Entertaining and useful

Nastavak bestselera „Kako preživeti svoju porodicu“ odgovora na pitanje od cega zavisi da li pojedinci, porodice i organizacije funkcionišu na zdrav i pozitivan nacin. Klizova duhovitost i iskustvo dugogišnjeg pacijenta na psihoterapiji, i Skinerovo neverovatno znanje i duboko razumevanje ljudske prirode, cine ovu knjigu zabavnim, inspirativnim i prosvetljujucim štivom. Ova knjiga je nezaobilazni vodic za preživljavanje životnih uspona i padova – kod kuce ili na poslu, kao clan porodice ili drušva. Nadovezujuci se na prethodnu knjigu, Skiner i Kliz šire proucavanje esencijalnih problema izvan porodice, na veze i interakciju s drugima u spoljnom svetu. Izmedu ostalog, knjiga odgovara na pitanja: Zašto ti život pruža sve lekcije koje su ti potrebne, Kako ti tuga može biti od koristi, Zašto je posao suštinski važan za naše psihološko zdravlje, Šta je kriza srednjeg doba itd. Svi mi tražimo zdravije, srecnije živote kojima cemo biti zadovoljniji, ali važno je putovanje a ne destinacija. A Skiner i Kliz su savršeni saputnici.

A book that takes some thought, delving into research about what makes the 'healthiest' people, families, organisations and countries. It's written as a conversation between John Cleese and the late Robin Skynner (his therapist) with a few moments of humour. It makes for an enjoyable read but the depth of the concepts isn't always immediately obvious.

The sections on 'religion' were rather revealing, despite some facets not tying in with Christian belief. A surprising emphasis is given to Jesus' words, considering that it's basically a secular book.

It's taken me almost a year to re-read it as the dialogue format doesn't lead to skimming or reading a lot at one sitting. But although the concepts were not, this time around, new to me, I thought it well worth revisiting them.

Definitely recommended. ( )

The follow-on of the authors' "Families and How to Survive Them", this book develops the ideas put forward in the earlier book. Beginning by looking at exceptionally healthy families and their comparison with ordinary and disordered families, they examine organizations outside families - businesses, schools, hospitals. Are some healthier than others? Is the American way better than the Japanese? How can individuality be retained while co-operating in joint endeavours? The book also looks at value systems and religions; and at change, looking along the way at humour in relation to health, at competition and sportmanship, at death - the prototype of all change.