Wish I had read this book twenty years ago
340484
Why is it, Yancey asks, that those who are loudest in preaching the gospel of grace exhibit so little grace in their own lives? Christians are called to be like their Lord, who came not "to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance," but today's churches often act more like the Pharisees whom Jesus rebuked so severely. Yancey does not attempt to explain or excuse such unChristlike behavior, but rather invites us to join him in receiving God's amazing grace.  Grace, Yancey tells us, means that "there is nothing we can do to make God love us more." Yet at the same time "there is nothing we can do to make God love us less." Yancey explores the implications of these statements not with theological discussions, but in stories. He finds examples of grace in literary works such as Les Miserables and Babette's Feast, as well as in countless anecdotes from a variety of sources, including his own experience. Jesus' own parables, so familiar to those of us with a church background, are suddenly alive with provocative meanings, bursting with hope, challenging what we thought we knew Jesus was saying. I have heard sermons and read books on the topic of grace, but never has it come so vividly to life as in the stories that Yancey weaves into every page of this book.  I wish I had read this book twenty years ago, although at the time I might not have been ready to hear God's message of grace spoken through Philip Yancey. Like Yancey, I spent years in churches that preached grace but practiced legalism, even while they decried the legalistic tendencies in others. Many people observe this deplorable lack of grace among evangelical Christians, and conclude that it is Christianity that is defective. Yancey affirms the message of grace and hope central to Christianity, while sadly acknowledging the failure of Christians to follow the example of grace-full living of their Lord.  This is not a book to read quickly. It is easy reading as far as the reading goes, but it asks hard questions and Yancey does not pretend to have all the answers. Christians talk about forgiveness, but does forgiveness extend to a murderer like Jeffrey Dahmer? To the Nazis who massacred Jews in the concentration camps? What does grace mean for those living in Bosnia or Northern Ireland or South Africa ... or in the United States? Each story Yancey tells is a nugget of grace, revealing the darkness hidden within us, and the brighter light of the Gospel that alone can dispel the darkness.
383461
I now understand much more about the sociopath in my life.  Life might have been better today if I had read this book 15 years ago.  Nevertheless, learning about sociopathy now is better than going another 15 or 20 years blaming myself and not being able to understand what is so wrong with our lives.  Makes me very thankful that I can feel love and empathy for the people in my life.
I highly recommend this book to anyone even if you don't know you are dealing with a sociopath. The book is well written and held my interest from beginning to end.  Her real life stories and examples made hard concepts easy to understand.
3057764
This is one of the most significant books I have read in recent years.  I have a small collection of home organization books, but none come close to inspiring me to the degree this book has.  Most overwhelm me with details of categorization, criteria for keeping/discarding, and cleaning/tidying schedules and calendars. This author takes a holistic approach to living, which is the appeal of the method -- a cluttered home is a manifestation of the uncertain state of mind, caught between over-attachment to the past and fear of the future.  Not to despair -- the author is extremely encouraging, urging the reader that *anyone* can learn how to discard possessions that are no longer serving a purpose for the owner, and *anyone* can learn to tidy, organize their things using simple materials and methods, not complicated systems.  The obstacle is a person's belief about themselves.  If you hold the view that you are disorganized, messy, deficient, that is how you will live.  Changing your thinking is a powerful notion that can bring renewing life change.  I have just finished reading the book and I feel energized and excited.  I want to clear my home of clutter and now I understand that I am in charge of giving myself permission to let things go.  I also understand for the first time that I have the complete freedom to decide what kinds of things are worthy of my attachment, that I don't have to keep things because of their functionality, or for reasons of frugality.  My unconscious thinking for my entire adult life has been influenced by a sense of obligation to gift givers, even if the gift has outlived its purpose or never had proper appreciation.  I want to be surrounded by people and things which give me joy and energy, and by "things," I mean much, much less.  This is clear to me now, and rather than fear and anxiety, I feel exhilaration and eager anticipation.

Many reviewers of this book mock the author's practice of addressing possessions and questioning the feelings of inanimate objects.  These readers lack an understanding of the deeply ingrained cultural effects of Japanese Shinto tradition.  In Shintoism, "kami" or god/spirit resides in all things. Those whose traditions are more western can think of this essence as energy.  It seems useful to me to recognize that we have a relationship with our possessions and we attach meaning to things, as in the case of sentimental belongings.  Sorting through possessions with this awareness makes it possible to use the action as a personal growth exercise rather than a simple physical clearing out of stuff.  This awareness is needed in order to access the "Life-Changing" part of this method.
1269093
As a pediatrician, I've tried to help couples work together to raise their kids.  All too often, over 20 years, I've had to coach parents as they contemplate divorce, go through it, and then try to work together in a co-parenting relationship.  This is a great book, and I wish it came out 20 years ago!  After stumbling upon it recently, I keep a copy in my office and recommend it frequently. I've given copies to couples who I think really need it.  It's written clearly, and would help anyone understand the legal aspects of divorce, no matter what state they live in.  For divorcing couples who can work well together, it's conceivable that they could use this book to structure a divorce settlement without needing a lawyer.  For almost any couple, they could use their lawyers less, and save a significant amount of money, by using this book.  Most couples only go through a divorce once, (seasoned divorcers probably don't need this book!) and the experienced perspective of the authors should help couples get through a divorce with their dignity and self-esteem intact.  I think this is especially important if there are children involved.  Parents who will need to co-parent after the divorce should read this book before they start arguing with their spouse about terms of the divorce. Parents who are already arguing should read it even faster.
3141601
I enjoyed The Humanist Approach to Happiness very much.  As a 47-year old adult, I'm glad to say that throughout the years I've utilized much of the advice from this book.  Of course this was accomplished and learned on my own through trial and error prior to owning this book just several weeks ago.  With that in mind, I tell you that this is the book I wish I had during my high school and college years when I was forming the base to my adulthood.  Perhaps I could have been the well-adjusted person I am today a lot sooner.  I hope today's younger generation and also those people who are newly discovering Humanism will find this book enlightening and practical.  Jennifer Hancock is a wonderful and devoted spokesperson for Humanism and further proves it with this book.
3715197
Having struggled for years with gamble addiction I can say that this book is an eye opener.
I wish this book would have been published 20 years ago, would have saved me a bundle of cash, a lot of hurt to others, various deppresions.
The author does a magnificient job setting gamblers needs, impulses and compulsions off to an overall industry gameplan.
I never really knew why I don't like cards, roulette and all old fashion type of casino games, slots are my thing, Thanks to the author I know now and can really move forward.
3151538
I wish Melanie Jane Nicolas had written this book about 60 years ago, and that my parents had given it to me for Christmas, my birthday, Ground Hog's Day, or for no other reason than that they loved me.

Melanie has distilled the very essences of vital financial knowledge into bite-size and easily digested morsels that ironically will prove to be as valuable to adults as to kids.

It is not a stretch to say that if this book HAD been available 60 years ago, and a best-seller as it will no doubt become, today's world economy would look significantly different.

PLEASE grab copies of Melanie's book for your kids and grandkids.
1091882
Excellent book I have had in my library for 20 years.
1225770
Wish I had read this book in my 20's or 30's, not in my 60's.  So easy to read, so sensible and such good advice.  .  Also took his great course at local community college - he is not trying to sell any investment products, and did not require that we purchase this book or any text.
I did purchase the book and at end of course bought copies for all my children.
3726714
This book is an eye-opener!  Wish like crazy that I had read it in my teens or early twenties because I would've missed making lots of mistakes (although those mistakes taught me many things that Dave Ramsey teaches in this book).  Now, my husband & I have a plan for our future and an understanding of investment products & investing goals that we had never learned!  I feel hopeful & empowered & ready for the self-discipline to get out of debt forever.
2064259
This is a book that every woman needs to read.  There's so much useful information that isn't normally taught to young women.  I wish I would have read this book twenty years ago.
754525
This is the book I wish I'd read years ago!  It explains why we get fat and why we get sick.  It is well written, easy to read and yet explains why we are a fat nation in a very logical way.  Gary Taubes makes total sense.  I don't know why this information has been so long coming to us.  I highly recommend this book.
1260600
I wish this book had been available when I was in my twenties, but a lot of the research in this book hadn't been done then.  This book taught me more than I've learned in 40 years of reading and experience.  And it's not just about tips and techniques, although there's plenty of that, too.  It's more about learning to express your feelings for your partner through sex using your whole body.

If you haven't read it, you should.
979547
I wish that I had this book 25 years ago.  I plan on purchasing more books to give as gifts.  Thank you Mr. Mack for your wisdom.
3894885
As someone who has done a lot of traveling, I wish I had read this book about thirty years ago, I would have been able to take my family on even more trips.
1649945
Excellent book.  I've been teaching 20 years and this was a book I wish I had had when I started.
3015056
I wish I could have read this years ago. I would be well on my way to retirement.