Editorial Review

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Reviews (610)

Blink twice if you love it!
I blink twice all day long.I read this book in just one sitting, I could not put it down.To see how success is tied to a subconscience level of thinking is so right on.It is well written, very entertaining, and very eye opening.
Apples & Oranges
Gladwell writes well and the book is interesting. I read about half the book before I knew it! But I was jolted when Gladwell suddenly changed the focus of the book. In the first half of the book snap-judgments are good, then theyre suddenly bad. "What's up with that?" I asked myself.
Entertaining-- a little bit thinly sliced.
The Salon review of this book makes a remark that Gladwell's mission is to be entertaining, and not useful. I think that if you read this book in the spirit of that remark, you will not be disappointed.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Cognitive Psychology    4. Decision Making & Problem Solving    5. Decision making    6. Intuition    7. Psychology    8. Social Psychology    9. Self-Help / General   

Editorial Review

Do you know what makes you happy? Daniel Gilbert would bet that you Read more

Reviews (77)

Wonderful, Insightful Book!
I loved reading this book. It gave me a lot more to consider, subjectively speaking, with where my happiness comes from, and why. It's a great book, and a great read. I highly recommend it!
Horrible writer who does not respect the intelligence of his readers
Based on the reviews I ordered this book and starting to read it with a sense of anticipation and excitement.I was badly disappointed.The material Gilbertdealing with is interesting andobviously he is aknowledgeable. The big problem is thathis writing is almost a parody ofpopular science writing.I guess his editor told him to be personable and relate to his readers.What we gotinstead is a narcissistic, verbosenarrative an idea every five or six paragraphs, deeply buried inGilbert's accounts of his cigar smoking and other tidbitsdrawn from his tedious observations of own life. It seems that he has no respect for the intelligence of his reader who he feels he has to entertain withcute and trite commentsin every other sentence. When you compare him to someone whoboth respects the intelligence of readers and knows how to write such as Daniel Goleman,you realize that popular science writing is a difficult art and Gilbert has no talent for it.
Stumbling on Happiness is a home run....
"Stumbling" is a do-it-yourselfer's self-help book.Dan's insights into why we behave so illogically and sabotage our happiness are brilliant, but he resists the temptation to be prescriptive...
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Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Happiness    4. Personal Growth - Happiness    5. Personal Guidance    6. Psychology    7. Self-Help    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / Cognitive Psychology   

Reviews (15)

better outcomes...less burnout!
As a relatively new therapist in a community mental health setting I noticed I kept getting clients that were diagnosed with BPD.No one else seemed to want them and as the new therapist I got "stuck" with them.After many months of frustration and questioning whether or not I made the right career choice, I stumbled across DBT.
Innovative protocol
Marsha Linehan's treatment approach to Borderline Personality Disorder is innovative and refreshing.DBT does work!This book explains BPD, it's history, and the development and theory behind several practices and how Linehan, through her own practical experience, came to treat BPD with her effective approach.The text is very clinical, but readable.It is a great, in-depth compliment to the skills manual by Linehan.A must for any clinician who has thrown up his/her arms in frustration while working with a Borderline client!

"The" book on DBT therapy, dense but well written...
CBT of Borderline Personality Disorder is a must have clinical book. Dense and chock full of therapeutic interventions, this book is pivotal for anyone working extensively with persons with BPD or anyone who has chronic suicidal thoughts, or other maladaptive and destructive coping skills. It's so dense however, take your time with it. Not an over night read unless your really good at absorbing a lot of information all at once. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior Therapy    2. Borderline Personality Disorde    3. Borderline Personality Disorder    4. Cognitive Psychology    5. Cognitive therapy    6. Mental Disorders    7. Mental Illness    8. Personality    9. Psychology    10. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    11. Psychopathology - General    12. Treatment    13. therapy    14. Clinical psychology    15. Psychiatry    16. Psychology & Psychiatry / Clinical Psychology   

Reviews (15)

Repetitive at times but lots of enlightening information.
Some beginning parts of this book are a little repetitive, if you've been through a teacher credential program.However, I found lots of useful information that I definitely think can be incorporated into any curriculum.

Thought Provoking, Critical, Essential
With respect to some of the previous reviewers, I really don't think they have done justice to this book.I'll completely expose my inner geek and admit that curriculum design is fascinating to me, and add that I own a considerable number of books on the topic.I am particularly interested in differentiating curricula, and I purchase books about educational theory and classroom ideas the way other women purchase shoes--insatiably.I have constantly challenged myself to create personalized lessons with meaningful learning goals throughout my teaching career, but I will say that this book has definitely changed the way I view teaching and curricular design--and for the better.
Great Service and Great Product
I am very happy with the seller. the book is in great condition and got to me in a timly manner. Would do buisness with again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Comprehension    3. Curricula    4. Curriculum planning    5. Curriculum-based assessment    6. Education    7. Education / Teaching    8. Learning    9. United States   

Reviews (28)

Excellent!!
This book deals in depression and was one I truly needed. It has helped me so much words can't describe. An excellent book.
If you need help with managing your emotions, this is it
I have had issues dealing with past emotional pains and while I have not yet gone through this whole book, I am definately finding help and a greater understanding of my problems through the portions that I have gone over.I cannot wait to finish this and to see my complete transformation from a person who just floats from mood to mood without taking resposibility for them, to a person who is aware and is taking responsibility for her emotional destiny.

MIND OVER MOOD;CHANGE HOW YOU FEEL BY CHANGING THE WAY YOU THINK
EXCELLENT BOOK ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Affective disorders    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Cognitive Therapy    4. Emotions    5. Mood Disorders    6. Popular works    7. Psychology    8. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    9. Treatment    10. Popular psychology    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    12. Psychotherapy   

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Language    3. Language Arts & Disciplines    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Linguistics    6. Reference    7. Language & Linguistics    8. Language Arts & Disciplines / Linguistics   

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Neuropsychology    3. Neuroscience    4. Psychology    5. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    6. Physiology    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / Neuropsychology   

Reviews (14)

Enlightening and inspiring
A wonderful book for anyone interested in science and all those who wonder about the answers to the nature of life.Kandel tells a fascinating tale of his own remarkable and admirable life while giving homage to many of those pathfinders who contributed to this body of knowledge and served as inspiration, mentors and collaborators to the author.
a superduper book
i have read no end of books which are in one sense or another concerned with searching for memory. this is the best. it combines a good survey of the field with a wonderful scientific autobiography of Kandel.

A must read for those interested in knowing how the brain works
How do we remember? Why do we forget? How is short term memory converted to long term memory? Starting from biology fundamentals, Nobel Prize winner Eric R. Kandel provides clear answers to these questions. Through a unique form of narration, Mr.Kandel weaves four separate strands -his autobiography, historical development of psychology and neuroscience, fundamentals of neuroscience and current research in neurobiology to providefascinating reading to any science enthusiast.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Life Sciences - Biology - General    4. Medical scientists    5. Neurologists    6. Nobel Prizes    7. Psychology    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. United States    11. Popular science    12. Science / General   

Reviews (57)

Eye-opening and thought-provoking, well written:a must read for anyone interested in the field!
In this well-written, very accessible book, Martin Seligman points out that traditional psychology has always focused on the pathology of the human condition:illness and trauma.By understanding more about what makes people exceptionally well - happy, positive, optimistic - and recognizing that those who have these characteristics are more likely not only to have rewarding lives, but also to be successful in the world, Seligman believes that those who are naturally pessimistic or focused on the down-side can shift their perspective and become happier people.
Positively Disturbing
This is the first time I have written a review.In this particular case, I felt it was my responsibility to forewarn potential readers of the disturbing contents of this book.I've read several "self help" books on subjects ranging from introversion to optimistic thinking.I found this book to be of little help and quite disturbing.The book is filled with tests and self evaluations.I do not believe it is necessary to know where one falls on the optimist/pessimist scale.Often, such tests can only further depress or make anxious an already vulnerable reader.In Chapter 5, the author uses an extremely horrific and disturbing story to illustrate a five step process to forgiveness.I was further sickened by the author's list of "bodily pleasures" in Chapter 7.Rather than feeling uplifted by this book, I found myself feeling upset and outraged by the author's egotism, ignorance, perversion and insensitivity.I caution anyone seeking advice on optimism

From a person who was once very unhappy...
I believe this book goes a long way toward directing those who are still seeking happiness at a feeling level. But, in order to be totally fulfilled we have to get over our (narcissistic) need to always look at our transient feelings as any indications of how we are doing. I completely disagree with Dr. Seligman's statements on our 'set points.' I used to be chronically unhappy. I moved so far beyond that 'set point' that I do not even remember who I used to be. I think that 'set points' are an unecessary perspective in such a happy book. I asked a teacher who has helped me greatly in shifting my perspective. Here is part of his response:
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Subjects:  1. Applied Psychology    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Conduct of life    4. Emotions    5. Happiness    6. Optimism    7. Personal Growth - Happiness    8. Psychology    9. Self-Help    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (1)

Outstanding contribution; must for Wechsler users
This is a terrific book -- it provides a lot of information on how to administer and score the WISC-IV.It has the same innovative approaches Kaufman has used in previous books on earlier Wechsler tests -- new ideas on interpretation and scoring that make sense. With the added viewpoint provided by Flanagan, a specialist in the cross-battery assessment, this book is a merging of two interesting approaches; unique project by two top psychologists in their prime. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assessment, Testing & Measurement    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Developmental - Child    4. Psychology    5. Wechsler Intelligence Scale fo    6. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / Testing & Measurement   

Reviews (6)

A useful and inspiring resource
This book, intended for therapists, is a comprehensive, compassionate, and accessible guide to what Najavits establishes is the first crucial step for someone struggling with PTSD and substance abuse: learning to feel safe. It is also an excellent resource for patients who want to help themselves. What I like best is that the book is filled with checklists, stories, exercises, and quotations such that I can open to nearly any page and find ideas that are both practical and inspirational. In short, this is a great book.

A Very Powerful Book
Thank you for writing such a great book.I have suffered from addictions for years, tried many books and many methods.Working with a group or individual is one thing, but for me, nothing helps more than a book.It's on call twenty four hours a day and I can easily reference it.As far as books go...this one is by far the best.The most comprehensive and in-depth book I've read so far.It provided tremendous support and guidance on issues that often result in isolation. Most of all, it didn't talk down to me as a reader.That's something I don't need!Thank you for making this book available and writing it in such a helpful way.

Extremely useful volume for professionals
I can see why this book got such rave reviews and is such a best-seller.It's a superb book, offering both real insight into trauma and addiction, as well as hands-on clinical tools. As someone in the field, I have found both the philosophical and practical aspects of Najavits' work incomparable. On top of the impeccable professionalism, is her impressive writing. This is a must buy for anyone interested in this area. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior Therapy    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Cognitive therapy    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Patients    6. Post-traumatic stress disorder    7. Psychology    8. Psychopathology - Addiction    9. Rehabilitation    10. Substance abuse    11. Drug addiction & substance abuse    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Addictions   

Reviews (32)

Question your assumptions and challenge what you think you know
This book provides a well-organized survey of issues that limit our reasoning abilities:
Should Have Been Better Than It Was
Gilovich starts this book of with a real bang!After reading the Introduction, I thought this book would be really interesting and change the way I look at the world.He writes in a college-teacher tone that will not be approachable to those he most needs to reach.In other words, I really don't need a book to tell me to avoid holistic cretins, ESP, psychics, mysticism, and all that other garbage.
Required for all psychology students!!!
This book is a contemporary classic that should be required reading in all psychology programs. As a psychologist, I am regularly appalled by how few trained psychologists know of the research discussed in this book, indeed, of decision science in general!! It only goes to show, there's scientific psychology (of which this book qualifies), and then, well, there's the other 99%...the crap, fluff, unsupported, unscientific, claims and practices that arise out of pseudo-scientific approaches, misinterpretations of data, and fallacious assumptions and conclusions. As an exemplar of what's good in a field rife with methodological manure and hocus pocus B.S. (e.g. psychotherapy, psychiatry, etc.), this book really shines. Read it and discover why some of psychology really is a science. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Critical thinking    3. Error    4. Evidence    5. Judgment    6. Logic    7. Psychology    8. Reasoning (Psychology)    9. Cognition & cognitive psychology    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Development    11. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (106)

2 1/2 stars, because it is half a good book
When the author focuses on what she knows - autism, neurobiology, and domestic livestock - this book offers many insights. By applying some excellent existing research in neurobiology about what animals are truly capable of perceiving and feeling (read some of the referenced books for confirmation of emotions in animals) and applying her own experiences with domestic livestock and insights founded in her autism (a much more visual world than "normal" people (her word, not mine)), Dr. Grandin shows how a more visual, detail-oriented animal encounters the world.
NO stars for this book!!
What a bunch of high school hallway gossip! The author does not know the difference between white and albino! The 'genetics' discussions on color (which includes people, chickens, horses, and dogs - all of it suspect) and mutts vs. purebred dogs are total claptrap! I confess, I couldn't get past page 87 when the author explains that 'one of the reasons wolves turned into dogs was that nursing human mothers probably adopted orphaned wolf cubs and nursed them at their breasts along with their human babies.' WHAT?? A waste of my hard-earned $. Having read those parts I cannot believe anything that went before or that follows, not that I'm reading any further. How is a multi-published author allowed to put such uneducated 'information' into print? And now she's influenced readers -- a terrible situation. Publisher, where are your pre-publication reviews? Shame on you for allowing this ignorant speculation to be published!!

Very, very interesting
This book was someone else's bookclub selection, and I think having no expectations when I picked it up really helped in my having that WOW experience that some folks report with this book and others miss. Yes, the prose needed much better editing: overuse of repetition, "stock" phrases, and "hanging" assertions that should have been cleaned up.However, I found the discussions of brain development/evolution, similarities between certain animal behaviors and human behaviors, development of language in different animals, and the coevolution of humans and dogs to be facinating (oops, just gave away the ending!).I found the side discussion of outcome-based audits interesting and enlightening.I also liked Dr. Temple's recommendation that people with autism be hired for baggage checking positions.Great idea! Although the book really goes all over the place, I found it a wonderful opportunity to engage my "seeking/hunting" motivation (you'll have to read the book for that one), and worth wading through the flaws to pick up the nuggets of gold. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animal behavior    2. Animals    3. Autism    4. Cognitive Psychology    5. General    6. Life Sciences - Zoology - Mammals    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Science    10. Zoology (General)    11. Science / Life Sciences / Zoology / Mammals   

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Psychology    3. Cognition & cognitive psychology    4. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (6)

Avoiding and Managing Errors

Best the third time through
This book is a very complete and well done review of the history and mechanisms of human error.I can't think of a better reference book.It takes some work to extract the knowledge from the rather concentrated material, but it is well worth it.I generally like an easier, novel-type read, but there are plenty of other books on human factors that provide that.This one shines in the very systematic and complete treatment of the subject.And the bibliography is excellent, because it facilitates the easy branching out into all of his sources.Speaking of people mentioned, I knew I would like it when he spoke highly of Donald Norman.He also mentions Perrow's 'Normal Accidents', which is an excellent book.Also the quote from Ernst Mach can lead into a fascinating side trail of discovery on that man.But mainly his dedication of the book to Jens Rasmussen sent me off on a trail of his work, which is quite prolific.I think this is academia at its best - building on the work of predecessors to help further development of tools and understanding on how to solve practical, real world problems.

Best Resource for Latent Human Errors
This book is a must have resource for the serious failure analyst.I am responsible for root cause analysis of events at a nuclear power station and we have this as required reading for our root cause analysts.Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Errors    3. Psychology    4. Cognition & cognitive psychology    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Cognitive Psychology   

Reviews (17)

Great, well-written and deep introduction
This is an excellent book for both clients and therapists.It presents cognitive therapy concepts without jargon in a straightforward and practical manner.
Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond
I am a patient that got more help from reading part of this book than I have from 11 years of therapy

Cognitive therapy- a primer.
Excellent source of primary information on the techniques involving cognitive therapy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior Therapy    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Cognitive Therapy    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy - General    6. methods    7. Cognition & cognitive psychology    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / Cognitive Psychology    9. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (6)

CBT rips off the Buddha
CBT theorists tend to present in a lucid fashion ideas that have been therapeutically effective for centuries, or in the case of Mindfulness, millennia.Unfortunately, the authors of this book, in fine CBT tradition, manage yet again to misappropriate the work of others and call it 'a new approach'.There is nothing new in what CBT does, other than to re-label as 'evidence-based' the ideas of other innovators after some dubious random-control trials.If the reader wishes to avoid supporting the political recycling of every other therapy ever created, he/ she would better serve patients, clients and self by reading original texts from, for example, Buddhism, which are more authentically authored than CBT's eclectic bag of techniques.However, as with any heavily funded political movement, I suspect that the CBT movement will continue selling old rope as new as long as we want knowledge served up as fast food. It's enough to make any self-respecting therapist relapse into depression!

Depression researcher
A fantastic book explaining the basics behind previous research and how we've come to arrive at the new mindfulness-based concept.Highly recommended for new clinicians wanting to further expand their understanding to a brief background of the cognitive aspect of relapse of depression as well as the direction future research appears to be heading.

Excellent Book Used in My Dialectical Behavior Therapy Class
We are using this book in my dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) class and it has been extremely helpful in understanding mindfulness. I highly recommend this as an addition to DBT for consumers of borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. Wonderful! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Cognitive Therapy    3. Depression    4. Depression, Mental    5. Emotions    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - General    8. Treatment    9. Cognition & cognitive psychology    10. Psychiatry    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy    12. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (3)

The most amazing textbook ever written!
This is the best textbook I have ever used. It is engaging, VERY well written- basically- a page turner that will leave you with a true understanding of the concepts of cognitive science and learning. It is a joy to read, I have taken it with me for grad. school and will always have it close. Though it is an amazing reference tool to have around, this is really a joy to read--read it even if it is not for a class. I cannot say enough good things about this book.

Human Learning
This is an amazingly well written text. Ms Ormrod actually practices what she preaches, so the book is organised as an exemplar of how to help students learn. I bought the book as an optional text for a Masters inEducation, then I sat up one night to check it out. It became compulsivereading, very hard to put down. It gives a broad overview of EducationalPsychology thinking over a wide period of time, and encapsulates it. It isfull of useful references. Many of my colleagues have borrowed this bookfor various courses and for course development for educational projects.

This is a good practical reference book for teachers.
Human learning gives a good basic understanding of learning theory for teachers and others who are interested in educational psychology. There are some very good examples for all theories discussed. The book jumps around abit and some of the explanations are too technical. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behaviorism (Psychology)    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Educational Psychology    4. General    5. Learning (Psychology)    6. Learning, Psychology of    7. Psychology    8. Cognitive theory    9. Learning    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (3)

A standard is born
I had the pleasure of being an online graduate student at Florida State University where Dr. Driscoll was teaching. Having Dr. Driscoll as an instructor, using her own book as a textbook for the course, was an invaluable experience for me. Anyone who needs a deeper understanding of cognitive learning theories need not look any further than this book. The logical formatting and presentation, the examples and explanations of theory from a variety of sources, makes this book a true gem, and one I still refer to, years after attending Dr. Driscoll's course.

Better than you think.
Just finishing my masters in secondary education, this is the book I find myself using as a reference most often.Just about everything is here in regards to the psychology of education from the elementry stuff like Behaviorism through a hoard of theorists like Piaget, Asubel, Brunner, etc. etc. etc.The contrast presented at the end of the book between Gagne and the constructivists makes the book feel particularly relevant. Intelligent and Practical
Marcy's book was the text for a course I attended, and it was packed with useful information. Her writing style is clear and organized into meaningful content areas. I found her examples to be practical and they easily conveyed the essence of the context. In general, the book exemplified the principles discussed in the materials by being student-centered. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Cognitive learning theory    3. Developmental - General    4. Education / Teaching    5. Educational Psychology    6. Learning, Psychology of    7. Psychology    8. Child & developmental psychology    9. Cognitive theory    10. Education    11. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General   

Reviews (64)

Feeling good Hand Book
this is an excellent self help book that can be used in conjunction with treatment to address depression, anxiety, and relationship issues.

Useful Addition
Definitely a useful companion to go along with the basic text.Sincerely and consistently practice the principles within these books and your life will change.Never give in to the despair of depression, it is an evil that can be conquered on a daily basis with persistence and courage.I personally know about the hell of depression, and also know that there is a way through it.Highly recommended.

Cognitive therapy classic
I read this book when I was going through a divorce several years ago.The handbook helped me to review the thinking that was contributing to my depression. Although my depression was situational, I was overwhelmed and was filtering information negatively.Recently, my son went through a depression and I gave him this book and another excellent book, Optimal Thinking--How to Be Your Best Self that provides specific questions to resolve disturbing emotions.I recommend each of these books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior Therapy    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Cognitive therapy    4. Depression (Psychology)    5. Neuropsychopharmacology    6. Personal Growth - General    7. Psychology    8. Psychopharmacology    9. Psychotherapy    10. Psychotropic drugs    11. Self-Help    12. Therapeutic use    13. Family & Health    14. Popular psychology    15. Self-Help / Success