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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gritslad on August 19, 2000, at 17:08:53
With several postings listing self help books, I thought it might be interesting to list your favorite books.
Posted by shar on August 19, 2000, at 22:56:02
In reply to Favorite Self Help books, posted by gritslad on August 19, 2000, at 17:08:53
For about 15 years I read many, many, many, many self-help books. Right now I am most affected by books that provide me with a new perspective (such an important element in getting away from the black pit).
My 2 faves are JURASSIC PARK (the book, not the movie, and it's inclusion of chaos theory and the documentation of the tiny errors and misjudgments that lead to ... well, chaos.) My other fave is THE HOT ZONE (non-fiction) which documents the very interesting and incredible spread, containment, mishandling, political game-playing, and near catastrophes regarding Ebola and similar viruses (virii?), and what we may have to look forward to.
When I think that one of these days a sneeze in an airplane could be the beginning of the end of the world, I am on a very different plane (no pun intended) of pondering about my life and how I might want to live it.
So, weird as it may be, those books have had a powerful influence on me.
Shar
> With several postings listing self help books, I thought it might be interesting to list your favorite books.
Posted by Cass on August 19, 2000, at 23:20:38
In reply to Fav. (Self Help) books that give me perspective, posted by shar on August 19, 2000, at 22:56:02
I've posted this before, but one of my very favorite self-help books is "The Drama of the Gifted Child" which is about emotional child abuse. If you've had any history of that, all of her books are excellent.
Posted by Cam W. on August 20, 2000, at 0:28:18
In reply to Favorite Self Help books, posted by gritslad on August 19, 2000, at 17:08:53
I've always wanted to go through my books and pick out the one's that have given me the most insight into the human experience. In a pseudo-order of importance to me, they are:
-Being and Nothingness - Jean-Paul Sartre
-Ethics - Baruch Spinoza
-Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
-Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of the Crowds - Charles Mackay
-The Idiot - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
-On the Road - Jack Kerouac
-Off the Road - Carolyn Cassady
-Heaven and Hell - Aldous Huxley
-Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes Saaveda
-Music, the Brain, and Ecstacy - Robert Jourdain
-Existentialism From Dostoevsky to Sartre - Walter Kaufman
-The History of Science in Western Civilizations, Vols I, II, and III (esp. II) - L. Pearce Williams & Henry John Steffens
-The House of the Dead - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
-The Story of Philosophy - Will Durant
-The Plague - Albert Camus
-Symposium - Plato
-A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawkings
-On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection (Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life) - Charles Darwin
-Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
-The Doors of Perception - Aldous Huxley
-An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding - David Hume
-Candide - Francois-Marie Arouet (Voltaire)
-The Divine Comedy - Dante Alghieri
-Kaddish and Other Poems (1958 - 1960) - Allen Ginsberg
-The Republic - Plato
-Raise the Roof Beam, Carpenters - J.D. Salinger
-The Electric Acid Kool-Aid Test - Tom Wolfe
-A Doll's House - Henrik IbsenThese books (as well as some others that don't mean as much to me) are on a separate book shelf in my office). Many, I have read several times (esp. Being and Nothingness). All give a different slant to the human condition, which I find has not changed in thousands of years. These books have shaped who I am. It's funny, I really didn't start tapping into my artsy side until I was about 30. I now find that my life would have been totally incomplete if I had stuck strictly to science.
If anyone would like to debate the finer points of any of these books, I would love to. My take on some of them seems to differ from commentaries of many of the English majors. Also, if anyone knows of any books to complement these, I would greatly appreciate your imput.
Jeez, I just looked over my list. I am a geek. - Cam
Posted by shar on August 20, 2000, at 2:41:33
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books, posted by Cam W. on August 20, 2000, at 0:28:18
Cam,
Those are some pretty good books. I read them all when I was in high school.HAH! Just kidding! I'm very impressed. Is War and Peace in there? Don't think I saw that one.
Shar
> I've always wanted to go through my books and pick out the one's that have given me the most insight into the human experience. In a pseudo-order of importance to me, they are:
>
> -Being and Nothingness - Jean-Paul Sartre
> -Ethics - Baruch Spinoza
> -Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
> -Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of the Crowds - Charles Mackay
> -The Idiot - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
> -On the Road - Jack Kerouac
> -Off the Road - Carolyn Cassady
> -Heaven and Hell - Aldous Huxley
> -Don Quixote - Miguel de Cervantes Saaveda
> -Music, the Brain, and Ecstacy - Robert Jourdain
> -Existentialism From Dostoevsky to Sartre - Walter Kaufman
> -The History of Science in Western Civilizations, Vols I, II, and III (esp. II) - L. Pearce Williams & Henry John Steffens
> -The House of the Dead - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
> -The Story of Philosophy - Will Durant
> -The Plague - Albert Camus
> -Symposium - Plato
> -A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawkings
> -On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection (Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life) - Charles Darwin
> -Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
> -The Doors of Perception - Aldous Huxley
> -An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding - David Hume
> -Candide - Francois-Marie Arouet (Voltaire)
> -The Divine Comedy - Dante Alghieri
> -Kaddish and Other Poems (1958 - 1960) - Allen Ginsberg
> -The Republic - Plato
> -Raise the Roof Beam, Carpenters - J.D. Salinger
> -The Electric Acid Kool-Aid Test - Tom Wolfe
> -A Doll's House - Henrik Ibsen
>
> These books (as well as some others that don't mean as much to me) are on a separate book shelf in my office). Many, I have read several times (esp. Being and Nothingness). All give a different slant to the human condition, which I find has not changed in thousands of years. These books have shaped who I am. It's funny, I really didn't start tapping into my artsy side until I was about 30. I now find that my life would have been totally incomplete if I had stuck strictly to science.
>
> If anyone would like to debate the finer points of any of these books, I would love to. My take on some of them seems to differ from commentaries of many of the English majors. Also, if anyone knows of any books to complement these, I would greatly appreciate your imput.
>
> Jeez, I just looked over my list. I am a geek. - Cam
Posted by Cam W. on August 20, 2000, at 11:11:09
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books » Cam W., posted by shar on August 20, 2000, at 2:41:33
Shar - Haven't read War & Peace, yet. It has to come out on those cheap Wordsworth Classics before I tend to buy a book now. Really, I do think that I read too much. It makes it hard to follow the important things in life, like Survivor or Big Brother, or the recent gang war we are having in our city (I guess we are actually having drive-by shootings, now).;^) - Cam
Posted by allisonm on August 20, 2000, at 22:03:20
In reply to Favorite Self Help books, posted by gritslad on August 19, 2000, at 17:08:53
Interesting Question. Thanks for asking.
In Session: The Bond Between Women and their Therapists by Deborah Lott
Crazy Time: Surviving Divorce and Building a New Life by Abigail Trafford
Of Two Minds: The Growing Disorder in American Psychiatry by T.M. Luhrmann
Coming Home to Myself: Reflections for Nurturing a Woman's Body and Soul by Marion Woodman and Jill Mellick
Cultivating Sacred Space: Gardening for the Soul by Elizabeth Murray
Earth Prayers by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon
Earth and All the Stars: Reconnecting with Nature through Hymns, Stories, Poems and Prayers from the world's Great Religions and Cultures by Anne Rowthorn
A Guided Tour of the Collected Works of C.G. Jung by Robert H. Hopcke
Anima and Animus by Emma Jung
Darkness Visible by William Styron
Archetypal Dimensions of the Psyche by Marie-Louise von Franz
Women's Ways of Knowing: The Development of Self, Voice, and Mind by Mary Field Belenky, Blythe McVicker Clinchy, Nancy Rule Goldenberger, Jill Mattuck Tarule
Allison
Posted by SarahB on August 21, 2000, at 1:51:49
In reply to Favorite Self Help books, posted by gritslad on August 19, 2000, at 17:08:53
I have found the book "Driven to Distraction" to be the best help I have found. As far as other books, well, with three kids, a job, a house, a husband, and PTA I don't have time to read!! :-)
Sarah
Posted by Rhainy on August 21, 2000, at 8:12:34
In reply to Favorite Self Help books, posted by gritslad on August 19, 2000, at 17:08:53
> With several postings listing self help books, I thought it might be interesting to list your favorite books.
Well I have a few, but the ones I feel are the most help, so far are the following:Stop The Insanity by Susan Powter
(very motivational)I Want To Change But I Don't Know How by Tom Rusk
(about *How* to change the aprts about yourself you are not satisfied with)Spiral Dance by Starhawk
(reconnecting with the Goddess)Truth or Dare by Starhawk
(about the Power-Over vs Power From Within)There are alot of others I also use, but these are the ones I remember off the top of my head at 530am, with only 1 cup of java in my tired ol' brain. ;-)
Blessings,
Rhainy
Posted by Oddzilla on August 21, 2000, at 9:10:12
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books, posted by Rhainy on August 21, 2000, at 8:12:34
This is a very interesting thread.
My favorite practical self-help books I guess are
Feeling Good which is user friendly cognitive therapy.
Falling Apart:Avoiding coping with and Recovering from Stress Breakdown Practical coping strategies
The Depression Workbook:a Guide for living with Depression and Manic Depression
My favorite making some sense of it books would include
Denial of Death Becker
The Earthsea Trilogy Ursula leGuin
The Glass Bead Game and Journeyers to the East Hesse
Psalms Ecclesiastes and John from the Bible
Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
I think one of the best books about what mental illness is really like for lots of people is Is There No Place on Earth for Me? Did anyone ever read an update about Sylvia Frumpkin? This book was published before the new antipsychotics came out and I wondered if they helped her and what happened to her if her parents died. I tried searching as best I could but couldn't find anything. (sorry, I'm getting off topic)
shar, I'm like you in that I try to avoid most "self-help" books these days. I read Hot Zone too and also
The Coming Plague: newly emerging diseases in a world out of balance
In fact I read that one twice. I can't quite explain it's appeal to me. But maybe it is the change in perspective.
I'm going to look for some of your favorites. Thanks for the inspiration. (Cam I did a web search for existentialism yesterday after I read your list and read Metamorphosis on line! That wasn't on your list but I'm not sure if I'm up to full volumes yet.) I must be feeling better if I can think about something besides how I feel! Well how I do run on!
Thanks everyone
Oddzilla
Posted by shar on August 22, 2000, at 1:57:11
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books, posted by Oddzilla on August 21, 2000, at 9:10:12
Odd,
I read the coming plague also, and Wow! it is amazing what's out there; I just am stunned sometimes that we are still around!Somehow Plague didn't grab me in the same sense that Zone did. Maybe because it went over so many different things, it couldn't get much said about all the peripheral aspects of these things (the politics, etc.). In the Zone, with basically just one virus, I could follow it pretty well.
Interesting we have that in common.
Shar
> This is a very interesting thread.
>
> My favorite practical self-help books I guess are
>
> Feeling Good which is user friendly cognitive therapy.
>
> Falling Apart:Avoiding coping with and Recovering from Stress Breakdown Practical coping strategies
>
> The Depression Workbook:a Guide for living with Depression and Manic Depression
>
> My favorite making some sense of it books would include
>
> Denial of Death Becker
>
> The Earthsea Trilogy Ursula leGuin
>
> The Glass Bead Game and Journeyers to the East Hesse
>
> Psalms Ecclesiastes and John from the Bible
>
> Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
>
> I think one of the best books about what mental illness is really like for lots of people is Is There No Place on Earth for Me? Did anyone ever read an update about Sylvia Frumpkin? This book was published before the new antipsychotics came out and I wondered if they helped her and what happened to her if her parents died. I tried searching as best I could but couldn't find anything. (sorry, I'm getting off topic)
>
> shar, I'm like you in that I try to avoid most "self-help" books these days. I read Hot Zone too and also
>
> The Coming Plague: newly emerging diseases in a world out of balance
>
> In fact I read that one twice. I can't quite explain it's appeal to me. But maybe it is the change in perspective.
>
> I'm going to look for some of your favorites. Thanks for the inspiration. (Cam I did a web search for existentialism yesterday after I read your list and read Metamorphosis on line! That wasn't on your list but I'm not sure if I'm up to full volumes yet.) I must be feeling better if I can think about something besides how I feel! Well how I do run on!
>
> Thanks everyone
>
> Oddzilla
>
Posted by Cass on August 22, 2000, at 17:23:10
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books, posted by allisonm on August 20, 2000, at 22:03:20
Okay, it seems like a lot of people have mentioned books that are not defined as "self-help" books in the strictest sense, so I think I will name some too. Many books that I have found personally inspiring are novels written by AfroAmerican women and men. I have been able to relate to the issues of oppression and survival of the spirit. Here are some good ones:
Beloved by Toni Morrison (Non-fiction. IMO, don't see the movie by Oprah Winfrey. It was very disappointing.)
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
(Non-fiction. A spirited woman in an all Black town struggles with issues of independence, creativity, racism.)The Invisible Man (Non-fiction. The author is very famous, but I can't remember his name)
Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane (True story of a man who survives growing up under Apartheid in South Africa then comes to America.)
Posted by Nibor on August 22, 2000, at 17:40:27
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books, posted by Cass on August 22, 2000, at 17:23:10
Oh, yes, Their Eyes Were Watching God, one of my all-time favorite books.
Also, The Samurai's Garden, by Gail Tsunamurai, incredibly moving, spiritual, life affirming.
Stones from the River, by Ursula Hegi, way before Oprah spotlighted it.
Same goes for the nonfiction, A Lesson Before Dying, forgot author, something like Leonard? Gaines.
Then one called Faded Coat of Blue, by Owen Parry, a Civil War novel that I happened to work on as a proofreader.
And about 25 more; someday I should list my favorites. Wish I could read more nonfiction; somehow fiction makes me happier--and shouldn't that be what SELF-help does.
Nibor> Okay, it seems like a lot of people have mentioned books that are not defined as "self-help" books in the strictest sense, so I think I will name some too. Many books that I have found personally inspiring are novels written by AfroAmerican women and men. I have been able to relate to the issues of oppression and survival of the spirit. Here are some good ones:
>
> Beloved by Toni Morrison (Non-fiction. IMO, don't see the movie by Oprah Winfrey. It was very disappointing.)
>
> Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
> (Non-fiction. A spirited woman in an all Black town struggles with issues of independence, creativity, racism.)
>
> The Invisible Man (Non-fiction. The author is very famous, but I can't remember his name)
>
> Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane (True story of a man who survives growing up under Apartheid in South Africa then comes to America.)
Posted by alicefranklin on August 22, 2000, at 19:36:36
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books, posted by Cass on August 22, 2000, at 17:23:10
What a terrific list, Cass! Ralph Ellison, I think (invisible man). Strange I can't recall, since that was a pivotal book for me, along with Manchild in the Promised Land and others. And brava on Zora, an important personage in my life for a good 15 years or so. Always good to hear your thoughts, Cass. Best, Claire
Posted by gritslad on August 22, 2000, at 20:09:41
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books, posted by alicefranklin on August 22, 2000, at 19:36:36
When I had posted this thread, I was seeking traditional "self-help" books, so what a nice surprise (esp. to an English teacher) to see this literature as self help thread pop up. I too am a great lover of Their Eyes Were Watching God. I'm rereading Madame Bovary and am struck by what a text book bipolar case Emma is. For those of you with a lot of time, I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb (1000 + pages)is an amazing book. I also much enjoyed Annie Proulx's The Shipping News. Reading is the one thing that can cure me, albeit temporarily, of the negative cycling that's part of my problem. I'm hoping the amino acids (see later post) that I read about in the Depression Free for Life book kick in soon. They are supposed to work fast.
Posted by Nibor on August 22, 2000, at 21:04:06
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books, posted by gritslad on August 22, 2000, at 20:09:41
Yes, yes, yes...The Shipping News...another favorite. I recently reread several Thomas Hardys--can't really call them uplifting, but loved them all the same, possibly even more than thirtysomething years ago.
> When I had posted this thread, I was seeking traditional "self-help" books, so what a nice surprise (esp. to an English teacher) to see this literature as self help thread pop up. I too am a great lover of Their Eyes Were Watching God. I'm rereading Madame Bovary and am struck by what a text book bipolar case Emma is. For those of you with a lot of time, I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb (1000 + pages)is an amazing book. I also much enjoyed Annie Proulx's The Shipping News. Reading is the one thing that can cure me, albeit temporarily, of the negative cycling that's part of my problem. I'm hoping the amino acids (see later post) that I read about in the Depression Free for Life book kick in soon. They are supposed to work fast.
Posted by Cindy W on August 22, 2000, at 23:32:44
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books » gritslad, posted by Nibor on August 22, 2000, at 21:04:06
> Yes, yes, yes...The Shipping News...another favorite. I recently reread several Thomas Hardys--can't really call them uplifting, but loved them all the same, possibly even more than thirtysomething years ago.
>
> > When I had posted this thread, I was seeking traditional "self-help" books, so what a nice surprise (esp. to an English teacher) to see this literature as self help thread pop up. I too am a great lover of Their Eyes Were Watching God. I'm rereading Madame Bovary and am struck by what a text book bipolar case Emma is. For those of you with a lot of time, I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb (1000 + pages)is an amazing book. I also much enjoyed Annie Proulx's The Shipping News. Reading is the one thing that can cure me, albeit temporarily, of the negative cycling that's part of my problem. I'm hoping the amino acids (see later post) that I read about in the Depression Free for Life book kick in soon. They are supposed to work fast.i agree that "i know this much is true" is a really good book! --cindy w
Posted by Rhainy on August 23, 2000, at 8:07:07
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books, posted by gritslad on August 22, 2000, at 20:09:41
> When I had posted this thread, I was seeking traditional "self-help" books, so what a nice surprise (esp. to an English teacher) to see this literature as self help thread pop up. I too am a great lover of Their Eyes Were Watching God. I'm rereading Madame Bovary and am struck by what a text book bipolar case Emma is. For those of you with a lot of time, I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb (1000 + pages)is an amazing book. I also much enjoyed Annie Proulx's The Shipping News. Reading is the one thing that can cure me, albeit temporarily, of the negative cycling that's part of my problem. I'm hoping the amino acids (see later post) that I read about in the Depression Free for Life book kick in soon. They are supposed to work fast.
I guess since everyone has added non-traditional books, I will add myself the ones which are not...The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk
a novel which is post apocalyptic San Fransisco, where the populace remaining in the area adopt a *Global Village* atmosphere with a large emphasis on spirituality in the area and they reach out to try to share this, in the Los Angeles area adn all of the trials the folks go thru.Another is called _Every Wall Shall Fall_
I do not remember the author, will have to find out if anyone is interested. THis is a true story of a young early 20's woman who goes to visit East Germany nad is captured and held in prison for a long time, though she actually did nothing wrong. It is the story of her struggles in daily living and survivng while there. Very inspiring.There are many others I count as uplifting for one reason or another, but most are fantasy books which are written by Mercedes Lackey and really would have no place (I dont think) on this thread. Her Music however is one of my *Mood Lifters* and I often have it playing when I am in my deepest darkest moods. It helps me to bring the light back.
Blessings,
Rhainy
Posted by gritslad on August 23, 2000, at 9:59:23
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books » gritslad, posted by Rhainy on August 23, 2000, at 8:07:07
>Unfortunately as part of the dummying down so prevalent in schools today, they don't teach much Thomas Hardy, so parents try to expose your unintroduced children and loved ones to Hardy. It's no easy task getting others to read a Victorian novel, but they just don't write plots like this anymore. I think the self help value comes in the protagonists' ability to experience redemption. I'm still waiting for mine.
Posted by BrianD on August 27, 2000, at 3:59:04
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books » gritslad, posted by Nibor on August 22, 2000, at 21:04:06
> Yes, yes, yes...The Shipping News... >
Just FYI Shipping News is about to be filmed in Newfoundland starring Kevin Spacey, Travolta was supposed to do the role but his wife nixed the Idea of filming in the place the story was set!
Brian
(originally from Newfoundland)
Posted by BrianD on August 27, 2000, at 4:04:09
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books » Nibor, posted by BrianD on August 27, 2000, at 3:59:04
Oh, by the way...
"40 Days and 40 Nights to Spiritual Healing" and "In the Meantime" both by Iyanla Vanzant
and Burns' "Feeling Good"I'm currently reading - "The Tao of Inner Peace"
Brian
Posted by roo on September 25, 2000, at 13:39:26
In reply to Re: Favorite Self Help books, posted by BrianD on August 27, 2000, at 4:04:09
anything by Cheri Huber--especially "There's Nothing
Wrong With You" and "The Depression Book"....also, Alice Walker's "The Temple of my Familiar"
Posted by pullmarine on September 28, 2000, at 20:42:17
In reply to Re: Fav. (Self Help) books that give me perspective, posted by Cass on August 19, 2000, at 23:20:38
they say you're crazy by capland
madness and civilization by foucault
cocaine papers by freud
the road less travelled
all i really needed to know i learned in kindergarten
This is the end of the thread.
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