5 stars (My new hero) - Melody Beattie is my new hero. She has walked through the trenches, fought the battle and lived not only to tell about it, but to offer hope for those of us who are still in the battlefield or still shell shocked from the trauma of it all. I recognized myself in her descriptions of a co-dependent, sometimes painfully so. I had to put the book down a time or two, because I felt she came right off the page to knock me into reality. I heard of the book from Dr. Irene's verbal abuse site [...] which stated this book is a must read for those of us with codependent behavior. I have to agree. I am looking forward to applying my newfound knowledge and the confidence acquired from it in oncoming life situations. I hope to become my own new hero. 4 stars (just what I needed) - I am currently reading this book and loving it. I am taking a long time to finish it because it is so deep. It is easy reading, but in order to get much out of it you really have to read it slowly and of course change your wrong behavior, one step at a time. I like the fact that the author tells you that change does take time. It seldom happens overnight. Very comforting for someone who wants to see huge changes overnight. I also like that she encourages you to have a relationship with God. He is the only one whom we are supposed to be codependent with. Eveyone else is imperfect, just like me. . 5 stars (Great Truth About the Causes of Relationship Pain) - In `Codependent No More', Melody Beattie sheds great awareness of the patterns that people are engaged in that lead to pain. Termed `Codependent' Beattie clearly and honestly outlines the behaviors, reactions, responses and patterns that are prevalent in codependent relationships. Control is a major factor, that is, that you are trying to control the other person to get what you want out of the relationship, which leaves you feeling drained and depleted. She gives wonderful questions in the book that you can answer to bring... Hazelden :: Self-Help & Substance Abuse :: Substance abuse :: Self-care :: Health :: Self-Help :: Recovery :: Patients :: Family relationships :: Codependency :: Melody Beattie :: :: Codependent No More - How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself
4 stars (Rainy days) - Despite the misinformed rantings of people like Tom Cruise, clinical depression is a terrible and widespread problem. The best description I've heard yet is that it's a cancer of the soul. And of all the types, postpartum depression is perhaps the most neglected -- some people don't even know it exists, let alone how it should be treated. That is the heart of Brooke Shields' memoir "Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression." This is not a glitzy showbiz autobiography, but a wrenching look at one woman's struggle to have a baby, and then to regain her own happiness. In 2001, Shields married producer/writer Chris Henchy, and soon they were trying for a baby. But because of cervical scarring, getting pregnant was difficult, and despite all the people prattling about adoption and relaxation, Shields and Henchy tried in vitro fertilization (IVF), and after a traumatic miscarriage, finally had a baby girl. But baby Rowan was less than a day old when Shields began feeling depression and anxiety attacks. Initially she chalked this up to the difficult C-section birth and the newness of the experience, but her feelings continued over the months that followed. Though she tried to tackle her postpartum depression by herself, the help of friends and the drug Paxil were what brought her back out of the pit. The first fifty pages of "Down Came the Rain" make it seem like this will be an up-and-down story, with generous amounts of self-deprecating humour. Shields lightens the mood with humour and a willingness to reveal her unflattering or goofy thoughts, such as thinking about those chest-bursting scenes from "Alien" during a C-section. But after that, a grimmer tone takes over the book. Shields' detailed descriptions of her torment, doubts and increasingly deteriorated life are almost harrowing, as well as her description of how she couldn't even connect with her newborn daughter. It's exhilarating when she finally beats the po... Hyperion :: United States :: Shields :: Brooke :: :: Rich & Famous :: Pregnancy & Childbirth :: Postpartum depression :: Patients :: Mental Depression :: Individual Actors And Actr :: Down Came the Rain - My Journey Through Postpartum Depression
4 stars (Tuesday's with Morrie) - A short story that makes you reflect on your life and whether or not you are achieving the dreams you set out for yourself. I recommend it. 5 stars (All About the LITTLE Things) - Yeah there is no way to describe the book. To capture the essence of it, the story behind it or what you come away with. Other then it reminds you of the basics of life and all that jazz in a non-boring-lecture-the-teacher-is-a-moron-kinda-way... ::sigh:: Read the book and then share the love and the knowledge! Buy it, pass it on. Whether you say it changes your life, or not, it does not matter. For though I believe it hasn't changed mine, it express what I have felt is the forever the fundamentals of life, and what needs to be remembered and enjoyed. (Combining my accounts, I originally wrote this May 20, 2002) 5 stars (To all the "Dick Wagner" and "Jon W " reviewers out there ...) - I feel sorry for you cold and disconnected individuals. If this book did not touch your soul, or move you to tears, I would be concerned about your ability (or inability rather) to empathize. This was one of the most sincere, honest, and poignant books I've ever read. It was well written - short and sweet. Morrie never claims to be philospher! He is simply a wise, gentle, and enlightened man who shares what he learned throughout his lifes journey. We should all be so lucky to know a Morrie in our life, and I thank Mitch for writing such a touching and compassionate book. This book is a MUST read. ... Broadway :: Religion & Inspirational :: United States :: Teacher-student relationships :: Specific Groups - Special Needs :: Religion :: Psychological aspects :: Patients :: In :: Tuesdays with Morrie- An Old Man- a Young Man- and Life-s Greatest Lesson
3 stars (An Underutilized Course Of Therapy) - Weiss' study of reincarnation as revealed by hypnotized patients is interesting but mildly superficial. It left me with many more questions than it ever attempted to answer. I also noted an instance or two when the historical settings Weiss' patients were describing did not sound historically accurate for what was actually going on in the time and place in question. (i.e. a suit of rough fur clothing in 1400's Holland?) In a few case histories, the lifetimes of a single subject overlapped. I know there are theories of parallel lives/parallel universes, but just pointing out that this did come up on occasion or two. Whether a patient hypnotically "regressed" is giving details of a valid previous incarnation or experiencing a fantasy, there is enough evidence that has been accumulated over the years to suggest regressive hypnotherapy is an effective means of healing for some people. Perhaps the spiritual aspects of "do we live numerous earthly lifetimes" should be set aside and more emphasis placed on employing regression as a method of psychological treatment. Professionals such as Weiss should be at the vanguard of a potential health-improvement tool that has been squandered for too long among New Age gurus who would keep it shrouded in pseudo-spirituality and make use of it primarily as a parlor trick. On the other hand, does understanding the root of a fear or other issue truly guarantee healing? No. I have a friend who is terrified of dogs because she was badly bitten by a German Shepherd when she was five. Does the fact she knows what caused her fear erase the phobia? No. And "knowledge equals healing" is the entire basis for past life therapy. So, maybe making more widescale use of regression therapy is not a panacea, but then again, many patients claim it worked in their lives, so perhaps it should be used more widely. My point is, it's past time hypnotherapy vacated the genre of mysticism and entered the realm ... Fireside :: Psychology & Psychiatry & General :: Catherine :: Weiss :: Brian L :: Reincarnation therapy :: Reincarnation :: Psychology :: Parapsychology :: New Age & Parapsycholo :: Many Lives- Many Masters- The True Story of a Prominent Psychiatrist- His Young Patient- and the Pas
5 stars (The Way Baseball Should Be!) - This book is tremendous ... on so many levels. Most importantly, it gives the reader a good and solid understanding of the man. I have always been a Lou Gehrig fan but I have never fully appreciated the complete humility of the man. Additionally, the description of baseball and its players, clearly illustrates the tremendous differences between the game as we know it today and the way it once was. 4 stars (Moving and Lively Book) - This was a very well-written and moving book. As a huge Yankee fan and someone who has read many baseball books, this book is great. One gets a real sense of the times, along with Gehrig the person, and the beauty of the sport of baseball. As a student of the important philosophy Aesthetic Realism (www.aestheticrealism.org) founded by Eli Siegel, poet and critic, I've learned what makes a thing beautiful from a work of art to a great leaping catch in baseball. Mr. Siegel stated, "All beauty is a making one of opposites, and the making one of opposites is what we are going after in ourselves." Certain sentences and descriptions in this book I found beautiful -- they have a relation of energy, zip and also exactitude. These are opposites that the game of baseball has too. I have recommended this book to others. 4 stars (What made Gehrig tick) - You don't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate LUCKIEST MAN. Certainly there's enough diamond action to satisfy the sport fan, but Eig's objective seems to be more of a psychological analysis of the great Yankee clean-up hitter (Ruth hit third). Eig goes into great depth about Gehrig's relationship with his mother. Apparently no woman was good enough for her son. Gehrig was thirty before he finally took a wife and that seemed to be an act of desperation as he sent Eleanor a diamond necklace before they actually went out on a date. For me the best part of the book was when Gehrig found out he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Talk about grace u... Simon - Schuster :: Biography & Autobiography & Sports :: United States :: Sports - General :: Sports - Baseball :: Patients :: Gehrig :: Lou :: :: Biography&Autobiography :: Biography & A :: Luckiest Man - The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig
5 stars (An inspiring and honest at the real Lance Armstrong) - Just as good as his first book, this book is a great "pick me up". It is good to learn a little about the dynamics of the Tour de France and how the result of one man standing on the podium is the work of many - often thankless. A real insight to what sets Armstrong apart, yet making him still so human. Definitely recommend! 3 stars (Very Inspirational) - Overall, it was a great book. Since I had read the first one, I felt it was a little repetitive, but you can never get enough inspiration, encouragement and motivation from Lance Armstrong. 5 stars (Thank You Lance) - Lance Armstrong shows in both this and "It's not about the bike" that he really is an average Joe deep inside. He shows the same fears, questions the same problems, and makes you feel that he could be your next door neighbor or a friend at work. He shows that with all he's done that what really matters is being honest, caring, and human when others may not. Thank you Mr. Armstong for giving so many people hope, and showing the rest that we can help do more. ... Broadway :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: United States :: Sports - General :: Patients :: Motivational & Inspirational :: General :: Diseases - Cancer :: Cyclists :: Ca :: Every Second Counts
5 stars (An Inspirational Story and Individual!) - The book covers Lance Armstrong's life - from birth, to his first bike, initial cycling successes, cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, returning to cycling to win the Tour de France, and becoming a first-time father. The book is hard to put down, and well-worth reading. Lance's mother was only 17 when he was born, played a very large role in his development, and continues to be very close to him. His father left before Lance reached his second birthday, and she worked two jobs while finishing school and raising Lance. She taught Lance never to quit. Lance got his first bike at age seven, and loved it. In high-school he tried football (not coordinated enough), then swimming (the 12-year-old was initially put in with 7-year-olds) and soon became quite good. At age thirteen Lance entered and won his first jr. triathalon, followed by another in Houston, and by age 15 was entering adult competitions, going from 15th place the first year to 5th the second. Lance began earning $20,000/year as a competitor, and then ended up winning the World Championship in Norway. Before this happened, however, Lance had to learn racing tactics (eg. saving himself until close to the end), and as often as not became too eager and faded before the finish. Then came cancer - described by Lance as the "best thing that happened to me." Early symptoms were attributed to "bicycle injury," or "flu." However, after coughing up blood, Lance sought help - eventually resulting in the diagnosis of advanced testicular cancer which had spread to the lungs (12 locations) and his brain (2 locations). Initial testical removal and chemotherapy took place in Austin, with little adverse impact. Getting a second opinion took him to Houston, and a third in Indianapolis, where brain surgery and much more aggressive chemotherapy were undertaken. Lance not only lost all his hair, but also ended up with prolonged daily retching. Along the way, Lance ... Berkley Trade :: Biography & Autobiography & General :: United States :: Sports - General :: Specific Groups - Special Needs :: Patients :: Diseases - Cancer :: Cyclists :: Cycling :: It-s Not About the Bike- My Journey Back to Life