Between the Lines discussion

Hey, what do you think does these self help books work ? Which ones the best so far?

Self-help books work depending on two major issues: the first is the ability of the writer to give intelligible advice which can plausibly lead to a realistic achievement. The second is the willingness of the reader to abide by such advice in creating that end. Evaluating either requirement seems to delve into the area of fortune telling. For example, the Napoleon Hill tome, Think and Grow Rich, may well work for a suitably aggressive personality, but clearly it has not worked for everyone who has read the book.


Judging from the size of the section in my local book stores, I tend to think that many of these books offer a solution which some would actually like to believe is realistic, but is probably not realizable. To get the idea of what I mean, just consider how many women's hair products still claim to "repair" split ends.It's a physical impossibility to "repair" split ends, but yet we hear about such miracles every day. Don't even get me started about mascara!
Many of my friends seem to collect these books to console themselves in their misery that there really is hope for their social maladies, such as constantly being attracted to losers. I tend to think, from a modicum of empirical data, that some character flaws are rather engrained and cannot be repaired any better than split ends.

I agree that there are a lot of nonsense self-help books out there. However, I found one author who has helped me a lot. Her name is Louise L. Hay. She is really upbeat and positive and when I think of her books, I feel better.

I agree with Rhonda.

I've rad a few that have been just plan unhelpful. Some that have been uplifting.

I think it makes a difference as to what kind of help you need. If you want information on say women's issues then you will have to read and dissect many many books to first see what is the what about you that you are trying to find out about and then you will have to weigh out what all the books are telling you. You might glean something helpful.
If you are looking for get rich quick or things that are just too good to be true, to easy to be true then you are setting yourself up for failure and out the money on the book to boot.
There are lots of types of books and there are lots of regular people, doctors, professionals and any old Joe Blow trying to give you advice on just about any and everything. You have to know what to keep and what to get away from.

My thinking on self-help books is if you get just one thing out of the book then it's worth a read. I think a lot are out there just to make money and there are thousands of the same kind of book out there but I do think every now and again one of those books will shine through. I admit they're not for everyone and I certainly haven't read multitudes of them and I also must admit quite a few I've started I haven't finished, they just don't seem to have the pull on me.

Conversations with God, it’s a great book, a must read, there are 3 volumes available now, you can find them on
http://librarywala.com/WEB/Book.aspx?...
Cheers

Had some help from book about eliminating clutter.
Another about living more simply. Otherwise did not buy, just browsed and found them rather obvious or selling something at some point.

Ken I do think you are right. I won't move the thread at this point to see what occurrs but it might be moved.

I was just musing about the title, Conversations with God: if one were talking with God, it wouldn't be SELF-help anymore, would it?

good question I think it would depend upon your personal religious beliefs.

For me, no! However, I have an undergrad degree in psychology, as well as a masters in public administration, and a law degree. Most of my professional life was spent being a lawyer/social worker. Thus, I tend to be cynical about self-help books. OTOH, I have a good friend who eats them up like candy, so I know there are many who are inspired by them.

Self help books usually lay out some course of action aimed at bringing about some change in the reader's life. At best this course of action is something that worked for the author and may or may not work for others because of differing personality, background, beliefs, etc. At worst the course of action is something the author made up so he could write a book and get rich. Then there's the ability and/or willingness to pursue the course of action himself.

Personally, the books that have 'changed my life' have all been great novels.