What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

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► UNSOLVED: One specific book > Self help, Poor ways of thinking, 60s - 80s, Red Cover

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message 1: by Lily (last edited Jul 20, 2017 12:32PM) (new)

Lily (joy1) | 27 comments I seek a self-help genre book I first read many years ago, probably in the 1970's. It consisted of a list and descriptions, perhaps ten, of items of faulty thinking -- magnification, ... such as if something is bad, everything is bad. Or over generalizing or projecting a yet unknown future -- if this happens, y will happen. Basically bad family habits I learned young.

It may have had black printing on much of the front cover. Since I can no longer find it on my shelves and it is unlikely I discarded it, I may have given it to someone who I surmised thought like my family. It helped my tendencies to worry, to make a mountain out of a mole hill, to see things as bigger or smaller than they really are, ...., a lot of similar unproductive ways of being. I probably learned and absorbed most of its lessons, which is why it has disappeared from easy retrieval. But, I'd love to find it and go back for a review. (I have used Google to find similar lists, but haven't found one that felt as succinct and to the point again and again as this book did at the time.)

I have no idea who the author was. I don't expect it to be one the more famous ones, like say Wayne W. Dyer.

I have gone to Barnes and Noble and searched their self help section without success for perhaps a later edition (no red cover???).

The book was thin and fairly short, certainly less than 250 pages, more likely 175 or so.

So, I going to ask "Help" here! Good suggestions appreciated.


message 3: by Lily (new)

Lily (joy1) | 27 comments Sarah wrote: "Maybe Caution: Faulty Thinking Can Be Harmful To Your Happiness: Logic For Everyday Living?"

Thx, Sarah. I don't think that was it == I don't remember the word "caution" at all in the title. Still, it sounds as if it may have some of the same messages. I'll probably check on whether my library system has a copy. Amazon shows the second edition was 1994, which also would have been too late for what I remember. I didn't find a first edition date on a quick check. Again, thanks. I may never find exactly what I want, but may encounter some good substitutes on the journey.


message 4: by Lau (new)

Lau Maia | 2 comments Lily,

What you're looking for are books about Cognitive distortion,

I found this two

Depression; Causes and Treatment
The Feeling Good Handbook: Using the New Mood Therapy in Everyday Life

But there are many others, couldn't find one with the correct number of pages though


message 5: by Lily (new)

Lily (joy1) | 27 comments Lau wrote: "Lily,

What you're looking for are books about Cognitive distortion,

I found this two

Depression; Causes and Treatment
[book:The Feeling Good Handbook: Using the New Mood Therapy in..."


A little more "heavy duty" than what I recall. I have seen ones of the type you mention, probably have some of those on my shelves, too. This one was lighter weight, more like what one encounters all too often in "normal" people. Thanks for the suggestions, however, Lau, and I may even take a look at those if in my library system.


message 7: by Lily (new)

Lily (joy1) | 27 comments Brittany wrote: "Maybe Overcoming Procrastination: Or How to Think and Act Rationally in Spite of Life's Inevitable Hassles by Albert Ellis? It's 180 pages."

Thanks for the suggestion, Brittany. But this book was not about procrastination as an initiating viewpoint. Some of the ideas do overlap!.... About the right size and Ellis would have been a possible author.


message 8: by Kate (new)

Kate Farrell | 4040 comments Mod
This goes along with Lily's suggestion:
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy
It is the original to the Handbook...


message 9: by Lily (new)

Lily (joy1) | 27 comments Kate wrote: "This goes along with Lily's suggestion:
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy
It is the original to the Handbook..."


Thanks, Kate. That might be it. I'll try to find a copy and check.


message 10: by Adele (new)

Adele | 1420 comments A New Guide to Rational Living by Arthur Ellis is in the right time frame and there is a least one edition with a red cover - A New Guide to Rational Living by Albert Ellis (1975) - a review by Steve includes this line:

"In this book he goes through what he believes are the top 10 irrational ideas that cause most people to experience unpleasant emotions needlessly."

The newer edition of this book has 233 pages, and apparently that includes some added material that wasn't in earlier editions.


message 11: by Lily (new)

Lily (joy1) | 27 comments Adele wrote: "A New Guide to Rational Living by Arthur Ellis is in the right time frame and there is a least one edition with a red cover - A New Guide to Rational Living by Albert Ellis (1975) -..."

I'll bet that's it. Will try to find it. Thanks to all for their suggestions. (and don't necessarily stop posting them. These sound like good ideas.)


message 12: by Kris (new)

Kris | 54888 comments Mod
Amazon has a Look Inside preview of A New Guide to Rational Living by Albert Ellis. It's not long but the Table of Contents might be helpful.

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Rational...


message 13: by Lily (new)

Lily (joy1) | 27 comments Kris wrote: "Amazon has a Look Inside preview of A New Guide to Rational Living by Albert Ellis. It's not long but the Table of Contents might be helpful.

https://www.amazon.com/Gui..."


Thx, Kris!


message 14: by Lobstergirl, au gratin (new)

Lobstergirl | 44894 comments Mod
Lily, are you still looking for this or did you find it?


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