Don’t get me wrong; it wasn’t bad, and I learned some new things. But I expected it to be a totally immersiI wanted to like this book more than I did.
Don’t get me wrong; it wasn’t bad, and I learned some new things. But I expected it to be a totally immersing and fascinating read, like The Chemistry Between Us or So You Want to Talk About Race, and it just didn’t grab my attention to that level.
The crux of this book is this:
“The best persuaders become the best through pre-suasion–the process of arranging for recipients to be receptive to a message before they encounter it.” (P4)
Robert Cialdini then goes on to discus various examples of pre-suasion and discuss studies that show how certain openers can affect outcomes.
Yoga for Grief Relief is an exploration of the grieving process from a spiritual and physical perspective. Through the author’s own period of grievingYoga for Grief Relief is an exploration of the grieving process from a spiritual and physical perspective. Through the author’s own period of grieving, he developed a series of movements to help process emotions and release the physical tension that can build up during the pain of loss. In addition to exploring the concept of grief and how best to handle it, he shares the physical practices he developed.
This is a really beautiful book. The layout is clean, the photographs are bright and crisp, the textures are rich and enticing. It was a visual treat.This is a really beautiful book. The layout is clean, the photographs are bright and crisp, the textures are rich and enticing. It was a visual treat.
It was also very well done, from an organizational standpoint. Bryan Peterson did a great job preparing examples not only of his successes, but of the “second best” shot — to give a comparison, or of the “behind the scenes” shot — to show you how he framed up the winning image.
These kinds of comparisons and details make all the difference when you’re trying to learn an art form, especially from a book.
Heartwarming and beautiful, this tale let me slip inside the mind, soul, fears, and joys of another person, and vicariously experience her fascinatingHeartwarming and beautiful, this tale let me slip inside the mind, soul, fears, and joys of another person, and vicariously experience her fascinating travel adventure abroad.
I can’t imagine the kind of guts it requires to take off on an unplanned international jaunt, with one outfit, no luggage, no lodging accommodations planned, and a travel partner met only recently on OkCupid.
As an ex-FBI agent, Joe Navarro had plenty of opportunities to observe human behavior during his career. And what he noticed was that humans give awayAs an ex-FBI agent, Joe Navarro had plenty of opportunities to observe human behavior during his career. And what he noticed was that humans give away a lot of information, unintentionally and uncontrollably, because of the way our limbic brain acts unconsciously to protect and support us.
While it’s definitely tempting to dream about becoming a super-powered observer of all human emotion, capable of detecting lies at ten paces, Navarro is pretty clear that this is far more an art than a science, and that deception is unusually difficult to pinpoint. After establishing baseline behavior, you can mostly use these nonverbal tells to determine whether someone is comfortable or uncomfortable with a given situation, person, topic of conversation, or line of inquiry.
Do you ever feel like someone you’re arguing with is using shady tactics to coerce you into agreeing with them? Do you wish you knew how to spot theirDo you ever feel like someone you’re arguing with is using shady tactics to coerce you into agreeing with them? Do you wish you knew how to spot their BS and/or call them out on it?
If so, this book could help.
(Also, if you’d like to get better at persuading people using shady tactics, this book is even more appropriate.)
How to Win Every Argument: The Use and Abuse of Logic presents a list of logical fallacies that can be used to trick and deceive others, along with explanations, examples, and suggestions for using each fallacy effectively.
Personally, I was put off by Madsen Pirie’s unethical angle, but I was still able to glean some of what I wanted: a better understanding of logical fallacies, how to spot them, and how to avoid them.
The reading is a bit dry overall, but with some (British) humor sprinkled throughout. I did really enjoy one of his Shakespearean jokes, though....more
This one is more like a 3.5 stars for me -- couldn't quite give it 4, but 3 seems too low.
Written by two positive psychologists (who also happen to beThis one is more like a 3.5 stars for me -- couldn't quite give it 4, but 3 seems too low.
Written by two positive psychologists (who also happen to be a happily married couple), Happy Together is a (healthily) optimistic look at relationships, and an exploration of practical strategies for improving them.
I greatly enjoyed the attention given to the philosophical ideals of seeking the highest good (in the ethical/moral sense) in one’s self, one’s partner, and one’s relationship (more on that later). And while I assumed from certain statements that the authors have a faith-based marriage, I thought it was refreshing that they came at the issue of relationships in a more philosophical (and not specifically religious) way, so it would be approachable for a wider audience.
I felt they did a good job of providing studies and examples to prove their points, and I came away with a few new strategies. I did feel like the second half of the book didn’t quite have the same momentum and structure of the first half, but it was still an enjoyable and enlightening read.
Catherine and Luke Shanahan's Deep Nutrition is a veritable tome of nutritional insight.
I will admit, it is not for the faint of heart, weighing in atCatherine and Luke Shanahan's Deep Nutrition is a veritable tome of nutritional insight.
I will admit, it is not for the faint of heart, weighing in at 440 pages, with an additional 34 pages of notations. And at times, the writing becomes a bit dense with scientific explanations. But, while some of these were a challenge for my non-scientifically-minded self to wade through, they also lend significant gravitas to the Shanahans' conclusions and suggestions.
This book scientifically confirmed a few things I had come to intuitively, through trial and error (example: tolerating cheese and yogurt, but not milk or ice cream). It also helped me deeply understand the reasoning behind some dietary rules I had casually acknowledged, but not felt compelled to strictly follow.
Besides the obvious of the years of research that have gone into creating the Human Diet, I think a lot of the value of this book is in how the authors have crafted their arguments to emphasize the importance of making the changes the Human Diet requires. I highly recommend that you read this book, for your health and the health of any future children you may plan to have.
I will be honest -- this diet doesn't sound easy to follow. Our society (at least in the US of A) is so hugely organized around cheap, toxic food that avoiding those toxins means cutting out many staples and favorites. And our lives are so hectic that the time commitment required for food preparation (especially when preparing real, nourishing foods) sounds intimidating, at best. But I know from experience that once you start eating more nutritious foods, your body begins to crave them, and the benefits you gain outweigh the sacrifices.
I was really pleased to see that the authors encouraged a slow integration of the Human Diet -- beginning simply with eliminations and additions, where possible. This is a far more healthy and sustainable approach than total and immediate compliance.
The Art of Influence is a single-session read that packs a big punch.
Told in the format of a parable, this enlightening book covers four main principlThe Art of Influence is a single-session read that packs a big punch.
Told in the format of a parable, this enlightening book covers four main principles of influence. And in choosing to use the parable format, Chris Widener made his points all the more significant and memorable. Rather than focusing on methods of manipulation, Widener dials in on honing one's personal character and becoming the kind of person that encourages influence, rather than trying to force it.
I would recommend this book to everyone, as these principles reach far beyond the kind of influence needed to make sales or be a leader. This kind of character can positively affect one's own habits, daily interactions, work, and relationships.
My personal rating: 2 Rating for anyone who actually likes reading about science: 4 Hence, the 3 star rating.
If science, quantum physics, and the way ouMy personal rating: 2 Rating for anyone who actually likes reading about science: 4 Hence, the 3 star rating.
If science, quantum physics, and the way our universe works are topics that light your fire, and you’re looking for a great introductory book on these topics, you’ll want to check out The Grand Design.
In THE CHOICE EFFECT, authors McGibbon, Vogel and Williams argue that Generation X/Y/Millennials may be the luckiest generation when it comes to life In THE CHOICE EFFECT, authors McGibbon, Vogel and Williams argue that Generation X/Y/Millennials may be the luckiest generation when it comes to life opportunities (romantic and otherwise), but that there might also be some hidden tradeoffs to our good fortune.
THE CHOICE EFFECT is a light and breezy read, deluged with amusing throwbacks and references from the 80s, 90s, and aughts. It could be a helpful and insightful read for someone trying to understand the choister generation, but I think the majority of choisters themselves are aware of the rules of this game already.
This book was exceptional in both enjoyability and usefulness.
The author, Loretta Graziano Breuning, has a smooth writing style that makes learning abThis book was exceptional in both enjoyability and usefulness.
The author, Loretta Graziano Breuning, has a smooth writing style that makes learning about neurochemistry fun and easy. She introduces you to each of the hormones of happiness, explains how they work, and guides you in establishing new habits that will release each one.
Breuning also has a gift for helping you understand that, in some ways, your brain is dependent on these hits, and will operate to get them (one way or another). She refers to your “inner mammal” and its needs. It’s not a fault in your personality that you crave these things, but — knowing that you do — wouldn’t you want to ensure you’re getting your hits from the best possible sources? Those that help you become the person you want to be, rather than following an already-beaten path in your brain which keeps you repeating habits you’d like to avoid?
Along with explanations of what each chemical does and how it’s stimulated, Breuning provides exercises along the way that get you thinking about how you can apply what you’re learning in your own life. Although I have a bad tendency to skip past exercises in books at times, my curiosity was piqued by these, and I felt they were quite insightful. I have already implemented one of the strategies I derived from these exercises, with surprising success.
While much of The Art of War is specific to military battles and is thus not perfectly applicable to most modern citizens (those who aren’t commandingWhile much of The Art of War is specific to military battles and is thus not perfectly applicable to most modern citizens (those who aren’t commanding armies, at any rate), there are many principles threaded throughout Sun Tzu’s military advice that do apply quite well to handling the daily “battles” we all face.
Whether you’re a football fan or not (and in case you’re wondering: I fall squarely in the “NOT” category), this an intriguing conundrum:
How did one mWhether you’re a football fan or not (and in case you’re wondering: I fall squarely in the “NOT” category), this an intriguing conundrum:
How did one man take the NFL’s (arguably) worst team and, in the space of two years, produce Super Bowl champions?
In The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership, Bill Walsh shares the secrets to his impressive success as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
He talks honestly about his struggles, successes, and the principles that allowed him to achieve great things. By laying out the guidelines he himself followed throughout his career, Walsh, along with Steve Jamison — the originator of the book, provides the reader with an excellent protocol for success in both leadership and life.
This was a remarkable book, with a lifetime of leadership wisdom.
My takeaways?
Honesty. Precision. Respect. The Hard Edge. Integrity. Grit.
Fieber’s e-book is worth every penny of it’s ridiculously affordable price ($2.99, at the time of writing). It is smooth and easy reading, and in its Fieber’s e-book is worth every penny of it’s ridiculously affordable price ($2.99, at the time of writing). It is smooth and easy reading, and in its relatively short length, he concisely lays out a simple (though not necessarily *easy*) plan for escaping the rat race in 5 years.
If you’re younger and have a lot of flexibility in your life, or if you’re just fed up with the rat race and willing to make some significant yet temporary sacrifices to free yourself in just five short years, this book lays out the path, saving you the trial-and-error of stumbling along the way. And even if you don’t feel up to a drastic change for the next few years, I’d still recommend grabbing a copy, intentionally dropping all judgment, and reading about a totally different way to attack the retirement problem. I guarantee, you will learn something interesting.
The beauty of the early retirement process is that it is customizable. There may be aspects of his plan that don’t seem doable in your situation, but if you stick with it, you’ll figure out creative solutions to make up the difference. If you’re blessed with a higher income than Fieber had to start, and can follow his steps to dramatically cut back expenses, you might get yourself to freedom in four years! Or, if you are in a situation with a lower income and a trickier-to-reduce expense line, it may take eight years… or twelve.. or even fifteen. But that’s still way better than forty, right??
While there were takeaways from Jim Cramer's Real Money that may ultimately prove themselves valuable, overall I was disappointed with the experience While there were takeaways from Jim Cramer's Real Money that may ultimately prove themselves valuable, overall I was disappointed with the experience of reading this book.
In the first chapter, Cramer raves about how he is writing a book so that normal people can understand the secrets to getting crazy rich, but then in later chapters, he explains things only vaguely, assuming you have a deeper, pre-existing knowledge of the details than a "normal person" would have. He spends lots of time hammering his tenets of investing, and berating others who don't follow his path, but doesn't really deeply explain the concepts he is laying out.
I feel like this book would better target someone who is just starting out as a Wall Street trader, as opposed to a "normal person".
Our modern society is designed in a way that does not support the health of our backs. From hours spent sitting (often in a slouched or slumped positiOur modern society is designed in a way that does not support the health of our backs. From hours spent sitting (often in a slouched or slumped position), to the way we hunch forward over our steering wheels, phones, and keyboards, to the infrequency of use of certain planes of motion, to the amount of pervasive stress we experience daily (and carry as physical tension)… we simply don’t have the healthiest foundation to support one of our most critical physical assets: our spine, protector of our nervous system, originator of movement.
In Cure Back Pain, Jean-François Harvey explains how we get into bad patterns with our backs, and how simple exercises, performed regularly, for even a short period of time each session, can make a huge difference. He then provides the exercises we can use to achieve a healthier spine.
iO’s writing is beautifully lyrical. It is evocative in the best way.
In this memoir, he describes a life that could have easily destroyed the spirit oiO’s writing is beautifully lyrical. It is evocative in the best way.
In this memoir, he describes a life that could have easily destroyed the spirit of many people, yet it made iO the compassionate, driven, spectacular human being he is. It is one of those stories that allows you fully step inside the experiences of another person, and realize how different your own life could have been.
And despite how dark much of his experience was, his dogged determination to overcome, the hopeful way he kept approaching life (despite the setbacks and challenges), and the book’s final chapter all left me feeling so optimistic. A truly excellent read.
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