Subjects:  1. Ego    2. General    3. Neuropsychology    4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders    5. Post-traumatic stress disorder    6. Psychological Theory    7. Psychology    8. Psychotherapy    9. Psychotherapy - General    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Treatment    12. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (3)

Movies and Mental Illness: Using Films to Understand Psychotherapy
A really fine layman's guide to several prominent mental illnesses where specific films accurately portray manifestations of and reactions to those illnesses.It is now much more enjoyable to watch those films again with a better understanding of what the characters are attempting to portray. Highly recommended to any movie viewer who would like to know more about specific mental illnesses, but aren't able to attend psychiatric Grand Rounds as a physician.

Fascinating Movie Book
You may think Movies and Mental Illness is a book intended strictly for the mental health professionals and/or educators. Although I do not fall in either of these categories, I was enlightened by the wealth of knowledge offered by this book.
Psychopathology at the Movies
A good book covering a host of movies across time.Apart from one movie at the beginning of each chapter for a disorder category, not much diagnosis detail.Written by sound researchers in psychotherapy ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio-visual aids    2. Clinical Psychology    3. Mental Illness    4. Mental illness in motion pictures    5. Personality    6. Psychology    7. Psychology, Pathological    8. Psychotherapy - General    9. Study and teaching    10. Educational resources & technology    11. Films, cinema    12. Psychiatry   

Reviews (3)

Some ideas about the Book
This book is a very useful and practical tool for practitioner in the fild of counselling - especially the assessment instruments.It also covers topics that are recurring in difficult maritalrelationships, such as resolvong solvable and perpetual problems.I find the book very resourceful, and full of good, practical advice.This book is a great help in my practice as a marriage counselor.

Comprehensive overview!
This book by John Gottman deals with nearly all aspects of marital therapy: myths and mistakes, assessment methods, and interventions. Profound view of marital therapy
This remarkable book advances the understanding of what works in marital and, I believe, family therapy.Early chapters review marital theories, and how they lived up to their assumptions when tested through welldesigned research.Gottman presents a very respectful attitude toward themarital couple and emphasizes the importance of honoring the goal ofestablishing and supporting the couple's self sufficiency.The chaptertitled Buffering Children From Marital Conflict is an insightfulintroduction into how to help parents develop the tools to strenghten theirchildren's resilience.As a person who has worked with at risk childrenand families for 17 years and has recently completed a masters degree inmental health counseling, I have read my share of family counseling books. From Satir to Whitaker to Lang to Minuchen(sp)... (you get the point). This is by far the best book on the subject! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Counseling (Psychology)    2. Marital Therapy    3. Marital psychotherapy    4. Marriage    5. Marriage counseling    6. Psychological aspects    7. Psychology    8. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    9. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    10. Psychotherapy - General    11. Counselling    12. Psychiatry   

Reviews (2)

third of fourth revision - as the research goes on - worth getting
I really liked the first version of this book and this latest revised version has even more information.
A very interesting, well-written book
"Winter Blues" is a well-crafted book by Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal, the creator of the contemporary concept of seasonal affective disorder and light therapy, one of the outstanding leaders in the field of mood disorders, and the author of numerous publications including the famous books "The Emotional Revolution" and "St. John's Wort: The Herbal Way to Feeling Good." The first edition of "Winter Blues" was published in 1993. In the past 12 years this book has become a classic reference for the thousands of people who experience seasonal changes in mood and behavior. The new edition is not merely a cosmetic update but an extensive revision of the previous edition. The revised edition of "Winter Blues" provides the readers with the most up-to-date information on the research in the field and reflects new perspectives in appreciating how much we can do to overcome the effects of seasons. The chapter on new research demonstrates the vast accumulation of new information we have gained on the subject of seasonal affective disorder, seasonality, and light treatment. The author describes interesting scientific findings related to the neurobiological mechanisms of seasonality. Other chapters of this book provide the readers with useful information on how to overcome "winter blues" and related topics. I am impressed with the deepness of the author's description of the "holiday blues" and "anniversary reactions." This is a simply written, interesting book. It is a book I certainly recommend to everybody who is interested in natural sciences. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Depression    2. Emotions    3. Popular works    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy    6. Psychotherapy - General    7. Seasonal affective disorder    8. Coping with illness    9. Popular medicine    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Mental Health   

Reviews (4)

A Non-Drug Approach Based on Treating Symptoms With Sound Nutrition
.
Too bad it's too late!
I have started to read this book.Too bad that my sister's old boyfriend did not have this book.He hung himself in 2003 after apparently suffering from this disorder which did not really hit him till his 30's!My sister said that when she was dating him he did not even drink much less take drugs.
The Natural Medicine Guide to Bipolar Disorder (The Healthy Mind Guides)
I have suffered for 13 years with Bipolar Disorder, and this book was very thorough and educational about the nutritional components of the disorder, as well as alternative therapy treatments.I would highly recommend this book to anyone suffering from bipolar disorder. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Medicine    2. Alternative treatment    3. Bipolar Disorder    4. Depression    5. Manic-depressive illness    6. Medical    7. Mood Disorders    8. Naturopathy    9. Popular Works    10. Psychology    11. Psychotherapy - General    12. therapy    13. Complementary Medicine    14. Psychiatry   

Reviews (6)

Life changing information
I recommend this book all to my clients and friends. It is a must read for parents who honestly want to be the best parent to their children and who really want to show up in this life as the best they can be. I always keep a few extra copies on hand to give away.

If you want to FEEL different -then do the Process!
I did the Hoffman Process almost three years ago and have referred many people to it since then.I can, with an open heart, honestly say that doing the Process was the biggest gift I could have ever given myself, my parents and all the people I love.If you have a voice within that is searching for something and you just don't know what it is -then consider the Process. The only way I can describe it is as the imperative missing link to the million piece puzzle that made up me and my life. The Process is loving and very powerful and was the key to organic lasting change for me.

Hoffman Process extracts the psychic scream/root of pain
Have you ever noticed that no matter how much you know ... it doesn't make a difference? Have you struggled with very long-standing childhood-based hurts that no amount of seminars, workshops, support groups, or counselling has been able to help resolve 100%?
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Consumer Health    3. Fantasy    4. General    5. Healing    6. Love    7. Psychotherapy    8. Self-Help    9. Self-actualization (Psychology    10. Self-actualization (Psychology)    11. Self-esteem    12. Spiritual    13. Therapeutic use    14. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (7)

A Scientific Approach to Change
In the thorougly revised edition of the "Heroic Client", Duncan, Miller, and Sparks now advocate "A Revolutionary Way to Improve Effectivness." They invite mental health professionals, of any discipline, to partner with clients in all aspects of their care and abandon the search for the best therapeutic process or evidence-based therapy, and instead,focus on client-based outcome feedback to improve effectivness by an incredible 65 percent! Provocative Insights for Corporate Training and Development
A provocative book that is relevant to the European market although it is written in the context of the US where psychotherapy practice is enmeshed in disputes about status and funding that can sideline the needs of the clients. US psychotherapy seems to be fragmented by internal battles about models and techniques, while fighting a general action to resist medical domination from perceived second-status to psychiatry, and the siren-like influence of Big Pharma and the financial pressures of managed care. To a different approach to helping people
Barry Duncan and Scott Miller are with Marc Hubble directors of The Institute for the Study of Therapeutic Change (...). These people play an important role in improving and renewing therapy. In this book, the authors explain how therapy has for too long been been neglecting, ignoring, and depersonalizing clients, by its over-emphasis on methods and techniques, by following the medical model, by its emphasis on pathology, by hegemony of biological approaches, and so on. Read more

Subjects:  1. Client-centered psychotherapy    2. Physician-Patient Interaction    3. Psychiatry - General    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy    6. Psychotherapy - Counseling    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / Counseling   

Reviews (1)

A multigenerational, intrapersonal practical counseling tool
Family systems are facinating, dynamic, and multidimensional.Psycologists and counselors have developed systems for studying them.M. Bowen and Systems Theory are well linked to the development and use ofgenograms in family and individual therapy, for instance. Genogramare used in American Association of Marriage and Family Thereapistsclinical training and supervision programs, and are an important tool inthe clinical process.Medical schools and practices, genetic counselors,and even business and organizational settings find them useful.Genograms, though, have their limitations which the authors summarize well,proceeding to make a clear case for what they have developed: theMultilayered Focused Genogram (MFG).They make a graphic comparison ofcurrent genograms as normal X-ray exam, to MFG system which for them islike the hospital MRI exam, providing much more in-depth information.Actually, the MFG is a combination of the Basic Genogram, Family Map andTime Line, amplified with one or more Focused Genograms.It is aninclusive system of assessing issues in all aspects of a client's personaland multi-generational history as well as present day circumstances.I appreciate the format of the book for its clarity.In the first third,the authors address succinctly each of the three main components of MFGsusing vignettes and rationals for collecting and organizing so much dataabout the client and his or her family system.They provide practicalapplications and diagrams for the clinician's immediate use. The lasttwo thirds of the book address Focused Genograms, outlining a surprisingfifty plus possible topics of focus, and concentrate a chapter on the majorones: attachments, emotions, anger (as an important, specificallyindependent focus), gender, sexuality, romantic love and culture.Thefirst part of each of these last chapters is a guide to the constructionand uniqueness of each, while the last half gives the basic theoreticalconcepts and research that supports the inclusion of the particular topicsfor each Focused Genogram. Though the book does not pretend to be acritical review of the literature, the text is peppered with references,each chapter offers suggested reading, and includes a good bibliography ofover 225 books as well as comments on two computerized genogram programs. Neither is the book a complete exploration of the topical areas but ratheran strong overview, and therefore, would be useful to graduate students (incounseling, psychology, genetics, medicine, or business) or anyone whowanted to upgrade their current use of genograms to incorporate thismeaningful and extensive MFG tool into their counseling practice.Focused Genograms kept my interest throughout, and it was well worth mytime.I will make good use of the practical list of suggested question itcontains in every chapter with my clients starting right away. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavioral assessment    2. Charts, diagrams, etc    3. Family Psychotherapy    4. Interpersonal Relations    5. Medical    6. Medical History & Records    7. Psychology    8. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    9. Psychotherapy - General    10. Reference    11. Technique    12. Family & relationships    13. Family history    14. Genealogy    15. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy    16. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (5)

Focusing is life-changing, especially guided by Ann Cornell
Focusing is a life-changing technique of identifying what is really going on inside you.And Ann's book is a clear explanation of how to do the technique of Focusing.She is a remarkable teacher, able to both understand and explain significant nuances of the technique... nuances that can make the difference between success and failure in using the technique.A magnificent work.Bravo, Ann!

An under-rated and under-stated problem solving technique
I read Gendlin's book two decades ago, and discovered this one a few years ago. So I've got quite a bit of experience with Focusing under my belt. This is a very powerful meditational discipline, but simple to learn and implement. This book wonderfully clarifies and enriches Gendlin's!
I first read Eugene Gendlin's original book on Focusing and found it tremendously helpful and life-changing. But finding this additional resource on Focusing was a wonderful gift because this book clarifies andgets to the heart of how you can really make Focusing work for you. Theauthor states concepts simply but powerfully and addresses those veryissues that were hard for me to understand in Gendlin's book. I felt like Ijust couldn't fail with Focusing after I read this book. She also hasreally, really helpful examples throughout the book. I have recommendedthis book to a lot of people, without reservation, and will continue to doso. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Focused expressive psychothera    2. Focused expressive psychotherapy    3. General    4. New Age    5. Psychology    6. Psychotherapy - General    7. Self-Help    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Popular psychology   

Reviews (2)

Brief Child Therapy Homework Planner
If you work with underprivileged kids, as I do, you will find this book's exercises very difficult to use.The exercises requiresustained attention for reading long passages, and the vocabulary level is extremely high, even for my 7th grade clients.Many exercises require critical thinking and creative writing skills, which my client's have great difficulty with as well.Most inner city kids I work with are performing 2-3 grade levels behind, and look at me like I am crazy when I try to do these exercises with them. Child Homework Planner Review
I feel this book is an excellent resource for students, teachers, family, and clinicians. I use this book on a regular basis, incorporating each homework assignment into each session and treatment plan. It is very helpful in defining the appropriate technique to a specific problem area. This book gives specific homework assignments for particular diagnoses. As clinicians, we can use this book to explore assignments other clinicians have found useful. We can also increase our knowledge of new homework assignments. This book is different to other books due to its specificity to various childhood disorders. I recommend counseling classes use this book as a guide to learn techniques. I also recommend families to read this book and try out the homework assignments. As a psychotherapist, I have found this book to be a highly effective tool in my everyday work with childhood disorders. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Psychiatry    2. Child psychotherapy    3. Developmental - Adolescent    4. Mental illness    5. Planning    6. Practice Management    7. Psychiatric records    8. Psychology    9. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    10. Psychotherapy    11. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    12. Psychotherapy - General    13. Treatment    14. Child & developmental psychology    15. Paediatric medicine    16. Psychology & Psychiatry / Adolescent Psychology   

Reviews (3)

Recommend!
Easy to read and helpful for understanding the process of EMDR.I would have to agree with the previous reviewer Laura M that PEACEFUL HEART : A Woman's Journey to Healing is a must-read.Aimee Jo Martin's story clearly illustrates and details her journey with successful EMDR treatments.Quite powerful if you want to really see how effective EMDR can be.

An excellent case history guide to EMDR with children
Dr. Lovett, the clinical detective (behavioral pediatrician) writes poignant analyses of her work with childhood traumas great and small, in which she applies the bilateral stimulation techniques of EMDR. Her writingstyle iseasy to read, and demonstrates the relative rapidity of traumaresolution when EMDR is properly interwoven into more traditional therapy.Her book is a valuable guide for clinicians skilled in the EMDR technique,as well as informative for parents considering such treatment for theirchild. As an EMDR therapist who teaches workshops on treating children, Ihighly recommend this engaging volume. Frances Klaff Ph.D.

Intriguing stories of recovery from trauma!
This is a well-written book about a pediatrician's experience with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprogramming) as a healing tool for people suffering from the results of traumatic incidents. It would appealto laymen as well as professionals. The intriguing stories are like littlemysteries, which unravel in a hopeful way. The author experienced a seriouscar accident and was finally helped to overcome some puzzling symptoms withEMDR. She got training in the technique and began using it (with greatsuccess) in her practice. This book is alive with vignettes of childrenwith problems that no one has been able to fix, but who have responded toEMDR. This compelling book would appeal to anyone interested in a shortterm method of overcoming limiting behaviors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Allied Health Services - Physical Therapy    2. Child And Youth Physical Therapy    3. Eye movement desensitization a    4. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for children    5. Pediatrics    6. Psychiatry - Child & Adolescent    7. Psychology    8. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    9. Psychotherapy - General    10. Child & developmental psychology    11. Paediatric medicine    12. Physiotherapy    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Medical records    4. Mental health services    5. Practice Management    6. Psychology    7. Psychotherapy - General    8. Sex crimes    9. Sexual abuse victims    10. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    11. Psychology / Practice Management    12. Sexual abuse   

Reviews (3)

Psychology Textbook
This textbook was much better than I expected.It is very well laid out, and full of relevant important psychology information.As an introductory text it is exceptional.It is engaging and readable, and makes learning less tedious.The topics covered are not only interesting to Psychology majors, but important for everyone.Not only does the author touch on the history of pyschology and the important people in psychology, it also has psychology information and research that is up-to-date and applicable to modern day living.

I use this text in my class and my students love it
I chose this text for my Intro to Psychology class and have taught with it three times so far. The majority of end-of-semester student reviews of the text are highly favorable.There are always a few students who feel the way the previous reviewer did, but out of a class of about 85 students, that's a small percentage. On the whole, students indicate that they find the text to be accessible, fast-paced, and grounded in real world examples. I have no complaints!

The worst textbook I have read
I am currently a college student majoring in a humanities area. Traditionally, I have been weak in areas involving scientific knowledge (and psychology is a life science as well as a social science discipline). Unfortunately, I had to use this dreadful textbook for my introductory psychology class. It is undoubtedly the worst textbook I have ever used, not because it isn't comprehensive, but because of the author's erratic and ultimately irritating writing style. Mr. Rathus insists on making annoying and unnecessary jokes every few lines or paragraphs - the subject is boring as it is, don't make our misery worse with stale jokes! In addition, he crams so much information in the paragraphs in an unsophisticated and rushed style, particularly with chapter 2 (biological psychology), that I was left with the headache of trying to sort out what exactly was important and what wasn't. Beware if your teacher uses the database of test questions that apparently come with this text - the questions test tiny, seemingly insignificant details instead of the more important, broad general concepts of psychology. I hope that other professors use other introductory psychology textbooks. I would undoubtedly *not* recommend this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Developmental - General    2. Psychology    3. Psychotherapy - General    4. Textbooks    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Developmental Psychology   

Reviews (5)

Easy to follow and understand for the NRP novice
Studying for my renewal for NRP proved to be as easy as the initial class with the cd-rom. I have extremely limited contact with this pt. population, but I am able to easily recall the information attained through this text/multimedia. Although nothing substitutes actual "hands-on," instruction or experience, this will provide a valuable asset for the ACLS/PALS impaired.

has its ups and downs
The book has absolutely everything you need to know word-for-word to get certified in NALS. It comes from more of a nursing perspective so little details like how to operate the jackson-reiss and anatomy of the airway will be extremely redunant for respiratory therapists. Excellent and Improved Version
Text flows well and I was able to ace the course.Great reference to keep in your locker at work for review, too ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Critical Care    2. Medical    3. Neonatal intensive care    4. Pediatrics    5. Perinatology & Neonatology    6. Psychology    7. Psychotherapy - General    8. Respiratory therapy for newbor    9. Respiratory therapy for newborn infants    10. Resuscitation    11. Neonatal medicine   

Subjects:  1. Existential psychotherapy    2. Movements - Existential    3. Psychology    4. Psychotherapy - Counseling    5. Psychotherapy - General    6. Reference    7. Psychotherapy    8. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (3)

This book by a master of the art of psychotherapy
Sheldon Kopp practiced as a true master of the art and technique of psychotherapy. One's own personality is part of the tool bag available to a psychotherapist. Uncertain beginners may be inspired by this book, or they may be a tad intimidated. If you are not ready for this one, try Kopp's earlier "Guru" or "Buddha" books. Come back to this one after you have gained more real experience as a psychotherapist -- that would be a reasonable way to begin to become aware of the work of this impressive figure.

Rigid and outdated psychotherapy method.
This book offers a description of how the author conducts psychotherapy. I hope there aren't many people following his guidelines; they are rigidand off-putting.The therapy situation should be a collaborative effort,not one in which the therapist is all-powerful, all-knowing andover-controlling.If I met my therapist on an elevator and he aknowledgedmy presence by closing his eyes and concentrating on his breathing, I wouldnot make it all the way to his office. Much better books on psychotherapyare The Heart of Psychotherapy by George Weinberg and On Being a Therapistby Jeffrey Kottler. Read these instead. I'm sending back Back to One.

A must read for all students/practitioners of psychotherapy
I read this book as an assignment during my internship at a mental health counseling center.It examines the relationship between the therapist and client in a way that was not done in any of my coursework.It was very readable, and I would recommend it to any psychotherapy student interested in the dynamics of the relationship between therapists and clients. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movements - Behaviorism    2. Psychology    3. Psychotherapist and patient    4. Psychotherapy    5. Psychotherapy - General   

Reviews (1)

Good introduction to biopsychosocial assessment
The authors all teach at the Smith College School for Social Work, andthis book developed from their lectures on biopsychosocial theories ofdevelopment.Their students report that of all the books purchased duringtheir graduate career, this is the one they refer back to most often. Well-chosen cases illuminate the theories, and issues of culture and genderare nicely integrated. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Movements - Psychoanalysis    2. Personality    3. Psychology    4. Psychotherapy - General    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    6. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (5)

THELAST SPIRITUAL TESTAMENT OF A VERY WISE MAN
Gerald May, well known author of Addiction and Grace, was dying as he wrote this book.He leaves it to us as a last testament of the wisdom he gained not from his teachers, peers or patients, but from the wilderness within him and without.Recounting expeditions into nature over a five-year period, he shares with us what he experienced in the woods and on the water, how nature's lessons healed him finally at a deep level of his being, and how they might also heal us.He and we are one with that nature, not separate from it, whether to tame or destroy or protect.Nature herself heals the rift that can arise between her and us, and led him to accept its force within himself -- even fear, imperfection and dying -- exactly for what it is.May acquires a Zen-like openness to all things, an appreciation and acceptance of all things just as they are, a delight in and gratitude for all things, and of the force and power behind them. "Love," he writes, "is the pervading passion of all things that draws diversity into oneness, that knows and pleads for union, that aches for goodness and beauty, that suffers loss and destruction....Love is the energy that fuels, fills, and embraces everything everywhere.And there is no end to it, ever."His insights are many: great and small, clear and subtle, well-known to solitary venturers into the wild and strikingly origianl with him.His perception into his own deep feeling is acute and his writing is exquisite.This book is a gift for us all, a special gift for those who appreciate nature or have, like May, spent time alone in it.
Seeing into Yourself through experiencing Nature
In "The Wisdom of Wilderness", Dr. Gerald May, a practicing psychiatrist and avid outdoor enthusiast, engagingly shares insightful stories of how he learned about himself through his experiences in nature.While we live in hectic worlds with little time for conscious reflection, Dr. May encourages us to learn about ourselves through thoughtful consideration of our everyday experiences.
Gerald May truely inspires
This book by Gerald May is amazingly powerful and inspirational.His revelations of personal feelings, thoughts and experiences are so well detailed, that the pages jump to life.This is a must read for anyone searching for a peaceful heart. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Mental Health    4. Mental Health And Hygiene    5. Mental healing    6. Nature, Healing power of    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Psychology of Religion    9. Psychotherapy - General    10. Religion - Commentaries / Reference    11. Spiritual    12. Spiritual Healing    13. Spirituality    14. Spirituality - General    15. Religion / Spirituality   

Reviews (14)

If your partner's Menopausal, save your money,buy "racy" DVDs instead.
Very little offered in this book about what to do for the ravages of Menopause, except "take more time and use lots of LUBE".
Useful advice
This book gives practical advice for happily married couples who need to spice up their sex life. I liked this book because it focuses on sex-related issues rather than fixing troubled marriages.

Wholistic Approach to Fulfilling Sexual Relationship
I particularly liked this book because it approaches the problem of rekindling sexual fulfillment in marriage from the viewpoint of the whole person.That is, it deals with the range of mental and emotional elements which contribute to real sexual fulfillment.This permits the reader to identify the elements applicable to his or her relationship and also to recognize that remedial action may require a range of actions.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Human Sexuality    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Marriage    5. Men    6. Psychology    7. Psychotherapy - Counseling    8. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    9. Sex in marriage    10. Sex instruction    11. Sexual Instruction    12. Sexual behavior    13. Women    14. Marriage, family & other relationships    15. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy    16. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (4)

Some of the most important principles in my life
Some of the most important principles in my life can be found in Dr. Viktor Frankl's The Doctor and the Soul. Without them, I along with my efforts to do good in the world would be lost in cynicism and depression. The book is an answer to Ecclesiastes' refrain, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." The book is an answer of hope.