Self-Help Books

When I contacted the author at his email address listed in the earlier review, he answered and said the book was guaranteed to work and if it doesn't he buys the disgruntled reader a new Cadillac. How To Marry Money is full of the same wry humor.

This is a book that whets the appetite for more light-hearted takes on American society, status and snobbery.
Pure entertainment, although I'm sure there will be those who take it as gospel.

I send it as a gift to my friends in Europe.

It took a while to get past the first few pages, but I kept reading and the remaining chapters had helpful pointers about life in general,love,work and self image. I called the author's publicist and received his email address kevindoyle42@earthlin.net and have been exchanging dialog since.

An easy, fun read, but the reviewer SOCIAL CLIMBER from Sonoma CA listed the author's email address incorrectly. It's kevindoyle42@earthlink.net. Doyle answered me with a list of other titles when I contacted him. HOW TO MEET BEAUTIFUL WOMEN and DATING YOUNGER WOMEN are also written with tongue firmly in cheek.

It was annoying to find my wife reading a book with a title like this but, after picking it up and reading it, I found it to be a lot of fun.
Now I take the advice of another reviewer (who found as "entertaining as it is instructional") and often give HOW TO MARRY MONEY as a light-hearted gift for clients, graduates & hostesses.

Beautifully written. Inspiring and thought provoking. If you want some clear insight to help you gather momentum and live the life of your dreams this book will certainly inspire you to do so. Many blessings to Kurek for his honest and heartfelt words.

I purchased the book only because of the author, the title really annoyed me, but because I knew of Kurek I had to buy it...

I actually put off reading the book as the title just didnt grab me... But I picked it up a couple of weeks after I purchased it and I am glad I did..

It is an amazing book, and after 10 years down this path of growth, I love that he isn't just talking the talk, he has been there. I can relate to much of what he says...

This book isn't just a book on motivation, its a book on life... Yes you need to keep an open eye in places, but wow, what a ride..

If you skip this book, you may as well skip all the others as well.. This has something for everyone.

John

Kurek Ashley is a new discovery of mine and I am so pleased to have found his latest book, "How Would Love Respond? a work of art. You will get caught up in the writing and be enveloped in the consummation of love. Let go, let love in your life.

"How would love respond" I read in a weekend. once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. All I can say is buy it and read it.

I loved it so much I bought 17 of them, had Kurek sign them for me and gave them as gifts to my friends.

Do yourself a favour and get it.

I thoroughly enjoyed Kurek's book. It is inspiring and easy to read. Are you in the doldrums? Have an empty space that just won't be filled? Hungry but don't know for what? A slow and thoughtful reading of "How would love respond" can get your spirit moving and give you great info on how to get back on track to the good life. I highly recommend "How would love respond" for everyone who questions why life goes the way it goes and how one can get moving in a positive direction and reap the rewards of knowing what to do and how to use the insights. Peggy Touchtone Sholly Down Home Delicious

Excellent book. I read this book a few months ago (yes I am very late lol) but I really enjoyed it. I have almost all of her books and a lot of them give the same story but this one told it all. It was real deep, and.... whew. If you can get a hold of this book (I got mines on eBay) then definently do so. I highly recommend it. This book is real deep.

...with Ms. Vanzant was that she was under a bit of contractual pressure to write this book. She really wasn't ready to release it and wasn't in a good "place" in her life when she wrote it, but had to. At the time of the interview, I believe she said she'd even asked for it to be pulled from bookstores. The season wasn't right (at the time of the release of the book) to tell about this portion of her life. I haven't read it, although I own it, up until this point out of respect for her request. I even considered returning it to her. However, if the previous reviews are true, it may be a book in due season for me right now.

I could NOT put this book down! What a wonderful insight into the life of a woman and what courage and healing she has had to endure. I have great respect for anyone who can overcome the odds stacked against them, and I have a better understanding on what it takes to do that.

This is probably the best book Ms Vanzant has wriiten. It allows you to understand the person before she knew what to do. She is real, damaged and fresh. This book allows you to grow with her, and please know after you read her story you will be alright. All black women should have this book. I'm so sad it's out of print- though the search is well worth the knowledge

This is arguably the best of Iylana's books! This book touched me as it was a combination of Ms. Vanzant's personal anguish, trial and tribulations as well as her own victories coupled with the thought-provoking inspiration for which she is famous. INTERIORS is a story of one woman's personal journey through some of life's darkest valleys and in facing these demons, she rises like a phoenix into the realm of self-actualization, self-love and most importantly, self-respect.

Although INTERIORS is an autobiographical journey of Iylanla Vanzant's life, it can be applicable to anyone who has experienced pain in their own life. It is guaranteed to touch some aspect of each reader in an intimately close manner. Through her pain and suffering, Ms. Vanzant opens up a path of nurturing and healing like none other!

Reviewed by Nedine Hunter
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

A great introduction into a way of thinking foreign to the western mind. Well worth the time invested in reading it. A true value at twice the price.

A great introduction into a way of thinking foreign to the western mind. Well worth the time invested in reading it and a treu value at twice the price.

Book in impeccable condition. Fast shipping. Haven't read it yet, but am looking forward to reading.

If you could read Beauty, then this book would be where you would find it. As odd as that sounds, it's truly the way I felt after just one chapter. I felt like I had experienced beauty incarnate. The chapters that follow are equally engaging, peaceful and they stick with you. This book is what I consider to be uncommon, common sense!

I hesitated to buy this book because I thought it might be "too Buddhist" or too sentimental. Do not be deterred by these reasons. I have treasured it, recommended it, and as a minister leant it out with great joy to people from all walks of life, rich and poor, highly literate and plain-spoken. It is one of those books that cuts through a lot of folderol and gets to the inmost heart, giving folks something nourishing and simple like a good breakfast for the soul.

Napoleon hill is the recognized expert on all things success. In this excellent book he discusses the 17 principles of personal achievement, including:

Using the Mastermind Principle
Focusing Your Attention
Learning From Defeat
Going the Extra mile
Improving Your Mental Attitude

This book is well worth reading. For more information on creating personal wealth, try "The 17 Principles of Creating Wealth," by Phillip Collinsworth.

"Each night I burn the records of the day; At sunrise every soul is born again" WOW! That was not written by Mr Hill, but he was smart enough to add it to his book. There is so much good stuff in this book I do not know where to start. Other reviewers here have written more on the contents of the book, read theirs to get an idea.

All I can say is that if you read and understand this book, then follow what you have learned, there is no way you cannot succeed in life. This book is filled with wisdom. If you are struggling in your life or on the job and need help, the help you need is in this book. Good luck on your journey!

The first batch of significant books that had the greatest influence on me in terms of attaining personal achievement includes mostly Napoleon Hill's books:

- The Law of Success;
- Think & Grow Rich;
- The Keys to Success;
- Success through a Positive Mental Attitude;
- Succeed & Grow Rich through Persuasion;

The others were from Clement Stone, Dale Carnegie, & Earl Nightingale.

That was the early 70's when I had just started work as a young engineer.

The author, Napoleon Hill, had impressed me most by his relentless dedication in spending some two to three decades of his life in pursuing & researching the success secrets of the rich & famous...with a little help from Andrew Carnegie, of course.

As matter of fact, many of the famous people he interviewed were also favourite role models of mine e.g. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, just to name a few

Till this day, I have never forgotten what he said:

"The most powerful instrument we have in our hands is the power of our mind."

I have never ceased to be fascinated by the simplicity & the potency of his ABCs of personal achievement: CONCEIVE, BELIEVE & ACHIEVE!

It is certainly enlightening to note that even Stephen Covey had drew inspiration from Napoleon Hill's work even though he never made that credit. He only admitted that the 7 Habits had its origins from "200 years of success literature in the United States." That remark itself is self explanatory.

Anthony Robbin's Mastery program as embodied in his books as well as his audio/video resources is no exception, even though he has been influenced in larger extent by NLP.

If you look at & compare the 17 principles of personal achievement in 'The Law of Success' &/or the 13 Steps to Riches in 'Think & Grow Rich', one can obviously see the uncanny resemblance of the 7 Habits & the Mastery principles...in one way or another.

At this juncture, let me outline the principal theme of each book:

The Law of Success: the original course on the fundamentals of success - all the seventeen essential principles of personal achievement;
Think & Grow Rich: The seventeen essential principles are reframed & condensed in terms of thirteen concrete steps to wealth creation (in actuality, this is a condensation of the Law of Success);
The Keys to Success: a further elaboration of the seventeen essential principles with concrete suggestions, exercises & advice;
Success Through Positive Mental Attitude: joint authorship with Clement Stone, with a further emphasis on developing a positive mental attitude;
Succeed & Grow Rich Through Persuasion: joint authorship with Clement Stone, with a further emphasis on developing master salesmanship & networking;
[It is pertinent to note that Clement Stone actually built his insurance business empire with these principles.]

My most productive, personal learning experience from Napoleon Hill's work is the understanding - & application - of his success principle #1: Develop Definiteness of Purpose.

[Very surprisingly, J Y Pillay, former Chairman of Singapore Airlines, - who had been credited for building the airline to what it is today, A GREAT WAY TO FLY! - also credited his work axiom to this same success principle, but he attributed it to an ancient Hindu scripture known as Bhagavad Gita.]

I am certainly gratified to note that Napoleon Hill's work had casted so much influence on - & empowered - so many people in the world, including myself.

There are thousands of self-help books out in the market and hundreds of self proclaimed "gurus" who have made a living by copying the wisdom in Napoleon Hill's books. As I went through some of those books I realized that there was not much in them that Hill had not already written about. I recommend quality over quantity. Instead of reading through many books, I recommend that you study the following works of Hill and internalize his wisdom:
1. The Think and Grow Rich Action Pack (1937) - I recommend the Action Pack edition,
2. Napoleon Hill's Keys to Success: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement - this book,
3. Your Right To Be Rich [Unabridged] - this consists of 12 hours of live lectures covering the 17 principles, that Hill conducted in Chicago in 1954.
By internalizing, I mean studying in depth - analyzing the ideas, making notes and summaries. I own more CDs by Hill, but I believe that these 3 items make the perfect study plan on the Philosophy of Personal Achievement.
This philosophy is the end product of two decades of research conducted by Napoleon Hill. His research started when Andrew Carnegie (the steel tycoon who was then the richest man on earth) gave him the assignment of organizing a Philosophy of Personal Achievement. Hill, who was a poor journalist, armed with just an introductory letter from Carnegie, set out to interview over five hundred successful people including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, John D. Rockefeller, George Eastman, William Wrigley Jr. and Charles M. Schwab. Hill then revealed the priceless wisdom of his research in the form of the thirteen steps to success (in Think and Grow Rich) and the seventeen Principles of Personal Achievement (in courses and lectures he conducted).
This particular book goes beyond the 13 steps in Think and Grow Rich. It covers the following 17 Principles of Personal Achievement (also known as the 17 Keys to Success):
1. Develop a Definiteness of Purpose
2. Establish a Mastermind Alliance
3. Assemble an Attractive Personality
4. Use Applied Faith
5. Go the Extra Mile
6. Create Personal Initiative
7. Build a Positive Mental Attitude
8. Control Your Enthusiasm
9. Enforce Self-Discipline
10. Think Accurately
11. Control Your Attention
12. Inspire Teamwork
13. Learn from Adversity and Defeat
14. Cultivate Creative Vision
15. Maintain Sound Health
16. Budget Your Time and Money
17. Use Cosmic Habitforce
The concepts taught by Napoleon Hill transformed my life. Everything he wrote about or talked about is thought provoking. He was wise, humble and funny. His philosophy is universal; he did not mix it with religion. The riches he referred to were more than money, for the Philosophy of Personal Achievement can be applied to anything in life.
Hill was well ahead of his time. "Think and Grow Rich" has a chapter dedicated to some of today's most important issues - Specialized Knowledge, Decision Making, Imagination and Organized Planning (in which he deals with Leadership). And his principles deal with Teamwork, Creative Vision, Health, etc.
I am greatly indebted to Napoleon Hill. The purpose of my writing this is to spread awareness of his work so that more people can benefit from it. This, I believe is the best way in which Hill would have liked to have been repaid.
If my review was helpful to you, I request you to select "Yes" so that the rating is improved and more readers will get to read it. Please also see the website of the Napoleon Hill Foundation, naphill dot org, which has helpful resources.

Sure, this is a wonderful starter kit (yes, I do have this book...) in addition to Hill's other books like "Think and Grow Rich", "The Master Key To Riches", et al. But more than that, it is a primer that makes you hungry for the mental nourishment of his full "Law Of Success" which I have just ordered through Amazon. And why am I giving this distillation five stars? C'mon, isn't it obvious, through these *distilled* principles you get a pretty good taste of the "spirit-voice" of Napoleon Hill. And when he says in later versions of "Think and Grow Rich" - 'through these pages we have met'. You know what he means here, even though it is shortened and edited. So, I've said enough, get started, happy reading.

Captain Josh/Joshua Clayton

This book does a fantastic job of demonstrating the synergies of working a 12 step program and buddhist practice. I think it would be valuable for anyone who is still uncomfortable with the Christian overtones of the 12 steps as it explains their origin and how to work them in relation to higher power of your own understanding.

I am a Zen Buddhist who has struggled in the past with alcohol. For personal and religious reasons, I wish to permanently quit alcohol use. I have tried in the past on my own unsuccesfully, and have recently sought help in this endeavor. I am participating in group counselling at this time. I have never really considered participating in a twelve step program as I have always been under the impression that they (AA) take a decidedly Judeo-Christian bent. This book does a fabulous job of explaining how a Buddhist can succesfully participate in such a program as well as how each of the steps can be interpreted and praciced from the Buddhist point of view. I have not joined a twelve step program as of yet, and may not, but I will definately be more open minded about the possibility after reading this book. Likewise, I have learned important techniques that I can use in my recovery now.

An intriguing perspective on 12 Step programs. Having written a book about walking that fine line between compassion and codependence, I found this book insightful and inspiring. - Rita Schiano, author of Sweet Bitter Love

This was an excellent read and I would recommend it to anybody involved with a 12 step program. Taken with the 12x12 it provides some perspective of the steps, discussing them in more contemporary language. I am not a Buddhist and have no wish to become one, but find there is quite a bit of useful content in the book for anyone in recovery. I've been at this for 25 years now, with countless big book and step studies over the years. I am not a joiner or in the market for a religion, but this book does provide intriguing references to concepts in Buddhism worth pursuing. You don't necessarily need the brand name to make use of something that works. I think one aspect of particular use will be working with a concept of a higher power outside the structure of the Christian traditions. I have to disagree with the earlier reviewer - the author does address his concept of a higher power.

As I've been going through the Steps, I have my sponsor, AA support, and many books as my guides. When I compare the steps in each of the books (Big Book, 12x12, etc.) to One Breathe at a Time, this is the one that speaks in a language I can understand, that helped me clarify my "higher power." If you have leanings toward Eastern philosophy and are somewhat put off by the Christian focus of AA, then give this one a shot. In any case, it can't hurt to have another perspective, and this guy's been through it.

I am so happy that I bought this CD !... It has helped me in so many ways.. I never thought it was possible but my panic attacks are almost non-existing after listening to this CD and applying what I've learned.
Thank you Claire Weeks!

This set of CD'S is just so wonderful and easy to listen to, the information explained by Dr Weekes is done so in a basic, no nonsense approach, as if she is talking to you, the listener, in the same room, anticipating your questions and giving the answers as she proceeds. For sufferers of 'nervous illness', -anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and even depression, this is a 'must have'! There is a simple and easily understandable method that Dr Weekes explains in detail how to practice. It is very possible that this method could be the 'cure' that so many people, including myself, have been searching for for many many years to help relieve their unfortunate anxiety symptoms. Highly reccommended.

I have used Dr. Claire Weekes' books on nervous suffering and agoraphobia for over 20 years, I highly, highly recommend them to fellow sufferers. I didn't have her audio, Pass Through Panic, so I purchased it. Delightful hearing her Australian accent as she 'walks' sufferers through their difficulties. Simple, easy to understand, in laymen's terms.

Dr. Weekes seemed to know that her job was not to motivate or inspire people, but instead, to help those who were suffering get well. In her books and tapes, she offers real hope to people, many of whom (as she acknowledges) might not have the energy to hope - yet. In these days of pop psychology

and trendy motivational products, Dr. Weekes goes right to the heart of the matter: that people suffering from panic attacks don't do so because of defects in their personalities, but because they've been sensitized to certain situations. Dr. Weekes helps us learn techniques to get past that sensitivity.

Her genius was in understanding exactly what her audience was going through emotionally. I've never heard any other doctor speak with such empathy. And by her example, she teaches us to be patient with ourselves while we're getting better.

I usually HATE self-help materials, but I love Dr. Weekes' work. She's one of my heroines.

The advice Dr. Weekes provides is just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. Nothing has changed. I have returned to Claire Weekes' work time and again. I don't mind her "old fashioned" wording and no nonsense approach to this condition. Everything she says is God's truth... and she does it in a non-frightening way. I've tried other programs, including Lucinda Bassett's. I still think Weekes' tapes are superior. I also recommend David Johnson's Freedom from Fear program, which is entirely based on Claire Weekes' work.

While the advice on making money is not revolutionary, the book is well written and well organized. The title is a little misleading as the book does not describe a perfect business but instead seeks to offer some inspiration and some sound advice about creating a low overhead micro enterprise.

If you do not have a lot of experience in business and are considering starting your own enterprise, the book is worth your time to read. It will help to inspire you and give you a useful roadmap on the journey to find a perfect business for you.

This book was great for explaining practical ponts about making it in your business independently. The best feature of the book is the inspirational tone and content. The book lifts your spirits and encourages you. It is not a How To book, but rather a "You CAN!" book.

Some of his earlier books were a little light, but this one is excellent and I highly recommend your reading it. My copy is heavily underlined.

He covers a lot of territory and synthesizes this material down to essential points. The book is interesting to read.

You might want to also read "Getting Business to Come to You" by Paul Edwards, Sarah Edwards, Laura Clampitt Douglas, Laura Clampitt. This is an excellent book on starting up a small business. And, don't forget Don Lancasters "Incredible Secret Money Machine" regarding making money from technical crafts.

You should also read any of the E-Myth books by Michael E. Gerber - who takes a different view... that of creating a growing company with employees. Comparing these views will help you decide your course of action.

This book by LeBoeuf will remain in my library for periodically reviewed books.

John Dunbar
Sugar Land, TX

The Perfect Business by Michael Leboeuf is a very comprehensice book about starting a home-based business.

It did not give you specific example of what business to start, but rather, he gives tips on networking, marketing, self-discipline etc. If you are looking for a all-in-one type of business guidiance book, this may be the one.

However, some of the stuff Michael talks about are just stating the obvious, like sell something that customers want to buy and not what you like (isn't this obvious?). The chapter on buying office equipments, I think, is a waste of time.

All in all, I hope to see some specfic example, but were disappointed. But still, this is quite an inspirational book.

I would give this book a perfect score were it not for the fact that the title and cover material does not represent the book's contents entirely accurately, so some readers may feel misled. The book presents itself as a practical guide for home-based businesses when in fact it is more of a self-help success guide in the genre of "Think and Grow Rich". This may be exactly what most aspiring home-businesspeople need; still, I would imagine that readers seeking practical specifics may be disappointed.

As a self-help success guide, however, this is a fantastic book; one of the best I've ever read. It contains no original or revolutionary ideas. Instead, it distills the best ideas of the countless success manuals written over the past 100 years into a clear and logically consistent philosophy, and applies this philosophy to the subject of self-employment.

This book is without doubt, an amazing classic! I first read this book just out of my teenage years. It developed my thinking in a way that has served me in many areas of my life for over 20 years now (o.k., well, almost 30 :). Zig Ziglar gave me my life creed through this book. That is, 'To get everything you want in life, help enough other people get what they want.' Every person on the planet should read this book. Every serious student of personal development should read it at least once a year.

Michael Murphy
Author of Powerful Attitudes

Served as my handbook for motivation for quite a while now. It is good to have a copy in your personal library.

I have read this book at least 6 times in the past 15 years and it gets better each time I read it. I always find some new
gold nugget I didn't pickup the last time I read it.
Zig Ziglar use to sell cookware door to door. And his knowledge and techniques he shares in this book are not rehashed from hearsay but from actual experiences of his climb to the top. If you want to keep climbing to the top(in wealth, health, and happiness)this book is a must read!! By the way, in life, there's always another step to take to get to the top of the mountain in our journey of life. This book can help you get there.

I have to admit that I didn't initially like Zig Ziglar. He came across like a used car salesman, untill I really listened to his message.

Zig is funny, entertaining, motivating and when need be deadly serious. See You At The Top has been a best seller since 1975. I recently re-read this great book and felt recharged! Zig is awesome. While a lot of what he says is not new, it's worth getting a jolt once in awhile and to recharge your batteries. I recommend reading this book at least once per year.

This is an inspirational and informative book on how you can achieve remarkable success, wealth, confidence, peace and joy in your life by adopting the right attitude, positive self-image, setting challenging but achievable goals, adopting a productive work ethic, establishing good loving relationships with others, among other things. By the use of numerous and enlightening stories, Zig Ziglar shows the reader the way to the top and how we can improve our careers, our relationships and our destiny.

This insightful book explains how you can build a strong belief, confidence and how to get into the action habit in an easy to follow and understand format which makes the book useful to a wide readership. The book pragmatically examines why many people achieve mediocrity or are failures and what it takes to be a winner in a big way.

This is a self-help book, a how-to book on how you can get anything you want in life. I treat reading the book as a process of continuous learning about my personal vision, goals, self-image, human relations and desires both at work and in my family. I use it as my guide for dealing with people and in integrating the different responsibilities in my life, encompassing my professional, family and personal responsibilities.

I found the book inspiring, stimulating, thought provoking and very interesting. I refer to the book often to energize my spirit and to keep me thinking positively and avoiding being bogged down by trivialities.

In a world where many times the entire grief process is misunderstood or blatantly ignored, this book is a cool oasis in a time of personal need. There were so many passages in this book that I could see myself going through as a widow. So many relevant points -- sometimes we try to push the grief away, to keeping insanely busy. . .

Carol Staudacher urges those in grief to slow down and think about the loss, study it, let it come in so it can faced and a healing process can begin. It's certainly not easy, but better than avoiding the pain inside. We need to take "emotional inventory" so we can deal with our individual aspect of grief, realizing that our idea of normal will never be the same. Elaine Williams

This is a very comforting book to those who have lost a loved one. I discovered it after my son died 7 years ago and have purchased copies for others after their loved ones have passed away. I think it is the best grief book that I found, which is why I highly recommend it.

This book is so healing because one picks it up again and again, just about every day, and little by little it does it's miraculous work, like an ointment.
Every aspect of the innumerable crazy things our minds seem to be filled with in the aftermath of a loss are to be found there.
The author has done an amazing job of listening to bereaved people,and describing the different mental and emotional states, with the resolutions and practices that go towards healing, so one is encouraged to climb out of the hole or pit in which one finds one's self.
The tone is compassionate and encouraging all the way.
My husband of 38 years died almost three months ago, and this little book has helped me enormously.

I like the philosophy of short one page passages and thoughts, since I have a busy lifestyle. I pick up this book, before bed at night; during a break in mid day; or whenever I have a few free moments. Each page is written but a different person----some things apply to me, some don't, but it's easy to skip around. This book is not for someone looking for deep psychological help.

We are a woefully undergrieved society in great need of good resources for those who are in need at the time during and following a major loss. This concise and heartful book will bring solace to most who read its pages.

Each short meditation is organized in the same way. The header has a "crux of the problem" statement from a griever - something like "I just can't deal with it now, it's too much to handle." or "People tell me not to dwell on it, to go on with my life." or "I wake up in the morning and I feel as if I am in a nightmare. I can't believe this has happened to me."

Below that, there is a quote from a wise sage, a short meditation and a closing affirmation supporting the meditation.

The quotes alone are worth the price of the book.

My only criticism is that I wish there was a table of context or a thematic index. It would have made it so much easier to find things.

If you are grieving and/or if you know someone who is grieving (and don't we all?) this book would be a great companion for the journey.

Highly recommended.