Self-Help Reviews, September 15, 2011
Sep 15, 2011Altman, Donald. One Minute Mindfulness: 50 Simple Ways To Find Peace, Clarity, and New Possibilities in a Stressed-Out World. New World Library, dist. by PGW. Sept. 2011. c.208p. bibliog. ISBN 9781608680306. pap. $14.95. SELF-HELP
In his latest book, Altman (The Mindfulness Code: Keys for Overcoming Stress, Anxiety, Fear, and Unhappiness) offers a practical approach for meaningfully engaging with life one minute at a time. In 50 chapters, he offers a short message and practice on each day’s focus (e.g., “Spread Optimism,” “Be the Change”). The exercises Altman advocates take a minute to perform and, he claims, will help heal relationships, bring more awareness to life, and recapture a childlike curiosity for all things natural and untamed. Altman provides a workable introduction to those interested in mindfulness and extended exercises for those who are already practitioners.
Dale Carnegie & Associates. How To Win Friends & Influence People in the Digital Age. S. & S. Oct. 2011. c.288p. bibliog. ISBN 9781451612578. $26. SELF-HELP
Although it’s been 75 years since Carnegie’s landmark How To Win Friends and Influence People was published, his approach to communication is still relevant today. According to the Dale Carnegie & Associates organization, the hyperfrequency and speed of interactions make it crucially important to get one’s message right the first time. Readers are advised to consider the listener before speaking and to avoid criticism, condemnation, and complaint. Integrity is essential, and it’s important for one to admit wrong-doing or wrong speaking. This updated book offers easy-to-employ strategies for lasting, productive progress in conversations as well as collaborations in business or personal life. A winner for individuals and libraries alike. [See Prepub Alert, 4/25/11.]
Fonda, Jane. Prime Time: Making the Most of All of Your Life. Random. 2011. c.448p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781400066971. $27. SELF-HELP
Fonda’s (My Life So Far) latest book on aging is a pleasant departure from the usual celebrity publications. She candidly talks about turning 70 and offers readers a step-by-step guide to create a “life review” to help plan for the road ahead. Her advice for successfully aging in “Act III” of life doesn’t differ from the usual stuff seen on TV shows and in magazines: get enough sleep, don’t abuse alcohol, exercise regularly, etc. Her most insightful contribution is to challenge women to break stereotypes of aging, to contribute to society financially, and to share the kinds of experiences that only seniors can give. It’s an upbeat, informative book that any female boomer would enjoy reading. [See Prepub Alert, 3/7/11.]
Hacala, Sara. Saving Civility: 52 Ways To Tame Rude, Crude and Attitude for a Polite Planet. SkyLight Paths. Sept. 2011. c.224p. bibliog. ISBN 9781594733147. pap. $16.99. SELF-HELP
Deeply disturbed by outlandish celebrity behavior, bullying, and the erosion of privacy, certified etiquette and protocol consultant Hacala responds with a guidebook to help counteract these trends and make the world a more civilized place. In a similar vein to Bruce Weinstein’s Ethical Intelligence and Dale Carnegie & Associates’ How To Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age (also reviewed here), this title emphasizes creating connections with other people. Hacala urges her readers to smile, listen to others, and respect their boundaries, while advising them to try to see themselves as others see them. She includes abundant examples and relevant quotations from well-known leaders. While Hacala’s book will be of interest to readers in their teens and above, those who are incensed with reality TV celebrities and hostile radio hosts will find a kindred spirit.
Katz, Jon. Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die. Villard: Random. Oct. 2011. c.192p. ISBN 9780345502698. $22. SELF-HELP
Leave it to prolific author Katz (Soul of a Dog) to write this beautiful, heartrending book about saying good-bye to a loved pet. Katz draws from personal experience to discuss the difficulties of deciding to put a pet down, dealing with the guilt, and honoring that pet’s legacy. He offers special prayers and rituals for helping children grieve the loss of a pet. Best, he speaks of the one-of-a-kind relationship people have with their pets and sees animals as free of the conflict, drama, and disappointment that seem to taint human relationships. Katz addresses a need, and he does it beautifully. Bring tissues. [See Prepub Alert, 4/4/11.]
LaGrand, Louis. Healing Grief, Finding Peace: 101 Ways To Cope With the Death of Your Loved One. Sourcebooks. Oct. 2011. c.304p. bibliog. ISBN 9781402260391.
pap. $14.99. SELF-HELP
Sometimes help comes in a relatively simple format. Bereavement counselor LaGrand has extensive experience helping people deal with sudden as well as expected deaths of family members and friends. LaGrand’s coping strategies are not quick fixes, but they serve as building blocks for eventual healing. He includes plans to develop resilience, inner strength, and basic survival. His methods of coping include being of service to others, making plans to deal with holidays, and starting a personal improvement project. This book is particularly useful because readers can pick and choose techniques that are comfortable to them.
Larkins, Lisette. Difficult People: A Gateway to Enlightenment. Rainbow Bridge. 2011. c.224p. ISBN 9780984495566. pap. $17.95. SELF-HELP
Larkins (Listening to Extraterrestrials), inspired by the works of Eckhart Tolle, argues that the difficult people in one’s life can be used as catalysts for spiritual awakening. She bases her theories on her experience in providing care for an Alzheimer’s patient, where she practiced being totally present and nonreactive so as to provide excellent care. During this time, she learned how to access the three gateways of the mind: the inner energy field of the body, the breath, and the present moment. Larkins’s book is recommended only for those who are well versed in New Age spirituality and rhetoric. Others will find it difficult to follow.
Lloyd, John & John Mitchinson. The Second Book of General Ignorance: Everything You Think You Know Is (Still) Wrong. Crown. Oct. 2011. c.352p. index. ISBN 9780307951748. $19.95. SELF-HELP
According to authors Lloyd and Mitchinson (The Book of General Ignorance), their new book of factoids is a celebration of curiosity. Using a question-and-answer approach to more than 150 queries, they tell readers the best way to weigh their heads, how to get a husky to move, and how to milk a yak. Other, more relevant information includes the best treatment for a jellyfish sting, a good reason to resist free peanuts in a bar, and how to tell which direction is north in a forest. It’s a fun book that can be easily picked up and set down—great for reading on long car trips or while waiting in a doctor’s office.
Nakken, Craig. Finding Your Moral Compass: Transformative Principles To Guide You in Recovery and Life. Hazelden. Nov. 2011. c.256p. ISBN 9781592858705. pap. $14.95. SELF-HELP
In his latest book, Nakken (The Addictive Personality) discusses how readers can create more fulfilling lives by first harnessing then balancing the powers of positive and negative spiritual principles to create spiritual harmony. According to the author, human beings are driven by three things: pleasure, power, and meaning. Healthy individuals must practice discipline to maintain deep relationships, integrity, and ethical power. Nakken provides 41 sets of continuums (e.g., lies to truth, unkindness to grace, infidelity to commitment) along with case studies, lessons, and contemplation questions to help readers establish their own moral compass. Excellent material for serious readers.
O’Toole, Mary Ellen & Alisa Bowman. Dangerous Instincts: How Gut Feelings Betray Us. Hudson Street. Oct. 2011. c.288p. ISBN 9781594630835. $25.95. SELF-HELP
O’Toole, a recently retired FBI behavior analyst, is more than qualified to help people develop simple analytical tools that will help them better detect danger and recognize risky situations. In this absorbing read, she discusses why people trusted Bernie Madoff and Ted Bundy and dissects online dating responses and typical blind spots. The author helps readers analyze their decision-making patterns and provides a guide for helping them to assess and mitigate risk. O’Toole’s book will provide insight to everyone, but it’s particularly helpful for women living alone, parents concerned about their children’s safety, or employers worried about perplexing employee behavior.
Surviving Sexual Violence: A Guide to Recovery and Empowerment. Rowman & Littlefield. Oct. 2011. c.376p. ed. by Thema Bryant-Davis. bibliog. ISBN 9781442206397. $49.95. SELF-HELP
The premise of Bryant-Davis’s (psychology, Pepperdine Univ.) book is that while survivors of sexual violence often develop mental health issues, they can still grow and live full lives. A victim of sexual assault, Bryant-Davis empathetically explains the range of different sexual violations, from harassment in the workplace and marital rape to sexual violence in the military and childhood sexual abuse. She draws from experts in the field to shed light on various modes of recovery including mind-body practices, psychoeducation, spirituality/religion, and journaling. Bryant offers comprehensive treatment options for practitioners and readers familiar with the field.
Weinstein, Bruce. Ethical Intelligence: Five Principles for Solving Your Toughest Problems at Work and Beyond. New World Library, dist. by PGW. Oct. 2011. c.256p. index. ISBN 9781608680542. pap. $14.95. SELF-HELP
In this engrossing book, Weinstein, who writes the “Ask the Ethics Guy” column for www.businessweek.com, shows readers how to make the best possible decisions at work and at home by using five basic principles: do no harm, make things better, respect others, be fair, and be loving. Through the use of abundant case studies and ethical dilemmas, Weinstein explains how to handle errant employees who are well connected and when to advise a friend that her Facebook pictures may have detrimental ramifications. The author covers a variety of everyday situations, from dealing with difficult people to watching a friend drip food on a bookstore magazine. Appendixes offer a wealth of books, movies, and TV shows that can enrich ethical intelligence and promote dialog. Great for individual readers, this book also has excellent potential for study or discussion groups.
Willey, Liane Holliday. Safety Skills for Asperger Women: How To Save a Perfectly Good Female Life. Jessica Kingsley. Sept. 2011. c.160p. bibliog. ISBN 9781849058360. pap. $18.95. SELF-HELP
Willey (senior editor, Autism Spectrum Quarterly) uses research and personal experience as a sufferer of Asperger’s syndrome to help “Aspie” women meet the challenges of travel, social awareness, and general life management. She talks about how Aspie women are wired, how they can be manipulated, and how they often feel disconnected. Willey shares the challenges of taking on life and resisting the urge to run away. She offers practical suggestions on picking friends wisely, staying safely in hotels, expanding diets, and more. This is essential reading for women with Asperger’s syndrome, their families, and the professionals who work with them.
