Paul Pearsall (1942–2007)

this was an interesting exploration of some of the 'facts' that are taken as sacred gospel in the self-help industry (e.g. the importance of loving yourself before you can love others, the necessity (and indeed, usefulness) of thinking positively, or what it takes to build a healthy relationship), along with a discussion of the level to which current understandings of behavioural psychology research supports or contradicts them. Dr Pearsall has his own horn to toot, and not all of his show more assertions seem to me to be backed up by research (or if they are, he doesn't always cite the research); but his arguments are interesting nonetheless, and have at least made me think about the level to which I've accepted the assertions of the self-help industry into my core belief system without truly examining them.

To be honest, it was the subcaption on the cover of "Repress your anger, think negatively, be a good blamer and throttle your inner child" that really drew me in; but it was the author's basing his arguments on a foundation of mindful enquiry that kept me reading. I'm not sure I can agree with the conclusion I draw from his arguments (that focussing on the good of the self is always wrong, and focussing on the good of the community and/or relationship is always right), but I can see cases where they might be. I think, overall, I'm going to give the book a rating of 7/10 - I like that it made me think, but I didn't like the times it seemed to slip over the edge and tell me what to think... show less

This book knows its genre. It is unabashedly a self-help book, complete with quizzes, advice, and anecdotes. This one spices it up by taking the anecdotes from exotic Polynesia, where they must certainly be more happy. This text differs a bit from many in that some of the references are to actual research and not just to other self-help books. The author has a PhD and specializes in psychoneuroimmunology (mind-body medicine), so he's not completely pulling this stuff out of nowhere. Still, show more there's nothing revolutionary here. The secrets to success? Be patient, close to friends and family, pleasant, modest, and giving. (OK, there are some specific suggestions in the book on how to achieve those goals, but none of them is earth-shattering.) I can't say that there's anything exotic about this plan, but hey, you don't buy this book because you want to know about islanders, but because you are in a rut, in need of reminders of the obvious. It serves that purpose well enough, and it's cheaper than therapy. show less

This was one of the first "responsible" books on sexuality that I read. It may not be the best, but at the time I read it, it was. Pearsall is both realistic and Idealistic about sex and intimacy, and it was refreshing to read something that a) was not clinical and b) not pornography. I am surprised so few people know about this book.

Los sueños, sueños son... y la mayoría de nuestros deseos se quedan en eso: simples fantasías, que nunca llegan a ser realidad. Después de escuchar a muchos de sus pacientes, el doctor Paul Pearsall ha encontrado la fórmula para encauzar la energía interior que todos atesoramos y convertirla en una fuerza activa capaz de lograr lo que tanto nos importa.