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cecile87's review
3.0
DNF: I had to put it down when he used a slave metaphor. He compared being run by one’s feelings to being run by one’s slaves. And then he proceeded to disparage the character of enslaved people to keep up the metaphor.
I’m so weary of the white man in charge trope. Some of my ancestors were enslaved people (the others were the enslavers)—some sadistically tortured for minor flaws by those in control of their bodies. So, although I have no issue with the advice to practice accountability and self-restraint (I value civility and genuine maturity), I can’t read further.
From what I have observed over the last year or so, I do agree that his main audience (I presume white people) does need to accept that life is hard and to stop being infantile when things don’t go your way. Like wearing masks and accepting an election loss. This country is chock-full of those privileged by accident of race who have dangerous infantile tendencies. But they won’t absorb the message in this book—few have any internal lives that could tolerate contemplation and the necessity to metabolize difficult feelings and drop certain mythologies—like the one where they are automatically superior to other human beings and thus entitled to cheat, steal, appropriate, dominate and oppress.
I’m so weary of the white man in charge trope. Some of my ancestors were enslaved people (the others were the enslavers)—some sadistically tortured for minor flaws by those in control of their bodies. So, although I have no issue with the advice to practice accountability and self-restraint (I value civility and genuine maturity), I can’t read further.
From what I have observed over the last year or so, I do agree that his main audience (I presume white people) does need to accept that life is hard and to stop being infantile when things don’t go your way. Like wearing masks and accepting an election loss. This country is chock-full of those privileged by accident of race who have dangerous infantile tendencies. But they won’t absorb the message in this book—few have any internal lives that could tolerate contemplation and the necessity to metabolize difficult feelings and drop certain mythologies—like the one where they are automatically superior to other human beings and thus entitled to cheat, steal, appropriate, dominate and oppress.
tombennett72's review against another edition
3.0
This book starts brilliantly. It’s wise and kind, and very useful. I found, though, that by halfway through the level of repetition was turning the act of reading the book overall into a chore.
mhumby123's review against another edition
3.0
The first 2 parts of this book is absolutely worth the read and 5 stars the last 2 are 2 stars and I still obtained value but not as much.
senquezada29's review
4.0
I read this book because it was recommended to me by a girl I was dating. I found Section I on Discipline to be eh and there were some parts I flat out disagreed with and found his rationale for some of his conclusions very questionable. Section II on Love grew on me. Sections III and IV on Growth and Religion, and Grace (respectively) won me over. And that's hard to do especially on the topics of religion/spirituality. My biggest takeaway was had my ex followed this guidance better, she likely wouldn't have run away! And on the flip side, had I read this book earlier, maybe I wouldnt have run away from some good situations as well. LOL.
lorena5783's review
1.0
I read this book for my philosophy class, what a waste of paper. I am not the kind of woman who reads self-hep books. This book was nonsense, boring and over all pessimistic. This book made me feel depressed about life.
karenh123's review
4.0
Insightful book off the back of me studying psychotherapy.
Strong start with great client stories and food for thought. I found the ending lost its way and became too evolutionary.
Strong start with great client stories and food for thought. I found the ending lost its way and became too evolutionary.
philomath1983's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders