Book Description
What makes good people do bad things? How can moral people be seduced to act immorally? Where is the line separating good from evil, and who is in danger of crossing it?
Renowned social psychologist Philip Zimbardo has the answers, and in The Lucifer Effect he explains how–and the myriad reasons why–we are all susceptible to the lure of “the dark side.” Drawing on examples from history as well as his own trailblazing research, Zimbardo details how situational forces and group dynamics can work in concert to make monsters out of decent men and women.
Zimbardo is perhaps best known as the creator of the Stanford Prison Experiment. Here, for the first time and in detail, he tells the full story of this landmark study, in which a group of college-student volunteers was randomly divided into “guards” and “inmates” and then placed in a mock prison environment. Within a week the study was abandoned, as ordinary college students were transformed into either brutal, sadistic guards or emotionally broken prisoners.
By illuminating the psychological causes behind such disturbing metamorphoses, Zimbardo enables us to better understand a variety of harrowing phenomena, from corporate malfeasance to organized genocide to how once upstanding American soldiers came to abuse and torture Iraqi detainees in Abu Ghraib. He replaces the long-held notion of the “bad apple” with that of the “bad barrel”–the idea that the social setting and the system contaminate the individual, rather than the other way around.
This is a book that dares to hold a mirror up to mankind, showing us that we might not be who we think we are. While forcing us to reexamine what we are capable of doing when caught up in the crucible of behavioral dynamics, though, Zimbardo also offers hope. We are capable of resisting evil, he argues, and can even teach ourselves to act heroically. Like Hannah Arendt’s Eichmann in Jerusalem and Steven Pinker’s The Blank Slate, The Lucifer Effect is a shocking, engrossing study that will change the way we view human behavior.
Customer Reviews:
it depends what you expect..........2007-09-26
There is no question that Zimbardo is a great scholar and that he had spent years, decades, studying this subject. Yet, good scholarship doesn't always translate to good writing. This is a thick (literary and otherwise) book. The overall argument presented by Zimbardo is clear, but it feels that it is bogged down by so many details. There are pages after pages of transcripts from the original study. And here is the point. It all depends what you expect. If you want very detailed account of the 1971 study, that's what you get. Clear, detailed, well-supported and well-explained. If you look mainly for straightfoward answers to the question how good people turn evil, this book could be a difficult read.
The Stanford Prison Experiment and Onward to Others.......2007-09-23
Well worth the read just to recapture the fascination of the students involved in the Staford Experiment. In 1971 I was new to college and later heard of the experiment in class lectures. The reactions of the student prisoners and guards, even down to the despondency and controlling behaviors that emerged, was intriguing. The Stanford Prison Experiment has now taken its place as a psychological and sociological cornerstone.
Disaster after disaster is addressed, all having the thread of decent people succumbing to psychological situations. Results are dire in each. Excellent discussion on tendencies of social scientists' to explain poor behaviors on personality traits, while underestimating the situational forces at play.
A fascinating plunge into the dark side of man.......2007-09-17
Zimbardos book is exceptional in both scientific and entertaining terms. He is surprisingly eloquent writer for a scholar and has a great sense of humour which makes the description of the Stanford Prison Experiment he conducted, a delightful plunge into the dark side of man.
Not Exactly Honest.......2007-09-12
I purchased this book with the intention on learning about how situation can influence a person's actions. Do that extent, this book does an excellent job. What I did not like is this overwhelming sense that this book was written as a way to use Abu Ghraib as a way to attack the Bush Administration, of which the author is obviously opposed. Don't get me wrong, I am not opposed to criticizing the president and I do believe he has accountability for his actions. My issue is that the author threw his bias into a book that appeared to offer an unbiased view of social behavior as it relates to situational forces.
As long as he brought it up, I disagree with the author's views on responsibilty in Iraq. The author attempted to make Mr. Bush's office ultimately responsible for this awful situation; but wasn't it really the cumulative voice of the American people. I am not saying majority, but I am saying the loudest. I, for one, have always felt that we should take the war to the enemy and keep it from my front door. I was more interested in result than I was with how they were gotten (ie. if you torture them, don't tell me). I really did not have a problem (okay, a slight concern) with the Patriot Act or with the wiretapping of our phones. I supported the idea of not treating terrorists as POW's, though I believe it did get out of hand. My point is the president is not ultimately to blame, though he does have some culpability. The ultimate responsibility lies in the hands of each and every citizen. But in what I feel was a biased view, the author stopped at Bush.
Again, this book would have been fine had I known what I was buying. Unfortunately, it used wonderful research to present a distorted and partial view of the Iraq situation. I would have thought that Mr. Zimbardo would have learned from his SPE experiment that not only can you not be researcher and warden and get good results; you also can't be researcher and political analyst either. What you end up with is invalidated ideas.
Mr. Zimbardo, you are thought highly of in the world of social psychology. Why would you attempt such a poorly veiled attack?
A Plea for Ordinary Heroes.......2007-08-30
Having always been fascinated by psychology, I was excited to read that Prof. Zimbardo had finally written a book about the 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE). The first 200 pages go into great detail about the six days the experiment lasted (though it had been planned to last two weeks) before being cut short due to the drastic changes in both "prisoners" and "guards." The next 100 pages present his detailed examination of the different variables in the experiment, their implications then and now, the nature of good and evil, and what makes people change. The last 200 pages cover the Abu Ghraib abuses, their frightening similarity to the SPE on many levels, the call for bringing the military and governmental brass to some accountability for creating the "bad barrel" that led normal soldiers to become abusers. He ends with a description of heroism and how we can avoid being coerced by the situations and systems that surround us to act for a better world. A terrific book! Much needed.
Amazon.com
Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman expose the fallacies of standard management thinking in First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently. In seven chapters, the two consultants for the Gallup Organization debunk some dearly held notions about management, such as "treat people as you like to be treated"; "people are capable of almost anything"; and "a manager's role is diminishing in today's economy." "Great managers are revolutionaries," the authors write. "This book will take you inside the minds of these managers to explain why they have toppled conventional wisdom and reveal the new truths they have forged in its place."
The authors have culled their observations from more than 80,000 interviews conducted by Gallup during the past 25 years. Quoting leaders such as basketball coach Phil Jackson, Buckingham and Coffman outline "four keys" to becoming an excellent manager: Finding the right fit for employees, focusing on strengths of employees, defining the right results, and selecting staff for talent--not just knowledge and skills. First, Break All the Rules offers specific techniques for helping people perform better on the job. For instance, the authors show ways to structure a trial period for a new worker and how to create a pay plan that rewards people for their expertise instead of how fast they climb the company ladder. "The point is to focus people toward performance," they write. "The manager is, and should be, totally responsible for this." Written in plain English and well organized, this book tells you exactly how to improve as a supervisor. --Dan Ring
Book Description
The greatest managers in the world seem to have little in common. They differ in sex, age, and race. They employ vastly different styles and focus on different goals. Yet despite their differences, great managers share one common trait: They do not hesitate to break virtually every rule held sacred by conventional wisdom. They do not believe that, with enough training, a person can achieve anything he sets his mind to. They do not try to help people overcome their weaknesses. They consistently disregard the golden rule. And, yes, they even play favorites. This amazing book explains why.
Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman of the Gallup Organization present the remarkable findings of their massive in-depth study of great managers across a wide variety of situations. Some were in leadership positions. Others were front-line supervisors. Some were in Fortune 500 companies; others were key players in small, entrepreneurial companies. Whatever their situations, the managers who ultimately became the focus of Gallup's research were invariably those who excelled at turning each employee's talent into performance.
In today's tight labor markets, companies compete to find and keep the best employees, using pay, benefits, promotions, and training. But these well-intentioned efforts often miss the mark. The front-line manager is the key to attracting and retaining talented employees. No matter how generous its pay or how renowned its training, the company that lacks great front-line managers will suffer. Buckingham and Coffman explain how the best managers select an employee for talent rather than for skills or experience; how they set expectations for him or her -- they define the right outcomes rather than the right steps; how they motivate people -- they build on each person's unique strengths rather than trying to fix his weaknesses; and, finally, how great managers develop people -- they find the right fit for each person, not the next rung on the ladder. And perhaps most important, this research -- which initially generated thousands of different survey questions on the subject of employee opinion -- finally produced the twelve simple questions that work to distinguish the strongest departments of a company from all the rest. This book is the first to present this essential measuring stick and to prove the link between employee opinions and productivity, profit, customer satisfaction, and the rate of turnover.
There are vital performance and career lessons here for managers at every level, and, best of all, the book shows you how to apply them to your own situation.
Customer Reviews:
And the next trend in management is..........2007-08-29
This information is very well researched and clearly presented. Since most of these results were taken from a Gallup poll I recently took at my former company, I can vouch that a significant percentage of the questions are absurd, including one mentioned in this book. Do you have a best friend at work? And how that has anything to do with happiness on the job...
This audiobook explains you how to customize relationships with those who report to you. It's very practical info: everyone is unique and has specific talents that are greater in one than the other. I also appreciated the explanation of how so many managers end up being so pathetic -- especially if they are moved up because they're not very good in their current positions (or my favorites, they kiss butte or know the right people).
No one, by improving themselves dramatically, is trying to become a hero as claimed here...but I am glad Marcus spells out very clearly how it is impossible for a manager to get people to change (change is up to the employee). Props to Marcus for being one of the only authors I've actually enjoyed listening to on an audiobook. All well packaged and marketed with an attention-grabbing title.
Relational Leadership a Proven Performance Winner.......2007-08-27
An evidence-based book demonstrating the performance benefits of relational leadership. In this captivating and engaging read, Gallup Organization researchers Buckingham and Coffman show how good leadership taps individual identity (At work, do you have the opportunity to do what you do best every day?), is relational (Does your supervisor seem to care about you as a person?), and demands accountability (Do you know what is expected of you at work?). These management elements and the several others described are not necessarily conventional wisdom, but clarified as they are in this book, they ring of good old common sense. After nearly 10 years on bookstore shelves, this book speaks more common sense than ever. This book is highly recommended for everyone -- if you have read it more than 5 years ago, read it again.
Great prep course for new managers!!.......2007-08-23
My son had just been made a manager of a large multi-location furniture and appliance and tv company. I purchased (First, Break all the rules) for him to give him some insight to being a manager. He devoured the CD's and called for more.
I choose the same author and purchased more of his work. Thanks for having this quality product available.
Whoever wrote the description of this book on cd did a great job. It was the reason I bought it.
Ideas that are applicable to managers--and a lot more!.......2007-07-18
Heard FIRST, BREAK ALL THE RULES by Marcus Buckingham
and Curt Coffman of the Gallup Organization . . . it was the report
on a massive in-depth study of great managers across a wide
variety of situations, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to
key players in small, entrepreuneurial firms.
It got me thinking about the difference that effective leadership
at the top can make and how, unfortunately, this doesn't
happen as much as it perhaps should.
Many of the ideas I've come across before . . . yet it wasn't until
I heard the spin placed on them by the authors that I came to the
realization that though they were seemingly basic, implementation
of them isn't always quite so simple.
Also, I realized that most of the ideas can easily be applied to great
parenting, great running of virtually any club or organization, etc.
For instance:
* Best managers don't treat everybody like they want to be
treated. Instead, they treat each employee as how he or she wants
to be treated.
And to find this out is easy:
* Just ask!
Among the other valuable tidbits I gained from listening were these:
* Effective managers spend their most time with their best people.
* Great managers know that any attempt to impose one best
way is doomed to fail.
* Never try to perfect people.
* Great managers focus on the future with their people.
* When told an employee was late, great manager almost
always ask why.
Buckingham also did the reading of FIRST, BREAK ALL THE
RULES . . . I was so impressed with this book that I'm now going
to read his other works, including his latest: GO PUT YOUR
STRENGTHS TO WORK.
Best Management Audiobook Available.......2007-07-17
What separates Buckingham and his co-author from the crowded bookshelves is their reliance upon statistics instead of anecdotes. There are too many management books out there that tell you what to do without backing their words up, so this book is well worth the investment. The audiobook, narrated by Buckingham, is especially rewarding, since it's one you'll want to listen to every month to remind yourself that there is a better way to manage and that you need to stay on that path.
Book Description
Most events that catch us by surprise are both predictable and preventable, but we consistently miss (or ignore) the warning signs
This book shows why such “predictable surprises” put us all at risk, and shows how we can understand, anticipate, and prevent them before disaster strikes.
There is a universal fear factor surrounding this subject: that society and the workplace are filled with disasters in the making that we could prevent if we only knew what to look for. This book plays on that fear and offers a positive, proactive resolution to it.
Customer Reviews:
Enlightening.......2007-08-27
The book jumps around but makes clear and valid points. A great eye opener! I would recommend this to students, leaders, informed citizens...just about anybody. I'm definitely getting more copies for friends and loved ones.
On Target - Bullseye - Should have seen it coming.......2005-10-07
Anyone who has worked for some sort of organization, government agency, business, university or whatever, will empathise with "Predictable Surprises" by Bazerman and Watkins. This book focuses on the early and late warning signs, the cover-ups, the denials, and the eventual consequences of failing to take action to avert disaster. I've been in far too many situations where I observed that the peple "in charge" (really??) were blindsided by their own limited vision to the realities of what was happening within their organizations.
There are two "Predictable Surprises" that weren't included. First, Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath in New Orleans. Anyone visiting that city and talking with one's professional compatriates could have seen coming what unfolded before our eyes. The warning signs and studies were out there and ignored. That's why those who had a reasonable level of education left town and paid attention to the evacuation notices.
The other predictable surprise that was missed was the sex abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church. I'm Protestant but know a lot of fine Roman Catholic people. I heard things as long ago as fifty years and knew then that this situation was going to explode in the public domain. "Predictable Surprises" provides the principals that explain why this particular surprise was kept under the radar so long.
An outstanding book that should be read by everyone working in the corporate world, a government agency, a university, the military, or a non-profit organization. Your life may depend on knowing what's in this book.
Predictably bad.......2005-06-14
A major shortcoming of Bazerman and Watkins' book is the failure to provide adequate evidence to support their arguments about what they call "predictable surprises", which they define as "an event or series of events that take an individual or group by surprise, despite prior awareness of all of the information necessary to anticipate the events and their consequences." Bazerman and Watkins build their case substantially on just two examples: aviation security failures leading to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and auditor independence concerns leading to the collapse of Enron and Arthur Anderson. Several other examples are discussed in less depth throughout the text, however many of these are not actually predictable surprises under the definition provided. For example, global warming is discussed a number of times; however global warming has been in public discussion since the 1930s, and today a substantial majority of people believe not only the concept of global warming but that current warming is man-made. By 2050, this subject will have been under study for 120 years and popular consensus will have been achieved for 50-60 years. This is certainly predictable, but hardly a surprise. The United States' looming crisis in entitlement spending also falls in this category.
Flaws exist in other anecdotal support as well. For example, Bazerman and Watkins cite aviation security failures as an occasion when overly discounting the future lead to a predictable surprise. Quick calculation based on figures provided in the book show that, using equal discount rates for the expected future cost of security and the future cost of disaster, even with a disaster probability as high as 10% for any given year, the airlines would be ahead on a cost basis. The total destruction of both World Trade Center towers and the massive ensuing death toll was not reasonably foreseeable by the airline industry; based on the typical passenger plan carrying 78 people, this was the equivalent of an absurd 41 simultaneous aircraft disasters! Given the cost of implementation and the low probability of such a large disaster, even at a full cost of nearly $50 billion, the airlines' decision to oppose security measures on a cost basis was reasonable. The full scope of this surprise was unlikely enough that it should not be termed "predictable."
Despite some good analysis of reasons predictable surprises occur and ways to avoid them, this book is critically weakened by its lack of evidence. Bazerman and Watkins try to make it stand largely on just the aviation security and auditor independence failures; however these are insufficient evidence for their broad analysis and conclusions, particularly given the weakness of those arguments provided. This book would be substantially more persuasive with more anecdotal support.
Predictably OK.......2005-05-11
In a world ruled by probability, all predictions eventually come true (no matter how impossible.) That said, ignoring the obvious can be disastrous, but the authors methods for prioritizing risk were disappointing.
Updating the March of Folly.......2005-02-23
The authors have found a memorable phrase to describe a depressingly common phenomenon - the occurrence of a disaster or failure that has been widely and often publicly predicted. The term `predictable surprise' will undoubtedly enter the managerial and political language.
They have provided a valuable analysis of why these predictable disasters occur and what can be done to prevent them (while recognizing that there are also such things as `unpredictable surprises' which can not be avoided through these processes).
The book is invaluable for the clear way in which it brings the elements together and for the vividness and immediacy of the examples chosen to illustrate the points. The result is a book that is very readable as well as being immediately useful, even if many of the points have also been made elsewhere by other authors. The book provides a template against which organizations can assess their defences against `predictable surprises', and I suspect that every organization will find gaps in its armour when it measures itself against the recommendations in the book.
The authors also use the book to mount a stinging attack on the failures of the American political system (and by extension those of other countries) and the need for fundamental reform. Their attack on the activities of the special interest groups and their direct responsibility for some of the worst disasters that the US has suffered is particularly pointed. One can only hope that the criticisms will be listened to and acted upon, and that politicians as well as business people will read and note them.
Throughout the book, the systemic, interconnected nature of the processes that lead to predictable surprises is very clear, but the authors do not, in my opinion, highlight the fact as strongly as they should. They do point out that depletion of international fisheries is a classic case of 'the tragedy of the commons', one of several archetypal forms of systems relationship, but virtually every example that the authors cite could well be illustrated with simple systems diagrams based on one or other of the classic 'systems archetypes'. Systemic issues require systemic solutions and the leverage for systemic change may be located well beyond the area of control of the immediate actors - another fact that shows up clearly in the course of the authors' examples.
It is probably no coincidence that I was strongly reminded of Barbara Tuchman's The March of Folly as I read the book. The perspective and coverage is different, but the themes of willful ignorance, willful inaction and willful pursuit of perceived short-term self interest as fundamental drivers of future disasters are common to both. If Tuchman were still alive, I would have confidently expected an analysis of Iraq to follow her masterful analysis of the Vietnam war, the American War of Independence and the drivers of the Reformation. In its own way, Predictable Surprises provides a contemporary update of the ways in which we continue the march of folly.
Amazon.com
From the school of unemotional investing comes the classic How to Make Money in Stocks, by Wall Street analyst and publisher William O'Neil. Readers new to securities will find it an excellent primer, one that relies on time-honored indicators such as quarterly earnings, market capitalization, and daily indexes. O'Neil's study of winning stocks stretches back to the 1960s, and he shares his insights here, describing what characterizes a growth stock, when to cut your losses (at 7 or 8 percent, no more), and how to spot a market top.
The techniques in How to Make Money in Stocks are hardly revolutionary, but therein lies their strength, as O'Neil claims his is "a winning system in good times or bad." Investors interested in Net stocks might be disappointed--the author's first rule is that a company must show a pattern of growing profits, which disqualifies many dot coms. (Try Rule Breakers, Rule Makers for a different take.) O'Neil's approach to stocks is, above all, rational, and he pays little heed to market hype.
Those new to investing would do well to read this book before embarking, and even more seasoned traders may find How to Make Money in Stocks a refreshing return to basics. Markets may swing bull and bear, but O'Neil promises to stand firm. --Demian McLean
Book Description
THE BUSINESSWEEK, USA TODAY, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BUSINESS BESTSELLER!
The bestselling guide to buying stocks, from the founder of Investor's Business Dailynow completely revised and updated
When it was first published, How to Make Money in Stocks hit the investing world like a jolt, providing readers with the first in-depth explanation of William J. O'Neil's innovative CAN SLIM investing method. Five years later, O'Neil, founder for the industry icon Investor's Business Daily, revised his classic text and provided readers with a newer glimpse on how the average investor can make money in the equities market.
This third edition of How to Make Money in Stocks has been revised and updated with new chapters designed to help investors increase their performance. New discussions include:
- Greater clarification of the key CAN SLIM investment strategy
- Expanded analysis of the general market from the top of year 2000 to the market bottom of 2001
- New models of the greatest stock market winners that provide more basis for the ongoing effectiveness and superior performance of the CAN SLIM strategy
- Fresh stock charts featured in two colors for easier analysis of trends
- And an invaluable guide on how to maximize both Investor's Business Daily and www.investors.com to find winning stocks
Like his international bestselling 24 Essential Lessons for Investment Success, which stayed on international business bestseller lists for close to 6 months in 2000, How to Make Money in Stocks is the best reference for the individual investor in how to stay afloat and ahead in the rocky and volatile equities markets of the 21st century.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting but not great.......2007-09-13
I'm new to investing but have read 7 books in the last couple of months on investing and financial statement analysis. These other books (the intelligent investor etc.) are more focused on value investing and tend to dissuade from considering stocks at all time highs. So it was interesting to read a different approach and this book would certainly make me consider looking at more growth stocks. It was also good to get some basics on chart interpretation which I think will prove useful. The downside is that the book (like all his books from looking at other reviews) focuses too much on IBD his website/newspaper, also the explanations for interpreting the charts was not really thorough enough, also a lot of the charts that he advised not to buy on did not look all that dissimilar in places to charts that he advised were good buys - its easy to go back in hindsight on the ones that didn't take off in price and pick holes into why they didn't.
Also his guide to selling at 7% to 8% below your buy price seems a bit extreme - maybe this is just for high risk growth stock buys but in general given the nature of the market most stock fluctuate far more and could be down 8% over a week to recover to the same of higher level the following week. If you sold every time as he suggests you'd constantly be selling and trying to find new stocks to buy.
He seemingly derides the value investing concept which is odd as some of the best investors of all time followed this approach - Buffett & Graham and their disciples being the obvious ones. Overall an interesting read for a different perspective and introduction to chart interpretation.
Study This Book.......2007-09-08
This book is very easy and most interesting to read. The author, Wm. O'Neil is the founder of Investor Business Daily newspaper, which I have always considered the best financial newspaper.
If you are willing to "study" and learn rather than just read this book, You will make money in stocks.
I use this book and Jim Cramer's 'Real money' and 'Mad Money' books daily (almost like text books) to study, learn and apply what I learn.
Hybrid Investing 101.......2007-07-27
An excellent book on how to use both fundamental and technical analysis together to produce big profits. William J O neal is a great author.
Wish I read this 10 years ago.......2007-06-08
Great book. Sound concepts that work. Yes, I subscribe to the paper (IBD) and use his rules. I'm up over 30% in a solid bull market over the last 4 months without being fully invested. When the market pulls back, my stocks also pull back, but when the market is up, my stocks tend to go up hard.
I find that I do better when I pyramid up after a bounce off the 50-day rather than every 2% or round number like promoted by Darvas. It's a good book worth underlining and scribbling all over the margins.
No get-rich-quick scheme - Mastering the markets requires intellect and discipline.......2007-05-23
William J. O'Neal reveals the secrets of the CANSLIM formula that has allowed the IBD 100 to outperform the S&P 500 year after year. Mr. O'Neal makes it clear - if you want to really make money in the stock market, you can - but it's going to take work. There is no get-rich-quick system: Mastering the markets requires intelligence and dedication. I fully believe in the CANSLIM principles and I am an Investor's Business Daily subscriber. IBD and this book have made me a lot of money. But on the downside (preventing a perfect 5-star rating), this book is rather dry. I had to read most sections several times to fully absorb the information, but it was worth it!
Book Description
Should you take a much-needed vacation or save money for your children's education? Should you protect the endangered owl or maintain jobs for loggers?
How do you handle questions such as these? We frequently face ethical dilemmas in our daily lives, and few have trouble with the "right vs. wrong" choices. However, the "right vs. right" dilemmas, in which neither choice is clearly or widely accepted as wrong, many times present obstacles that call for value-based decisions, and that's where we often need help.
Kidder -- the founder of the Institute for Global Ethics -- teaches us how to think for ourselves in order to resolve any ethical dilemma, from the personal to the philosophical. Unique in its approach and full of illustrative anecdotes, How Good People Make Tough Choices is an indispensable resource for arriving at sound conclusions when facing tough choices.
Download Description
"
Should you take a much-needed vacation or save money for your children's education? Should you protect the endangered owl or maintain jobs for loggers?
How do you handle questions such as these? We frequently face ethical dilemmas in our daily lives, and few have trouble with the ""right vs. wrong"" choices. However, the ""right vs. right"" dilemmas, in which neither choice is clearly or widely accepted as wrong, many times present obstacles that call for value-based decisions, and that's where we often need help.
Kidder -- the founder of the Institute for Global Ethics -- teaches us how to think for ourselves in order to resolve any ethical dilemma, from the personal to the philosophical. Unique in its approach and full of illustrative anecdotes, How Good People Make Tough Choices is an indispensable resource for arriving at sound conclusions when facing tough choices.
"
Customer Reviews:
The few. The moral. The good people........2007-05-23
There are no books on the market that address morality that way that this book does. Not the Bible. Not my university textbook on ethics. None. It's one thing to talk about moral issues and take sides with them, but it is another thing entirely to talk about solid moral principles that can guide you in making moral decisions based on reason instead of blind faith. This is a book that does the talking.
If you want to find out what a religion or a moral philosophy is really made of, nothing will put it to a test more than a moral dilemma will, and this book is chock full of examples of real life moral dilemmas. Some of those moral dilemmas are things most people wouldn't even think of as moral dilemmas -- justice vs mercy for example. One dilemma I like (to paraphrase) was the one about the highway patrol officer who comes upon a truck wreck where the driver is irremovably pinned down in the cab and a fuel-fed fire is starting to blaze out-of-control. The driver asks the officer to kill him before he is fried alive. What would you do and how would it be a moral decision?
It is not a perfect book, for example, there was the issue of what is truth. Truth and fact are not the same thing. Truth is whatever people *believe* to be fact, whether or not what they believe in really is a fact or not. Truth is not a reliable yardstick by which to gauge morality by. That might seem like nitpicking with words, but the most common cause of distress of clients in counseling is confusing facts with truth. Knowing the difference between the two is important to making proper moral decisions, otherwise you might be basing your decision on an illusion.
It also didn't cover the issue of punishment. The topic of punishment often comes up in moral discussions as a deterrent from being immoral. If a person needs to be deterred by force from being immoral, does that deterred person become a moral person then, or are they a person only putting on an act of being moral, only to resort to immorality in private when nobody is looking and they can be the "real me"? So is there no other purpose of punishment, besides being a poor deterrent? Most philosophies of punishment I've heard have very immoral reasoning at their cores and therefore should be discussed in every discussion on moral or ethics. Therefore any religion or moral philosophy based on deterrent is an immoral religion or philosophy.
How Good People Make Tough Choices: Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living.......2007-03-09
The book is a little confusing and doesn't offer a lot of insights on the decisions of real life ethical probelms with real life people.
Good Information.......2007-02-07
Good information but not something I would read again. Very dry chapters and some lack any formal directions on the proposed information.
Sound framework, good case studies.......2006-08-16
This book provides a strong framework in which to understand ethical decision making, which Kidder distinguishes as "right vs. right" situations as opposed to the "right vs. wrong" of moral decisions; ethics isn't about whether you do the right thing despite the temptation to do wrong, but how you choose the course of action when either solution could be defended as morally correct. Kidder explains the rational considerations you can use to better make such choices.
All of the major points are illustrated with thought-provoking case studies, many of which are true dilemmas. This makes the book continually interesting.
Good material for ethics class.......2005-08-20
This books allows students of all ages to start the difficult job of ethical decision making. Starting with its "Right vs. Right" concept, it teaches various ways to think about ethical decision making. This would be a wonderful book for a middle school or high school ethics class as well as an adult discussion group. Could easily be adapted to a church setting.
Book Description
Finding safe people provides the foundation for building healthy, lasting relationships. Here's how to identify safe people.
Customer Reviews:
One of the best books I've ever read.......2007-07-18
This book is one of the best books I've ever read on why I was attracting unsafe people and how to find safe ones and the importance of evaluating character.
The first story was amazing since I think I dated that very girl Dr. Townsend wrote about. The girl that says one thing and then does another. On the next page, they discuss their concern when college kids tell them they want a Christian spouse who is spiritual, religious, and funny. It concerns them, because when people come for marriage counseling, those aren't the reasons, but rather character issues like listening, working too much, and not being attentive to each other.
The characteristcs of unsafe people next provides a great way to evaluate the people in your life.
Next, they discuss why you are choosing unsafe people. It really cuts to the nitty gritty of your past. They then go through a number of false solutions that a lot of us attempt, including doing too much and giving to others. I know I can be a perfectionist sometimes, causing me to reject potentially safe people, filling the void with unsafe ones.
I really appreciated the next sections pointing out that safe people are everywhere. It says that we can learn OUR unsafe people through our safe people who will tell us.
Finally, the last chapter, Repair or Replace. They discuss how to mend a broken relationship, though those steps have never worked for me. But they sound nice to me.
As a person with many friends in their twenties, I see a lot of people who do not have enough safe people in their lives, causing them to make poor choices. I recommend this book as much as possible to them.
EVERYONE needs to read this book!.......2007-06-19
This is my 2nd book written by Dr Henry Cloud and its just as excellent at the other (boundaries in marriage). This book is NOT for persons in dangerous relationships anymore than an asprin will help your broken bones.
However, this book WILL help you reconnect with the basic fundamental idea that society has been drilling out of us since we were small.. We all really DO NEED PEOPLE in our lives. Self sufficiency is not what God had in mind for us. He built us to need eachothers company/attention/love/time and some very unhappy things happen inside us when we don't get that from others. This book helps identify how that can effect us and shows us how to find people who are safe to share who we are. This book is for you and for me.
opened my eyes.......2007-06-08
Safe People was given to me by my therapist,because there are people in my life who are not safe for me.I suffer from depression and anxiety so the book helped me look at myself and identify the qualities that me and others around me possess. not quite as good as Boundaries but close.
Safe People Workbook.......2007-02-12
This workbook helps you to personalized the material found in the book Safe People. It helps you to learn valuable life skills.
Revealing.......2007-01-09
This book is revealing both about yourself and others. Safe people are in the world and in the church, but so are unsafe people. It helped me identify why I kept repeating the same mistakes and how to enjoy healthy relationships.
Amazon.com
With her characteristically pointed advice and take-no-prisoners attitude, Dr. Laura's book Bad Childhood - Good Life tackles one of the most basic questions of therapy: How can a person effectively move past the injuries of a bad childhood? Her answer will be familiar to her fans—look at your current behavior and modify what you can change rather than simply venting your anger or allowing yourself to ever be victimized again.
Forget about simply accepting or forgiving your parents for their errors—Dr. Laura extols the virtues of conquering. Through excerpts from her radio show and letters from her listeners, she illustrates her points about guilt, anger and fear in personalized accounts from individuals. Short lists and question/answer sections make for an easy read that allows you to smoothly fast forward and backtrack to the topics you find most relevant at the moment—and numerous references to other chapters and her website provide all the additional information you could want. Faith is a subtle but definite component; some readers will find it the most helpful part of the book while it decidedly won't appeal to others.
Not everyone will agree with—or appreciate--her succinct manner that drives right to the root of issues. Like her show, the book presents absolutes rather than possible alternatives. For readers looking for a definitive method for moving past childhood issues, Dr. Laura might offer the solution. Jill Lightner
Book Description
The author of seven New York Times bestsellers and internationally syndicated radio super host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger delivers advice on how to blossom and thrive in spite of an unhappy childhood.
Many people don't realize that their childhood history has impacted their adult thought and behavioural patterns in unfortunate ways. They don't realize that much of their adult life has been dedicated to repeating ugly childhood dynamics in an attempt to repair deep childhood hurts and longings. They don't appreciate the specific contribution of their early lives to their current style of thinking and feeling.
While people may be quite aware of their early life challenges, they still may be seriously unaware of how their choices in people, environments, decisions, behaviours, and attitudes are connected to those experiences, and how those choices are the major factors in their current predicaments and unhappiness. Worse, they don't realize that they do have the power and the choice to make a good life.
In Bad Childhood Good Life, Dr. Laura will help you accept the truth of the assault on your psyche, understand your unique coping style and how it impacts your daily thoughts and actions, and guide you into a life of more peace and happiness.
Huge success of Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands in US who sold more than 900,000 copies.
Dr. Laura's seven bestsellers (all published by HarperCollins) have sold nearly six million copies to date in the United States. They have tremendous backlist strength, and continue to sell in the thousands each month because she and her fans refer to them on–air.
Download Description
"
In this important book, Dr. Laura Schlessinger shows men and women that they can have a Good Life no matter how Bad their Childhood.
For each of us, there is a connection between our early family dynamics and experiences and our current attitudes and decisions. Many of the people Dr. Laura has helped did not realize how their histories impacted their adult lives, or how their choices in people, repetitive situations, and decisions -- even their emotional reactions -- were connected to those early negative experiences, playing a major role in their current unhappiness.
For these people and millions like them, too much time is dedicated to repeating the ugly dynamics of childhood in a vain attempt to repair or cope with deep hurt and longings. Too often they use their emotional pain to control others or excuse their own inappropriate and destructive behaviors. Some turn to therapy, only to find themselves trapped in their self-pitying victim mode, robbed of optimism, confidence, and growth.
Dr. Laura will help you realize that no matter what circumstances you came from or currently live in, you are ultimately responsible for how you react to them. The acceptance of this basic truth is the source of your power to secure the Good Life you long for. In her signature straightforward style, with real-life examples, Dr. Laura shows you what you will gain by not being satisfied with an identity as a victim, or even as a survivor -- but striving to be a victor!
In Bad Childhood -- Good Life, Dr. Laura will guide you to accept the truth of the assaults on your psyche and soul, understand your unique coping style and how it impacts your daily thoughts and actions, and help you embrace a life of more peace and happiness.
Bad Childhood -- Good Life comes from a compassionate and personal place. Dr. Laura also reveals some of her own experiences with a difficult childhood and what efforts it took to attain a Good Life. She writes, ""My resilience has paid off, and I'm doing the best I can with what I've got."" Now you can, too.
"
Customer Reviews:
Better life.......2007-10-03
Excellent resource for those who have had a trouble life. Suggestions for improving ones life.
great book and I sent friends copies.......2007-07-07
I love this book.It is full of good common sense. I passed it along to family and friends.They loved it too.
Botton line - "snap out of it!".......2007-06-03
I am reviewing the audiobook version, which suffers from Dr. Laura's abrasive, sarcastic delivery. Though she offers some harmless good advice, particularly about how to determine if your parents are "evil" or merely "annoying" - ironically, there's not anything here of a very positive nature, nor any brilliant insights or suggestions beyond what a million others have said before.
The bottom line is to keep busy with religion, hobbies, work, caring for others, service - and accept that you will always have scars from a rotten childhood. Closure is a myth. Learn to live with your scars and make a good life for yourself.
You could probably spend 10 minutes at the bookstore and glean the useful stuff.
An eye opening must read!.......2007-05-05
I have been listening to Dr. Laura's radio shows on and off for years. This is the first book by Dr. Laura that I have read. It is an eye-opener. If you want to begin ridding your life of your irritating personality quirks; and your wrong thinking about yourself, others, and how you view your relationships, this is a must read. An all-around excellent, easy to read book with profound impact if you honestly apply her message and relationship principles to your life. I generally give away books once I have read them, but I am putting this one my bookself so I can re-read it again in a few years. Her persepective on life and relationships is excellent.
Get this book!!.......2007-04-30
If you are reading this there is a good chance you have not had the best childhood. Odds are you continually struggle with specific issues that may be due an inappropriate perspective of your surroundings.
If you desire a comforting read that justifies your bad "feelings" by allowing you to catasrophize, since after all, none of this is your fault; this book is not for you.
This book is for those who desire to not put their past behind them but to move on despite it. It is not easy, as you well know! However, isn't it time to put things into an appropriate perspective. Dr. Laura's insight will provide the path. Though scary, it is up to you as to whether you decide to walk it. I believe if you follow some of the straigtforward guidelines you will be on your way.
Now have a good day.
Book Description
Written in a clear, crisp, accessible style, this book is perfect for beginners as well as professional writers who need a crash course in the down-to-earth basics of storytelling. Talent and inspiration can't be taught, but Frey does provide scores of helpful suggestions and sensible rules and principles.An international bestseller, How to Write a Damn Good Novel will enable all writers to face that intimidating first page, keep them on track when they falter, and help them recognize, analyze, and correct the problems in their own work.
Customer Reviews:
Very informative, not dry........2007-09-28
I was expecting an essay-type book when I ordered this, the author uses humor to keep your interest while successfully explaining rather boring topics. I easily read this book in two hours without getting tired of it and retained most of what I'd read. This book tells you all you need to know about writing except what you should write about! I was impressed, it's not a very long book, but is packed full of good information.
Writer's bookshelf classic.......2007-09-23
James N Frey's book is already one of the classics and a damn good addition to any writer's bookshelf. He covers the whole process even though the book may seem too short to do so: The pace is fast, humorous and gritty from the first (characters, who they are and how to build them, by far the best starting point) all the way to the last(The Zen of Novel Writing, a ten page summary of the 'writers life'). I thought the second chapter (Three Greatest Rules of Dramatic Writing: Conflict! Conflict! Conflict! the most useful. Points are illustrated with examples from authors one knows and can relate to. A single objection: In an example (for 'Point of View', p. 100 in my copy) a single action revolver is fired by pulling the trigger over and over again (should be 'double' action). A great book and to me, worthwhile.
Q
Damn Good Advice!.......2007-09-23
This is a damn good book about creating tight, well-constructed stories that stand a chance of selling. The discussion on Homo Fictus, advice on proving your premise, and many other gems are all worth buying this book to read. If you have only one book to guide your first steps into novel-writing then this is the one. I've read dozens but this book was the most fun, easiest to digest, and easiest to put into practice. Top banana!
Great for Beginners.......2007-08-09
After reading the reviews before I bought this book, I actually decided to start off reading The Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri, which Frey references a lot in How to Write a Damn Good Novel. It definitely helped, so I would recommend reading that first. This novel was excellent. It was easy to read and understand, and has tons of great writing tips. I would certainly recommend this book for beginners. Don't forget to take out your pencil and highlighters!
IT IS A "DAMN" GOOD BOOK.......2007-08-08
I think this book presents much information to writers. We can all benefit from Frey's opinions on characterization and storytelling. I picked up some pointers on dialogue. You don't have to be a beginner to learn from it. As a person struggling to write my first novel, I am feeling more inspired since reading it and wish more people would do the same.
Book Description
Goodbye, Good Men provides the real story behind the sex scandal currently rocking the Catholic church. Investigative reporter Michael Rose has conducted countless interviews and exhaustive research to uncover several out-of-control seminaries as the root cause of the scandal. While most pundits and critics are calling for liberalization of the Church in the wake of these scandals, Rose presents compelling evidence that liberal influence is the very cause of the crisis. The revelations in Goodbye, Good Men will shock the nation and ignite a firestorm of debate on the subject.
Customer Reviews:
Buy a copy for your Bishop!.......2007-01-30
Excellent, true, and scary. Michael S. Rose, now an editor with the brilliant New Oxford Review, conducted over 100 interviews with former candidates for holy orders in magnet dioceses the formerly *exported* priests to other dioceses, such were the surplus of vocations.
So what happened? Yep, the "Spirit of `68"ers got control and New-Age-Sewaged the process of vocations to death. Never mind that those who hunger for strange flesh also got in the game, and the Moonbeam, Fruit-Loop, and Ouiji Board set.
Rose gives an alarming indictment of the vocational process today, and it is no surprise that it offers little inspiration and mounting difficulties.
One tiny quibble I have with Rose's nomenclature: candidates are repeatedly rejected for holding "traditional" Catholic beliefs on abortion, contraception, homosexuality, the primacy of the Pope, transubstantiation, and the Immaculate Conception. Far too often Catholics fall into the trap of ceding their name to the opposition by adding a qualifier such as "traditional." These are "Catholic" beliefs, no modifier, full stop. Other views are properly called "liberal" but are decidedly not Catholic. Calling yourself a "Traditional Catholic" weakens your arguments, and does not strengthen them and Rose falls for the trap a few times.
Rose also offers little for remaining in HOPE. We recall the Priests at Shiloh. We light a candle rather than curse the darkness. And instead of just being Joe-six-pack pew warmer raising a family, Rose's analysis shows that even ordinary layman have to be activists now. Sad.
Sooooooo. Buy a copy for your Bishop. Write your Bishop. Ask for The Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) priests as missions to your diocese (you may not like the Latin Mass, but believe me, their presence puts whacko Father Flake on watch negative). Rose's book is fine ammunition for returning the Church to winning souls instead of warehousing lapsed catholic hippies in sacerdos clothing.
Sick and scary.......2007-01-07
The author asserts that most American Catholic seminaries are run by homosexuals, radical feminists and heretics who desire to re-shape the priesthood, and thus the Church, in their image. Considering the state of the Church, I believe that Mr. Rose's thesis is correct. Unfortunately, the bishops and even the Vatican, are either unwilling or unable to do anything. Many, if not most of these seminaries need an Inquisitor to run a good old-fashioned auto-de-fe to root out the filth that has been educating and forming our priesthood for the past few decades. But who in authority has the guts to do it?
Ought to be a documentary about this.......2006-06-17
This story isn't told as much as it needs to be. I knew things were bad in some parts of the church, but some of the details here will positively floor you. After years of putting problem-priests and others into the administrative side of the house, this habit resulted in a seminary system that rewards radicalism and false teachers. Examples: a seminary class which taught wiccanism at the request of a student who planned to practice it as a catholic priest; a nun who spoke to others about her "upcoming" ordination as a priest (she and others planned to go through with the idea); a seminary in Maryland so gay it was nicknamed Pink Palace: they used to load up the cars and cruise the gay bars on Friday nights. There are several instances, probably still occuring, where men who wanted to become priests were rejected because they were not gay. Our church cannot afford to have the inmates running the asylum, as this book illustrates was, and perhaps still is, the case in many semenaries.
I could go on, but the story must be read to understand just how bad things got before the scandals were finally revealed in 2002. Even then, the news didn't cover the story in depth, probably out of a fear of appearing "homophobic."
The bright side is that there are some changes, slowly but surely. A documentary version of this book could wake even more people up to how bad its become in the semenaries.
HOMOSEXUAL UNDERCULTURE STILL PRESENT!!.......2006-04-23
Many priests in the "know" have said that this book must be taken with a grain of salt. Unfortunately, they don't know how true Mr. Rose's book is. The previous review mentioned a seminary in Indiana. I happen to know for a fact that this seminary has a homosexual underculture manifested and the rector and vice-rector are indifferent and think nothing of expelling good, holy and orthodox seminarians while advancing the gay culture. Sure, they put on a good act of piety, but they demoralize, rob the dignity and integrity of the good seminarians and push the development of the "evil". Yes, evil is still thriving in our seminaries. I know, I have experienced it. I was a seminarian in this seminary for 2 years.
YES ITS STILL GOING ON!!!.......2006-03-28
I entered seminary last year and believe me, if you aren't part of a clique or kiss up to the formation staff of this seminary in Indiana, then look out for some not very nice surprises during the annual evaluation. This happened to a good, orthodox, holy seminarian (who because he didn't play the political game) was given a bad evaluation and he left the seminary sadly disillusioned and heartbroken. The formation staff never took into consideration the good he did.....untiringly faithful as head sacristan and heading up the teams to deliver wood to the poor on weekends. Yet, there are gay seminarians here...who are deemed ready for ordination who are out visiting priests who they became good friends with while they were here and they are propositioning them. So, yes, good holy men are still being told to tone down their "piety" while the "gay cruising" seminarians advance to the highest heights. Then they wonder why they leave the priesthood after a few years. Its sad, but true.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent - worth its price to the very last penny !.......2001-08-21
There are not many titles providing manuals for law office/company and developing legal career. This one is exceptional,excellent and best.
Foonberg reveals all trade secrets collected after some 30 years of legal experience. Book is loaded with many professional cheats and solutions lawyers face every day.
Author discuses all aspects successful attorney shall consider - from selecting workplace,choosing partner, hiring personnel to equipping the office and advertising. Foonberg points out that even minor factors construct legal career.
Consider - for example - benefits of buying telephone number which used to company that has moved. Even answering - theoretically trite question - what kind of law do You practice ? is crucial starter/ender in relation with prospective client.
Author demonstrates how employing ethic and confidentiality may affect one's career.
Controversial parts of the book provide strategy for lawyers interested in leaving the company with " stolen " clients. On the other hand remedies are provided to disable such events.
In accordance with its title Foonberg demonstrates step by step whole range of effective and efficient techniques for attracting new clients and extracting more business from existing ones.
Excellent.......2001-01-04
Worths its price to the very last penny.
Books:
- The Maze
- The Quinn Legacy
- The Red Book (Caldecott Honor Book)
- The Rules of Engagement: The Art of Strategic Prayer And Spiritual Warfare
- The Runes of the Earth (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 1)
- The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God
- The Team Renzo Gracie Workout: Training for Warriors
- The War for Talent
- The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, Book 3)
- The Widow's War: A Novel
Books Index
Books Home
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- Arthur and George
- A Year in Provence
- Costos T. III
- The Services Economy: Lever to Growth
- Music for Torching
Ethics & Morality
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View (Perennial Classics)
God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
Cultural Amnesia: Necessary Memories from History and the Arts
Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know--And Doesn't
