Reviews (1)

Good explanatory book
I used this book for my psychological statistics course last semester. Although I have had teachers in the past who explained things more adequately, this book did a really good job explaining things for the most part. I almost always use examples to learn how to apply knowledge, as working through a problem step by step seems to be the best teacher to me. Fortunately, this book has a lot of examples. And, as a bonus, these examples apply towards the social sciences so you can see how everything fits in with a topic you're actually interested in (let's face it, few are interested in math).

I had already taken a statistics course in high school, so my stats class last year was pretty much a review for me. However, I wound up actually learning more than I planned to because of this book.

Overall, I recommend the book for anybody learning statistics. ... Read more

Book Description

Why do trends in human society sometimes change so suddenly?

The past three years show how quickly cultural shifts can occur, which makes answering the question above all the more urgent. In 1999, we were celebrating our heroes, the stock market had reached unprecedented heights - and many people believed that peace in the Middle East was at hand.

Three years later, the economy is weak, corporate executives are being thrown in jail, bloodletting between Israelis and Palestinians is daily ritual, India is testing missiles, North Korea is threatening the U.S. with nuclear destruction, the U.S. is at war with Iraq, European allies are deserting the U.S., a senator is calling for the resignation of the chairman of the Federal Reserve, and Americans are stocking supplies for terrorist attacks.

What changed? And why?

Is it possible that all of these events flow from the same cause?

Best-selling author Robert Prechter’s new two-book set, Socionomics: The Science of History and Social Prediction, proposes a startlingly fresh answer.

In Socionomics: The Science of History and Social Prediction, Robert Prechter spells a historical correlation between patterned shifts in social mood and their most sensitive register, the stock market. He also presents engaging studies correlating social mood trends to music, sports, corporate culture, peace, war and macroeconomic trends.

The new science of socionomics takes hundreds of popular notions about mass psychology, culture and the stock market and stands them on their heads.

Socionomics: The Science of History and Social Prediction includes a 2nd edition of the book that started it all, The Wave Principle of Human Social Behavior and the New Science of Socionomics as well as his new title, Pioneering Studies in Socionomics, an accessible collection of the essays that founded a new basis for social science.

Together, these books can transform your understanding of how our society works. It will change the way you read the newspaper. It will even show you how to predict news trends months in advance. Learn for yourself the science of social prediction. Order Prechter’s two-book set today. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Only the beginning to a wonderful new science
The previous reviewer really says it all, but I felt I would add to the commentary by posting my own 5 star, because this new boxed set truly deserves it.
As a fellow "Elliottician" for a number of years now I can say with great confidence that (especially for the new reader) Prechter's new boxed set is simply the best study and most complete explanation to "how things really work" that is currently out there. (Until, of course, I publish *my* studies, ha ha, just kidding Bob)
As I've often noted in previous reviews on Elliott Wave, the biggest problem is...most people just don't "get it"... Elliott Wave and is SO MUCH MORE than the financial markets. The fundamental discoveries that govern the Wave Principle and thus the behavior of the financial markets are the very same fundamental forces at work throughout the entire universe! Who cares about making a few bucks in the stupid stock market when, if you have a deep understanding of the Wave Principle, Socionomics, and science in general, you can begin to see how everything around us all ties together to form this awesome grand scheme of life and existance. A deep understanding of Elliott Wave and Fibonacci is the key to opening a whole new world of knowledge, application, and the birth of a new science!
With the publishing of this boxed set, I hope more people can come to realize that the universe is indeed a truly beautiful place and man has a deep intimate connection with it.
This boxed set is only the beginning of the wealth of knowledge that can be mined in this area. You just have to know what to look for, and these books give you an excellent foundation.

Tomorrow's Headlines Today
It's been painfully obvious for over three years that the standard approach of economic forecasters, who examine every newly released government statistic to divine the next lurch of the stock market, has been less than stellar. Almost none of those who today talk about the "technology bubble" actually called for a top in 2000, the recession of 2001 wasn't recognized until it was half a year old, and in spite of a chorus of calls for an incipient recovery it seems plenty of skepticism remains about economic prospects. The reason for this forecasting disconnect is obvious, according to Robert Prechter, Jr.

Prechter's newest title, Socionomics: The Science of History and Social Prediction is a two-book set that offers voluminous support for a revolutionary concept. It reverses the direction of causality that underpins the entirety of orthodox market forecasting with a radical thesis: Instead of the economic statistics leading the market, the market (or more properly the aggregate social mood it measures) determines economic behavior that leads to the statistics.

Though a simple statement, this is heady stuff when its full ramifications are considered. This is exactly what this set does, addressing both theory (Wave Principle of Human Social Behavior, 2nd ed.) and its application (Pioneering Studies in Socionomics, a new work). Its illustrations of this reversal of causality cannot be casually dismissed, nor should they be ignored by anyone who believes timing matters in business, politics, investing, or every other aspect of life.

Socionomics is Prechter's term for the application of Ralph Nelson Elliott's Wave Principle market model to a wider array of social phenomena (see reviews of Elliott Wave Principle). Prechter has taken this principle and, along with colleagues both within and without his Elliott Wave International market forecasting firm, developed it into an early stage science in its own right. Pioneering Studies in Socionomics is a compilation that represents their work, a series of related studies which run from the 1980s and forward to 2002. Most were published as part of Prechter's Elliott Wave Theorist newsletter. Sequential dating of some studies offers a particularly detailed timeline for their conclusions, allowing readers to assess the validity of the observations in retrospect. The result borders on amazing.

Pioneering Studies is quite a departure from Prechter's other recent work, Conquer the Crash. While the latter deals almost exclusively with the financial arena, this latest book leaves the world of finance and ventures out into the wider arena of human endeavor.

Noting that certain social outcomes occur against a backdrop of specific market behaviors, socionomics attempts to make objective forecasts for the kinds of events that should occur as the market and its social mood "Pied Piper" follow their tortuous path through time.

That "torturous path" is where the greater controversy rages. Adherents of Elliott Wave methodology believe that markets follow a fractal pattern and that the market's current position in the wave pattern can often be estimated with a significant level of confidence. Knowing "where you most probably are" gives tremendous guidance in discerning the likeliest path for future market action. Detractors observe that there are always multiple, correct interpretations of where in the pattern the current market resides, so they claim application of the process to forecasting is simply too subjective to be useful.

Prechter's socionomics hypothesis starts with the Wave Principle and so raises two separate questions. Does the stock market reflect aggregate social mood, which precedes and drives social outcomes as varied as fashion, war and peace, economic activity, and even sex, according to socionomics, or are all these social factors dependent upon outside influences like unemployment rates and durable goods orders that can be discerned and used for forecasting in the orthodox method? And even if social mood is the driver of social outcomes, is the social mood patterned and therefore subject to forecast by analyzing the stock indexes, or is the path a "random walk" that precludes accurate forecasting at all?

The answer to the first question, as far as economic forecasting is concerned, can be determined by simply turning to the article titled, "Socionomics in a Nutshell." If a picture is worth a thousand words, the graph found in figure 1 is a picture equal to the sum of all the words uttered each year by economists on TV and in print. It bears a graph of the Dow Jones Industrial Average from the late 1920s to 2000 with shaded bars depicting periods of recession. With one exception (1946, which supports neither case), every recession during the period coincides with or follows a significant decline in the Dow. With this single graph, Prechter shows that asking an economist to forecast the direction of the market using economic statistics is about as silly as asking a passenger to predict how hard the driver will press the accelerator pedal ten seconds in the future by watching the speedometer now. All that is needed is to watch the stock market. If it's rallying, economic expansion will follow, while persistent, larger-scale declines presage economic contraction.

Pioneering Studies addresses topics both light and serious, tracing the connections between the social mood as demonstrated by the stock market with the fortunes of horror films, professional sports, terrorism and war. Events such as 9/11 are addressed in a way that brings coherence to what otherwise looks like chaos.

Anyone who recognizes the value of timing in their endeavors would be wise to consider the message delivered by this latest from Elliott Wave's most articulate exponent. Our times appear to be getting more "interesting," in the sense of the age-old curse (May you live in interesting times) and Prechter's method, thoroughly addressed in this set, offers a unique and useful perspective. This two-volume set should also be the starting point for a broader investigation of socionomics, with an eye toward its establishment as a new field of study in its own right. ... Read more

Book Description

In this book, noted educators Arthur L. Costa and Bena Kallick define and describe 16 types of intelligent behavior that they call "habits of mind." These habits of mind can aid both students and adults in school and in everyday life as they encounter problems, dilemmas, and enigmas, the resolutions of which are not immediately apparent.

The habits are rooted in a modern view of intelligence that casts off traditional abilities-centered theories. Costa and Kallick maintain that a critical attribute of intelligence is not only having information but also knowing how to act on it. The habits of mind that contribute to this intelligence are:

- Persisting
- Managing impulsivity
- Listening with understanding and empathy
- Thinking flexibly
- Thinking about thinking (metacognition)
- Striving for accuracy
- Questioning and posing problems
- Applying past knowledge to new situations
- Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision
- Gathering data through all senses
- Creating, imagining, innovating
- Responding with wonderment and awe
- Taking responsible risks
- Finding humor
- Thinking interdependently
- Remaining open to continuous learning

"Discovering and Exploring Habits of Mind" is the first of a four-book series. Subsequent volumes will explore instructional strategies for teaching the habits at school and at home; assessment of the habits; and descriptions from schools, teachers, and administrators about how they have incorporated the habits of mind into their work.

Other contributors to Book 1 are Shari Tishman and Marian Leibowitz. David Perkins's Series Foreword introduces the four-book series, Habits of Mind: A Developmental Series. ... Read more

Book Description

This text's success has come in large part from its up-to-date coverage of important research and theories and offers the latest and most comprehensive overview of cognition on the market today. Recent developments in perception, imagery, problem solving, and creativity are highlighted along with advances in such areas as memory and language and expanded theoretical approaches. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good information, terrible presentation
As a psychology minor, I think Matlin does a wonderfully thorough job of covering cognition. However, as an English major, I find her style of writing irritatingly repetitive, and much more confusing than it needs to be. She uses a lot of examples to define concepts, rather than stating them--which would be very helpful. Furthermore, the glossary does absolutely nothing to help the confused student, since it basically reprints the in-text sentence where the vocabulary word appears. I would recommend sending the book to a literary editor who could redo the text.

Very helpful!!
I took Dr. Matlin's Cognitive Psychology class last semester at SUNY Geneseo, and we used this book. It is excellent! Its style is very readable but the material is not watered down. The language makes the material very easy to understand. As I read it, I could almost hear her speaking! The examples are very useful in demonstrating the concepts presented. Dr. Matlin details many practical applications of cognitive psychology, such as study strategies, which would be of interest to educators, psychologists, and students alike.

A must read psychology book!
This book was recomended by my psychology teacher. He thaught that this book did an excellent job in defining cognition while hitting some important points about memory. ... Read more

Book Description

a unique, sophisticated treatment of the spontaneous and reflective dimension of human experience ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Philosophy of the Body
Reading this book contributed helpfully to my studies of the phenomenology of the embodied experience. The authors argue that we cannot understand ourselves to be isolated bodies controlled by a mind that stands apart from and judges an independent environment. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in cognitive science, phenomenological philosophy, philosophies of embodiment, and the relationship of Buddhism to these areas of thought.

This book is amazing!
This ranks up there with Chogyam Trungpa's books for clearly presented insights. Trunpa's genius is making Buddhist ideas come alive for Western readers by clearly presenting Buddhist ideas in everyday terms. This book is a wonderful addition to the same delicious feast, building a bridge from Eastern mindfulness/awareness traditions to Western scientific thought. The effect is to improve our understanding of both. Very powerful and thought-provoking. Each page is like a meal. Hungry? Chew this one slowly and enjoy every bite! ... Read more

Book Description

This book offers a unified account of the major research findings and theories on the development of children's thinking from infancy to adolescence; and also considers their practical implications. It examines the change processes through which development occurs, as well as the nature of the changes in language, perception, memory, conceptual understanding, and problem-solving that mark cognitive development. Eight central themes presented in the first chapter integrate and unify the presentation.The authors examine Piaget's theory of development, information-processing theories of development, sociocultural theories, perceptual development, language development, memory development, conceptual development, problem solving, social cognition and the development of academic skills.For anyone involved in the thinking processes and development of children. ... Read more

Book Description

Finally a book that fully illuminates the experience of low self-esteem(LSE): the fear and the anxiety, the self-doubts and self-criticism, thediscouragement and depression, the self-defeating behaviors, and theinsecurity in relationships and careers. If you have low self-esteem, orrealize a friend, family member or spouse does, this book is about youand for you-whether you are male or female.

As you read this fascinating book, you will realize that you are notalone-that others share similar struggles; you will also receiveinformation and direction about how to change this problem--how toovercome the effects of LSE that may presently be impeding your personalgrowth process and causing you unhappiness.One reader recentlycommented that she finally understood what her husband had been fightingwith for years.Though he had repeatedly told her he had lowself-esteem, she was sad to realize that she had never before understoodthe issues involved or the degree of pain he had suffered. (Aquestionnaire at the end of Chapter One will enable you to assess yourown degree of self-esteem. Exercises to help you begin your journeytoward healing are provided at the end of each chapter.)

An intriguing and powerful book, Breaking the Chain of Low Self-Esteemcontains many new insights about self-esteem never before documented. Asyou read, you will meet and likely empathize with "Jane", a woman whoselife has largely been shaped and controlled by her low self-esteem.Chapters begin with a relevant, interesting, and often emotional storyfrom Jane's life; additional examples of Jane's and others' battles withLSE are sprinkled throughout the book. Frequently close to tears whenthey read of Jane's situations, readers are quick to say they identifiedwith Jane. Many actually say, "That's me. I am Jane."

Breaking the Chain of Low Self-Esteem is an engaging, upbeat book thatwill empower you to face life with new courage and enthusiasm. Once youbegin, you won't want to lay it down. Reading it will motivate you toalter self-defeating behaviors, challenge you to overcome your fears,teach you to value yourself, inspire you to change your thinking, andenable you to make better choices in relationships and in other areas ofyour life. With the insights contained here you may be able to save yourpresent, ailing relationship or gain the awareness that it's not rightfor you.

Low self-esteem is a complex problem and difficult, though notimpossible, to overcome. The author, a psychologist with over 2 decadesof helping clients with this issue, strongly emphasizes that a thoroughunderstanding of how LSE develops and impacts one's life is necessary tomake lasting changes. Having seen hundreds of people do so in herpractice, she knows it is possible to alter one's LSE and to achievepeace and contentment in life. She stresses, however, that simpleaffirmations do not work-that there is no quick fix for low self-esteem.

Whether or not you suffer from LSE, you will be richly rewarded byreading this book. ... Read more

Reviews (47)

This Explains Everthing !
I was given the book "Breaking the Chains of Low Self-Esteem" by a very close friend, several months ago. I have never read anything that defined so clearly what is going on in my life. I thank God for Dr. Sorensen's insight into this wide reaching problem. I have recommended this book to my therapist in hopes that he will be able to help me solve this life controlling situation. I was especially fascinated by the information on "triggers". If you are depressed, can not seem to figure out what is going on in your life, have low self-esteem, or have tried everything else; this book is a must read. I found Dr Sorensen to be especially warm and helpful, she is someone who truly understands my plight.

AMAZING INSIGHTS ABOUT LOW SELF-ESTEEM
This is a truly amazing book and the best I've ever read on the subject of low self-esteem. Dr. Sorensen explains the inner experience of low self-esteem in a way I've never before heard and for the first time has helped me fully understand this pervasive problem called low self-esteem. Dr. Sorensen truly has a way with words and her compassionate explanations clearly spell out the process of low self-esteem and the way in which LSE ultimately leads people to sabotage their lives without being aware they are doing so. She has great exercises at the end of chapters and I found her sections that compare those with healthy self-esteem to those with low self-esteem to be especially interesting and helpful. THIS IS A WONDERFUL BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ, whether for themselves or to better understand family and friends that suffer from LSE. IT'S HARD TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN UNTIL YOU'VE READ IT COVER TO COVER.

absolutely the best self-help book I have ever read
This book is an absolute must-read for EVERYONE. For those with low self-esteem (LSE) it explains exactly what LSE is, how you got it, and what you can do about it. You will learn that you are not alone and that LSE is a common problem and that there are a lot of people who are suffering from the same pain, anger, and hurt that you are. I have LSE and I was completely amazed when I read this book. I thought that if men were from Mars and women were from Venus, that I must be from Pluto. I felt as if I was completely alone in the world and that nobody understood anything I was going through. I was shocked as I read through this book and realized how much the author truly understood LSE and exactly how it has been negatively affecting my life. As I read through the various examples in the book I was just floored by how accurately the examples mirrored so many things that have happened in my own life. This book will not only benefit those with LSE, but also people with healthy self-esteem because reading this book will enable you to spot the signs of LSE in others so that you can be better prepared to comfort and deal with the person who has LSE. This book talks about how LSE is far too often misdiagnosed as depression, social anxiety disorder, or some other mental problem. So many people who have LSE are misdiagnosed and consequently put on drugs which only mask the symptoms of the problem, rather than addressing the core problem directly. I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially those with LSE. The author has a very clear and easy to understand writing style and you will be amazed at the insight and understanding the author has in regards to LSE. If you're like me, once you read the first page you won't be able to put this book down. For those with LSE I also highly recommend getting the workbook that goes along as a companion to the book.

This book is slowly saving my life
I found this book on a whim at the book store. I've read several self-help books before so went with the attitude that I'd just get another one and continue my journey as to the whereabouts of just my everyday activities from that with myself to that in my present relationship both personal and business. This book should've said Dear Michelle. It lays out the information in a way that makes your life as an adult make sense as to how and why you think and act the ways you do. It clearly states that this is a process so don't expect results the next day. Unless your ready to really start to gain your life back to the fullest and do the required work--- wait till you are, because this requires much patience and truth within yourself....and who else looks at you in the mirror....YOURSELF. This book has been a blessing in my life and the author is an Angel from up above.
Thank you Dr. Sorensen

Wonderful book
Made me understand many things about myself. Very interesting section about "testing" others. Does a good job of making you aware of some inner problems, but doesn't give much help in the way of solving them. Hopefully awareness is half the battle! ... Read more

Book Description

This best-selling reader on men and masculinity, edited by two of the most prominent researchers on men, contains the most current articles on masculinity available. Organized around themes that define masculinity, this reader takes the position that men (as well as women) are "gendered" and that this gendering process is a central experience for men. The authors explore how working class men, men of color, gay men, older men, and younger men construct different versions of masculinity. One reviewer says, "This reader does a remarkable job of showing the interconnectedness of race, class, and gender ... It also makes clear that any discussion of `men's lives' of necessity involves an understanding of the social roles of both men and women, and of gender inequality." For anyone interested in gender studies, sociology, or men's studies. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

hmm
Kimmel and Messner are acomplished researchers, yet I find no reason for the "cute" little additions such as average male size charts and sarcastic quizes revolving around the "gay or straight" issues.We are saturated with sexuality in our day and age, we don't need it from our scholars as well.

An engaging and diverse anthology of forefront scholarship.
The fourth edition of Kimmel and Messner's Men's Lives is an engaging anthology accessing the forefront of scholarship about diverse men and masculinities.Going beyond earlier texts and collections, Men's Lives now reflects the development of greater theoretical sophistication and coherence in a field once often represented as anecdote and generalization.It is not simply "good men's studies," it is good gender studies.An instructor's resource manual is available and provides relevant summaries, experiential learning exercises, and examination questions, plus key terms, films, and internet resources. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Shattering deeply held beliefs about sexual relationships in humans and other animals, The Myth of Monogamy is a much needed treatment of a sensitive issue. Written by the husband and wife team of behavioral scientist David P. Barash and psychiatrist Judith Eve Lipton, it glows with wit and warmth even as it explores decades of research undermining traditional precepts of mating rituals. Evidence from genetic testing has been devastating to those seeking monogamy in the animal kingdom; even many birds, long prized as examples of fidelity, turn out to have a high incidence of extra-pair couplings. Furthermore, now that researchers have turned their attention to female sexual behavior, they are finding more and more examples of aggressive adultery-seeking in "the fairer sex." Writing about humans in the context of parental involvement, the authors find complexity and humor:

Baby people are more like baby birds than baby mammals. To be sure, newborn cats and dogs are helpless, but this helplessness doesn't last for long. By contrast, infant Homo sapiens remain helpless for months ... and then they become helpless toddlers! Who in turn graduate to being virtually helpless youngsters. (And then? Clueless adolescents.) So there may be some payoff to women in being mated to a monogamous man, after all.

Careful to separate scientific description from moral prescription, Barash and Lipton still poke a little fun at our conceptions of monogamy and other kinds of relationships as "natural" or "unnatural." Shoring themselves up against the inevitable charges that their reporting will weaken the institution of marriage, they make sure to note that monogamy works well for most of those who desire it and that one of our uniquely human traits is our ability to overcome biology in some instances. If, as some claim, monogamy has been a tool used by men to assert property rights over women, then perhaps one day The Myth of Monogamy will be seen as a milestone for women's liberation. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (14)

The Truth Is Revealed, But Choice Is Always Ours
What I mean by "Truth is revealed, the choice is ours", is the theme of this review. It is also the message in the book, although many readers have misinterpreted the entire theme, believing the co-authors, David P. Barash and Judith E. Lipton, are simply feeding us hard reality and crushing dreams of blissful and faithful marriage. David and Judith are experienced, older scientists, specializing in the observation of birds and apes, with a profound understanding of logic, human emotions, sociobiology and biology in general. They both hold high degrees- Judith has an M.D. and David holds a Ph.D. It is noteworthy, also, that they are a happily married couple and have been so for many years. Their real message and theme from this outstanding book is that although by nature, humans are generally not faithful to their long-term mate (spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend), we have evolved so much that we can chose to be faithful and monogamous to our partner and truly be satisfied, fulfilled and completely happy. Monogamy is not extinct, it is rare. Half of all marriages end in divorce. When a couple has been together for many years, it's world news. It is the greatest partnership, relationship, union, and the most peaceful, happiest and fullest feeling. But it is always the individual's choice. If a partner cannot remain faithful, we now have a reason and explanation for it.

The reason why so many find it difficult to be faithful to their partner for a long time, is biological. Originally, before an evolved society with its ground rules grew from primitive communism, the homo sapien men were polygamous, especially because genetically, nature demanded variety from their offspring. Incest, of course, was formerly practiced to keep a family bloodline, true even to the highest societies, royal dynasties of ancient Egypt, etc. There was a time when free will seemed to bother no one, and men had many wives, shared partners and even shared land. But eventually, power and property was established, much like class systems, and it came to be a violation when someone "outside" the group took one of the wives from another male. Feeling of jealousy and ownership were established and so, when religion began to take over people's consciousness, they labeled this "taking", "adultery". The biological needs of women are important in the scene, as well, in fact, perhaps the most important link. Women's sex cells contain life-giving ovum, enabling them to bear children, and because they are so few and rare in them, they are selective about their sexual/romantic/etc partners. They are far more choosy because it is going to reflect on the ensuing progeny, their children. Men's sperm is abundant and cheap, and they are less selective. It's all down to our biological make-up. This book is very casual about the whole matter and contains not only very scientifically accurate truth, but very genuine humor and witty lines, making reading this book very enjoyable.

This book is very insightful, and opened my eyes about sex, relationships and the many unbreakable "differences" between men and women, such as why do women like tall men ? Why are men so attracted to larger breasts, why are men far more visual and enjoy pornography and why do women act demure and modest in order to attract their mate before showcasing their wild sexual abandon ? These all contain biological reasons. But this does not mean that men are women are not equals, nor are we forever ruled by "animal instincts". We are more intelligent than the animals and have evolved so wonderfully, that we can now chose to be married for a long time with a single mate and live happily ever after.

A provocative and -- at times -- humorous look at monomgamy
In this book, authors Lipton and Barash take a look at mating patterns throughout the animal kingdom (though they seem to spend more time on behavior in birds than on other animals). The conclusions they draw can be anticipated from the title -- that monogamy is not natural, at least based on biological, physiological, anthropological, and other evidence, and in fact is not as widely practiced as once thought. However, this is not to say, as some reviewers seem to think, that they believe that monogamy is thereby unnatural. In fact, in one place they say, "...even if human beings were more rigidly controlled by their biology, it would be absurd to claim that monogamy is unnatural or abnormal, especially since it was doubtless the way most people lived..." (p. 153) And later on, they affirm that "human inclinations may be able to fit whatever matrimonial pattern happens to exist in the society they happen to experience." But monogamy does go against the grain of human nature, according to the authors, and so you have to work at it.

A delightful aspect of the book is its humor. For example: "Nothing succeeds, we are told, like success. And indeed, social success...succeeds mightily when it comes to securing extra-pair copulations. (Maybe this is what Henry Kissinger meant when he noted that 'power is the best aphrodisiac.')"

All in all, this is a very provocative book. Because it draws a conclusion that goes against the grain of our culture's (though not all human cultures') norms, some people may find it offensive (as seen from other reviews). But the authors make their case convincingly (their case being that monogamy doesn't come naturally to human beings, but that doesn't mean that it can't be done) and it would be hard to refute their argument based on the evidence of evolutionary biology, which is the framework in which they are operating.

Like any book, you shouldn't take other people's opinions at face value. Read the book and judge for yourself.

"We are biological creatures . . . "
Keep that notion in mind as you follow the authors on their marvelous tour of sexual behaviour in all nature. Most of us were raised with the notion that humans "must" be monogamous. Often, animals such as swans or foxes were held up as examples to emulate. Barash and Lipton expose the hollow basis of these examples. The notion of human monogamy becomes a fragile ideal - nature, and we are part of nature, is anything but monogamous. In a book combining solid science and entertaining prose, this pair have produced an informal, but information-packed review of new finds in the sexual behaviour of a wealth of species.

One small flaw must be dealt with first - sexual behaviour studies must retreat from overuse of the poor screw-worm fly. The authors cannot resist numerous word plays on the poor creature's name. As the subject of an early attempt at controlling pest populations, the screw-worm fly initiated the host of studies of sexual behaviour among animals. Barash and Lipton describe sterilization of this insect as largely successful, reducing its population significantly. Screw-
worm flies are monogamous, which reinforced the notion as predominant in nature. However, a 1970s groundbreaking paper indicated monogamy might not be universal in animals. From that start a wealth of new studies demonstrated that it was monogamy that was rare, not the reverse. The screw-worm fly turned out to be a rare exception to the rule, and the basis of comparison for the later research.

Bowing to the expected abuse of "anthropomorphising" biology, the authors eschew "adultry" in favour of EPC [Extra Pair Copulation] in describing the common practice in nature. They show the distinction between "social" and "sexual" pairing. Social pairing includes nest building, territorial defence, raising offspring and other "family matters." Copulation itself, they show, has many more factors involved than simply insemination. Mates must be available, attractive or both. Age, health, even "marital status" may be taken into consideration. And these factors are weighed for "adultery" in animals! Males might need a special physiology or the ability to prevent EPC, even while seeking to achieve it on their own.

As they must, the authors arrive at last at humans. Noting how difficult research on human sexual behaviour is to document, they cite, albeit with many reservations, several noteworthy studies. If nothing else, the work proclaims that monogamy among humans is not the "norm." In relating the studies, they present anthropological data, surveys of modern societies and clinical studies. The authors grind no axes and are quick to criticise studies they feel are suspect. The dearth of valid data, however, leads them to present any plausible suggestion that seems either supportable or capable of further investigation. Throughout the narrative they insist that no predictable pattern can be applied to humans any more than with the other animals. Even our closest relatives all retain individuality among their members.

A running theme in the book is the authors' call for more research. How do female blue tits judge the ability of some males to resist winter cold more than others. "No one knows. [Yet]" and similar statements permeate the book. Anyone fearing there is little in biology left to investigate should read this. The sparseness of their references certainly supports this plea. While much work has been done, particularly in recent years, an immense range of study topics remains to be investigated. Younger readers should seriously consider the number of topics requiring clarification. A valuable book for these and many reasons.

Humans are quite different from birds
What makes us different from birds and animals is our ability to feel compassion towards one another. A biological explanation of polygamy in birds and animals does little to prove that humans should mindlessly follow their own animal nature. If we did, we wouldn't be much different from animals. Ability to spare our loved ones of the deep hurt that is inevitably caused by infidelity, - and ability to restrain our animal instincts out of compassion towards another human being, - is what makes us human.

Thought Provoking..
Monogamy is a sensitive, yet alluring, subject from both a biological and sociological standpoint. Ever since the founding of sociobiology by people like Edward Wilson, scientists (among many others) have been intrigued by the thought of just how dominant our genetic code is with respect to our behavior, as compared to the dominance of society's enforcement of it's contrived morals. Wilson once stated that culture is on a leash held by Genes, and one could claim equally that our genes are on a leash held by society. This book is a delightfully written perspective that deals with the intersection of those two powers in a way that is both enlightened and nonjudgemental.

The authors give an excellent review of how genetic fingerprinting has dispelled the here-to-fore assumed monagamy of a host of different animal species, and quote a number of respectable studies in the process. The astounding and outstanding result is the realization of just how rare it is to find any animal species that is totally monogamous in nature, and humans are animals that happen to not be totally monogamous---by their very "nature". This begs the question "is adultery therefore natural, and hence forgivable?" Will Durant once adressed this issue by noting that many of our current vices were once indispensable virtues in the struggle for survival, and in keeping with this observation, it would seem reasonable to posit the idea that humans havent had enough time to evolve biologically or culturally beyond certain genetic features that have outlived their primal usefulness, and yet continue to stubbornly hang on--despite societal taboos. "Myth of Monogamy" is a book that helps to highlight that struggle without presuming to tell the reader what their ultimate conclusions should be. As such it remains to its end a fairly objective look at a very sensitive subject.

Finally, and gratefully, this book is well written, with generous amounts of humor thrown in to keep the reader's attention, and perhaps to help him or her to maintain a healthy perspective throughout their reading of it---I actually laughed out loud several times, which I cant say is all that common when reading a scientific text.. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read. ... Read more

Book Description

The activities that transpire within the classroom either help or hinder students'

learning. Any meaningful discussion of educational renewal, therefore, must focus explicitly and

directly on the classroom, and on the teaching and learning that occur within it. This book

presents a case for the development of classrooms in which students are encouraged to construct

deep understandings of important concepts.

Jacqueline Grennon Brooks and Martin Brooks present a new set of images for educational

settings, images that emerge from student engagement, interaction, reflection, and construction.

They have considerable experience in creating constructivist educational settings and conducting

research on those settings. Authentic examples are provided throughout the book, as are

suggestions for administrators, teachers, and policymakers.

For the new edition of their popular book, the authors have written an introduction that places

their work in today's educational renewal setting. Today, they urge, the case for constructivist

classrooms is much stronger and the need more critical. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Parallax View of the Classroom
The author's case for constructivism is predicated on unrealistic notions not only concerning the realities of education, but also the fundamentals of social diversity. The book seems to take the view that the more radical a notion is the more bookworthy it becomes. This concept is promoted by outlandish recommendations that clearly could not be practically implemented ... or even reasonable to consider. The author does not provide empirical evidence to support his opinion. The author seems to rely on a self-aggrandizing style to entrap other educators who may embrace his liberal ideas more as a defense against being labeled the traditionalist villian in this fictional work. Any educator who embraces this book has a parallax view of the classroom ... one that is upside down and inside out. In that case, the problem is not the classroom, but the teacher.

In Search of Understanding: The Case for Constructivist Clas
Do you teach in a classroom in which there are no behavior problems. Where students sit at there desks with arms folded and smiles on their faces, eager to jump at the challenge you are about to put before them? No? This book assumes you do. Not only is this book an excersize in Utopia, it is very liberal by design. Several times, known communists are quoted and their ideas taken as gospel. Do you want our children being taught by a teacher following a socialist agenda? Do you want to teach your classroom in this manner? Then do not follow this book. The book is peppered with a few good ideas, but I have a problem with the message delivered. Comments such as "truth is often a matter of interpetation", and "grades are used to communicate that some students are smarter than others" are liberal ideas communicated throughout this book. If you want to improve your teaching by using research based instructional strategies, there are many pieces available that address this without being so radical.

Short and Sweet and to the Point
I first read the 1993 edition in 1993, and I was sold on it. There is no more clear nor concise book on constructivist instructional design in the business. The book is practical and can be read quickly. It doesn't get bogged down in too much jargon or theory. I object to one critic who claims the book is "ivory tower" and leans to much on science and math examples. The book is just the opposite from "ivory tower" and as for math and science examples, as a science teacher who spent years reading theory pitched toward humanities teachers that I had to adapt to my realm, I found this book refreshing. I would counter that creative,constructivist, dedicated teachers of English, World Languages, and Social Sciences would be able to adapt the Brookses's examples to their fields with ease.

A Weak Effort
The fact that this book is written by a science professor and a district superintendent should say it all. The lack of day-to-day contact with public school classrooms shines through. This book is ivory tower thinking.

The anecdotal examples of constructivist classroom activities are nice, but they lean toward the math and science (surprise, surprise) where constructivist/problem solving activities should come rather naturally. Although the end of the book tries to save itself with six ways a teacher/educational system can be more progressive, the book all but ignores language arts and history (save one or two elementary anecdotes) and completely fails to make any sort of "case" for constructivism, as the title promises.

In education, it seems that anything goes. We want our students to build their knowledge in an independent fashion so we give lip-service to constructivist methods, and yet, with pressures of testing purely constructivist classrooms are simply not possible. For constructivism to work, there must be (a)a philosophical systemic change, (b)additional class time, and (c) a student culture interested in learning. None of these items are seriously addressed in the authors' nonexistent 'case'. Books by William Glasser, Alfie Kohn and Howard Gardner do a much better job of making a case and laying groundwork for progressivist classrooms.

All constructivist teachers should thank the lecture-style teachers who came before and actually taught students something. Without "prior knowledge," constructivism is an empty and vain endeavor, an exercise in futility. This book didn't address any studies on constructivist-taught students' ability to perform better on multiple choice tests. In fact, it talked down to multiple choice testing (of course), ignoring that such tests are the way--whether we like it or not--that students make it through the system. Not preparing them for such tests is a disservice, and contrary to the opinion of the author, there are multiple choice tests that engender inductive and inferential thinking.

Find another book to buy if you want enlightenment. The fact that teachers say they get something out of this book scares me. As an AP Lit teacher, I found this book was not the least bit enlightening.

More epiphanies than cacophonies
What I like most about this short, useful book, about this accessible, practical guide to constructivist teaching, about this handy guide, what I like most about this book is that it lays a foundation for much of the work that we are attempting to achieve with our curricular efforts using Understanding by Design. Written prior to Wiggins and McTieghe's works, The Case for Constructivist Classrooms supplies an epistemological background that places the UbD work into a workable context.
My reading gave me at least two epiphanies. First, while reading, I came to realize that most of my prior teaching, even with very good intentions, aims at a broad shot approach; if the student is on the same bandwidth, she will connect with me, but if not, the signal never picks up an audience while I simply keep broadcasting. My traditional teaching approaches, albeit well intentioned, never probe for deeper understanding because my methodologies never go there. That is, how can I expect my students to achieve deeper understanding when I do not allow them time to make inquiries? By keeping it shallow (due to time, coverage, and efficiency concerns), should I be surprised that their knowledge never runs deeply? Brooks and Brooks quote one of my favorite authors, Jerome Bruner, from his book, The Process of Education (1971), "Of only one thing am I convinced: I have never seen anybody improve in the art and technique of inquiry by any means other than engaging in inquiry." For Bruner, it seems, inquiry begets inquiry. If inquiry becomes the means of operation, knowledge will grow organicly, systemically, and finally, deeply.
Second, I came to realize how a classroom built on constructivist methodologies provides an educational culture that naturally engenders curiosity (something that seems to be utterly squelched in the middle school years) in students. Curiosity should not be the only realm of novice learner; rather, it must be the fuel converter that continually processes and assimilates inquiries into practical, working knowledge for the mature learner. The constructivist classroom works to nourish curiosity and encourage it. Therefore, it might mean that the classroom looks messy, is noisy, and lack efficiency, but oh well. The greater good of garnering curiosity in our students and just maybe, creating a life-long learner, outweighs the need for tidy rows and scope and sequence itineraries. The cacophonous newsroom and the cluttered studio seem to be better models for constructivist classrooms, not the factory model of bells and whistles.
Therefore, I urge you to read and take note of this sleeper. ... Read more

Book Description

Positive Child Guidance, 3E assists students in developing effective strategies for dealing with the behavior of young children. It provides tools for supporting the long-term development of responsibility, self-confidence and self-control in children. Beginning with the premise that children should become cooperative members of a democratic society, the text outlines the theory, as well as the practical guidance strategies, needed to achieve this goal. With a warm, engaging and meaningful style, Positive Child Guidance embraces a philosophy of deep respect for the unique qualities of individual children, while also providing detailed, real-world strategies for dealing with the myriad of behaviors that children exhibit. ... Read more

Book Description

This book balances coverage of theory, research, and data in order to promote a more complete understanding of how human memory works. The book strikes a balance between historically significant findings and current research. Actual experiments, both paper and pencil and online demonstrations, are included to help students see the link between theory and data. ... Read more

Book Description

Do you think you have a "bad memory"? Impossible, says Kevin Trudeau, the world's foremost authority on memory improvement training. There are no bad memories, only untrained memories. In order to release our natural photographic memory, Trudeau says, we just need to learn to retrieve what we already know. As founder of the American Memory Institute, Kevin Trudeau has already helped more than one million people do just that.

Each Mega Memory lesson in this book takes no more than thirty minutes per day and uses pictures, rather than the laborious word-association techniques of other memory systems, to activate our inborn photographic memory. With, this easy-to-follow system, you'll be able to instantly remember names, phone numbers, addresses, financial data, speeches, and schoolwork. Even better, Trudeau's system ensures instant recall and long-term Mega Memory. All you need is the desire to unleash your Mega Memory, and you can reap these incredible rewards!

Labeled with a learning disability at an early age,was convinced his problem was an inability to recall information. He read everyhing he could on memory improvement. Eventually, he developed his own program for memory retrieval and formed the American Memory Institute. His Mega Memory home study system is the most utilized self-improvement series of all time. Trudeau lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Reviews (40)

Probably the best book on memory improvment
Kevin Treudeau's Mega memory is probably one of the best book on memory improvment. His book is filled chapter by chapter with detailed instructions and step by step guides. Eveything is well written, organized and fun to learn. Sure, it does seem to treat you like "kid". But I think this approch makes the reader feel like being assisted by a real teacher and is better than just give you a set of basic instructions and let you practice them by yourself like in the tedious and boring "How to develop a super power memory" and "How to develop a perfect memory".

And by the way. I think The Federal Trade Commession seriously needs a lesson on memory study. As far as scientific research shows, true photographic memory doesn't exsist. People who were born with seemingly unbelievble memory abilities were people who born with a different way of processing information, a la visualization. For example, a guy who fell off a horse and injured himself, but after recovery gained the perfect memory. He could remember everything cause he was suddenly able to convert everything he sees or hear into pictures. If you tell him a story, he doesn't just listen, he would make images in his mind of everything he heard. He does this natrually, automatically and did it with every kind of information he could percieve. So, basically, he uses the same techniqueas any memory trainer use, except, he does it natrualy, other people have to do it manully at first. So you can see, you may think TFTC were composed of NASA scientists, but that's just not true.

And if you think memory techniques are useless for you, you might be right. You know there's a reason why none of the those memory geniuses I've ever known were millionires or brilliant scientists.

The techniques work, but the book is bad
Before I cut into this book, I have a few things to say up front. The techniques in this book work, there's no reason why they shouldn't, they've been working for years. I have to say, in some cases, I thought Trudeau's peg words were better than others I've read and he does all the usual techniques, albeit with different names.

That being said, I considered the book almost un-readable. After reading the much better "Your Memory" by Kenneth Higby (the best of all the memory books in my opinion), "Use Your Perfect Memory" by Tony Buzan and a couple of Harry Lorayne's books ("How to Develop a Super Powered Memory" and "The Memory Book" with Jerry Lucas), I found this book sub-standard. Trudeau baby feeds the information to the reader, constantly assuming that you are stupid. The amount of repetition is unnecessary, and seems just like padding (why not just tell you to re-read it?). There are a lot of statements like "Ok, now stand up and repeat the words out loud", "Now do it again" etc... He talks down to his readers throughout. If you don't mind that, you'll probably like the book.

On top of that, Trudeau never gives credit where credit is due. He leaves the reader to assume that all of these techniques are his own invention, when they are actually just variants of systems in common use. He uses a variation of a phonetic system created in the mid 1600's but never says as much, maybe he doesn't know. The book often reads like a Mega-Memory advertisement.

Finally, Trudeau gives tons of scientific "facts" about memory and imagery without ever feeling the need to back any of it up with a references (Apple didn't create icons by the way, that was Xerox). He says that you shouldn't take notes because it encourages you to forget what you've written, but saying it out loud enourages you to remember. Saying it out loud gets you to use your vocal cords and "Neruo-muscular memory" kicks in because you're using your vocal course which creates more memory links. What about your eye seeing you write something, your hand muscles moving the pen etc...? Aren't those neuro-muscular too? I don't know how many of the scientific "facts" are true or not, but I saw enough wrong to doubt most of the rest. The whole thing is written in a shoot from the hip fashion without verification from other sources.

All the other books I quoted either supplied references (Higbee), or avoided making scientific statements at all (the rest). Either way, I respect those authors much more.

Mega self-confidence!
I used to forget everything: appointments, my umbrela, names, information...etc. Then I started reading memory books but they were all too complicated. One day I read mega memory and started to use it and the results were amazing! People used to take my forgetfulnes for stupidity and my self-confidence was real low. After mega memory I became much more self-confident
and I think this book can help anybody who is serious about improving his/her memory.

Yes it works, and it isn't party tricks.
I have been studying memory techniques for about a year now. I am comparing the systems described in this book against those of Harry Lorayne's memory book with Jerry Lucas and against the information I can find about memory techniques on the web and in other books related to learning and visual perception.
Basically all of these books teach the same few basic systems. They are ways to make mnemonics, or memory aids for yourself instead of having to rely on traditional ones or ones that your teacher may have told you. No one that I know of selling these books to teach memory systems actually invented the systems, though they may have added some small thing to the art. The memory systems themselves are ancient, and they have been described in writing as far back in history as writing exists.
I recommend that you read the entire book through from cover to cover before deciding to try out the exercize. I believe having an overview of the methods can be of help, and is not likely to hurt you in any way. Kevin Trudeau suggests otherwise in this book, but I simply disagree with him.
These methods do work and they are not a party trick. They are of most use to those who will shortly be embarking on a program of study, or have jobs which involve public speaking, or require the memorization of numbers or lists. Anyone who deals with people and would benefit from being able to remember them all by name when you see their face, or their telephone numbers, addresses etc.

Applying these methods will require a lot of mental effort at first. Consider it a workout for your mind. You can't workout your body by passively observing the methods of your aerobics class, and you won't develop your memory by passively reading this book either. You don't become fit by buying a membership to a gym, it takes going and doing the exercises. It is the same with this book, you won't get a fit memory by buying the book, you have to do the exercises. And then you have to have enough imagination to apply the methods to what you want to remember in your daily life.
I prefer Trudeau's style of presentation to Harry Lorayne's. I think the prose sections of the book and the recommended schedule for doing the exercises help you to want to come back to it more, and give you a better idea of what you are doing. Mostly I think that Trudeau has improved on Lorayne's method by introducing other senses, besides just vision, into the imagined links. This approach will help more people. Though Lorayne's book is otherwise good enough, and I prefer the clarity with which he introduces the essentials.

As a claims adjuster.
I have used this book to successfully remember several numbers. I'm still not sure if this book isn't just a bunch of party tricks, but we will see in time. I would have to say that so far it seems to be working.... I just don't like the charges against Mr. Trudeau. That seems to bother me a bit. Before I saw those charges I seemed to be pretty satisfied. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Not for those who think medication is
...the answer. He has good reasons why we (parents of kids diagnosed as ADD) should really examine medication and other solutions. I am glad I bought this book.

Before heading right to the 50 Ways, Armstrong offers the reader five chapters filled with information, positive and negative, about ADD and medication, the whys and wherefores. He starts with reasons why he doesn't believe in A.D.D as a medical problem, treatable primarily by medication.

As he says in this review area, he is NOT saying ADD doesn't exist - he acknowledges that the problems we experience with our kids are real. What I believe he IS saying is that he doesn't believe the 'disease' diagnosed as A.D.D. is a medical problem only within the child, curable by medication.

He suggests that some of the problem may be cultural - we expect our children at the age of 6 to be able to sit quietly in a classroom setting - other cultures allow children more freedom, some offer less. Changes in our own "short attention span" culture may contribute to the A.D.D. behaviors, as do boring classroom set-ups, gender differences, different learning styles, parent-child dis-connections and so on.

He tells what is good, and not good about the pills - some of which may be the same as a placebo effect. When parents and teachers know the child is being medicated, they relax and that change of attitude has a positive effect on the child (I have seen this with my own child and his teachers).

He writes more about the negative effects of Ritalin (not Adderall) as perhaps stifling creativity and the dependency factor, although he is clear that there is no answer yet (however, both Ritalin and Adderall are controlled substances and many children do have negative 'withdrawal' effects). Despite his discussion on drugs, he says "Such drugs, used in the right way with the right individuals by responsible physicians, can significantly enhance the quality of life for many children." But he limits this to three situations - 1) several hyperactive children 2) children in the midst of a life-changing trauma (death in the family, for example) 3) a last resort.

After some 50 pages of this introduction, you get to the reason you bought the book - alternative solutions and they are good (whether or not your child is on medication). He starts with a checklist of things that may bother you about your child's behavior - each one checked off directs you to at least one chapter with possible solutions.

Examples include: Runny nose, itching, stomachache - go to Chapter 2 and look at the Feingold Diet, or Chapter 12 ideas to help alleviate what may be an allergy problem; play Nintendo for two or three hours at a time, go to Chapter 3 and consider limiting TV and video games or Chapter 36, giving your child access to a computer (he misses, on this one, his own Chapter #5, find out what really interests your child - the one I've found most effective - piano, riding lessons, reading, outside play with friends really are more appealing when encouraged by a parent!). Each of these chapters has information, which many of us have already read - but he also provides resources at the end of the chapter which I am finding helpful. And let me once again point out, he has 50 (5-0!) ideas neatly arranged in one book - I especially like that you can look at the list of your child's particular problems and go right to the chapter, rather than trying to read all the way through, cover to cover.

For those who believe that medication is a strong, necessary and large part of the solution, or for those who do not have the time, money or emotional resources to examine the "whys" of ADD, the first part of the book more of an annoyance than a help.

If so, I'd still encourage people to read this book, pages 61 - 257.

Absolute must-read for all parents, the best I have read
As the parent of a child labeled ADHD and as someone who has spent the last 18 months researching this condition, I found this book to be the best I have come across yet. Unlike the first review listed here, I did not get the impression that this book blames bad parenting for the condition. It is touched upon early in the book as a probable cause of some of the behaviours, but it is definitely not what this whole book is about. Thomas Armstrong give us several very workable strategies that are more compatible with different learning styles. He does not swing too far to the left or right, but rather encourages us to stand back and use reason and understanding and not to be caught up in the opinions of the closed-minded disorder model. He does not totally condemn nor does he fully endorse the use of medication, again he shows us how to use reason to determine if and when medication should be used. Not only do his strategies work for these "labeled" children, but many of them are excellent strategies that we all could make use and would be of benefit to even "normal" children. I would highly recommend this book to all parents of children who have been saddled with the label of ADD/ADHD. This book should be mandatory reading for all teachers. It should be part of the program during teachers college.

Not the right title
Alright, let me start with this. I have NOT read this book, but I'm going to put in my 2 cents on the subject, so if you are planning on giving me a "This review was not helpful" then do it right now.

By the 2nd word in the title, I can already tell you that this book is severely misdirected. I PERSONALLY have the DISORDER A.D.D. This means that no matter how hard I try, I literally do not have the ability to concentrate on anything for more than a short time. No, I am not some kid who doesn't pay attention in math so he gets bad grades. I am a 16 year old who for most of his life could pay attention to practically nothing for more than a period of 5 minutes or so TOPS. I am not talking about some lecture at school, I am talking about things like conversations with friends and watching ACTION MOVIES.

Don't get me wrong, I definately realize that 95% of the people who are treated with drugs for this really don't need it and that something else is the problem, but I'm saying that generalizing all of the A.D.D. diagnosed people as slackers or people who need "Alternate learning teqniques" is flat out wrong. I have been to at least 10 different counselors and therapists who have tried to "solve" the problem, but they could do nothing. I find it insulting that so many people decide to ignore the fact that this is a true problem, and not just a "myth". The proper title for this book should be "50 ways to improve the attention span of your child who is bored by etimology and advanced placement chemistry".

Adderall has turned my life around from the massive jumble of confusion that it was. If it wasn't for medical treatment, I would still be in that pointless mess because I was born with neural pathways in my brain do not properly connect. If it wasn't for adderall, I never would have been able to even write this. If you think that is bs, then go ahead and give your vote against this review.

By the way, I gave this book 5 stars because I'm sure that whatever methods are in there are most likely very effective for the children who are diagnosed for A.D.D. but aren't actually the ones who have it.

Overview of holistic, non-invasive approaches to ADD/ADHD
This book provides brief overviews and introductions to a variety of approaches to handling ADD/ADHD symptoms and their sources. This ranges from healthy parenting and educational strategies to healthy diet and alternative medicine approaches. The book avoids overtly criticizing the pharmaceutical paradigm or some common disciplinary approaches, and does not go into much depth about many of the interventions it examines. However, this is a good introductory book for those who are looking for ways to deal with their child's difficulties and don't want to drug their kids into temporary submission or use unhealthy threats, intimidation, or corporal punishments to control behaviors. I have a self-published text that addresses this topic to some extent, going into more depth in some areas and more thoroughly examining the hazards and illogic of common approaches to ADD/ADHD.

Terrible - .000001 star!
This book is a waste of time. ADD is real. I have it. Try living in my world for a day. Anyone who has been diagnosed with the disorder can testify to it's existance. Those who have been on medications can testify to it's reality. For any intelligent people here that understand scientific papers: read
"A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of SLI381 (adderall XR) in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder"

American Academy of Pediatrics; Evanston; Aug 2002; Joseph Biederman; Frank A Lopez; Samuel W Boellner; Mark C Chandler; Volume 110; Issue 2; Start Page 258-266; ISSN: 00314005

If the scientific process itself can't prove to you that ADHD/ADD can be treated with medication, nothing will.

I'm sorry to all you conspiracy theorists, but ADD/ADHD is no myth, conspiracy, lie, etc. It's real.

This book is nothing more than a fiction for conspiracy lovers.
It's flat out wrong.

-Crazy ADD Guy-

... ... Read more

Book Description

Discover how today's corporations are benefiting from accelerated learning to speed training time, improve results, and reduce costs.

Accelerated learning is the use of music, color, emotion, play, and creativity to involve the whole student and enliven the learning experience. The Accelerated Learning Handbook is the first definitive book to explain state-of-the-art accelerated learning techniques to trainers and teachers, and features 40 techniques designed to save money while producing far better results.

Leading expert Dave Meier provides an overview of the background and underlying principles of accelerated learning, and reviews the latest supporting research results. Training professionals will look to The Accelerated Learning Handbook to:

• Improve the long-term value of training
• Cut course development time by half
• Discover tips for music- and computer-based learning

Reviews (6)