With all the chaos in the White House and our Government in general stupefying us on a daily basis, I thought we all needed a book that might counteract the anger and anxiety of our Times. Jordan B. Peterson has an approach to deal with uncertainty and confusion in life. Using plenty of practical examples, Peterson shows how we might adjust our thinking and actions to confront the troublesome issues of everyday existence. I found Peterson’s reasonable suggestions useful. He advocates for common sense constructive solutions to problems. He stresses honesty (something that seems to be lacking in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere in the world) and a focus on personal responsibility. I think you would find 12 Rules for Life useful and pragmatic. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Foreword Norman Doidge vii
Overture xxv
Rule 1 Stand up straight with your shoulders back 1
Rule 2 Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping 31
Rule 3 Make friends with people who want the best for you 67
Rule 4 Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today 85
Rule 5 Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them 113
Rule 6 Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world 147
Rule 7 Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient) 161
Rule 8 Tell the truth-or, at least, don’t lie 203
Rule 9 Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t 233
Rule 10 Be precise in your speech 259
Rule 11 Do not bother children when they are skateboarding 285
Rule 12 Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street 335
Coda 355
Acknowledgements 369
Endnotes 371
Index 390
I hate self-help books of any stripe!
Bob, aren’t most books self-help in some way?
No! But I’m talking about the Do This And Change Your Life crap!
Reading THE BOOK OF LOVE for my book group. It has lots of this sort of advice too. Although more outward focused.
Patti, Trump has created a new market for books like 12 RULES FOR LIFE and THE BOOK OF LOVE. People are trying to deal with chaos and confusion.
I certainly don’t know what’s wrong with simple, enjoyable fiction reading instead of “buy my book and improve yourself” stuff.
You lost me at “Honesty.”
Dan, maybe I should change that to “Little White Lies.”
Honesty and Personal Responsibility are in very short supply in Washington. They should also follow Rule Six.
Jeff, a lot of people should take RULE SIX to heart.
Rule 12 should be pet a dog when you see one on the street. (Something I totally do)
Maggie, I stay away from pets. I don’t want to contract any cooties.
that’s how I get to know a lot of my neighbors!!! can’t get enough doggie love, though in my neighborhood there are lots of guard dogs who do not want to know you