Book Description
Why do people dodge responsibility when things fall apart? Why the parade of public figures unable to own up when they screw up? Why the endless marital quarrels over who is right? Why can we see hypocrisy in others but not in ourselves? Are we all liars? Or do we really believe the stories we tell?
Renowned social psychologists Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson take a compelling look into how the brain is wired for self-justification. When we make mistakes, we must calm the cognitive dissonance that jars our feelings of self-worth. And so we create fictions that absolve us of responsibility, restoring our belief that we are smart, moral, and right—a belief that often keeps us on a course that is dumb, immoral, and wrong.
Backed by years of research and delivered in lively, energetic prose, Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) offers a fascinating explanation of self-deception—how it works, the harm it can cause, and how we can overcome it.
Customer Reviews:
Has some good points but..........2007-10-02
Makes some valid points, but the primary purpose of this book in my opinion is to bash conservatives and their views. Examples of poor liberal decisions are few. I would assume liberals make mistakes too... If you are looking for something that gives good analysis without the severe leftward slant look elsewhere.
Why people rationalize and justify obviously bad actions.......2007-09-23
After hearing a NPR interview with Carol Travis, I sought out this book and was delighted with it. With ample basis in scholarly research, it was solid and had practical applications in my own life.
I have often been fascinated with why seemingly good people commit poor actions, and then go to great lengths to rationalize and justify their actions, at the expense of and to the detriment of others. Politicians and bureaucrats are those from whom I expect this.
But when it enters your own life, your interest in understanding the basis for it becomes necessary and vital in your own well-being.
The concept of cognitive dissonance and how it drives people to distort their perception of reality, so that the difference between their ideals and their behavior goes away, enters our daily lives. Of course, the problem with this is it reinforces the behavior that caused the dissonance in the first place, and it starts you down a road of deceipt and lies built upon more lies. Having lived the nightmare of being subjected to a "cognitive dissonant" of the nth degree, Travis assisted me in opening my eyes.
The political discussions by Travis will, no doubt, displease conservative readers, and was brave on her part to tackle. This book is strong and I highly recommend it.
The authors make a dry subject come alive!.......2007-09-14
Renowned social psychologists Carol Travis and Elliot
Aronson have written a truly fascinating book, MISTAKES
WERE MADE (BUT NOT BY ME). . . its subtitle made me want
to read it even more: WHY WE JUSTIFY FOOLISH BELIEFS,
BAD DECISIONS AND HURTFUL ACTS because I have long observed
this tendency--even in my own life.
The authors make what could be a dry subject come alive
by the use of many examples . . . in addition, I liked how
they incorporated much research--cited in nearly 40 pages
of endnotes--but made it come alive via a lively writing style.
When they explained how our memories tell more about
what we believe now than what really happened then, I had
to laugh . . . and recall the story of how I once took Risa,
my daughter, to my first home . . . from there, I proceeded
to take her to my elementary school, which I could have
sworn was nearly a mile away . . . in reality, it turned out
to be less than two short blocks away!
MISTAKES WERE MADE further shows how couples can
break out of the "he said,she said" spiral of blame and
defensiveness, and perhaps most importantly, how all of
us can learn to own up and let go of the need to be right.
There were many memorable passages in the book; among
those that most caught my attention were the following:
* The same DNA that exonerates an innocent person can be used
to identify the guilty one, but this rarely happens. Of all the convictions
the Innocence Project has succeeded in overturning so far, there
is not a single instance in which the police later tried to find the
actual perpetrator of the crime. The police and prosecutors just
close the books on the case completely, as if to obliterate its
silent accusation of the mistake they made.
* De Klerk, who had been elected president in 1989, knew that a
violent revolution was all but inevitable. The fight against
apartheid was escalating; sanctions imposed by other countries
were having a significant impact on the nation's economy;
supporters of the banned African National Congress were
becoming increasingly violent, killing and torturing people whom
they believed were collaborating with the white regime. De Klerk
could have tightened the noose by instituting even more repressive
policies in the desperate hope of preserving white power. Instead,
he revoked the ban on the ANC and freed Mandela from the prison
in which he had spent twenty-seven years. For this part, Mandela
could have found entirely legitimate. Instead, he relinquished
anger for the sake of the goal to which he had devoted his life.
"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with
your enemy," said Mandela. "Then he becomes your partner." In
1993, both men shared the Nobel Peace Prize, and the following
year Mandela was elected president of South Africa.
* Making mistakes is central to the education of budding scientists
and artists of all kinds, who must have the freedom to experiment,
try this idea, flop, try another idea, take a risk, be willing to get the
wrong answer. One classic example, once taught to American
schoolchildren and still on many inspirational Web sites in various
versions, is Thomas Edison's reply to his assistant (or to a reporter),
who was lamenting Edison's ten thousand experimental failures in
his effort to create the first incandescent light bulb. "I have not failed,"
he told the assistant (or reporter). "I successfully discovered 10,000
elements that don't work." Most American children, however, denied
the freedom to noodle around, experiment, and be wrong in ten ways,
let alone ten thousand. The focus on constant testing, which grew
out of reasonable desire to measure and standardize children's
accomplishments, has intensified their fear of failure. It is
certainly important for children to learn to succeed; but it is just
as important for them to learn not to fear failure. When children or
adults fear failure, they fear risk. They can't afford to be wrong.
That said, you won't go wrong by reading MISTAKES WERE
MADE . . . I was so impressed by it that I now plan to get
copies of the book for many of my colleagues at my college,
in that they will be able to relate to much of it . . . so will you.
Understanding and motivation.......2007-09-09
This is an extremely readable, perceptive and important book. It explains clearly and undoubtedly accurately how many people think and act.
I bought book after reading a friend's copy, just so I could reread it and make notes all over it.
Scary and hopeful - everyone should read this.......2007-09-03
I was impressed by the wide varieties of topics in how this self-justifying thinking can occur. Examples ranging from worldwide US politics and war, to prosecutors and detectives, to the average husband and wife, to the elderly taken by scams, to education, in order to show how we self-justify and coerce others into believing "our side" is right.
I would consider this essential reading, especially to US citizens. Our culture has been one of being duped time and time again by the media, politicians, that become so engrossed in this behavior of deceptive emotional rationalization, we accept it as normal and do it ourselves. We live in a "hot potato" culture that quickly throws the hot potato (the blame) in someone else's lap and then justifies it. This must stop.
I felt the writing was easy to read and interesting. I didn't have to "strain my brain" to get the point. There are plenty of footnotes to support what is being said. Others have talked about liberal slant. I didn't see that. When speaking of Christian/Islamic relations, negatives were shown on both sides. How is that liberal? Seems rather unbiased to me to point out the flaws of both sides in order to support how the escalation of violence and war has occurred over the past millennium. As well, US political leaders were picked from both Democratic and Republican parties to use as examples. Where is the slant in that?
I give it 4 stars as I noted some grammatical errors, and some of the flow could have used some better editing. But hey, "mistakes were made" let's move on. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone in a position to dramatically influence other's lives, such as lawyers, doctors, politicians, journalists, judges, teachers, etc. But change starts at home, and so everyone should give this book consideration in order to create a society that is more harmonious and less dissonant.
Book Description
Neurophysiologist and educator Dr. Carla Hannaford brings the latest insights from scientific research to questions that affect learners of all ages. Examining the body's role in learning, from infancy through adulthood she presents the mounting scientific evidence that movement is crucial to learning. Dr. Hannaford offers clear alternatives and remedies that people can put into practice right away to make a real difference in their ability to learn. She advocates more enlightened educational practices for homes and schools including: a more holistic view of each learner; less emphasis on rote learning; more experiential, active instruction; less labeling of learning disabilities; more physical movement; more personal expression through arts, sports and music; less prescribing of Ritalin and other drugs whose long term effects are not even known.
* This is the revised and enlarged second edition of a very popular book that has sold over 100,000 copies. * Includes recent research on the brain and a new emphasis on the importance of the emotional environment for learning. * It begins with a new foreword by well known scientist Candace Pert whose work on neuropeptides has revolutionized our view of the mind/body connection.
Customer Reviews:
New age pseudoscientific nonsense..........2007-08-27
...the "thinking cap" exercise is my favorite -- there's a photo showing some young girl pulling her ear lobes down almost to her collar bone!...the accompanying text claims that such yanking on the ear lobes stimulates "energy sites" in a manner analogous to acupuncture and facilitates thinking...ouch!...I think I'll pass on that one!...and the "energy yawn"??...or the "calf pump"??...no doubt there are reams of scientific research supporting such "techniques" for stimulating thought -- they're just not on this planet...personally, I think you should save your money and attend some of Ms. Hannaford's presentations at the "New Thought Center of Hawaii" where, over the years, she has presented such enlightening seminars as "The Cosmic Order of Sound" and "The Heartful Experience Sufi Dancing at night"...or maybe go out and buy some nice crystals and incense...but whatever you chose, don't waste money on this book.
Perfect remedy for a sedentary generation!.......2007-05-18
As many of the other reviews suggest, this book should be required reading for parents and educators. First of all, the explanations of the mechanics of the brain are very well presented for a lay audience--very easy to understand. The neuroscientific explanation then lays the groundwork for the thesis that Hannaford presents--that we need to consider the impact of the body and movement on the development of the brain. This book is a great step forward for holistic modes of education. Power Brain Kids
REQUIRED READING FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS.......2007-01-09
Hannaford is the wise teacher who shows how the body and mind are connected and how certain moves and exercises can improve school performance and even attitude. This is an extremely valuable book for anybody who works with kids, and will open your eyes to the whole child, not just the child-as-student. VERY highly recommended. Should be required in every teacher preparation program in the country!
Never thought of it before........2006-07-08
I'm a former teacher, current family lawyer, mother of a nine year old, and homeschooled last year. My daughter's current tutor recommended this book, and a lot of pieces are beginning to fall into place. Coordination, reluctance to ride a bike. I wish I'd had this book 10 years ago.
Great Resource.......2006-06-30
This book is easy to follow and is a great resource for those interested in improving functioning, particularly in children. The brain research included in the book is outstanding, maybe a little overwhelming for a lay person not used to reading this type of information, but made to be as user friendly as possible. One school I'm in has used some of the basic principles presented in the book with noticeable positive results in a very short time. This book is worth the money and time spent reading.
Customer Reviews:
Could do with a strong editor.......2007-09-27
Some time ago, I reached the conclusion that organized, proselytizing religions are primarily a structure to exploit the superstitious nature of mankind in order to enforce social control and facilitate cultural imperialism. For this, I started with Islam (a perfect example of both), since on its very face it is a farce. It wasn't until I read "Why I Am Not a Muslim" that I really understood how blatantly insane, irrational, and dangerous the entire Muslim religion is. The whole Koran, supposedly perfectly formed in heaven, was just the "Prophet" (piss be upon him) rationalizing, one surah at a time, his perverted and criminal behaviors to his gullible followers.
Islam (the word means SUBMISSION) itself demands that its followers filter every aspect of what they see or do through the irrationality of their faith, including that those who are not of their faith are less than human and must be converted or subjugated by any means up to and including deadly force. That's right, the ones that are NOT involved in terrorist activity are the ones failing in their duty. When all the thinking of an entire culture is based on an inherently irrational basis, the entire culture is insane, and when its goal is the destruction of all else, we have what we see in Islam: an armed and dangerous psychotic on the loose in the world. They hate us because we are not them, and they PLAN to make us surrender or DIE. Understand this. THEY SAY IT THEMSELVES if you would listen. It's us or them; there is no coexistence.
Even if the author had not made the reference himself, the title of this book invites comparison to Bertrand Russel's "Why I am Not a Christian". I've read both, and Ibn Warraq is certainly no Bertrand Russel, but I'd have to say he makes a fine Ibn Warraq. Anyway, I've deducted a star because the book would be well served by a strong editorial going-through. Among other flaws, he spends too much time telling us what he's going to be telling us in which chapters rather than just getting on with it, so things seem jumbled and repetitive. I'd still recommend it to anyone that needs a reality check.
Islam.......2007-09-12
This is a must read for anyone who wants to know how a Muslim might think his way out of Islam, and wants to read an excellent review of the development of Islamic philosophy and theology. This book belongs on the shelf of anyone who wants to understand the conflicts within modern Islam.
I expected much more.......2007-09-11
When I got this book I expected a whole lot more. Written by a man who had left Islam I thought this would give me some insight into the religion from soemeone who had read and studied it and found it a deficiant in tending to his spiritual needs.
Sadly however, what I found was a book that was lacking. Much of it is based on Pipes whose own credentials are simply worthless. Much of the book criticizes Islam but fails to provide the reader with an alternative. Where there mobs who attacked and murdered in the name of 'defending their faith?' Yes but then the same could be said for every religion on the planet. Did Muhammad carry out warfare? Yes but then so did many of the Biblical Prophets, Bhuddist, and Hindu kings etc.
A critical study is what is needed, a study of a religion that can have leaders who insight mobs to burn and murder because a cartoon is published in Denmark while in Turkey publish books by Said Nursi insighting his followers to "Spit in the face of the English" refering to Anglican Priests. With Imams and Sheikhs that regularly spend their friday prayers insulting and abusing any non-Musim faith, that abuse the lives of the non-religious (imagine if a Priest in a Church abuseing how Muslims pray or the symbols of Islam on a Sunday sermon yet Imams and Mullahs regularly do this about the cross, the prayer even the clothing that non-Muslims wear yet demand sepperate clothing, sepperate schools)
Simply quoting from the likes of Pipes whose obsession with the minority cranks and murderers such as Bin Ladin have given freedom to groups who support global domination, have links to fascist death squads and even seek to wipe out any opposition amongst Muslims dine with our leaders, open schools, preach wherever and whatever they like.
Quoting from the odd 19th century orientalist is also not enough nor the few opponents to Islam throughout the centuries. The Islam that exists today is not the Islam of medieval critics or the Islam of 19th century orientalism. That Islam is long since dead. The Islam today is not even the Islam of Khomenies and the like but rather much more dangerous is the hate preacher standing up on Friday to a crowd of hundreds, the 'scholar' writing hate mixed with religion, the news channels calling suicide bombers 'martyer opperations' the leaders with their endless religo/nationalism .
why i am not a muslim.......2007-08-12
I would love to review the book but there is only one problem, It has not arrived yet.
Why I am Not a Muslim.......2007-08-10
Ibn Warraq states his case against Islam and against all religions. It only served to cement my own atheism. It was well written in language anyone could understand and appreciate.
Book Description
Dedicated as few men have been to the life of reason, Bertrand Russell has always been concerned with the basic questions to which religion also addresses itself -- questions about man's place in the universe and the nature of the good life, questions that involve life after death, morality, freedom, education, and sexual ethics. He brings to his treatment of these questions the same courage, scrupulous logic, and lofty wisdom for which his other work as philosopher, writer, and teacher has been famous. These qualities make the essays included in this book perhaps the most graceful and moving presentation of the freethinker's position since the days of Hume and Voltaire.
"I am as firmly convinced that religions do harm as I am that they are untrue," Russell declares in his Preface, and his reasoned opposition to any system or dogma which he feels may shackle man's mind runs through all the essays in this book, whether they were written as early as 1899 or as late as 1954.
The book has been edited, with Lord Russell's full approval and cooperation, by Professor Paul Edwards of the Philosophy Department of New York University. In an Appendix, Professor Edwards contributes a full account of the highly controversial "Bertrand Russell Case" of 1940, in which Russell was judicially declared "unfit" to teach philosophy at the College of the City of New York.
Whether the reader shares or rejects Bertrand Russell's views, he will find this book an invigorating challenge to set notions, a masterly statement of a philosophical position, and a pure joy to read.
Customer Reviews:
shocked to discover Russell is an antisemite.......2007-09-14
I was extremely shocked and pained to read Russell's essay Ideas That Have Helped Mankind (as well as his writings on China) and discover that he was a flaming antisemite, and also something of a fool.
He writes: "We know what the Nazis did to Jews at Auschwitz. In mass cruelty, the expulsions of Germans ordered by the Russians fall not very far short of the atrocities perpetuated by the Nazis." Here he is skirting close to Holocaust denial, comparing post-war suffering of East Germans to genocide of 90% of Europe's Jews!
Elsewhere he lists the contributions of Jewish ethics to Western civilization as fanaticism and intolerance, and pretends that we got our belief that all men are created equal from the Stoics and the New Testament, with quotes that are mere paraphrases from the Hebrew Bible. He ignores all the Jewish lessons on equality and sacredness of every life including, Love thy neighbor as thyself. This is pure religious bigotry. What a hypocrite!
What is truly distressing is that his antisemitic comments from the book on China have been picked up and repeated by Chinese web sites today, so Russell's evil deeds are poisoning the present.
The Hobo Philosopher.......2007-09-09
Well, clearly if you are a Christian you will indubitably not relish this work nor would I see any reason why you would want to buy it. This book is for those who do not find Christianity appealing. Russell has many arguments that are logical and rational. This book is not difficult. It is not harsh. It is not mean spirited. I have read many others that are much more denigrating. Russell stays well above the shallow and vicious. He backs his arguments with history, science and logic. He is simple and to the point. This book is old. I bought my first copy back in the late 50's. But for those non-Christians and semi-Christians who are newly starting on the road to dubiousness and other possibilities, this book is as relevant as it ever was. Common sense doesn't really change all that much.
Why I am not a Christian is only one of several essays in this book. There is another great one on the Fate of Tom Paine and there is also a concise explanation of Russell personal beliefs. I've read this book several times and I will read it again, I'm sure.
The Fount Of Much Modern Criticism of Christianity.......2007-05-23
If you have read any of Richard Dawkins' or Sam Harris' works, you will recognize immediately, as did I, that essentially they have not progressed very far in the main from what Russell was saying at the turn of the 20th century.
Russell writes clearly and with wonderful wit. This book is easy to read, accessible at all levels and straight forward in its conclusions. I disagree with Russell on just about everything, but there is no denying the consistency of his thought nor his willingness to live consistently what that which he espouses.
His multiple marriages and numerous liaisons are absolutely convergent with his disapproval of any societal strictures against sexual freedom. He adamantly insists that all moral formulations only reflect the inherent desires of those who espouse them. This leads him to conclude that there is no absolute difference between the poet and the murderer and that it is illogical to build a statue to one and to consign the other to the realm of shame. To Russell, all human actions result from the combined causality of genetics and social conditioning and that we should no more look down upon one who is doing criminal things than we should look down upon a person who has the measles.
Like most radical liberals of his day Russell understood education as the realm of the Messiah. Education, under the guidance of enlightened thinkers such as himself, would radically alter and improve the human specie so that we could hope to live lives of love and freedom. Utopia beckons, we have only to embrace it rationally and pursue it energetically.
In all his brilliance Russell never comes to grips in these essays with his primary problem. He was totally lacking in grounds on which to criticize the rising stars of Hitler and Mussolini other than the fact that their methods and their conclusions differed from his own. He had no standard other than appeal to like sympathies in others to say that perhaps the manner and nature of those regimes was worse or better than his own. He cannot discover in the world of science why "what is" is either "what ought" or "what ought not" to be.
Read the book and discover the ultimate vacuity of a world view without external referrent.
A Must. Do read it, please........2007-04-24
Russell teaches to be atheist, a concept none can develop if left, unarmed since a boy, under the havy bombings of christian ideas.
THINK ABOUT IT.......2007-03-14
Isn't it interesting that Mr. Russell claims that all religions are shackles to the mind, but yet why is it that only Christians are attacked, even the title of this book is WHY I AM NOT A CHIRSTIAN, well if it's true that Mr., Russell believes this of all religions why is only Christianity attacked? Why is it that out of all the religious leaders in history of all the religions only Christ is made fun of, only Christ is repeatedly sought out to be disproved...Because HE IS THE TRUTH. The world and things of this world will never understand that. But lies will always attack the truth. Granted there are fanatics to every religion, but if you want to know the truth find a REAL Christian. They are rare to be found but there are still a few.
Customer Reviews:
Early Energy Therapy Book, Of Historical Interest.......2006-10-19
***
This book deals with eating for reasons other than hunger, and maintains that the reason people do this is that they are anxious. The author believes that what is actually going on when people overeat is that their body's electrical or energetic system is out of balance. Their systems can be rebalanced so that overeating is no longer necessary. Thus, the cause of the problem is dealt with instead of the symptoms. It explores this phenomenon of eating when not hungry and offers a cure via the "Callahan Techniques", a precursor to EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). Callahan Techniques involves using specific algorithms to deal with overeating, gluttony, impatience to lose weight, etc. to rid the body of energy blockages. This book was interesting historically for me; it was a bit of energy therapy history since it was written over fifteen years ago.
The book is written in a sales pitch style; fifteen years ago these ideas were new and readers would need to be persuaded of their veracity. Today, there is more openness to and familiarity with energy therapy, so the style of this book is a bit off-putting.
The Callahan Techniques involves tapping on various of the body's acupuncture points while saying various affirmation statements. The steps are illustrated in the book and are very easy to follow.
This book would be somewhat useful for anyone dealing with eating when not hungry, if the reader can get past the writing style. It also would be of interest to current EFT practitioners wanting to read an early energy therapy book. However, much more useful would be any book written today on EFT, and there are many. I especially recommend "The Promise of Energy Psychology".
***
Amazon.com
Yale professors Barry Nalebuff and Ian Ayres engage readers in an intriguing oxymoron. They believe invention can be automated. Why Not? outlines a populist high-octane approach to creative problem solving. "We aspire for this book to change the way people think about their own ability to change the world." The authors' ideas and examples--from adopting British water conserving toilets to having telemarketers pay you to listen--bristle with energy, conviction, and occasional loopiness. Their approach upends cliched problem solving models by asking, "What would Croseus (the ancient rich king) do?" They take Edward de Bono's lateral thinking out for a spin, suggesting pay for view television might include a fee for eliminating commercials.
Nalebuff and Ayres are at their best in exploring "Idea Arbitrage," a tool for applying one solution to a host of other problems and yielding day care at IKEA, corporate vanity stamps, and library coffee houses. Some promising concepts, such as the technique of leveraging mistakes to create new solutions, are not as clear as others. Overall, the authors make an entertaining case for the idea that innovators are made and not born. --Barbara Mackoff
Book Description
Why Not? is a primer for fresh thinking, for problem-solving with a purpose, for bringing the world a few steps closer to the way it should be. Idealistic? Yes. Unrealistic? According to Why Not? authors Barry Nalebuff and Ian Ayres, no. Illustrated with examples from every aspect of life, Why Not? offers techniques which will help you take the things we all see, every day, and think about them in a new way. Great ideas are waiting. Why not be the one to discover them?
Customer Reviews:
Master your creativity .......2007-09-16
A recommended read for those who need structure in conjuring up the creative forces of their intellect. The book is punctuated with tons of relevant examples to illustrate each method. A great resource for existing and would be entrepreneurs.
Invention is the Mother of Necessity? Why not?!.......2007-07-19
A couple of ingenious and creative Yale professors started ideating in good humor and out came this hidden gem. Everyday situations that might frustrate most people are actually opportunities for discovering new ideas - if only one can condition the mind to respond to situations in a restorative fashion. If you simply take away this one concept from this book, life will become way more rewarding all of a sudden.
Besides making that one powerful switch in the brain, this book has helped me in a few other ways from time to time. It provided a stimulant to the brain to find new business ideas and fired up my neurons to find investment opportunities out of everyday situations. It provided contrarian tips and techniques for first-principles based problem solving.
I especially love this book for supplying a bag of interview questions that helped me get into the head of my interviewees. They are simple enough to solve within minutes and have enough tracks to the right answer that you can understand how they go about solving them. This book has helped me make hiring decisions!
a great book on creativity.......2007-07-03
I love this book - lots of good ideas on how to be creative. Very fun and inspiring!
More at: Notes on the book "Why Not?" (How to Use Everyday Ingenuity to Solve Problems Big and Small)
http://ideamatt.blogspot.com/2005/05/notes-on-book-why-not-how-to-use.html
Entertaining.......2007-06-20
This is a very entertaining and somewhat thought-provoking book. I'm uncertain whether it had much effect on my creativity. It certainly demonstrates the authors' creativity, and gives some insights into how their creative thought processes work. But it's probably more valuable as a collection of interesting ideas than it is as a recipe for creativity.
While they focus more on presenting interesting ideas than on evaluating how well they would work, the do a decent job of anticipating problems and understanding the relevant incentives.
Possibly the most important idea is mandating anonymity of political campaign contributions (see also the book Voting with Dollars) as an alternative way of ensuring that it's hard for contributions to influence politicians votes, with plausible suggestions about how to ensure that it's hard for donors to evade the anonymity rule.
Their examples often leave me wondering why the ideas they describe are so little known (e.g. the anonymity requirement has been tried in 10 states for judicial elections - why hasn't that been reported widely?).
Another interesting idea is how tests of black boxes in cars (similar to those in planes) cause drivers to drive much more safely (20 to 66 percent declines in accident rates - "Fear of getting caught may be a more powerful motivator than fear of getting killed").
I am disappointed that it doesn't have an index.
Well, maybe 3.5 stars.......2007-01-13
Through their clearly written chapters, the authors provide a decent framework for approaching problem-solving. And through myriad real world and conceptual examples (mostly real-world) they demonstrate how to implement it.
One of their main points is that there really is very little that is new under the sun. Most innovations are derivative or otherwise improvements of (or opposites of) existing processes/products/etc... Through examples they show how many ideas are borrowed from different industries, etc... (and importantly, how YOU could use this same process).
That is all fine and good, and I found the book pleasant and entertaining to read... it is NOT (nor does it seem to be intended to be) a particularly deep or scholarly textbook -- though the authors are highly regarded professors in the Yale Business School.
Also, on the negative side, a large percentage of the examples in the book are well known to MBA's and those that regularly read business journals, businessweek, etc...
But all-in-all, it seems to be a worthwhile intro book in the topic. While I would not consider this book a blockbuster, it certainly ties together ideas from pure "creativity" books to real world examples.
Book Description
The United States spends greatly more per person on health care than any other country but the evidence shows that care is often poor and inappropriate. Despite expenditures of 1.7 trillion dollars in 2003, and growing substantially each year, services remain fragmented and poorly coordinated, and more than 46 million people are uninsured. Why can't America, with its vast array of resources, sophisticated technologies, superior medical research and educational institutions, and talented health care professionals, produce higher quality care and better outcomes?
In The Truth about Health Care, David Mechanic explains how health care in America has evolved in ways that favor a myriad of economic, professional, and political interests over those of patients. While money has always had a place in medical care, "big money" and the quest for profits has become dominant, making meaningful reforms difficult to achieve. Mechanic acknowledges that railing against these influences, which are here to stay, can achieve only so much. Instead, he asks whether it is possible to convert what is best about health care in America into a well functioning system that better serves the entire population.
Bringing decades of experience as an active health policy participant, researcher, teacher, and consultant to the public and private sectors, Mechanic examines the strengths and weaknesses of our system and how it has evolved. He pays special attention to areas often neglected in policy discussions, such as the loss of public trust in medicine, the tragic state of long-term care, and the relationship of mental health to health care.
For anyone who has been frustrated by uncoordinated health networks, insurance denials, and other obstacles to obtaining appropriate care, this book will provide a refreshing and frank look at the system's current and future dilemmas. Mechanic's thoughtful roadmap describes how health plans, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and consumer groups can work together to improve access, quality, fairness, and health outcomes in America.
Customer Reviews:
Critical Analysis by an Expert on Health Care.......2007-09-14
A slim volume, this book is critical reading for anyone who wants to understand and improve health care for everyone--by making the system work better for those who currently have access and helping to craft workable solutions to the millions left out. David Mechanic has been writing about health care for decades. Mechanic's incisive analysis gets at the fundamental conflicts of values and cash behind the intractable problem of health and health care in the United States.
Not an easy read........2007-03-15
You need a magnifying glass to read the incredibly small print - which reads like a textbook. Not an easy read.
Book Description
What's wrong with Calvinism?Since the Reformation, Calvinism has dominated much of evangelical thought. It has been so well established that many Christians simply assume it to be the truest expression of Christian doctrine. But Calvinism has some serious biblical and theological weaknesses that unsettle laypeople, pastors and scholars alike.God is sovereign. All evangelical Christians--whether Arminians or Calvinists--have no doubt about this fundamental truth. But how does God express his sovereignty? Is God a master puppeteer, pulling our strings? Or has he graciously given his children freedom to respond to his love?In this eminently readable book, Jerry L. Walls and Joseph R. Dongell explore the flaws of Calvinist theology. Why I Am Not a Calvinist is a must-read for all who struggle with the limitations of this dominant perspective within evangelical theology.
Customer Reviews:
Fair and factual.......2007-07-23
The author is not in the attack mode although this book will make a 5 point calvinist hyper-ventilate. Facts about calvinism are presented in a fair and biblical way by a writer who writes like a genleman in presenting his views.I would recommend this book to anybody who is interested in calvinism pro or con since it is always nice to get a sane civil view on any subject.
A Sinful Waste of Time and This Is Why.......2007-04-14
Look even the arminiest reviewer says:
"As an Arminian, I read this book hoping to find a solid evangelical stance of Arminianism that made a strong defense of Biblical Arminianism. As pointed out below.. This book has two major problems--
1. The chapters on philosophy truly did help clarify the various highly confusing Calvinist positions, and possible alternatives, however, the case must be won in the Bible not by philosophy, and this book is more philosophy than Bible. ..."
Exactly, this book instead of showing why or why not Calvinism is right or wrong instead goes into fluffy clouds reasoning. I don't understand how Christians can dare to put out reasoning like that. Who cares about opinions? It's not as if these men are like the apostle Paul. I'll point out the "blahs" of this book:
Page 219: "The doctrine of the Trinity above all shows that God exists in an eternal relationship of perfect love."
Hello? What happened to perfect hate and justice? Yeah, you arminiests know God HATES sin, even if you can't admit he hates sinners as well, you all know he feels hatred for sin so intense he will put you in hell for all eternity. Yet the authors, in their fluffy cloud reasoning dwell on "love" alone. Why? The authors said soon after that:
"Because he has such a nature he genuinely loves all persons..."
So because God loves himself he loves everyone else???????? WHAT STUPID REASONING! STUPID! CHILDISH! SINFUL!
Why not say "Because God hates sin he hates us all" that makes just as much sense, or how about "bananas taste good therefore humans love all food" that sounds just as logical.
It's dumb, the authors think this way based on a speculation that Calvinists don't understand the trinity perfectly, which is pure stupidity because 1. All you have to do is see what they believe, and they sure did look 2. They could go about asking Calvinists what they believe about it. Their stupid speculation and slanderous implication is that Calvinists don't recognize the trinity correctly because they see God more as ruler and king then lover. Stupid, stupid, stupid. And their evidence for this is cuz they believe all Calvinists believe God controls the will directly. That's dumb either way because again, all you have to do is ask what it is a Calvinist believes and watch their behavior vs arminiests (and you'll see a big difference in general; Calvinists are more peaceful and loving). 3. Also, I still have not found any source in which Calvin said he believed the will is directly controlled, and even if he believed it, so what, does that mean all Calvinists do?
On 218: "if God determined everything none would be lost (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9)"
1. That is stupid logic: If God as these authors would deceive you into believing, did not predestine people to hell, THEN NEITHER WOULD HE PREDESTINE THINGS SO THAT SIN WOULD APPEAR. So their logic is flawed: Their fluffy cloud reasoning = "but God is love he wouldn't let bad stuff happen." Guys, take a look around.
2. Let's check out those verses they cited:
1 Tim 2:4 - the word for "will" includes the definition "to desire" and as Scripture teaches, what God DESIRES is not always fulfilled. Rather his PURPOSE is, and that is conveyed in "Matthew 6:1" which says "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." that word "will" in Mat 6:1 is not the same as in 1 Tim 2:4 and does not have the meaning of "desire" in it. As for 2 Pet 3:9 again that word "wanting" includes the definition "desire". And using the authors' infantile logic God is failure as his will is not going to be accomplished and has not been as 1. Men sinned. 2. They keep on sinning. 3. According to Revelation billions will end up in hell with no chance of every getting out. So then what becomes of God's patience and will? Using the author's logic God's an untrustworthy failure and man can get outa hell on his own, hence why arminiasm is a heresy. Don't believe it? Check out what the author's believe about predestination in their book; THEY BELIEVE IT. Contradiction eh?
On 218 they said, "we agree that God could have created a world in which he precisely controlled and determine all things, including the choices of human hearts. But we believe such a world would make true human love impossible" and cutting the author's off... WHO CARES WHAT YOU BELIEVE. What's the Bible say though? But moving on they said, "True human love requires libertarian freedom." UM, say what about fluffy clouds? Let's get high!
On 219: "When love is subordinated to will, then the fatherhood of God, which is emphasized in the Trinity..."
Excuse me? What magical verses are they citing? 1. Jesus was not always God's son. So what, God was unfatherly and unloving at that point? What sickening ranting. 2. Again, where is the recognition of God's eternal hate and disgust for sin? Fluffy clouds, let's all get high and forget that God hates sin. 3. Got nothing to do with a misunderstanding of the trinity except by the author's misunderstanding of it and whoever else believes their nonsense.
You can instantly tell this book is a failure by going to the index to look up Tulip, which incredibly, their book which is anti-Calvin themed DOES NOT MENTION. I wonder why?: Because their is nothing wrong with Tulip and they know it.
Another stupid tactic they used, very stupid, was to pick on R.C. Sproul's "vague", they said, explanation about God's control or flawed. Dudes, who cares. People make mistakes that includes people on your side and ours, Christians don't explain things perfectly, big duh, again, what's the Bible say. Sproul didn't write the Bible, let's go to the Bible okay guys?
Page 219 (from the same sentence as the one I quoted last): "takes a back seat to the image of God as King or Ruler." *Shakes head negatively*. See, arminiasts admitted it. Always goes back to the focus on their hatred of God as King and Ruler, always. They detest the thought that God is King and Ruler. And Jesus' response?:
"But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them--bring them here and kill them in front of me." - Luke 19:27
Want to die a shameful death. Want to be condemned as a divider of the brethren, as divisive? Not me.
Nice treatment of the debate.......2007-03-15
Buy Why I Am Not an Arminian to balance the debate. We used both books as textbooks in a Bible study class.
The Philosophy of Calvinism.......2007-01-20
'Why I Am Not A Calvinist' is not so much a statement of Arminian theology as it is a flat-out rebuttal to Calvinism (hence, the title).
A number of reviewers have complained against an "over-philosophising" current which they seem to sense is present in this book. Some may be shocked, however, to discover that the Calvinian system is built on, and supported by, numerous philosophical dogmas. The authors of this title seek to expose this, recognising the essentiality for the student of the Arminian/Calvinian debate to truly grasp the "blik" (ie, a basic presupposition or stance) that reinforces both theologies.
The first chapter, "Approaching the Bible", (p. 21-43) is a most fitting introduction to the book. The main problem is, as another reviewer has previously mentioned, it is simply too long (especially for a two hundred twenty page book).
Chapter ii, "Engaging the Bible", contains an excellent overview of an Arminian interpretation, (but by no means the only Arminian interpretation), of Romans ix through xi. The authors also treat their readers with a splendid analogy of prevenient grace earlier in the chapter.
In chapter iii, "Calvinism and the Nature of Human Freedom", co-author Jerry L. Walls examines the philosophical undergirdings of Arminianism, and specifically Calvinism, regarding the nature of free will (particularly the competing models of compatibilism and libertarian freedom of will). While some may object to this approach, Walls believes that understanding this is pivotal to grasping the key differences that lie between Calvinism and Arminianism. I think he is correct.
In the fourth chapter, the authors spell out a Calvinian conception of divine sovereignty, along with some of the implications that it entails.
Chapter v exposes a great deal of Calvinian double-talk and their inconsistencies, especially how many Calvinists tend to conveniently interchange between compatibilist and libertarian free will to suit their purpose at the moment on a given subject (eg, Adam's sin and subsequent fall).
In the sixth and final chapter, Walls and Dongell write of the practical implications of Calvinian theology. They argue that one's theology ought to work out also very practically in one's life, for what one believes ought to affect what one does, and so on (take the profession of being a pastor, for example). The authors then proceed in demonstrating how many Calvinists oftentimes do not quite "live up" to their theology in practise, or everyday life.
Overall, this is a very engaging book, but again, I recommend it more as a polemical (yet irenic) work against Calvinism than an apologetic for, or statement of, Arminianism. For an acute and concise presentation of Arminianism, 'Arminian Theology' by Roger E. Olson has already ably accomplished the task, by providing an excellent source for those in the dark regarding Arminianism.
GREAT Book!!!.......2006-10-25
This book is excellent! Not only are a number of compelling biblical reasons provided against Calvinism, a number of relevant philosophical arguments are raised against it as well. I've noticed that a number of the reviews impugn the value of such philosophical reflections, insisting that everything be settled on biblical exegetical grounds. Despite the high view of the Bible such an insistence demonstrates, I think that's a little simple-minded, in all honesty. Suppose the Bible told us to lie. Should our attitude in such a case be that lying is okay? Should we ignore our moral intuitions to the contrary just because the Bible said so? How would we ground our conviction in the truth of the Bible when it shows such disregard for the truth? On what principled grounds would we choose to believe in the Bible before some other piece of alleged revelation? God presumably gives us adequate evidence and philosophical resources to be justified to believe in scriptural authority. But if so, why not believe he can also help us interpret the Bible correctly by giving us the right philosophical assumptions to bring to our study? If exegesis reveals contradictions in scripture or teachings that stand at odds with inviolable moral intuitions, then either the exegesis is wrong or we have grounds for rejecting the veracity of the Bible.
Calvinism is based on a bad reading of the Bible. Little wonder C.S. Lewis characterized it as sneaking a bad god in through the back door. And no mystery why Calvinism can be shown predicated on such bad philosophy as the following: continuing to call God "good" when he unconditionally elects some to hell; and such a "good God" COULD have saved everyone without violating anyone's free will on their view!; Calvinists call "biblical tensions" or paradoxes what are just the contradictory elements in their own faulty interpretations of scripture; Calvinists engage in the most egregious forms of equivocation, stretching language beyond its breaking point, by calling their conceptions of God good when there's nothing recognizably good about it; Calvinists say we deserve hell while at the same time casting God as the sufficient cause of all of our actions....in other words.....they embrace a compatibilist view of freedom, notoriously inadequate to undergird ascriptions of deep moral responsibility, yet they think it adequate for someone to be relegated to an eternal hell! Example after example of confusion, evasion, and dishonesty characterize Reformed theology.
It's a shame that segments of the church refuse to see this and insist on embracing such a warped view of God. It's clear that Augustine overstated the implications of divine sovereignty in his debates with the Pelagians, yet his mistake has become virtually sacrosanct theology in the minds of Calvinists today. (And ironically, the Calvinist refusal to believe God has the prerogative to grant human beings real libertarian freedom LIMITS God's sovereignty!) What's at issue isn't the Christian standing of Calvinists. Nonetheless, hard-edged Calvinism is horrible theology that's done untold damage to the witness of the church in this world, casting God as nothing less than monstrous, rendering Gospel preaching irrelevant, making God the author of sin, however much Calvinists bristle at such charges.
Defenders of Calvinism need to answer this book, not act like they can neatly avoid bringing to bear our deepest moral intuitions and philosophical reflections in exegesis. Their own biblical analysis is rife with philosophical assumptions of their own, few of which can be defended with much cogency. This book serves as both a powerful, gracious biblical and philosophical corrective to such theology.
Book Description
Why Talking Is Not Enough, written by Susan Page, author of the acclaimed bestseller If I’m So Wonderful, Why Am I Still Single? presents a novel relationship strategy based on subtle, powerful changes in your own actions. This method shows you the magic of “Keep your mouth out of it!” Page’s pioneering eight-step program invites you to give up problem solving and move directly to a warmer, more loving and fun relationship, based on universal spiritual principles.
In this book you will learn how to transform your relationship into a Spiritual Partnership by adopting these Eight Loving Actions:
- Adopt a Spirit of Good Will
- Give Up Problem Solving
- Act as If
- Practice Restraint
- Balance Giving and Taking
- Act on Your Own
- Practice Acceptance
- Practice Compassion
Customer Reviews:
A different approach, with a few caveats..........2007-07-10
Why Talking Is Not Enough: 8 Loving Actions That Will Transform Your Marriage by Susan Page is one of those books that flies against the conventional advice that's often given when it comes to marriage counseling. But after you get over the "but that can't be right" feeling, there's a lot to be said for her approach.
Content:
Part 1 - What Is Spiritual Partnership?: Introducing Spiritual Partnership; Loving Action 1 - Adopt a Spirit of Good Will; LA 2 - Give Up Problem Solving; LA 3 - Act as If; LA 4 - Practice Restraint; LA 5 - Balance Giving and Taking; LA 6 - Act on Your Own; LA 7 - Practice Acceptance; LA 8 - Practice Compassion
Part 2 - Putting Spiritual Partnership to Work in Your Relationship: Exactly How to Use the Eight Loving Actions; Frequently Asked Questions; Communication Within Spiritual Partnership; Making Mature Judgments
Part 3 - Spiritual Partnership in a Broader Context: Defining the "Spiritual" in Spiritual Partnership; The Future of Spiritual Partnership
References and Further Reading; About the Author
Most self-help books related to marriage dwell on communication... the give and take of negotiation. Page contends that the approach is more adversarial in nature, and basically tries to change something you have no control over: the other person. Instead, she suggests that taking responsibility for yourself and your own actions is much more effective in the long run, as you *can* control yourself. The actions are centered around what's referred to as a "spiritual practice", or the act of looking at your day-to-day interactions as an exercise of your spiritual nature. If you are focusing on making yourself into the best person you can be, then changes in the other person will also flow. These actions, also called experiments, are designed to help you learn what works and what doesn't in your relationship. If you try something and it doesn't work, that's good as you've learned something you didn't know before. It's a different approach to what you normally think of as marriage or relationship counseling, but I can see where it would have benefits over the standard "talk it out" approach.
Where I tend to have issues is with the focus on "if it's authentic for you, it's right" ethic. In this book, she feels that learning you're not right for your mate and splitting is as good an outcome as becoming closer. If you feel that there *are* moral and ethical absolutes, then some of the underlying foundations of what's in here won't resonate with you. Still, looking at the actions and the mindset of "change yourself before trying to change others" has some real value. I've personally always felt that trying to elicit change in others to suit your own self is chancy at best, and futile in most cases...
Definitely worth a read and consideration if the "I gave up something, now why won't they do the same" path isn't working for you...
A New Paradigm for Marriage Counseling.......2006-11-29
I've been a marriage counselor and educator for 25 years; after reading this book I'll never "do" relationship counseling the same again. Susan Page offers us an entirely new paradigm for relationship counseling. Her 'spiritual partnership' concept and approach is revolutionary. Some might blithly think Page naive, but they need to look more deeply into the profound implicaitons of her ideas. Let's face it, marriage counseling has been a dismal failure; as Page points out so well, we, as marriage counselors have worshiped at the dual alters of 1) problem resolution, and 2) communication skills. This is the central issue of my frustration with marriage counseling, I sometimes feel that I'm just teaching couples to talk more clearly about their problems ... the problems only come into clearer focus for them. This isn't solving problems, it's exacerbating them! It simply hasn't worked. Page's new and refreshing approach turns the entire enterprise of counseling around so we all can step back, see the situation more objectively, and take action, not just talk. Anyone who spends any time in their counseling practice with couples needs to read this book, and to recommend this book to their clients.
Clear, practical advice on how to act with love:.......2006-11-13
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having worked with many couples over the past 35 years I feel I can echo the testimonials Susan has received from some very prominent and thoughtful people--this is a really good book, one I would recommend--and I don't recommend books often or casually. What impressed me the most was that if people actually follow these suggestions, I know their relationship will really improve. How often can that be said? I have recognized over the years, as clearly Susan have also, that much of what doesn't work in relationships has to do with ignorance rather than ill intent. If a person has been raised in an unloving family, then that person simply does not know what actual loving actions are. This book provides that information in such a clear and digestible way; it really provides an important and useful service.
Not enough stars for this book!.......2006-10-29
This book came at a time when I realized talking WILL NOT work.Nothing was working in the marriage, only getting much worse than it already was even though we were going for counseling. My husband and I are at an impasse and trying to solve our problems IS NOT working no matter how much we try to "communicate" Even in the book Ms. Page wrote that usually one communicater is more effective than the other so that the communicating with each other is unequal and does put one of the partners at a disadvantage. So therefore the communicating only gets worse,goes around and around, and nothing gets "solved".That is SO true/ It is freeing to know that we can't change our partner only ourselves and Ms. Page says it all in this book. It's Practical,and makes so much sense! and it's great that you don't have to involve someone else. You can do it on your own and it will make a difference!If only for yourself.(and eventually the other person too)
She has the right focus and boy did this book come at the right time!It is definitely a marriage and life saver! I have read and listened to so may marriage counseling books but no one has hit it like this book has!
Thank You Ms. Page!
a powerful and empowering book.......2006-10-06
Susan Page's new book is the best relationship book I have read in a long time! It is POWERFUL because it is PRACTICAL - in other words, Susan brings the expression of love down to earth by advocating clear, specific, actions that demonstrate in physical reality the intention to create a loving, harmonious partnership. Far from theoretical or academic, this book puts love into practice. The book is EMPOWERING because it puts the tools for change in your hands - you do not have to wait until your partner changes for your relationship to get better! Susan's book is innovative in the following ways: 1) She suggests that communication is NOT the most important relationship skill. Far more important is the ability to take loving actions. These loving actions are a way for the individual to further their own spiritual growth and development because they focus on "being" a loving partner rather than on getting your partner to change or to admit that they are wrong and you are right. Page offers a convincing argument for why trying to get your partner to change never works anyway, and it usually makes things worse! and, 2) Susan suggests that couples take the focus off their problems (because, the more you focus on problems, the more problems are all you see) and instead focus on learning to be happy together. In fact she advocates giving up problem-solving altogether because, as Carl Jung says, "All the greatest and most important problems of this life are fundamentally insoluble. They can never be solved, but only outgrown." Susan's book offers invaluable advice and guidance for the step-by-step process of "outgrowing" your problems by becoming actively engaged in the possibility of love, support, and nurturance in your relationship. I couldn't recommend this book more. If you are tired of hearing yourself talk (and argue)and ready to try something truly radical and transformative, buy this book and try the loving actions. You won't be disappointed!
Book Description
When "man is the measure of all things," woman is forever trying to measure up. In this enlightening book, Carol Tavris unmasks the widespread but invisible custom -- pervasive in the social sciences, medicine, law, and history -- of treating men as the normal standard, women as abnormal. Tavris expands our vision of normalcy by illuminating the similarities between women and men and showing that the real differences lie not in gender, but in power, resources, and life experiences.
Winner of the American Association for Applied and Preventive Psychology's Distinguished Media Contribution Award
Customer Reviews:
Equality of outcome, not uniformity of treatment.......2006-02-07
It isn't necessary to agree with everything in this witty book to realize that its subject - male bias - is crucial to our understanding of ourselves as humans. It is such an obvious, if overlooked, fact that using the male as the standard of normalcy for humans is illogical.
Tavris exposes the confusion between gender equality and gender sameness. Women and men do differ because of differences in reproduction and these lead to differences in health issues, life experiences, access to resources etc etc.
When Tavris shows the results of using the female as the norm then female bias becomes obvious. Men become selfish with inflated self-esteem, narcissistic, inflexible etc etc and possibly many should be diagnosed with Delusional Dominating Personality Disorder.
Not being able to see the male bias in so much of the debate about equality is surely a major block to its achievement. Imposing a male standard on both sexes does not lead to equal consequences for the sexes. As parents recognize the differences between their children, treating them equally does not mean treating them uniformly as if they are the same.
This recognition of male bias and the difference between equality and sameness is essential. It is something so obvious that it is hard to believe we have been so blind to it for so long - a case of not being able to see the wood for the trees.
Of course dominant groups are always in a position to impose their own perspective, experience and values as the norm and subordinate groups can be caught in the trap of either trying to prove they are the same or accept their difference and their consequent poor treatment. Some might attempt to assert their difference as superior, too, as some women do (and perhaps many more do in private).
Tavris warns against all these outcomes of inequality and leads us to the acknowledgement of difference and a change of focus from equal/same treatment to equality of outcome.
Man Is the Measure of All Things.......2006-01-12
... is the double-entendre premise of this book and it is very well articulated. Ms. Tavris points out a tendancy to see men as the norm and women as the deviant and therefore something to be corrected and studied. She demonstrates as much with, for example, the following-
- Studies conducted indicate hormonal fluctuations in both men and women, and certain studies show that fluctuating testosterone in men decreases sense of humor and interferes with hand control ... yet men aren't faced with umpteen pieces - seemingly in competition with each other - trying to explain exactly what ways they are rendered irrational/unstable/incapacitated by those menacing hormones (or numerous "syndroms" ... one wonders if there is any time of the year where women are healthy!), not to mention the "common wisdom" of attributing their anger and hurt feelings to said hormones, and all because they aren't like women.
- The "equal as same" fallacy, where it is believed that a woman working in the same environment as a man should then conform to his, ie. the "normal", standard if she wants "equality" thereby missing the point that it is outcome and opportunity that matters for instance in the way a parent would treat two different children with different needs depending on them but still be sure they get it. Or, conversely, the belief that if two things aren't the same then one must be inferior.
- Things, such as crimes, looked at from the male experience. For example how it is often in our culture questionable when a woman doesn't fight back during a sexual assault, completely overlooking the fact that - as a woman - she risks even more physical threat from the heavier, stronger male than a man would. Further the tendancy of jurys to still scrutinize an alleged rape victim based on her demeanor, dress, and sexual prowess (because, of course, from a male point of view she is "looking for him" or "asking for it").
- She also addresses another pitfall, that women are somehow "superior" to men because they *aren't* like them.
To not give too much away I will stop, but this is certainly one of the best books I have ever read and hope that there will be an updated soon.
Even handed and inspiring.......2006-01-12
This book really lifted my spirits in its even-handed treatment of the 'language' of the genders. It explored the cultural expectations---and decpetions----about the genders, and gave each credit and offered an uplifting, intelligent, hopeful conclusion. I especially liked the fact that she gave men their due for their often-misunderstood gestures of affection and care----the clumsy and non glamorous gifts that form the backbone for so many sitcom jokes. Tavris is a sympathetic and vivid writer with wonderful logical and analytical abilities.
political science major in minority rights and womens rights.......2004-05-05
This is my passion. I read everything I can possibly get my hands on with this kind of stuff. Tavris's writing style is brilliant. The way she gets her point accross with sarcasim, statistics, and personal examples makes this book reach out to so many different groups of people. I love her non-male-bashing ways, her demonstrations of bias and scandles in both the medical industry and with scientist and biologist. Even if you don't agree with all her points, which not even I do, she makes a point in her book saying that these are her thoughts even though they might not be right or agreed upon by others, either.
Tavris Mismeasures Women.......2002-09-04
The greatest problem with this book is Tavris' refusal to admit real differences in the mental capabilities of women and men, to the advantage of the latter. She goes to great lengths to shatter "myths" about the irrationality of women, and doesn't seem to want to admit that the reason that women are considered irrational is because, quite frequently, they are. It's a fact - one Tavris can't deny - that women are subject to hormonal fluctuations that affect their moods, and the way they perceive the world around them. .... ...
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General
| Psychology & Counseling
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil
Don't Believe Everything You Think: The 6 Basic Mistakes We Make in Thinking
A Mind of its Own: How Your Brain Distorts and Deceives
Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View (Perennial Classics)
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
