies, and they also found it helpful.
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Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Psychology    3. Depression (Psychology)    4. Depression in children    5. Developmental - Child    6. Emotions    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Optimism    9. Prevention    10. Child & developmental psychology   

Reviews (4)

How to Best Live Life
I would give this book 10 stars if I could. First, I should mention this is *not* a book about running any more than Moby-Dick is a book about whales. Rather, it is a discourse on how best to live one's life, written by someone near the end of his. I read this every year, and every year I'm amazed at how wise Dr. Sheehan was.Like Shakespeare or the Bible, it opens up to me the more I read it, and every time I learn something new, if only because I've changed and understand it better through experience.It helps me measure my own growth. I can't express what an influence it has been.

Going The Distance : All Sold Out
I bought this book when it first came out in 1996. I have now just gotten around tor reading it (1999). I am bad about putting off things I suspect are going to be very good (Delayed gratification). this book will touch every runners heart
This was the first running book I ever read, I am trying to read all of his books. But some are hard to come across. A touching story of a man and such a stong devotion of the meaning "life," god bless him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Cancer    4. Cancer (Psychosocial Aspects)    5. Death    6. Death, Grief, Bereavement    7. Health, Exercise & Fitness    8. Patients    9. Psychological aspects    10. Sheehan, George    11. United States    12. Biography: sport    13. Non-Classifiable    14. Track & field sports, athletics   

Reviews (9)

I wish I had read this book sooner !
I have loved K�bler -Ross's work and bought this book when I bought "On Grief and Grieving" by her and David Kessler. I have had it by my bed for months now. I thought that K�bler Ross's last book with Kessler is one of the best books on Grief I have ever read. Now after reading "The Needs of the Dying" I am so sorry I waited so long to read it. Any one who has a loved one with a terminal illness needs this book. It begins with how to deal with the diagnosis, the importance of hope and very helpful tips on getting the help you need from the medical system. It has two great chapters on dealing with pain and preventing unnecessary suffering. There is great information on medications and the fear of addiction. It has sections on advanced directives and how to use them in the hospital situation. What I loved the most is it gives you the information that the doctors and nurses don't always have time to explain. Beside the vital medical information it just has great suggestions on how to have the hard conversations. There are great stories with examples on what to say and not to say to children and insightful information on spirituality. David even talks about people having visions as they near death. It also tenderly describes what to expect at the end. It helps you feel like you can have some control in a situation that makes you feel you have lost all control. I wish I had this book when my loved one was dying. I know this is not a book that anyone wants to read, but if you find yourself in this situation , do not wait to read this book. I now know why Mother Teresa, Marianne Williamson and Elisabeth K�bler Ross and my friends felt this book was important. I highly recommend it. Don't miss the comfort it will bring you and your loved ones.

needs of the dying
the author is to much in the zone of "I". I have difficulty reading writings of those who are to much in the "I".I think using the words we or they at times tends to make the reading much more palatalable

Beautiful...
What a beautifully written book about death and the dying process.I only wish that I had been able to read this and so many more like it when my beloved mother was going through the dying process. I would have been able to understand so much better just what she was trying to communicate to me.
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Subjects:  1. Death    2. Death / Grief / Consolation    3. Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. Family relationships    5. General    6. Hospices    7. Psychological aspects    8. Psychology    9. Terminal Care    10. Terminally ill    11. Thanatology    12. Self-Help / Death, Grief, Bereavement   

Reviews (31)

Highly recommended
This book is one of the first great books that Dr. Kubler-Ross has gifted us with.Her insight and compassion are unremarkable.I am sad she won't be writing any more books though.Her latest book, "On Grief and Grieving" is a wonderful book also.There are some case studies to go by and it truly touches your soul.

On Death and Dying
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross once again inspires us to learn how to care for those dying patients and their family members. This book assists our care and compassion through true life experiences of those dying. This book grabs at your heart and pulls you in!

Very helpful when you have to accept someone's death
Each time people around me lost their family, I gave this book.Most of them said that it was a great help to recover from grief.I, myself experienced a hard time to accept mentally a familly member's death and the book gave me a relief, though I do not believe everything written in it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classics    2. Death    3. Death, Grief, Bereavement    4. Psychological aspects    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Terminally ill    8. Thanatology    9. Death & dying    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (6)

Narcissism revealed
This book clarifies the nature of personality disorders. I was researching narcissim for my Master's in Counseling program. Some of the terminology and concepts wer difficult to understand, but the overal picture is crystal clear. This book should be mandatory reading for all therapists. It is the most comprehensive work in modern times on the nature and range of personality styles. I wonder what the author is doing now?

Paradigm Shift
This book was the only text used in my graduate Psychopathology class.Five years later I have gone back again and again for use in my practice.Johnson brilliantly integrates most of the psychodynamic schools of thought to construct a "characterological-developmental" model of motivation, personality development, and treatment of psychopathology.He delineates components of character in terms of etiology, symptoms, cognitive styles, defenses,pathogenic beliefs, self and object representations, and affective characteristics.In addition he outlines treatment goals and objectives for each character in cognitive, affective, and behavioral areas.Johnson manages to bring psychoanalytic terminology down to earth and put it in existential terms (e.g. The Hated Child, The Used Child, etc).
This book is a treasure
I will never part with this book.It's an eye-opener like no other book on human nature that I know of.I wish I read this book when I was younger; it would make my life a whole lot better.I also would've been a better parent.This book should be mandatory reading for every couple that's expecting a child -- but also the adult children with charcterological problems.
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Subjects:  1. Individual differences    2. Nature and nurture    3. Personality    4. Personality and culture    5. Personality development    6. Personality disorders    7. Psychology    8. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    9. Clinical psychology    10. The self, ego, identity, personality