Reviews

Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Roy F. Baumeister

martynov94's review

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

missoxley's review

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4.0

Read for a class but very much enjoyed.

mahir007's review

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5.0

ظهرت العلاقة بين الجلوكوز وضبط النفس في الدراسات التي أجريت على الأشخاص المصابين بنقص السكر في الدم . لاحظ الباحثون أن الأشخاص الذين يعانون من نقص السكر في الدم كانوا أكثر عرضة من الشخص العادي لأن يواجهوا صعوبة في التركيز والتحكم في عواطفهم السلبية عند استفزازهم. بشكل عام ، كانوا يميلون إلى أن يكونوا أكثر قلقًا وأقل سعادة من المتوسط. تم الإبلاغ أيضًا عن انتشار نقص السكر في الدم بشكل غير عادي بين المجرمين وغيرهم من الأشخاص العنيفين ، وقدم بعض محامي الدفاع المبدعين أبحاث انخفاض نسبة السكر في الدم إلى المحكمة.

أصبحت القضية سيئة السمعة خلال محاكمة عام 1979 لدان وايت بسبب اغتياله اثنين من مسؤولي المدينة في سان فرانسيسكو ، العمدة جورج موسكون وهارفي ميلك ، عضو مجلس المشرفين وأبرز سياسي مثلي الجنس بشكل علني في أمريكا. عندما استشهد طبيب نفساني في شهادته للدفاع عن وايت ، باستهلاكه الكثير من الوجبات السريعة في الأيام التي سبقت جرائم القتل ، سخر الصحفيون من وايت لمحاولته إعفاء نفسه بتلك الطريقة . في الواقع ، لم يكن رئيس دفاع وايت يبني على الحجة القائلة بأن الوجبات السريعة جعلته قاتلًا من خلال التسبب في ارتفاع مستويات السكر في الدم بسرعة ثم الانهيار.

جادل محاموه بأنه يستحق الرحمة لأنه عانى من "تقلص القدرة" بسبب الاكتئاب الشديد ، وقدموا استهلاكه للوجبات السريعة (إلى جانب التغييرات الأخرى في العادات) كدليل على اكتئابه ، وليس كسبب له. ولكن عندما تلقى وايت حكماً مخففاً نسبيًا ، أصبحت الحكمة الشعبية أن دفاع الوجبات السريعة قد نجح ، وكان الجمهور غاضبًا بشكل مفهوم.
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Roy F. Baumeister
Willpower
Translated By #Maher_Razouk

kimball_hansen's review against another edition

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5.0

I'd give this book 6 stars. I took so many notes on it. Anyone can benefit from this read. It is very diverse and covers a broad variety of topics from child-rearing to weight gain. I enjoyed all the different studies and science experiments that were performed. It discussed the science behind willpower such as glucose which I found to be pretty insightful.

I was surprised procrastination was hardly mentioned until the very end.

This book along with [b:The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business|12609433|The Power of Habit Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business|Charles Duhigg|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1366758683s/12609433.jpg|17624817] and [b:The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less|10639|The Paradox of Choice Why More Is Less|Barry Schwartz|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1410138134s/10639.jpg|1157840] is The Perfect Storm (in my opinion) for realizing and obtaining personal success and potential. If we can understand willpower, habits, and choices better we are able to act and govern our own lives instead of being acted upon being just a bunch of yuppies as Kramer would say.

Time to read it again.

abbykwiverton's review against another edition

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informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

meilanae's review

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read this for class but actually really enjoyed it! super cool interesting studies

clarks_dad's review

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5.0

Anyone who knows me knows what I think of the field of psychology in general as a "science," let alone my opinion when it comes to the self-help genre, which is why I'm really surprised that Willpower is not only one of the best books I've read all year, but one of my favorite pieces of nonfiction writing to come along in a while. Willpower cites enough peer-reviewed studies across several fields from psychology to biology and neuroscience to satisfy even the most skeptical of readers while maintaining a narrative tone that sparks readers' curiosity before elucidating some rather (in retrospect) obvious observations about the workings of the human mind. Far from the tawdry self-help book that it may seem from its description, this book is a report on solid and fascinating social and biological science that incidentally can help people who have "weak wills" get a handle on their lives.

As a historian, I found Baumeister and Teirney's Victorian era cultural history original and intriguing and I think their analysis of the religious influence on the notion of self-control spot on for Western societies. In fact, a lot of the book's strength stems from placing modern notions and values about control, dieting and work ethic in historical context and across cultures as well. For a cynic in the field like myself, I liked that the overall tone of the work was inherently skeptical. Baumeister and Teirney are quick to question and point out potential flaws in some of the rather astonishing findings of some of the studies they present and seem to intuitively predict the calls of "BS!" that are likely to first come across the reader's mind. They then professionally cite other studies done either by themselves or other researchers that address those very issues to confirm the findings. The result is a pretty air-tight argument for the resurrection of the Victorian age's notion of Willpower as an (almost) physical thing. Along the way, the authors include interesting anecdotes from nearly every walk of life, from stand-up comics to Oprah Winfrey, college students and professors to street magicians highlighting important new discoveries in the science of how and why we do what we do.

Willpower represents the best of the new wave of non-fiction that bridges the academic divisions between subjects in the attempt at finding new ways of thinking about familiar things. I think the future remains bright for interdisciplinary works of this kind. One small thing that was odd to me: the author credits in the book go to Baumeister and Tierney whose studies form the core of the findings in this work and are referred to in third person throughout. Is this a relic of high school english where we never use the word "I" in academic papers or is this standard in academic works in psychology? For my own personal taste, it makes the work feel a little like false modesty. It also feels pretty awkward. Not a big deal; most of the time I was able to just forget who the author was and assume a third person perspective.

Highly recommend for disorganized people, people who are generally discontent with their level of productivity or people trying to kick bad habits. The studies alone are enough to change your behaviors. Thankfully, Baumeister and Tierney leave the preaching to others.

quietdomino's review

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3.0

Your standard pop psychology, with a heavy Victorian emphasis.

kerrymc's review

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5.0

Really interesting! I loved the concept that we have a certain "amount" of willpower that can be allocated to various issues in our life (work, to do list, irritating people, eating, etc.). And that successful people work their lives so they don't have to draw on their willpower very often (they are organized, they don't let their car break before taking it to the shop, the take care of their health and exercise before it gets to be a problem, etc.). Lots to think about. Motivating, too. Through David Allen into anything and I'll like it :).

jennutley's review

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4.0

So the idea is that each of us has a pool of willpower each day. And throughout the day we use it to make decisions. When we use it all up before the day is over, we go home, overeat, yell at the kids, kick the dog, and decide not to exercise. However, there are ways we can replenish our store of willpower.

This book took a while to get into. At times, it was a little too clinical. They were backing up their thesis using research trials and spent a lot of time telling us about the studies--the setups, the outcomes. But it was surprisingly accessible and thought-provoking.

I found their examples especially compelling. I am a fan of Amanda Palmer so I loved stumbling across her story in the book. Or, learning about how Stanley survived in deepest Africa, or how David Blaine trained for one of his endurance stunts.

When it comes down to it, there are some things they suggest to replenish your will power pool that I bought hook, line and sinker. For example, having daily rituals can help us conserve willpower (the decision is already made). Or choosing to simply put off eating the Oreo cookie until a later time. Or, making "bright lines" that you will never cross (like a promise to yourself never to drink again). Or, (and Tana will love this) making a To-Do list.

I also bought their idea that an earworm (you know, a song that gets stuck in your head and won't go away), is more likely to stay with you if you did not hear the end of the song. Your brain is trying to finish the song. So, if "Don't Worry, Be Happy" comes on the radio, don't turn the station or you might get stuck.

Lots to think about and to try.