Book Description
Kids will be kids, which, among other things, means that they develop some unhealthy habits, like riding bicycles without a helmet, watching too much TV, or eating too many cookies. And for the most part, as they get older and become responsible adults, kids learn to shed those bad habits that lead to adult diseases like osteoporosis, high cholesterol, and obesity.
The fact of the matter is that unhealthy lifestyle habits that plague us later in life develop from an early age. The good news is that these potentially debilitating conditions and precursors to adult diseases can be prevented or lessened by making some very simple lifestyle adjustments. GOOD KIDS, BAD HABITS provides kids and parents with the means to make a personalized program that will help children grow into the healthiest adults they can be.
A comprehensive "BehaviorRater" test sets the stage for the book, and helps parents target which areas a child should focus on improving, whether it involves cutting down on sugar, getting more exercise, or making the right choices under the duress of peer pressure. Once a basic personalized program is created (which accounts for a child's age, temperament, and other unique factors), readers can use the RealAge® metric to understand how certain healthy habits will benefit the child in later years.
GOOD KIDS, BAD HABITS will help parents encourage their kids to enjoy exercise, eat right, manage stress, and develop healthy intellectual and emotional habit
Customer Reviews:
Common Sense Advice.......2007-09-27
I ordered the book to find the magic solution to my son's (age 6) bad eating habits. My other 3 kids eat anything. The book had very useful advice but no earth shattering solutions - just good common sense. I enjoyed reading the book and was glad I did, but it did not help. It did reinforce many things were were already doing as a family. It was a good check up.
What's new.......2007-05-09
I eagerly ordered Good Kids, Bad Habits, hoping for new insights and parenting tips. The first problem was that my children are 12, 14 & 17 years old, and the book's advice targeted parents with much younger children. Unfortunaltely some of us with teens and preteens have still not figured out how best to shepard our children into the healthest possible lifestyles, given our modern culture.
I read the book anyway, and was struck with the thought that very few of the suggestions presented by the author were new or original. Many of the main stream suggestions have been in parents' magazine articles for decades. The title and cover of the book were the most creative and original part of the package.
The author is a pediatrician, yet little or no science graced the pages.
Of course I was not been able to bring myself to toss the book in the recycle bin. So I have donated the paperback to the local library. A 5 minute scan of the text at the library, should provide you with all its insights.
No Picnic.......2007-04-10
I have read part of this book. It is work, no easy answers. You have to evaluate, evaluate, evaluate.... I have started with one child, but then the next question is about another child. I'll work it out. But you have to do the work.
The BEST book I have ever read.......2007-04-04
This book is the very best one I have ever read on kids and nutrition!
LOVE THIS BOOK.......2007-03-08
What a fantastic book! Useful advice given in a practical and non-judgemental way. Dr. Jen provides a fantastic road map for helping to put your child on the path of a healthy life both physically & mentally. As the Mom of a 9-year old son, I really appreciated her advice on parenting children during the 'tween years and thoughts on self-esteem.
Average customer rating:
- 2 1/2 stars.
- Serious results!
- Newbie
- A liberating, fun book
- Brilliant
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The Good Girl's Guide to Bad Girl Sex: An Indispensable Resource for Pleasure and Seduction
Barbara Keesling
Manufacturer: M. Evans and Company, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Interpersonal Relations
| Relationships
| Health, Mind & Body
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General
| Sex
| Health, Mind & Body
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| Sex Instruction
| Sex
| Health, Mind & Body
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| Sexuality
| Psychology & Counseling
| Health, Mind & Body
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ASIN: 0871319349 |
Book Description
In Barbara Keesling's latest book for women about sex, the noted sex therapist mines the idea that virtually every good girl yearns in her heart to be a bad girl.
Customer Reviews:
2 1/2 stars........2006-09-21
this book is not very good. if you have ever had sex this book does not tell you anything new. basically it tells you a couple positions. guy on top. girl on top. it tells you not to wear a flannel pajamas and bunny slippers to bed if you want to turn your partner on. just basic things that are nothing more than common knowledge. sorry to say im very disappointed and would not reccomend this book.
Serious results!.......2006-07-21
I started reading this book when my boyfriend mentioned that his cousin was reading it, and he believed that I defined "good girl", and needed to shift over to "bad girl" by reading this book. I thought our sex life was great, but my partner is older and more experienced than I am, so I took his words seriously and ordered the book.
I'm only 3/4 through the book and it has made a SERIOUS difference in my sex life. We're having more pleasure and more FUN than ever imaginable! I totally rock his world now, and I can't imagine being a good girl ever again!
Most of this book isn't about sex, really. It's about your image of yourself, and how you have been "taught", growing up, that thoughts about sex are bad and that wanting sex automatically makes you promiscuous. It teaches you to embrace sex as something healthy, fun, and needed! Keesling pulls you outside to look at the way you have been behaving, and explains why you're doing this and how to change it to make you feel more confident, and sexier! This goes for walking, talking, sitting, standing, dressing, everything. And it doesn't tell you to dress like a prostitute, either, so don't worry. All of this comfort in everyday life makes you more confident under the sheets. You learn to feel comfortable telling your guy what you want, asking him what he wants, delivering upon both yours and his needs, and having a TON of fun!!
I am so happy I have read this book, and I can't believe I had a sex life before this! This book is fun, informative, and very easy to read. The context is casual, so it feels like you're having a one-on-one chitchat with your favorite girlfriend, which is never boring. What've you got to lose by picking up this book? Seriously!! Good girl no more!! ;)
Newbie.......2006-03-28
I bought the book to help my post-baby frumpiness. After reading the book I think it would have been a fabulous read before I got married. It's a great introduction to seduction and very informative -- but if I tried to bring a feather duster into the bedroom my husband would explode into laughter.
A liberating, fun book.......2005-07-11
This book goes far beyong 'bedroom skills' and deals with how to act like a sensual woman through your daily life. The author covers how what we wear affects how we feel, our walk, posture, the thoughts that go through our minds. It is very interesting. Being faithfully married for fourteen years, this has helped me to be even more attracted to my husband, and our sex life has gone off the charts, as I feel good about who I am. Barbara Keesling writes in a fun way, like she was sitting down having a conversation with you. Great sex truly is 99% mental. This book is sure to help you have the sex you've always wanted if you follow through with the suggestions she makes.
Brilliant.......2005-03-09
As a preface, my mom died when i was 13. I've been wandering around womanhood and feminity without a compass for 10 years. This got me back on course. I'm learning to embrace the power that comes along with being a woman, not only that, but i'm learning to focus it and not be ashamed of it.
This book is not just about sex, but it's about how a woman should see herself. It's about saying it's okay to be sexual, think about sex, enjoy sex, exude sex. It is not about being a slut. It's about being empowered.
Book Description
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to rise effortlessly to the top, while others are stuck in the same job year after year? Have you ever felt you are falling short of your career potential? Have you wondered if some of the things you do–or don’t do–at work might be hamstringing your ambitions? In The 12 Bad Habits That Hold Good People Back, James Waldroop and Timothy Butler identify the twelve habits that–whether you are a retail clerk or a law firm partner, work in technology or in a factory–are almost guaranteed to hold you back.
The fact is, most people learn their greatest lessons not from their successes but from their mistakes. The 12 Bad Habits That Hold Good People Back offers the flip side to Stephen Covey’s approach in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, zeroing in on the most common behavior that can impede a career. Based on over twenty years of research as business psychologists, the authors claim that the reasons people fail in their jobs are the same everywhere. Only after these detrimental behaviors have been identified can the patterns that limit career advancement be broken.
Using real-life accounts of clients they have worked with at Harvard and as executive coaches at such companies as GTE, Sony, GE, and McKinsey & Co., Waldroop and Butler offer invaluable–and in some cases, job-saving–step-by-step advice on how readers can change their behavior to get back on track.
For anyone seeking to achieve his or her career ambitions, The 12 Bad Habits That Hold Good People Back is a powerful tool for unleashing true potential.
Customer Reviews:
The 12 Bad habits that hold Good People back.......2007-10-01
Excellent book. Gives good insight. I knew there were things I was doing wrong but just didn't know what they were. Now that I know what bad habits I have had, I can work on them and end the frustration. Helped me to realize that others have their problems too and instead of feeling slighted by their behaviour, I now see them as people with bad habits (just like me)!
Outstanding for Everyone.......2007-07-21
After reading several "career change"/"I Hate My Job" books, this one has been by far one of the best for anyone looking for work, working happily or working on getting somewhere else. The personality types described are a bit cookie-cutter but eerily accurate. Most readers will be able to identify "that guy" in one or more of the traits outlined. The case study examples can be a bit drawn out, but the descriptive traits and practical solutions help the reader discover the latent but very influential personality types that occur and impact offices everywhere. This book doesn't advocate radical solutions, stormy emotional confrontations or weepy introspective group hugs. Rather, as a personal tool, it should help the reader see how individuals undermine themselves and others from being truly successful.
Realistic help from a book for the first time.......2007-05-27
The book is easy to read, (though I wish it was printed in a larger font)as I feel you don't come out at the end feeling that you should be close to becoming a saint, and only then can you achieve success. And this isn't the attitude we see in people who are at the top of companies.
The real-life situations are real-life, and it reads like a story.
Somewhere or the other we are not always a single type of person as in a single habit, but each of the 12 habits influences us in our daily life in our work place.
This book has helped me a lot and I read it everyday.
Wondeful.......2007-05-20
One of the best books I have ever read in my life. The books belongs to a completely different league...It is so insightful..It has the accuracy of a science book and the flow of a poem.....I still cant beleive that this book isnt as popular as sevn habits of highly people etc....
High Class work...
It is a very good book.......2007-01-09
I read this book every day. This is INDEED very good.
Book Description
Listen to and communicate with your horse-successfully
"This is a book for everyone who has ever looked at the constantly increasing list of methods and systems marketed as `horsemanship' and wondered which of the many possible approaches would be most suitable for a particular behavior problem. Gincy Bucklin has distilled her many years of experience with horses and riders into a very useful, step-by-step, hands-on book. Bucklin's writing is smooth and easy to read, and no matter where you open this book, you'll find that her deep respect and affection for both equines and humans shines through."
-Dr. Jessica Jahiel, author of Riding for the Rest of Us
"Gincy Bucklin uses her decades-long experience with horses to answer that most frequently asked question: `Why did my horse do that?' And she comes up with creative solutions that weave together traditional horse handling with the best of modern horse training, including my own personal favorite, clicker training."
-Alexandra Kurland, author of Clicker Training for Your Horse and The Click That Teaches video lesson series
It takes time for a horse to learn everything we want him to know. If we don't make our intentions clear to him in ways that he can understand, or if we don't listen to what he wants, problems may result. Featuring easy-to-follow, step-by-step advice, What Your Horse Wants You to Know reveals how to communicate effectively with your horse to create an atmosphere of mutual cooperation.
What Your Horse Wants You to Know focuses on improving your horse's behavior on the ground, so you can develop relationship and communications skills without the more challenging problems that arise once you're on his back.
- Use your entire body to communicate with your horse
- Show your horse that you respect his needs and feelings
- Be patient and consistent with your horse while having fun
- Understand your horse's fears and overcome them
- Respond appropriately to physiological or nutritional problems
- Use praise to make your horse feel confident and successful
Customer Reviews:
Equine enthusiast.......2007-07-16
Very good reference book. Author presents from the horse's point of view which is how the title reads. As usual, however, the one problem that my hose developed is missing. But that may be expected since horses don't often read.
A Must-Have for All Horse Owners.......2007-04-12
Whether you're a beginning horse trainer or more advanced, and no matter what kind of training you are into, this important reference guide will teach you to communicate with your horse.
Excellent book !!.......2007-03-06
Gincy has provided a wonderful resource for all horse owners whether beginners or seasoned experts. No matter what discipline you are involved with, this book will become a favourite. It applies to horses beginning their education as well as seasoned competitors, ridden or driven, and just much loved family pets.
The basis for all relationships with our horses is communication. Gincy explains clearly how to read what your horse is saying to you and how to clearly communicate your instructions to him.
This book, like Gincy's others, is full of Gincy's very perceptive insights into equine behavior and motivation. At the same time, she generously cites highlights from the work of other successful trainers and instructors. She totally understands and loves her subject. She isolates each 'problem' or unwanted behavior, explains what it means and not only tells us how to change it but also what not to do.
For the beginner, this book provides a ready reference to cover hundreds of situations that arise in our day to day association with our horse or pony. For the experienced horse person, it is a compendium of knowledge that is so far unequaled in training literature.
Aside from all that, it is an entertaining read.
Jessie and ponies
Enlightening.......2007-02-09
A good read, in dot point form. Good as a quick reference or a long read.
What Your Horse Wants You to Know: What Horses' "Bad" Behavior Means, and How to Correct It.......2007-01-08
This book has helped me so much in understanding my formerly abused rescue horse. Simple strategies for dealing with problems safely and effectively - with very happy results. I wish there was a book like this for everything!
Book Description
Whether it's reprimanding a teenager for breaking a curfew or asking the boss about a promised raise, readers will learn the hands-on skill to resolve the touchiest issues.
Download Description
The authors of the New York Times bestseller Crucial Conversations show you how to achieve personal, team, and organizational success by healing broken promises, resolving violated expectations, and influencing bad behavior
Discover skills to resolve touchy, controversial, and complex issues at work and at home--now available in this follow-up to the internationally popular Crucial Conversations.
Behind the problems that routinely plague organizations and families, youll find individuals who are either unwilling or unable to deal with failed promises. Others have broken rules, missed deadlines, failed to live up to commitments, or just plain behaved badly--and nobody steps up to the issue. Or they do, but do a lousy job and create a whole new set of problems. Accountability suffers and new problems spring up. New research demonstrates that these disappointments aren't just irritating, they're costly--sapping organizational performance by...'
Customer Reviews:
IF You Could Buy Only One Book.......2007-09-24
I read this when it was first published and then bought it for each staff member as one of our required primers. I also gave one to each of my Board members. If there is one book I wish had existed 30 years ago, this is it.
A Relational Guide to Confrontation.......2007-08-24
In this example filled guide to crucial confrontations - those times when holding someone accountable is critical to what is important to you - the authors present a relational model for what to do as you become aware of a gap between your expectations and what has or is happening in the specific situation.
The concept approaches the crucial confrontation in `before', `during', and `after' steps; requiring you to spend some `before' time deciding `what' is the specific issue to be addressed and `if' you should enter into the crucial confrontation - what do you desire out of the relationship is a key question to help identify the real issue. Also in the `before' phase, you are asked to master your emotions by considering not only `your story', but also by considering the other person's context and thus `their story' - are they really doing this because they want to fail with you? Probably not - they just have an entirely different perspective (their story) on the situation!
The `during' step requires that you confront with safety and stay with the facts; assuring the other party that mutual respect and mutual purpose are present. The `after' step requires agreement on an action plan and follow-up. Along the way, there are tools to avoid getting side-tracked, with ample examples of situations that may arise and suggestions for dealing with them. The book is recommended for anyone interested in improving any of their many relationships, business or personal.
Crucial Confrontations.......2007-06-27
A must read for supervisors and managers. With outstanding proven approaches to knowing what you want from a conversaton, what the other wants, and watching out for the relationship. Found it useful at work as a reference book, plus a great read for personal relationship communications as well. Would suggest reading Crucial Conversations first to really get the full view.
Crucial Confrontations.......2007-05-08
Excellent book. Easy directions and explanations to implement the Crucial Confrontation Model.
this is IT!.......2007-05-07
exceeded my expectations...a must read for all those seeking practical strategies to lessen the 'drama' in face-to-face accountability discussions.
Book Description
In
The Imp of the Mind, a leading expert on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder explores the hidden epidemic that afflicts millions of Americans.
In the first book to fully examine obsessive bad thoughts, Dr. Lee Baer combines the latest research with his own extensive experience in treating this widespread syndrome. Drawing on information ranging from new advances in brain technology to pervasive social taboos, Dr. Baer explores the root causes of bad thoughts, why they can spiral out of control, and how to recognize the crucial difference between harmless and dangerous bad thoughts.
An illuminating and accessible guide to the kinds of thoughts that create extreme fear, guilt, and worry,
The Imp of the Mind provides concrete solutions to a tormenting and debilitating disorder. Including special sections on the prescription medications that have proven effective, it is "a beautifully written book that can be a great help to people who want to know what to do about obsessions" (Isaac Marks, M.D., author of
Living with Fear: Understanding and Coping with Anxiety).
Customer Reviews:
Dealing with Bad Thoughts or Postpartum Depression ?.......2007-08-13
This is the book. Understanding that there are many peolple dealing with the same or similer thoughts was ground breaking for me. It was recommended by Tamara Hartl, my psycologist at the Palo Alto VA Hospital. Along with her counceling, this book was a life saver. Just more tools in the arsenal for overcoming the need to act on bad thoughs connected to OCD.
The book also covers postpartum depression very well. If you're dealing with postpartum depression then this book is a must.
Perfect!.......2007-03-26
I am very happy with my book purchase! Amazon has quick shipping and attentive service!
I'm not alone!.......2007-02-06
Until I read this book, none of the treatments my therapist and I were covering were really sticking. I couldn't identify well with other books because they spent so much time covering compulsions. I kept falling into the spiral of obsessive thoughts and thinking no one would ever really understand what was really going on in my head. I even questioned the doctor's diagnosis. I cried when I read an example of someone going through exactly what has been happening to me, because for the very first time I did not feel alone. I really do have OCD and it is treatable. Thank you Dr. Baer, for writing a book that addresses obsessive thoughts separate from obsessive compulsions.
Compassionate, accurate, practical, and liberating insight into a painful and un(der)recognized condition........2006-04-10
The Imp of the Mind: Exploring the Silent Epidemic of Obsessive Bad Thoughts, breaks tremendous ground with those of us who have suffered at one time another with what Dr. Lee Baer refers to as 'Obsessive Bad Thoughts'. Some have objected to the use of the term 'bad thoughts' as judgemental of OCD sufferers, or their intelligence. I don't find this to be true, though, as Baer uses the term to refer to images and feelings that the perceiver him/herself is disturbed by (as well as the feeling of -being- disturbed), so in essence it's no more judgemental to call them bad thoughts than say someone has 'bad feelings' when they sprain an ankle.
The book is a very powerful first step for people who suffer from thoughts; be they violent, sexual, blasphemous, or otherwise directly in opposition to their own personal taboos. Baer explains in scientifically validated yet easilly accessible language that sufferers of this problem are not criminal or amoral, as they may fear themselves to be 'deep down', nor are they alone. This very reveal can be liberating for someone who has suffered in silence and isolation, feeling unable to talk about their afflicting thoughts for fear of being looked at as insane or treated as a pariah.
Baer explains that the very act of trying to suppress thoughts that are taboo is what reinforces them and causes them to develop into obsessions in the first place. He uses many case examples of patients he has worked with in the past, as well as data collected from large surveys to show that not only is this phenomenon widespread and common, but that sufferers are NOT the things they obsess and fear themselves to be and that those fears run the gambit of all extremes, from worrying about bestiality to becoming a serial killer!
I find this book to be extremely poignant, accessible, and supported by legitimate science. In today's society, where we are constantly exposed to fictionalized violence in the form of horror films and real-life violence from the news media, with no light shined on conditions such as those dealt with in the book, it can cause sufferers of 'bad thoughts' to feel increasingly worried and even paranoid about their own thoughts and behaviors. This book will liberate people from those most crushing and debilitating personal fears, and open the door to new methods of treatment and ways to improve quality of life.
That being said, it is clearly a 'first aid kit' in the sense of the above. The actual portion of the book given over to treatment is relatively small and fleeting, such that people who have already 'crossed that hurdle' may find little new here. For more familiarity with the condition, though, and in particular to people still suffering under their own stigma from intrusive thoughts, I -highly- recommend it. Reading this book was a turning point for me, personally, in the treatment of my OCD.
From one mind to another.......2006-03-31
As a person who suffers from OCD I can honestly say this book was extremely informative. To go from thinking your the only one with bad thoughts to realizing that you are clearly not alone means a great deal. I receommend this book to anyone who has to deal with these thoughts or wants to understand someone with them. The author describes the thoughts in such a way that I could never really explain to anyone what was going on inside my head.
On a practical level the book does a good job of explaining various techniques for dealing with the thoughts, including exposure therapy and the use of medication. It talks about utilizing some of the techniques for yourself and goes step by step which is very helpful...however it also reccomends therapy if the techniques do not work or seem to drastic.
I highly reccomend this book for those with these thoughts as well as those want to understand what these thoughts are about.
Book Description
From the creator of The New York Times bestseller Boing! comes the riotous story of a cat gone berserknbsp;-- four times over an in alphabetical order each time. Kitty is not happy hen she's told that her favorite foods are all gone and all that's left are Asparagus, Beets, Cauliflower, Dill....and 22 other equally unappealing vegetables. So she: Ate my homework, Bit grandma, Clawed the curtains, Damaged the dishes, and so on, through Z. Only when tastier things arrive (An Assortment of Anchovies, Buffalo Burritos, Chicken Cheesecake....) does she Apologize to Grandma.
Customer Reviews:
Best Children's Book.......2007-09-22
I absolutely love this book! Not only has my 4 year old and I laugh out loud together as we read this book almost nightly, I read it to MY friends. The capturing of bad kitty is perfect and the education of the alphabet is a winner for me as a parent. I was so excited yesterday to find Poor Puppy, the next book, that we purchased the book and read it as soon as we were in the car. Keep these books coming Nick, we love them!!!
More than just an ABC book . . . . .......2007-08-21
The story in this delightful telling of the tale of Bad Kitty makes you forget that this is an alphabet book. All of Kitty's misdeeds delighted my little grandchildren as we read it together. They thought all of Kitty's "yummy" treats were horrid (well, maybe not the shark sushi). After Kitty learned of all the yummy treats that had been brought home for her, she was truly pentitent and did her best to make amends for all the "bad, bad, bad" things she'd done. Children of all ages will relate to Kitty, because we've all had those days we just want to be bad, bad, bad . . . even though tomorrow we'll turn around and be "good, good, good."
My 4 year old loves this book.......2007-06-03
I picked this book from our local library one visit, thinking that my daughter would like the kitty and the different pictures. The first time I read it, she asked me to read it again...and again...and again. After a few times, she was able to "read" it herself by looking at the pictures and remembering what I had read. She read it over and over again during the time we had it checked out and was sad when we had to return it.
I was just now able to check it out again and she's thrilled to have her kitty book back. She's been reading it again and again.
I like that it goes through the alphabet 4 times, each time with a different word for each letter. She already knew her letters by the time we found this book, but reinforcement never hurts. She's now learning the different foods - the real healthy foods and the not-so-real kitty gourmet foods - and the various actions of the kitty. We loved all the different things the kitty did when she was mad, then all the things she did when she got food again. The author obviously knows kitties and has a sense of humor that appeals to the adults as well as the kids.
I'm putting this book on her birthday and Christmas lists for this year because I know this is a book that she'd like to have her own copy of.
Overlooked hillarious children's book.......2007-05-11
This book will have adults and children alike laughing at kitty and her alphabet scenarios. Highly commended! I have given this as a gift on several occasions and the recipients really love it.
great bad kitty.......2007-03-09
i bought this for my niece for her third birthday and it made an impression even through all the glitter of the princess party. this is a fun, fast, breathless trip through the alphabet.
Average customer rating:
- Exposing external and internal wounds of happiness and normality
- Your Neighbor's Secret Life?
- Inappropriate Social Interaction
- Monotonous
- Well-written, interesting, a little bit one-note
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Bad Behavior
Mary Gaitskill
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
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United States
| Short Stories
| Literature & Fiction
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General
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General
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| Literature & Fiction
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ASIN: 0679723277
Release Date: 1989-05-14 |
Book Description
Powerful stories of dislocation, longing and desire which depict a disenchanted and rebellious urban fringe generation that is groping for human connection. (Or, more simply put, the angst of people-who-wear-black.)
Customer Reviews:
Exposing external and internal wounds of happiness and normality.......2006-07-09
In her first book, North-American writer Mary Gaitskill deals with what most people would call `strange persons'. Most of the characters in "Bad Behavior" do not fit what society calls normal -- nevertheless, they lead a so-called average life. They sleep, eat, love, hate, watch tv, work, and in between they feed the emotional detour. The best ability of this skillful writer is to avoid making them look like freaks.
In "Secretary" (the only Gaitskill adapted to the cinema so far), for instance, the title character is a young woman who has emotional issues, and meets a new boss who likes spanking her -- and she starts enjoying that. It is match made in heaven. What could be a freakshow, here is a sort of love story with a strong emotional core. The relationship in the work environment -- sexual harassment? -- is a slap in the face of the post-feminism. The writer is able o convince that those people need that kind of relationship, that they are happy with that.
In another duo of stories, Gaitskill exploits two sides of the relationship between prostitutes and clients. More than dealing with the facts, the writer is concerned with what emotional ties these people can create. "Something Nice" is a story about a fifty-something married man who falls for a professional lady. All we learn about her is through his eyes and ears. We aren't able to see her without him. On the other hand, in "Trying to Be" we meet another girl -- who could work at the same place of the previous one -- and her struggle to make ends meet taking another job as a prostitute besides her daytime job. In this story, the situation is inverted. We spend time with her, rarely known about her clients. Both stories reach their peak questioning what people wanting from these kind of relationship.
In the nine stories that are in "Bad Behavior", Gaitskill asks what we consider normal. In the end she proves that it is a relative concept. Apparently normality is someone trying to be happy -- despite his/her preferences. Or better, happiness is the consequences of being able to handle what other people would call abnormality.
Your Neighbor's Secret Life?.......2006-06-21
A collection of short stories about people whose idiosyncracies do not conform to society's view of "acceptable behavior," but who live essentially normal lives and who are for the most part indistinguishable from the man or women next door. As one might expect in a collection of short stories, not each story is of equal merit, but I found only one (Daisy's Valentine) which I would rate subpar. In my subjective view, the other eight ranged from excellent (Trying To Be, Secretary) to good (Something Nice, Other Factors, Heaven,) to above average (Connection, A Roamtic Weekend, An Affair Ended). Secretary was made into the movie of the same name and Heaven seemed more of an outline for a novel than a short story.
Inappropriate Social Interaction.......2006-01-10
In a highly graphic and incredibly well written book of short stories, Gaitskill creates a picture of sociopathy. In this collection of 9 short stories, Gaitskill runs the gamut of human bad behaviors. From College Girls and Prospective Writers practicing prostitution, to lesbianism, to homosexuality, to adultery, to just plain inappropriate social conduct, Gaitskill gives us an up close and personal look at the seemlier side of human interaction.
With a particularly well constructed style, each story uses incredible sentence structure, well placed profanity and illustrative descriptions of people doing the things that no one admits to doing. Yes, the "bad behavior" in society is really rampant within American society.
Each story deals with a different type of aberrant activity. The book culminates with a brilliantly written story, "Heaven" that describes the disintegration of an entire family. First one child then the next and finally the death of one is only followed by suffering and pain for all involved. Everyone gets divorced except the parents. Yet the parents see their children as failures, and thus themselves as failures as well.
While the book is not for the faint of heart, it is superb. For a look inside American society that is mostly hidden, this book brings it to the surface. It is strongly recommended for all readers who wish to see behind the curtain of façade, into the real life activities of so many men and women in America today.
Monotonous.......2005-10-19
This book was descently written, but the the subject and style of all 9 stories didn't change enough to keep me entertained. I like many people saw and liked the movie secretary, but comparing that movie to the story it is based off of would be a mistake.
Well-written, interesting, a little bit one-note.......2005-04-11
Sounds like I'm one of the few who knew absolutely nothing about Mary Gaitskill before purchasing "Bad Behavior." In fact, I'd seen (and really enjoyed - great film!) the movie "Secretary" and had no idea it was inspired by a short story in this collection.
My first exposure to Mary Gaitskill was the short story (from this collection, but I'd read it first in another) "A Romantic Weekend" - something of a long vignette about a would-be S&M romance between an egotistical married lawyer and a fawning, neurotic wannabe submissive. Unlike a lot of contemporary short fiction - with its focus on immediate scene, action and dialogue - "A Romantic Weekend" took the time to map out each of its central characters interior lives in a lively and descriptive way that encouraged me to read more. So, I stumbled upon a used copy of "Bad Behavior" and figured "what the hell?"
I give Gaitskill credit for needling at some tender nerves - stories about drug addiction, emotional abuse, sexual neurosis, prostitution and sado-masochism abound in this collection. Maybe my favorite story in the book is "Connection," about a woman (Sarah) who returns to New York after five years. Told almost entirely through backstory, "Connection" recounts Sarah's competitive relationship with Leisha - a dangerous game of sexual and drug abuse one-upsmanship that crumbled their relationship. Gaitskill is utterly unsympathetic in every way and she has a knack for biting dialogue and markers that bring her (for the most part, repellent) characters to life.
The problem with this collection is that there is nobody to sympathize with. The quintessential Gaitskill character is female, a prostitute or a slut, a drug user and either a hopelessly neurotic or ridiculously pretentious freak. Hey, they're vivid characters, but there's nobody here I'd like to have a beer with. About three stories in I started to feel like I was being re-introduced to the same character over and over again, and the persistently negative tone of Gaitskill's stories don't exactly make this a fun read. I suspect Gaitskill is better read as one entre in an anthology of stories by multiple authors. There's only so much of this stuff a guy can take in one sitting!
Overall though, I give "Bad Behavior" points for some highly inventive descriptions and prose, and for Gaitskill's clear and compelling (at least @ first) voice. If Joyce Carol Oates wrote for a more urban, Gen-X audience, it'd come out sounding a lot like this. Worth a look, but I'd recommend checking out a story or two first before deciding whether you're up for an entire book of Gaitskill's bad boys and the women who deserve them. The Tin House fiction reader features her story "A Bestial Noise" - that'd be a good place to start.
I'd like to add: I KNOW this review won't get many "helpful" votes. Most people who visit an item at Amazon (myself included) check out books they're already familiar with or like, so anything short of gushing praise is bound to come across as unhelpful to the true believers around here. But it's the truth. Mary Gaitskill is a talented writer who seems to write the same story over and over again. It's a good story. But it does get old over the course of an anthology. Like I said, she's probably better read as one entre in an anthology, where the overwhelming negativity and in my opinion, her almost juvenile need to shock can be taken in small doses. Over the course of 200 pages I started to lose interest in yet another over-sexed neurotic - take it for what it's worth.
Customer Reviews:
The Strange Case(s) of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.......2002-09-29
The artist Paul Gauguin once said that "life being what it is, one dreams of revenge." In "Bad Men Do What Good Men Dream," Dr. Robert Simon explains that all people have "bad dreams"--thoughts of suicide, or revenge, or crime--but only a very few cross the line from bad dream to bad action.
This book explores the nebulous borderline between what people think and what they do. The topics covered include serial killing, workplace violence, multiple personality disorder, killer cults, suicide, sexual misconduct by professional caregivers, rape, stalking and pyschopathic behavior.
In each area, Dr. Simon's analysis shows just how complex and surprising the human mind can be. Even apparently straightforward questions, such as whether a given criminal is likely to be dangerous in the future, or whether a "suicide" is actually an accident, turn out to be very hard to answer.
At times, Dr. Simon's style is a bit academic, but on the whole he writes clearly and does a good job of covering a wide range of complex issues.
Bad men do what good men dream.......2000-09-15
Dr. Robert I Simon's book Bad Med Do What Good Men Dream is an erudite and readable treatment of one of the knottiest questions in the history of humanity: what separates good men from bad men? Dr. Simon has applied his vast experience in clinical and forensic psychiatry to illuminate the similarities and differences between those who demonstrate remarkable psychopathology and "normal" people. He has explored the spectrum of violent and horrifying behavior, from killer cults to serial murderers to workplace violence, and provided a thoughtful discussion of the difficulties of identifying the good and evil inside us and around us. As a forensic psychiatrist, I found this book enlightening, thought provoking and well written. I highly recommend it to any professional or lay student of human nature.
the struggle between good and evil.......2000-08-26
Bad Men Do What Good Men Dream is a fascinating and well researched account of mankind's capacity for evil. Written by a forensic psychiatrist with years of clinical experience examining the human mind, the book not only provides the theoretical underpinnings of the subject, it provides the seasoned observer's inside account of what makes us "tick". In the humanist's tradition, it recognizes that dark thoughts are latent in all of us. Dr. Simon has produced a highly educational and riveting read without ever lapsing into the usual pomposity or sensationalism often found in writings on this topic. Readers will enjoy the many thought provoking discussions not only about why we do the things we do, but about what separates "good" people from "bad".
Pass on this one.......2000-08-15
...[T]his book has four or five chapters of differing criminal
behaviors (the serial murderer, the sexual deviant) told in
sensational stories with little serious discussion of the the
psychological basis or reasoning of why bad men do what good men
dream. In fact, the question of why bad men DO what good men dream is
never seriously examined. In fact, there is little, if any,
illuination of the causes or understanding of psychopathic behavior.
If this is a topic that interests you, you're much better off with
Charles Patrick Ewing's work or Henry Steadman.
Lacking in emperical evidence.......2000-06-23
This is a so/so book. Its main weakness is its reliance on sensational stories rather than on creditable evidence as to why people commit horrific crimes. For those who are facisinated with "criminal profiling" this may be worth a read, but for any serious scholar of forensic psychology, pass on this one.
Amazon.com
According to the late Barbara Woodhouse, there are no difficult dogs, only inexperienced owners. In No Bad Dogs she propounds her outspoken beliefs about dog behavior; having trained more than 17,000 dogs and their owners, Woodhouse knows of which she speaks. She isn't shy about condemning bad owners, firmly believing that dogs reflect their masters, habits and all. But this highly regarded book doesn't dwell on the negative; it suggests positive and simple training techniques for any owner and offers hope for all types of dogs, ranging from the chronically phobic to the severely jealous. No Bad Dogs is illustrated throughout with case studies of cured canines.
Book Description
Barbara Woodhouse, "the lady with the dogs," is already familiar to millions of Americans through the publication of her best-selling book, No Bad Dogs, her frequent appearances on such national television shows as "60 Minutes," "The Tonight Show," "Donahue," "Merv Griffin," "Good Morning America," and the syndication of her enormously popular television series, "Training Dogs the Woodhouse Way."
There are no bad dogs, Barbara Woodhouse believes -- only inexperienced owners. She ought to know: in thirty years she has personally trained 17,000 dogs and their owners in her weekend courses, teaching perfect obedience to basic commands in only six and a half hours.
In this irresistible book, Barbara Woodhouse passes on to the reader the simple, effective techniques as well as the infectious, positive attitude that have enabled her to make the most unruly or nervous dog happily obedient -- sometimes within a few minutes, as astonished television audiences can attest.
No Bad Dogs will leave every dog owner with both the skills and the indispensable attitude of love, firmness, and enthusiasm that gets results -- The Woodhouse Way.
Customer Reviews:
awful!.......2005-06-22
this book is awful and does not go into detail on how to train your dog. she says you should have your dog killed for way to many reasons.she uses choke chains and never speaks of praising.
Not really a dog training manual..........2005-02-23
but in general it has good information. It's more like a dog troubleshooting guide with each chapter explaining a separate problem or just something the author felt like ranting about. Techniques recommended in this book work well for most dogs, but probably not the more problematic ones. One problem in particular is that she recommends euthanasia for too many situations. For the most dangerous problems I recommend William Koehler's method, but take everything he says with a grain of salt. Koehler is brutal (i.e. beatings, drownings, and hangings). Even if your dog doesn't have any major problems, Woodhouse still has some valuable advice. Her writing is simple and easy to read, and would probably take you a day to read. Sadly, her suggestions rarely have an explanation. Poor for most cases, this is a book to check out of the library, not buy. It's too short for anything more.
Good basic dog training book........2003-08-18
If you've never trained a dog, start here. Barabara's philosphy is that most dog problems are "owner" problems. That dogs key into what their owners are thinking. That said, Barbara uses corrective training techniques with a choke chain. The current thinking is that you need to also use "reward" based training.
Some trainers use only one of the other. I claim you need to tailor it to the particular dog. Some dogs couldn't care less how much you yank them around by the neck, others will quit behaving after they've had enough treats. Anyway reward based training requires lots of variations in the reward, sometimes its a game of frisbee.
With corrective training you need to assert yourself as the head of the pack. Seems to work well with some dogs, especially those more alpha pack dogs. But all dogs require lots of rewards to be well adjusted. And as you can see from the cover photo Barbara does reward her dogs.
Excellent resource for training PUPPIES.......2002-11-30
We have a problem dog, and had heard that this book was excellent for learning how to train dogs. However, we found it's an excellent resource for training PUPPIES. This book assumes you'e starting out with a puppy, and does not address how to deal with problems already ingrained in an adult dog.
Great book for the new dog owner.......2002-01-29
A timeless dog training classic. Great theory.
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