Articles about the Mind, Body & Spirit

Yeah, I love Jaqueline Wilson, I've read all her books! She's a great author. But this, I have to say, was one of her worst books. It was just too childish, and uninteresting. If your an amature reader, with an average imagination then this book will be good for you, but for someone like me, an experienced reader, who likes a challenge to read, then this book might not be the best idea. It is very hard to get into, and far too basic. Also, something I found quite boring, Jaqueline Wilson is doing the kind of same book, for eg. Lola Rose, which is along the same lines, just a MUCH better book! I do recommend that one by the way. Just, 'Cookie' is a bit of a disappointment. :D Hope this helped

This suffers from the same problems as the DVD.

It's derivative. There is absolutely nothing that hasn't been said over and over again.

It's simplistic. Life can be simple, but that doesn't mean you should treat your audience as if they are too.

It's repetitive. Get a variety of different figures in your niche to all say the same things using slightly different words.

It's nasty. Follow the philosophy through to it's logical conclusion and you are left with the concept that those who suffer have brought it upon themselves. There may be a grain of truth for some of the many unfortunates out there, but try telling a starving family in a poverty- and drought-stricken wilderness that really they ought to just change their attitudes and it'll all work out, then see which religion's version of hell you belong in.

It's insidious. They stack what I am sure they see as reasonable arguments one on top of the other, leading from premise to unfounded conclusion at such speed and in such a fashion that they gradually start to get in just through the continual exposure to the same old message.

The whole thing is trite, simple and hackneyed.
Still, it proves what good underground marketing can do. Don't be a sheep. Borrow it first, read it carefully, think on it, then have a good laugh, give it back and forget you ever heard of this tosh.

For all Malorie Blackman fans out there this certainly exceeds all expectations, a review does it no justice!
The reader is bought on Callie and Tobeys journey one which you don't want to end, but like all things it must.
Your left realing and trying to guess what happens next but like all good authors Blackman continuees to push boundaires and surprise the reader.
Although beautifully finished I'm hoping this isn't the last, say it isn't so!

How to talk to anyone is written in a straight forward way, giving you tips on how to carry good conversations. It highlights things that, when you think about it, is very very true, especially when you think of people you DONT like speaking with, but dont really see why not.

nice short chapters that lets you pick up a few things every time you pick up the book.

I bought this book about three months ago after a particularly bad week with my boys (aged 2 and 4). A lot of tantrums, whining, shouting, crying (on all parts) plus the anxiety of starting school made me feel I really needed to change something. I had read an earlier book by the same author (Siblings without Rivalry) and liked the style so gave it a go.


The first few weeks were a difficult transition. Trying the new methods, yet in the back of mind doubting them, I kept reverting back to the usual methods (after all naughty steps and reward charts seem so popular these days). Again - a difficult week and I gave it another go.

After four weeks of effort on my part we finally started getting somewhere and slowly but surely their suggested behaviour and responses became more natural.Three months on, I can honestly say we all have a much better relationship. I still shout (which thankfully is `allowed' in this book) - but situations don't spiral out of control... I am angry about a situation, I suggest better options and we all carry on. I don't bombard my son with questions about school - `who did you play with', `did you eat lunch' and yet he chats much more readily. My two year old still has tantrums and a very determined personality; but even he has softened and seems to respond much better.

Fingers crossed it isn't coincidence or a phase and I have really have made things better!

Well worth the few pounds on a life changing book and completely ignore the 1 star reviews. Read it slowly and let the words absorb into your very being.

This is a great book for anyone, not just anyone who's either perplexed by people skills or a professional who regularly handles people.

I first read it when I was about seventeen or eighteen and it did seem just as hokey as the title might suggests, it is a presentation of a series of truisms with lots of anecdotal stories told well.

The chapters break down into handling people (for instance dont critize, condemn or complain), how to become likeable (smiling, listening skills, recalling people's names, developing a sincere interest in others and making them feel important), how to win people to your way of thinking (lots of great ways of phrasing, paraphrasing and rephrasing dialogue to get a win-win situation) and finally being a leader, how to change people without giving offense or arousing resentment.

Now the skills outlined in the book might come as a surprise or you might realise that you've been using them all along but never been that conscious or deliberate about it before.

Whether you intend to put it all into practice or not its still a great read, Carnegie answers his critics in a way in the course of the book by describing how salesmen would attend his lectures looking for a sort of machavellian insight and he told them it wasnt possible to rival sincere interest in others, neat tricks wouldnt cut it with people.

So, I opened by saying its a great book for the general reader, and it is, however I'd also say its a great book for professionals, I've read lots of other books on communication and interpersonal skills, including psychological, therapist and motivational texts and this remains among the best. Although I doubt you'll find it on any university reading list.

I don't think A Customer read it properly. You define 'effective' as the ability to produce YOUR excellent results (whatever they are) consistently - a balance of production and production capability. YOU also define your own happiness and seek it out - effectively. The rest of the book provides a systematic way of doing so, in a way that recognises that we achieve NOTHING meaningful without the
input, or for the benefit,of other people.

This is one of the two GREATEST books on personal development I have ever read. It shows how recognition of the principles that guide our lives WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT can enhance rather than defeat our lives, instead of playing to the personality 'I can do what I like' ethic that defeats so many politicians, celebrities and other powerful people.

I feel Eckhart Tolle has his finger completely on the pulse.
It so clearly argued, and the best part is ; put it into practice and it works.
How could it not.