Cigarettes Books

Let's be clear: This is no miracle book. If you aren't ready to quit, this book will not magically make the cravings go away. That said, if you are ready to quit and want to make the leap, this book will serve as your cheerleader. But here are some criticisms:

1. "Distinction without a Difference". This sums up alot of this book. It makes constant reference to 'The Willpower Method' andn saying why it doesn't work. Basically, when it does this, the reason YOU don't have to worry about what those loosers are going through it because YOU ARE EXCITED TO QUIT! You know the joys of being a non-smoker and that you have freed yourself from slavery! As if anyone who has quit isn't using this as a motivation already...give me a break. Basically, this is the crux of the book. Don't be bummed about withdraw, GET EXCITED THAT YOU DONT HAVE TO SMOKE AND THAT ITS EASY!

2. Talk about long-winded. This thing could have been condensed to 3 chapters. I mean, not only does Carr cover the same points, there are passages that are literally 'cut-and-paste' from an earlier chapter.

3. There is no secret in here. In fact, there's hardly any method. It spends most of its time explaining why the other methods (which arent actually much different) do not work.


That said, there are some very good points about this book, including it getting you in the right frame of mind, telling you what not to fall for...such as nicotine patches or the 'just-one' cigarette trap. But if you are not convinced that you need to smoke, don't even start this book.

I smoked for 15 years, when I decided to quit. Those first 3 months were horrible: grouchy, mean, moody, but I quit for 8 years. Then I started dating a smoker, and once again I got hooked. Well, 18 months of smoking and I was NOT looking forward to the 3 month phase. A family member recommended this book while we were vacationing together. So, I floated in the lake and read this book while I smoked. I repeated what I'd learned to family and boyfriend as the week went on. I saw myself in almost every word the Mr. Carr wrote and the experience of quitting cold turkey. I took my time reading, finished the book on the last day of vacation. My boyfriend was disappointed when after I proudly proclaimed "I'm finished", I promptly lit a cigarette. That was a saturday afternoon. I smoked as usual all week, then on Friday night before going out with friends I ran out of cigs. I didn't ask to stop for another pack, I just knew I was done. Everything I'd read in the book made perfect sense; it took away all my "excuses" for not quitting and made me feel liberated. That was July 11th, 08. I have no desire to start again. The best part is I've quit without the grumpies, the grouchies or the feeling I'm denying myself something. I have given myself my life back...not to mention all that money! Read the book...It will work if you are honest with yourself. There is NO good reason to smoke.

I smoked for 10 years and bought this book and I stopped smoking the first time. It has been one year and 6 months and I will never miss smoking. I gave the book to all of my smoker friends and almost all of them quit as well. This book does not brainwash you because when you are a smoker, you have already brainwashed yourself into thinking you need to smoke. I wish I could give this book to every smoker on the planet. Allen Carr knows what he is talking about.

I stopped smoking immediately upon reading the book and that was nearly two years ago. I had smoked for nearly 40 years and tried everything to quit - this book worked!

I first read the book because I got rave reviews from quite a few people I know. I read the book and for the first few days I was exactly how I wanted to be - I had stopped smoking but had no withdrawals. So then I gave the book to my Mum and she said the same so then my sister bought it and she loved it also.

But that only lasted a few days - for the three of us. I now know 14 people who read this book - only 2 of them are still non-smokers - one of those is the guy who ran the seminar I went to today. In fact, 3 out of the 14 people I know who read it were at the seminar today (out of 7 participants) and one of those had ALREADY done the course once AND a back-up session - then he started again months later (and the money-back guarantee only lasts 3 months). (Oh, by the way, I went to the seminar because I still had faith that the method worked and just thought there was something wrong with me.)

So I don't know where the 90% success rate comes from because of the people I know who've read the book there has only been a 14% success rate (and if you take out the guy who ran the seminar that rate drops to just under 8%). Now, considering the seminar was basically paying someone $550 to read me a book I've already read, I don't see how the seminar can have such a monumental difference in success rates. Maybe because they make you feel like such an idiot for continuing smoking that you're too embarrassed to ask for a refund?? Or could it be that you have to follow the instructions for the guarantee to be valid - and that the only instruction you have to follow is to never have another cigarette??

I have tried to stop smoking many times. I have smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for over 25 years. Each time I have stoped, I continued to crave cigarettes. Alan Carr's method for stoping smoking worked for me, I do not smoke now. I stopped in November of 2007. I dont crave it, I can hardly belive I ever smoked at all. This Method works so well, I have recommended it to many of my friends. Several have purchased the program and have also stopped. This was the best money I ever spent.

I thought this book was very informative,and yet unusual. He reverses your brain by opening our minds to the the brain-washing we were programmed from many years ago.I thought this book is quite incredible. I would recommed this book and Allan Carrs book on How to Quit Drinking as well to anyone who is considering quitting.It's a MUST HAVE!He is an inspiration and genius!

I don't usually write reviews but all the positive reviews about this book helped me make the decision to purchase it and gave me hope. So I hope this helps you.
I ordered this book out of curiosity and was very skeptic about the outcome. It took me over a month to finish it and I doubted myself the whole time. Yet after I finished reading, I put out the last cigarette and felt immediate relief. The first couple of days were a little strange, because I used to plan my whole day around smoking, but it turned out OK.I have more energy, feel better and even endure the company of smokers easily, without being tempted. This book is about putting your thinking in a different perspective, adopting a non-smoker's frame of mind.
Try it even if you're skeptic about it. You have nothing to loose and so much to gain!
I am getting it as a Christmas gift for all my smoking friends.

...and I am still free from cigarette smoking.

The writing style took a little getting used to, but I allowed myself to believe what it is saying, and I found that I was freed from my previously-held beliefs about smoking. "Cured" sounds far-fetched, but that's how I feel now. I smoked for 16 years, and of the many times I attempted to quit, this was the only successful method.

Try it, even if you don't feel ready to. After all, you can keep smoking while you read the book (indeed, the book instructs you to do so).

As a 15-year smoker, I have tried to quit many times, and have had partial success twice with the nicotine patch, quitting for 8-12 months before succumbing to nicotine again and starting back. I was very skeptical that anything short of a medically-prescribed shot or drugs could cure me of my addiction, much less a book. I tried Mr. Carr's book anyway based on the positive reviews here.

What I first considered a negative, was that Mr. Carr is not a doctor and has no professional training. I subconsciously assumed he was if he was writing a book about quitting smoking. He is just a man who used to be a chronic smoker who was able to quit. Several months after writing this review, I realized that this was a positive, since it seems that much of the medical community advocates Nicotine Replacement Therapy, and doesn't understand the true addictive properties of nicotine. This sounds like a ridiculous assertion to say that a doctor doesn't understand addiction, and I thought Mr. Carr was being pompous when he first made the same claim in his book, but given how many physicians smoke, and how many advocate replacing nicotine with nicotine, it is not so far-fetched. The second negative I initially gave this book was the minor annoyances at reading the book due to some of phrasing in it and how many times Carr repeats the same phrases and ideas. After reading it twice however, I realized that this is done on purpose to drill certain concepts into your head.

Carr's method is really just a mind set and a new way of thinking about smoking that makes it easy to quit. He doesn't focus on describing the dangers of smoking to you or try to scare you into quitting. The entire method revolves mainly around coming to the realization that you don't really like smoking, and that the only reason you do it is because you are a) addicted to nicotine b) brainwashed by social stigma. I have only been a non-smoker for a month but I am completely confident that I will never smoke a cigarette again. I am not worried about cravings, peer pressure, or the influence of drinking and being at a bar (my main problem in the past). Carr's method is different than what he calls the "willpower method," where you quit cold-turkey and see how long you can go. His book has completely changed my viewpoint on cigarettes and after 15 years, I finally realize how powerful nicotine is and how dependent I was on it. What's more, you don't even have to quit smoking while reading it. Carr actually recommends against this, and the book is so effective that by the time you finish it, you will want to quit smoking rather than be forced to.

After reading this book twice, the strongest advice I can give anyone is to FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS. If you haven't already (I had), do not quit smoking until you reach the end of the book. I can't stress this enough.

I strongly suggest anyone who is serious about quitting smoking to read this book, and then read it a second time to full understand it. It costs less than a carton of cigarettes, is a quick read, and likely will save your life.

As to the Audio CD Edition:

I previously read an earlier edition of "Easy Way" from the library, and have found that this 2005 edition is somewhat improved over the previous edition. I definitely recommend anyone considering this book to purchase the 2005 edition over an older one. I purchased this Audio CD edition because I wanted every single resource I could use to help me quit. It comes with two CDs, with about 70 minutes worth of material that they could have fit on one. The CDs are pretty worthless. 80% of them repeat the concepts in the book. That's it. Track 2 on the second CD does contain some new information that I found somewhat useful. It explains mainly how to deal with other smokers after you have quit, and how to deal with drinking after you have quit. Unless you are very addicted and think you really need it, I don't recommend the audio cd edition and would advise people to purchase The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method instead, as it has everything you need.

I love this book, I used it 10 years ago to stop smoking. It guided me through the process of understanding why I smoke, and helped me to understand the role that smoking played in my life, and how smoking served some need (for me, squelching emotion and creating distance from people). It also helped me anticipate what it would feel like to be an adult non-smoker, which was scary because I had never been one! You have to do the internal work before you can quit successfully, to understand where you are, how you got there, and why you want to change. It has to be your own choice for your own reasons. Then, it's easy. Believe me.

This book was a GREAT help to my Mom in her struggle. It detail's a very different kind of approach to quitting smoking. It doesn't throw crap down the reader's throat but rather allow a little leeway, understanding the difficult struggle ahead.

Good strategies for anyone willing to listen to them.

It is not a "STOP SMOKING NOW!" book, neither is it a self-help book, rather an informative, helpful little guide in breaking down each individual smoker's habit, helping them slowly, but surely, gain the willpower necessary to finally quit smoke.

Since she finally quit, It's been several Month's. Her mood has changed a lot, she seem's happier, less nervous and easier to accept difficult challenges.

I quit after 15+ years of smoking. I read this book 2 times before quitting and then stopped 2 years ago and haven't looked back since! I was the most addicted person I know. I mailed my book to one brother who used it to quit. (We both are just amazed by this) He mailed it to my other brother... We shall see!!! I would buy these for any smoker I know. I feel like Ms Rogers gave me a new life! You should see how healthy I look! No more sore throats or headaches.

I was so physically and psychologically addicted that I really believed there was no way I could ever quit smoking. I had tried everything: patches, smoke-cessation groups, cold turkey, etc. Finally, I read this book one summer, made lots of notes, kept the charts that are suggested, made myself a diary of why I HAD to quit and all the other wonderful psychological helps suggested in the book. I got all fired up and ready to go. It then took patches and after that the nicotine gum and about 1 1/2 years of antidepressants and..... I'm free!!! and feeling fantastic! I did this in February of 1996, so next February will be 10 years. I know that I never could have done it without this book. I'm buying it now for a friend. Try it. It will help you to succeed.

This really is a great book. I read it nearly eight years ago and quit smoking after 20 plus years smoking like a fiend. Sadly, after seven years smoke free and losing a parent to lung cancer, a few months ago I began smoking again. I ordered this book and have been working through it, and find it as good as last time I read it. I am having a hard time working through the problems associated with getting up the motivation and willpower to quit - without enough motivation, forget it! - but this is the best book I've found to give great, practical advice and the steps to achieve success. Starting smoking again is the worst thing I could have done. Almost immediately, the cigarettes had their evil, addictive tentacles wrapped around me. A good lesson in never having even ONE!!! I do wish she would update the book again, the last version being over ten years old. I think it's out of print now, but can be found used on amazon. The advice is still great. Good luck!!!

Like any book in this genre this book will not actually help you unless your "motivated" to change your own behavior. It's simple, easy to read, and practical. It shows you the keys to changing your perspective on on how motivation actually works in yourself and others. I enjoyed it.

Being a cardiac rehab nurse and spending a lot of time each day trying to get people to change their lifestyles to create better health, this book caught my eye. After reading it, I found the principles instantly useful for me to use at work. They can help anyone get motivated to get past the barriers that keep them from making changes to improve their health. Additionally, the book is short and to the point which is good for a busy Mom like myself.

Along with helping to build my motivation, this little book was straight to the point and very easy to read. In this short story, the author combines his personal experience, and research to convey the importance of motivation through how ready the person is to change their daily habits for the better. The author tells about the patients he encountered during an internship opportunity and how change (no matter how big or small) helped them become motivated to do better. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels as if small change wouldn't be significant in their life. This book would dramatically change their opinion and make them want to strive for a better lifestyle. The Sixty-Second Motivator offers its readers simple steps (referred to as "secrets") to follow through with their improvement. It was enjoyable to read and very eye opening!

I read this short book within a space of an hour. It is straight to the point, and is written in the style of a story. The author is a Physical Therapist and tells the story of when he was a student and he visited a senior Physical Therapist in a hospital as part of his training. He learned how to motivate someone within 60 seconds to undertake therapy by increasing importance + confidence in the patient. Although this book was essentially about how someone was able to increase his patients' motivation, this can also be applied to other areas of your life - for any goal. It is an easily understandable read and if you are looking for a way to increase motivation quick then look no further than this book.

This is a great book for anyone to learn about how to motivate yourself or others. It's in a very simple story format without a lot of exercises like other self-help books. Very good book - I highly recommend it to anyone that needs to know more about motivation.

I don't even know how to begin to say how much I enjoyed this book. How does one describe Inny, who seems to be just evil, and sometimes she really is. But why? Maybe she is the way she is because of the way life has treated her. Things that happened that she never told her family. I found myself crying for her & wishing that her family could understand why she did the things that she did & why she acted towards people in such a detestible way. Just read this book.

This book illuminates the life of someone who seems evil for evil's sake. That's at first glance. While no excuses are offered by the author or the character for the deeds done, layer after layer of this mean-spirited woman are removed until we see into the dark depths of her, and learn what she harbors there. Told in three points of view, the first two take us to the edge of the precipice while the third plunges us headlong into the hard facts of life. Skillfully handled by Mrs. Mitchell, the characters live on the page and in our minds long after the last page is turned. Aunt Inny is a character worth getting to know, and one to be reckoned with. I look forward to other works by this new author.

My dad saw in the newspaper that a teacher from Wellborn had written a book and immediately ordered it. I was so excited when I found out Mrs Mitchell (one of my favorite teachers) had written it.
It is a Great Book and noone deserves praise more that Ruth Mitchell. She took time with us in High School and I'm sure most would agree that she is a favorite among all of her past students.
Thank you Mrs Mitchell for everything you did for all of us and for writing such a great book!

this book was one of the best that i have ever read. i'm from anniston, alabama. reading the book and picturing in my mind where things took place. i really enjoyed reading the book. Mrs. Mitchell was my high school english teacher. she was a very excellent teacher and she is an excellent writer. Hope she'll write more.

Ruth Gunter Mitchell is genius in her storytelling. This is a book you'll not want to put down. Aunt Inny, the main character, is a complicated soul, indeed. I dare say she may remind us of someone we've each known who confused, dismayed and disappointed us. Yet, despite their serious shortcomings, we loved them, always hoping to understand what makes them act the way they do. This is a book you'll find yourself thinking about long after you've put it down. Count Ruth Gunter Mitchell among the South's finest writers!

I liked the book, but found some of it boring.

I got a note from an amazon customer, congratulating me on my quitting. For all the ones that will be cosidering this book now and feel it is impossible to quit, I strongly reccomend it and its methodology. I myself, after seeing my father quit smoking when he had his third heart surgery and my mother after her eye surgeries, thought I would not be able to do it. However, today is June 6 2007 and since Dec 20 1998 I have been smoke free. Should you know someone who needs help to quit smoking, I am willing to be part of the network support.

Very simple and easy to read guide. Up to date with lots of reccomendations that help. I was a pack and a half a day smoker. I smoked for 17 years. Feel free to contact me should you need support to help you quit. I am buying copies for my friends.

I found this book to be full of helpful ideas to keep you or a loved one off tabacco. It takes you through pre-quiting with great ideas to help you prepare, all the way through to staying smoke free forever. I have been very greatful for this book and recommend it to everyone!

This book helped me realize that I too can quit, and for good!!! It carefully explains statistics, effects and mortality rates, be it gender or age. Each step is very clear and very easy to follow. The Pack Track, notes and defense mechanisms that are given to you in this book will help anyone kick the butts for good!!! Very easy reading and easy on the eyes. Step by step until you are smoke free is the success that comes with this book. Mr. Fisher and Mr. Koop did an outstanding job on this book. The alternatives and attitude changing methods toward smoking are simply superb. Realizations are met on all sides of quitting in this book. From the ones who have quit numerous times to the struggle of relaspes. This book has it all covered. Hypnosis, gum, patches, fading, or whatever method exists, is clearly explained and can be tailored to suit anyone's need on any level!!!

Forget to smoke. Find true happiness. Enjoy the process. One of the very best books I've ever read, hands down. Fully recommended for all.

Full of fun facts and exercises and no pressure! Today is my 4th anniversary and NOPE - Not One Puff Ever in that time.

We've all seen them, the smokers huddled at the doorway of a smoke-free building. For the most part, they seem furtive and possibly embarassed - our society has decided to make smoking a shame-based activity. Enter Bear Gebhardt and his revolutionary approach that emphasizes the inherent dignity and essential worthiness of the smoker. Gebhardt doesn't point fingers, doesn't assign blame. Rather, he employs a message of self-worthiness and practical behavior patterns. If you're a smoker, or care about one, check out this helpful book.

Bear G. has written a book based on many years of clinical, and especially, personal experience. The best thing about this book is it embodies his upbeat view of the world, and optimistic but realistic approaches to the challenges our habits create. I can unreservedly recommend this book to anyone trying to overcome the very difficult and addictive lifestyle of smoking, or tobacco use in general. Bear was recently invited to speak on the subject at a conference at Oxford University; a well- deserved honor because of his ability to help people.

After you've tried everything else, try this. Like any true change, quitting is an "inside-out" job. When you stop beating yourself up and start supporting and understanding yourself, you will be empowered to walk away from smoking forever. My husband quit for good 1 1/2 years ago, cold turkey, after reading only part of the book! He had smoked for 25 years~ but once he truly understood why he'd started and realized that the reason no longer existed for him, that was all it took. Hopefully you'll find this book first, before trying all the other methods~ If you truly want to quit, this will work for you too.

I loved this book. There are so many life lessons that all hum into one beautiful book.

Fantastic Read! I found this to be a completely heartfelt realistic view of the life of a smoker trying to quit. The tongue-in-cheek humor actually comes across as a coping mechanism instead of snarky storytelling. It is easy to find yourself truly caring about this person and wanting them to succeed!

Wow! As a Respiratory Therapist, I work with people everday who are suffering the debilitating pulmonary effects of years of smoking. Most of my patients want to quit and just can't. From a scientific point of view I can understand how difficult it is to quit but I never thought about the emotional hold smoking has on people until I read "A Life in Smoke".
I was hoping that Julia's book would help me obtain some insight of how my patients feel about their smoking and their many failed attempts to quit. It did just that. I never realized the intimate friendship that people have with their cigarettes and what a important part of their survival those cigarettes are. I believe the book helped me to become more understanding, more empathetic and less judgemental. I'm going to recommend it to all of my co-workers.

For the first time, I have a glimpse into what it's like to be a smoker and why they do it. I've never understood the call of cigarettes--the few times I've tried one, I haven't felt a 'rush' or anything compelling me to have another, just a smokey icky taste in the mouth. Julia Hansen's tales of smoking and how she used the habit as a way to keep people and emotions at bay touched me deeply. There's a twist at the end that's both not surprising and disappointing, but you'll have to read it. An author who has found her voice, I hope she writes more.

As an avid never smoked non-smoker, my eyes were opened to the complexities of trying to break this one little habit. I have much more respect for my friends and family members that have accomplished this feat through the years. Hats off to Julia for not letting past defeats lessen her determination. This book is a thumbnail view into the highs and lows of her very interesting life. It is a great read for anyone interested in how other people handle everyday life.

excellent for independent study helpful to move smoker from precontemplation to action useful health information interactive approach coaches the reader to continue great illustrations what about an instructor manual?

On October 12th, it will be 7 years since I last smoked a cigarette, and I was a 2 pack a day smoker who NEVER thought she'd quit. If I can do it then it can be done, but it's much easier if you're prepared and ready. This book changed my life and maybe even saved it. No kidding.

I am just beginning my journey into complete wellness. I have found this workbook to be a wonderful part of my healing journey. I using Dr.Andrew Weil's books: "Eating Well for Optimum Health" and "Spontaneous Healing," along with this Stop Smoking Workbook, and Belleruth Naparstek's "A Meditation to Help You Stop Smoking" audio tape ~ to help guide me on my health journey. I would recommend this workbook to anyone who is ready to see what they are doing to themselves by smoking. It has opened me up to a new way of thinking and given more reasons to quit. I also recommend the other books and audio tape to anyone ready for complete health and wellness in their lives, and to a wonderful new way of living.

I bought this book the day after I quit smoking, I didn't know about all the hazardous ingredients that went into cigs. when I read that part, it helped me stay way away from cigs. and other smokers. It also told me how the body is affected by nicotine and smoke. It was a very informative book. I suggested it to friends.

I use this book as a required manual in my daily coaching sessions to help people stop smoking. I conduct free daily group coaching sessions over the telephone to discuss with participants their progress in kicking the habit. The Stop Smoking Workbook is an essential manual for our daily group teleconferences.

Written by the founder of "Stop Smoking Recovery Programs" and former three-pack-a-day smoker David C. Jones, Yes! You Can Stop Smoking Even if You Don't Want To: Recover From Nicotine Addiction is now in an updated fourth edition. A groundbreaking guide, Yes! You Can Stop Smoking treats smoking as an addiction; dissects the self-talk and harmful false beliefs that prevent one from quitting; advice for avoiding self-sabotage; true-life stories of people who quit smoking; and much more. Affirmations for the first ninety days of quitting smoking, each with a blank half-page where the one quitting can write down his or her feelings, rounds out this invaluable, keen-minded and encouraging guide.

This book changed my life! I stopped smoking years ago using the principles and information in the third edition of this book and I was very happy to see that there is a new, fourth edition. In fact, this book has more information and support than any other book out there on the subject. The author, David C. Jones, holds your hand through each of the stages of quitting smoking and gives you the knowledge and skills to succeed. It was a great relief to finally read about smoking as a physical addiction - a medical condition - and not just a bad habit that can be overcome by willpower. I always felt like I was a bad person because I couldn't stop smoking. But this book made me look at myself, and at smoking, differently. The true-life success stories and the daily meditations included in this book also inspired me a great deal. This is the best book out there for stopping smoking. Do yourself a favor: buy this book!

This book is simple and to the point. Smoking is an addiction and thats what the book focuses on. After reading this book (in just a couple hours) I've quit smoking. It's a great feeling to have your eyes opened!

This has to be the best book out there for stopping smoking and staying stopped. David Jones addresses smoking as an addiction and treats the person, not the cigarette. He addresses the proper way to withdraw along with healthy coping skills to become and stay a non-smoker. I am thankful for this book.

I honestly had no plans to quit smoking when I found this book, I was looking for yoga books at the library... I thought the title was interesting and checked this out instead. I read the book and took action where it gave exercies and instructions, and by the time I got to the last page I stopped smoking! I also used an Anthony Robbins NLP technique with this book to aid in making smoking seem horribly disgusting (which it is.) I quit eleven months ago and have had ZERO cravings. One caveat, you will only get out of this book what you put into it!!