Reviews (5)

helpful background
in depth history of aa beginnings, including much insight into the formative reasons for the successes and failures of this program. very helpful for someone new to aa, trying to grasp the essence of the program.

Not God
Wonderfully insightful for all. Splendidly illustrates the history and formation of AA and it's painstaking growth through the early formative years of AA.
Inciteful history that provides a good read.
Not God provides an inciteful and thoughtful study of the history of AA.It will provide the experienced 12 stepper further understanding of their program.Additionally, readers not already conversant with the subject will learn and grow from this introduction. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Self-Help    2. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    3. Twelve-Step Programs    4. Drug addiction & substance abuse    5. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (20)

"hard core" book
This book is a 5 for awakening of what was Harlem NY and for a sociological book, but a 4 because it is not something you will enjoy reading 2x.It is deep, complex, and if you are a young person reading it or someone unfamiliar with the mentallity of the oppressed being an oppressor in a unfeeling world...you may have to stop for a second and take a breath.The book is well written from a sociological and anthropological perspective and it will go from your heart and mind to the pit of your stomach, but it certainly is a wake up call to the social changes and conditions of poverty, drug use & abuse and the people sucked into that world.

An Amazing Ethnography
Concidering Bourgois's choice for an ethnographic site I am suprised this book is as non jugmental as it is.While some times limited in scope due to his almost complete forcus on the crack community of East Harlem, instead of venturing out and looking at this cultural groups inpact on the greater community around it, it gives a quite amazing portrayl and discusssion of drug culture in the neighborhood.The insights he makes on the effect of streat culture and challenges many from poor innercity communities can have in negotiating the licit economy is worth note.In particular the chapters School Days and Going Ligit are wonderful peices of ethnographic annalysis and study.That he chose not to glorify or shugar coat the lives of those he spent five years living with adds much to the power and incite of this work.

Interesting, Informative, and Flawed
This book was good in that the author went down into the ghetto area of East Harlem and befriended some crack dealers and then proceeded to write an account of their life, showing the difficulties and how outright pitiful their existence really is. It becomes relatively plain that selling crack isn't a glorious life but is an outright lame existence.
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Subjects:  1. Crack (Drug)    2. Drug traffic    3. Drug use    4. Hispanic Americans    5. New York    6. New York (State)    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Drug addiction & substance abuse    11. Social & cultural anthropology    12. Social Science / Sociology / General   

Reviews (1)

A Tool for Growth
I don't think we as human beings actually recognize the power of daily reading, meditation, and reflecting.Practicing these powerful principles allows us to remain mindful of the moment and reflect upon the deeper question in our lives.To devote ourself to a daily meditation and to journal on these quiet times is priceless and will certainly aid in the evolution of our soul.For me this practice has allowed an awakening to take place and opens my life up to all the opportunities that are available in this universe.Please give this practice a try!This book will help you in your journey of living and cultivating an active consciousness in your daily life.
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Subjects:  1. Devotional calendars    2. English    3. Journal Writing    4. Meditation    5. Meditations    6. Prayer-books and devotions    7. Religion    8. Self-Help    9. Twelve-step programs    10. Women    11. Gift books    12. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    13. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    14. Worship   

Reviews (7)

There is help
Consider this book if you are in a marriage/deep relationship and you are seeking to learn more about the disease of alcoholism.Perhaps you are in a 12 step program, if so, that is great.Either way, this will help you begin to understand the disease or advance your knowledge.The chapters are organized in a way that are simple and easy to read, skip around.

Getting Them Sober
I have been married to an alcoholic 28 years.My deceased father was an alcoholic and now my 37 yr old son is an alcoholic. After reading numerous books over the years I finally found one that made sense. This book gives practical advice to the person living with an alcoholic.I thank God for the insight provided by Toby Rice Drews!I strongly recommend this book for everyone that has been or will be involved in the life of an alcoholic!

THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN FOR FAMILIES OF ALL ADDICTS
THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN FOR THE FAMILIES OF ALCOHOLICS AND ADDICTS.FOLLOW THIS PATH AND GET SOMEWHERE. PLAIN SPOKEN AND EASILY UNDERSTANDABLE. A HOW TO. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism    3. Family relationships    4. Self-Help    5. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism   

Reviews (16)

Time tested
I waited a little over a year to write my review; I wanted to offer solid evidence in favor of this book and approach to losing my disordered eating (binge eating/compulsive overeating in my case). I read this book about 11 months ago and quit dieting after having gained 20 more pounds on my diet last winter (bingeing my way through it). I have been implementing normal eating ever since to the best of my ability.What changes have taken place in my less than perfect attempts to eat normally?
A sensible, honest, 'tried and tested' concept.
I've suffered from eating disorders for three years, I'm tired of unsuccessful dieting and eating foods that taste chemical: this book has given me a choice.
A revolutionary reminder that we're already "recovered"
Most books under the "self-help" category are misnomers because they are not about the self; they are pontifications by an alleged expert in the field of [fill in your personal struggle], attempting to tell readers how wrong-headed they've become and set them on the road to recovery. Linda Moran's book is a revolutionary reminder that we already have all the "recovery" we need. Conquering food issues forever is a matter of coming to terms with the fact that most humans don't need to be restricted by "a diet." By truly getting in touch with ourselves--all of our physical, emotional and intellectual needs--we can instinctively learn to feed ourselves in thoroughly nourishing and nutritional ways. With a non-diet approach to life we can be satisfied--even happy--with our bodies. In a personable and lucid style of writing, this book gives readers pragmatic insight into psychosocial responses to food, the way culture conditions our eating practices, scientific information on how the body and mind respond to diets, and perhaps most comforting of all, empathic, personal testimonies from the author herself.This is a must-read for anyone who has ever let food get in the way of living life to complete satiety. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness / Weight Loss    2. Self-Help / Eating Disorders    3. Cognitive therapy    4. Eating Disorders    5. Health & Fitness    6. Psychological aspects    7. Self-Help    8. Weight Control    9. Weight Loss   

Reviews (7)

Repeat After Me is worth the money
This book contains some nice information and is a worthwhile read.
"Repeat" is not Realistic
This is a work book designed to help ACOAs break free of the constraints of their upbringing.I am an ACOA and, like you reading my review, wanted to believe that re-training my thinking and outlook through these text book exercises would improve my life.I am sorry to say that is NOT realistic.The book is juvenile and tiresome with it's page after page of lists of feelings and events.Also, it is nothing more than her earlier book "It will never happen to me" with these exercises punctuating each paradigm.My best recommendation would be to purchase her original book and save your time, hope and money by passing over the temptation to commit to Repeat after Me work book.The original book is quite insightful and thought provoking on it's own.Good luck.

Recommended by my doctor
I haven't ordered this book yet, but it was recommended my pshyciatrist.As for causing more pain, well, when it comes to matters like these, it's going to happen.I will be using this in conjunction with medication to help me out of my depression, caused by my mentally abusive childhood.It usually gets worse before it gets better...No pain, No gain...I am doing this for me and my family. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Emotions    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Recovery    6. Self-esteem    7. Early learning / early learning concepts   

Reviews (5)

Reader Review
This is just an awesome book.As a recovering anorexic, i have found this book not only hopeful and inspiring, but helpful and fascinating.It has made me think of my eating disorder in a whole new way.Instead of talking about afflicted people as "sick," it refers to "insiders" and discusses a way of thinking where one views their disorder as separate from themself, rather than who they are.It's fascinating and i highly reccommend it for people suffering from an eating disorder, those who are recovered, friends and family of sufferers, and just anyone who has an interest.great!

Highly recommended
As someone who has struggled with anorexia for over half my life, I have often found myself reading anything on anorexia I could lay my hands on; desperately searching for the reassurance that comes from knowing one is not alone in one's experiences, as well as for some elusive insight that might assist me in resisting anorexia's stranglehold over my life.Yet frequently I have come away from such reading feeling dissatisfied and disheartened.Not so with 'Biting the Hand that Starves You'; in this book I found so much of what I had been searching for and a whole lot more.
Waiting for this Great Book!
I only wish that Rick, David, and Ali had written this book years ago! Because Biting the Hand that Starves You would have been an incredible source of information, motivation, and hope when I was desperately struggling in the depths of my eating disorder.
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Subjects:  1. Anorexia nervosa    2. Bulimia    3. Eating Disorders    4. Eating Disorders - General    5. Psychology    6. Psychopathology - Eating Disorders    7. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    8. Self-Help    9. Treatment    10. Eating disorders & therapy   

Reviews (27)

Clinical, not spiritual, a little tough to read
I've read a lot of break up books since my break up.This book was helpful, but not sure if it actually helped me?Anyway, I found 2 sites...one for girls and for guys that ended up helping me because of the support groups. brokenheartedgirl.com and brokenheartedguy.com.Sometimes you need to talk to people and they also recommend other books.

Excellent
The book was really helpful on overcoming my breakup.The book has really good information in it.The best information that I have found yet.In my opinion I highly recomend this book to anyone who is going through divorce or a breakup of any kind.
Average
It covers most of the major themes dealing with loss.It reads a bit slow and some parts are not interesting. Rebuilding is significantly better book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Interpersonal Relations    3. Psychology    4. Self-Help    5. Self-Help / Recovery   

Reviews (2)

Order more than one copy!
I read this book in one afternoon, the most informative, educational, and well-spent afternoon in months.This book should be a must-read for anyone who's living with a close friend or family member suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction.This book provided SO MANY answers for me to all those questions that anyone in my situation would ask.This book will be kept close for future reference, a gem that I am extremely happy to have found. I plan to order copies for other family members, as I don't intend to part with mine!

An essential resource for parents of addicts
Addict in the Family is a helpful guide for parents of addicts.Conyers reviews what is known about drug use today, including detailed information about the effects of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and heroin, without using 'scare tactics.' Using personal stories, she demonstrates some of the characteristics of addicts (lying, manipulation, denial, etc.).Most important, she provides a blue print for parents to work on their own recovery.As selfish as it appears, the work parents do on themselves also helps the addict.As a coach helping parents of children with addictions, I will recommend this book to all my clients. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Drug addicts    3. Dysfunctional Families    4. Family Relationships    5. Rehabilitation    6. Self-Help    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    9. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    10. Illness & addiction: social aspects    11. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (25)

The Canabible is dank
If you love nugget then this is the book for you.It has every thing you'll ever need to know about earths sweetest plat, cannabis. If you need to learn more about how to grow weed or even how to smoke or what to smoke out of then you need this book.But if you're just some one who loves chronic like me you will probly just sit there somkeing a blunt reading about the dankest plants on the earth for hours. Happy burning!

Perfect coffee table book.
What a great book. Very informative with excellant photography. Highly recommended!

Outstanding!
This author deserves at least five stars for his unparalleled effort!The Cannabible is a monumental work that will form the base of marijuana identification in the future.King has dedicated his life to writing about and photographing cannabis.His passion permeates every page of the book.We need more dedicated author/photographers like him.Traveling the world collecting information about an illegal plant is difficult and dangerous.King has risen to the occasion and provided great photographs and engaging text on my favorite plant.This connoisseur-quality book is a welcome addition to my library.My Cannabible II is on the way now! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cannabis    2. Gardening    3. Gardening/Plants    4. General    5. Marijuana    6. Nature    7. Plants - General    8. Popular Culture - Counter Culture    9. Reference    10. Cultural studies    11. Drug addiction & substance abuse    12. General cookery    13. Plant life: general   

Reviews (13)

An alternative approach to sobriety
I've been recovering from alcholism for about 9 months now, and after a stint in an AA-oriented rehab I've been attending meetings on a regular basis.The problem is, I'm just not wired for all of the spirituality that's necessary for an AA recovery (according to AA, that is).I've got nothing against AA, I think it's a great organization; however, it's just not doing the job for me.
So simple it works
Everywhere we are bombarded with false statistics that are invented and propogated by the AA followers.The fact remains that the MOST sucessful people to quit their addictions do it on their own-please see the Harvard News Letter. Good book - does it work?
You've read the reviews. And if you're interested in this book all you really want to know is "does this book contain something that will help me stop drinking?"

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism (Psychiatric Aspects)    3. Rational-Emotive Therapy    4. Rehabilitation    5. Self-Help    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    7. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    8. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (4)

excellent resource
As a student in the behavioral studies curriculum, this book has given me a tremendous amount of valuable information and insight into the field of eating disorders.It is very clear and reader-friendly!

excellent book
This is an excellent book for those who have no starting knowledge about eating disorders and professionals who are well aquainted in working with them.This comprehensive text gives insights into a variety of arenas all important in the detection, recovery, and prevention of eating disorders.

Excellent-Thoughtful-Useful
As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with eating disorders I found this book very helpful, it initiated into much of the important subject matter to be reflected on in treating these illnesses; and has since served as a useful guide worth rereading and reflecting on time and time again.I saw Carolyn speak at an eating disorders conference a year ago and her strong clinical background, her personal experience, her creativity and compassion come through as clearly in this book as they did in listening to her.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anorexia nervosa    2. Bulimia    3. Diseases - General    4. Eating Disorders - General    5. Eating disorders    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Healthy Living    9. Psychopathology - Eating Disorders    10. Self-Help    11. Coping with eating disorders    12. Health & Fitness / Diseases / General   

Reviews (2)

Nicely written and practical
This has greatly improved my understanding and practice of providing psychotherapy and case management services to those individuals who suffer from severe and persistent mental illness. I definitely recommend it.

Author's advice: Get the Skills Illustration Video + book

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Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Mental Illness    3. Prevention    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Addiction    6. Reference    7. Rehabilitation    8. Rehabilitation Therapy    9. Schizophrenia    10. Schizophrenics    11. Substance abuse    12. Training of    13. Abnormal psychology    14. Illness & addiction: social aspects    15. Psychiatry   

Reviews (3)

Basic Text of SCA, not SAA
Just as claraification: This book was written by anonymous members of the group Sexual Compulsives Anonymous (SCA) and is the basic text of that group.I am a member of SCA and I have found this book extremely helpful.I would recommend it to anyone, both on the basis of a standalone book and and a possible introduction to what SCA is about.

It's not the basic text of SAA
I was checking out some recovery books on Amazon and noticed this review about "Hope and Recovery".I'm a member of Sex Addicts Anonymous and "Hope and Reovery" IS NOT the basic text of that fellowship.It is read, but it's not the basic text.If you read the Steps and Traditions in the book, and really the rest of the book, nowhere is Sex Addicts Anonymous ever mentioned in those pages.I'm not saying "don't read Hope and Recovery," I just want to make it clear that it's not the basic text of SAA. A very in-depth tool book of recovery for sexual addiction.
Hope & Recovery is the current basic text of SAA (Sex Addicts Anomyous, a twelve-step group for sexually recovering people). The book is designed for individuals who feel that they are sexually compusive and are looking for information on the addictive disease and "tools" to use to become and remain free from sexual addiction. Each of the twelve steps is explained in detail on how they can be lived daily for sexual recovery. A number of individuals tell their own experiences of how they lived their disease, discovered the hope of the program, and how they are currently living a life of recovery. The book is well written, sensitive, hopeful, and a continual must read through the journey of recovery. Definately Hope & Recovery. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Case studies    2. Compulsive Behavior    3. Mental Illness    4. Psychosexual disorders    5. Recovery    6. Self-Help    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Sexual    8. Twelve-Step Programs    9. Mental health services    10. Self-Help & Practical Interests    11. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (12)

Wonderful Resource
This is an incredible book that I bought in my early recovery and it has been with me along the journey and will stay with me for the continuance of my sober path.Its a great resource for those getting sober, staying sober, and clinicians who work in the field of addictions.I highly recommend that you grab a copy and keep it close to you.

the recovery book
very educational for someone who knows or is close to an addicted person. Gives a great alternitive to other self help programs. well written and easy to follow.

Great!
This book does not allow for excuses, it answers every question you may have, and addresses every fear.By far the best book on recovery I have ever read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Drug addicts    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Recovery    5. Rehabilitation    6. Self-Help    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    8. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    9. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (6)

MM-Responsible Drinking
Anyone who has questioned or been surprised about the amount they drink will not feel alone after reading this book.

Good, not great.
AA is not for everyone, despite what you may hear.If the 12-step cookie cutter approach leaves a bad aftertaste, this book may help.
Finally answers the question: What is responsible drinking?
How many people actually know what a standard drink is? Or, how much alcohol is safe to consume? Or what acceptable drinking behavior is? Very few. In our neo-puritan, abstinence-only society, there are few guidelines for sensible, pleasurable indulgence.
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Subjects:  1. Self-Help    2. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    3. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse   

Subjects:  1. Psychology    2. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    3. Psychopathology - Eating Disorders    4. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    5. Eating disorders & therapy    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Eating Disorders   

Subjects:  1. Computer sex    2. Human Sexuality    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Mental Illness    5. Psychology    6. Sex addiction    7. Sex counseling    8. Computer fraud & hacking    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / Human Sexuality    10. Psychotherapy    11. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (13)

Highly recommended by professional
I sometimes work with people who are struggling with codependent behavior or sexual addictions. This is the book I most often recommend and I also think it is a great reference for professionals such as psychologists, personal coaches and psychiatrists.
Wonderful and private way to heal yourself from the inside!
Freedom from Relationship/ Co-Dependency/ Sexual Addictions is the greatest asset to this book.I started reading it when my relationship ended with a man I cared for.My bad relationship triggered many unrealistic emotions inside myself that caused me a lot of self damage by acting out and dating guys that were all bad for me because of my low self image since the break-up.
Not just for women!
This book is amazing. Read more

Subjects:  1. Codependents    2. Human Sexuality    3. Love    4. Mental health    5. Psychology    6. Sex addiction    7. Sociology    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Sexual    9. Women    10. Coping with personal problems    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    12. Women's studies   

Reviews (162)

Frustrating and offensive
It seems to me that there is FAR too little focas on the entireity of those who suffer from eatig disorders and self injurous behavior. I do mean suffer, because there is more to the whole picture than hurting themselves.
Book holds valuable information.
As I read through the reviews of "The Best Little Girl in the World", I just had to throw in my two cents.
Worthy of a read
While I understand that people view this book as setting anorexic standards to the anorexic, I do consider this to be a good book. I think it is important to bear in mind the time period that this was written in (it's a pretty early book on ED considering it was first published in 1979).
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Subjects:  1. Eating Disorders - General    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - General    4. General    5. Self-Help / Eating Disorders