Flow: The Classic Work on How to Achieve Happiness by Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi

About the Book


Paperback: 314 pages
Publisher: Rider & Co (August 1, 2002)
ISBN-10: 0712657592
ISBN-13: 978-0712657594

Amazon.com Review

You have heard about how a musician loses herself in her music, how a painter becomes one with the process of painting. In work, sport, conversation or hobby, you have experienced, yourself, the suspension of time, the freedom of complete absorption in activity. This is "flow," an experience that is at once demanding and rewarding--an experience that Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi demonstrates is one of the most enjoyable and valuable experiences a person can have. The exhaustive case studies, controlled experiments and innumerable references to historical figures, philosophers and scientists through the ages prove Csikszentmihalyi's point that flow is a singularly productive and desirable state. But the implications for its application to society are what make the book revolutionary.

From Library Journal

Aristotle observed 2300 years ago that more than anything men and women seek happiness. Csikszentmihalyi (psychology, Univ. of Chicago) has for 25 years made similar observations regarding "flow," a field of behavioral science examining connections between satisfaction and daily activities. A flow state ensues when one is engaged in self-controlled, goal-related, meaningful actions. Data regarding flow were collected on thousands of individuals, from mountain climbers to chess players. This thoroughly researched study is an intriguing look at the age-old problem of the pursuit of happiness and how, through conscious effort, we may more easily attain it. Recommended for general readers.
- Terry McMaster, Utica Coll. of Syracuse Univ. Lib., N.Y .

Other Reviews

"An intriguing look at the age-old problem of human happiness." -- --Library Journal

"Documents a set of scientific discoveries about human nature that actually illuminates the life experiences of all persons." -- --Howard Gardner, author of Frames of Mind

"It rethinks what motivates people." -- --Newsweek

More on the Book

What really makes people glad to be alive? What are the inner experiences that make life worthwhile? For more than two decades Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi studied those states in which people report feelings of concentration and deep enjoyment. His studies revealed that what makes experience genuinely satisfying is 'flow' - a state of concentration so focused that it amounts to complete absorption in an activity and results in the achievement of a perfect state of happiness. Flow has become the classic work on happiness and a major contribution to contemporary psychology. It examines such timeless issues as the challenge of lifelong learning; family relationships; art, sport and sex as 'flow'; the pain of loneliness; optimal use of free time; and how to make our lives meaningful.

About the Author

Mihaly Csikszentimihalyi lives in California, where he holds a post at the Peter Drucker Graduate School of Management, Claremont Graduate University

The Entrepreneur's Complete Sourcebook by Alexander Watson Hiam & Karen Olander

The 24-Carrot Manager: A Remarkable story of how a leader can unleash human potential by Adrian Gostick & Chester Elton

The 24-Carrot Manager: A Remarkable Story of How a Leader Can Unleash Human Potential - Hardcover (Apr. 2002) by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton

Firnando Chau Review



Paperback: 110 pages
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (Asia) Pte Ltd (2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0470821639
ISBN-13: 978-0470821633


About the Author


Adrian Gostick


Chester Elton is coauthor of the bestselling Carrot books, a popular lecturer on motivation, and an influential voice in global workplace trends. He is O.C. Tanner's lead recognition consultant and researcher and works with numerous Fortune 100 clients.

The Birth Order Effect: How to Better Understand Yourself and Others by Cliff Isaacson & Kris Radish

The Birth Order Effect: How to Better Understand Yourself and Others - Paperback (Mar. 2002) by Clifford E. Isaacson and Kris Radish


Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: Adams Media Corporation (March 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1580625517
ISBN-13: 978-1580625517


Firnando Chau Review

From Library Journal


Drawing on his experiences as a minister, counselor, and parent, Isaacson has devised a theory for understanding oneself and others called the Birth Order Effect. The theory hinges on five personality types, or Birth Order Personalities, that the author makes clear are different from Alfred Adler's four categories. While there is often a correlation between chronological birth date and Birth Order Personality, that is not always the case. For instance, first-born children may exhibit characteristics of Isaacson's Birth Order Personality First Born, but they may also show signs of Birth Order Personality Only Children. Early chapters present several quizzes so that readers can identify their personality type. The author then describes each type and explains how it applies to parenting, marriage, and work skills. The book is written in the approachable, conversational tone of a popular magazine article. Unfortunately, Isaacson omits a bibliography and any evidence of research methodology to support his theory. Confusion may also result from his use of the term birth order personality and studies that Isaacson has previously read about chronological birth order. Not recommended. Kay Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, MD
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


About the Book


A revolutionary new system for understanding birth order-featuring a remarkable new birth order quiz!
Whether we're the first born, last born, or somewhere in the middle, our birth order-and how we view our place in the family-can tell us much about who we are and how we interact with those around us. In The Birth Order Effect, Cliff Isaacson shows us how to find our true place in the family structure, and how to use this important information in creating better relationships with those around us.


Starting with a fun and easy self-quiz, this revolutionary book tells you how to figure out which of the five birth types you are, and then shows you how to use birth order and family information to help you handle a variety of issues, ranging from compulsive organizing to repeated failed relationships. In no time, you will use the quiz not only for yourself, but also to fully understand and interact better with your family, friends, significant other, and even your business colleagues.


The Birth Order Effect represents a new and revolutionary way of thinking about birth order. More important, this book enables you to go beyond theory and put into practice what you learn.


Special features:


Profiles of five comprehensive birth categories


A simple test that pinpoints true birth order personality


A look at factors that influence true birth order, such as divorce, adoption, blended families, and large age gaps between siblings


The Birth Order Effect, the most up-to-date book on this very popular subject, will have you immediately using the results to gain a better understanding of yourself and others.


About the Author


Cliff Isaacson works with patients at his counseling center in Des Moines, Iowa, where he makes his home. Kris Radish has worked as a newspaper reporter, university instructor, magazine editor, and freelance journalist. She is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and has written for such publications as McCleans, Catholic Digest, Milwaukee Magazine, and Cosmopolitan. She has also appeared on national news radio and television programs, such as MSNBC's Headliners and Legends. She lives in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

Live Right 4 Your Type by Dr Peter J. D'Adamo with Catherine Whitney

Live Right For Your Type: 4 Blood Types, 4 Programmes for a Healthy Life by Dr Peter J. D'Adamo with Catherine Whitney

Firnando Chau Review



Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd (March 7, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0140297855
ISBN-13: 978-0140297850


Amazon.com Review


The idea that blood type plays a role in health, wellness, and personality wasn't exactly new when Dr. Peter D'Adamo came out with Eat Right 4 Your Type in 1997. The idea had been around for most of the 19th century, and had gained quite a bit of currency in Japan. But it was a startling idea to most Americans, who made the book a bestseller that was translated into more than 40 languages and spawned a similarly successful sequel, Cook Right 4 Your Type.
Now, Dr. D'Adamo--armed with new studies on genetic links between blood types, disease, and behavior--looks at the psychological and medical peculiarities that seem to predominate in one blood type or another. Type O's, for example, have lower than average amounts of a brain chemical called dopamine, leading to poor concentration, hyperactivity, and temper tantrums. A's tend to manufacture too much cortisol, a stress hormone that can lead to hypertension and has even been implicated in Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Type B's and AB's clear nitric oxide out of their systems faster, allowing them to calm down more rapidly than other blood types when stressed.


Dr. D'Adamo offers detailed lifestyle modifications for each type, including exercise programs, long lists of food to either seek out or avoid, and suggested treatment of specific illnesses. Some of this gets pretty arcane, including his recommendation of bladder wrack (a seaweed) for ulcer treatment of Type O's.


A big part of the appeal of this book series is that anyone reading it can become a participant by joining Dr. D'Adamo's blood-type registry at www.dadamo.com. Live Right for Your Type is peppered with testimonials from these registrants, giving the reader a sense that a true transformation in health, appearance, weight, and well-being is just a few diet and lifestyle changes away. --Lou Schuler


From Publishers Weekly


Author of the bestselling Eat Right 4 Your Type, D'Adamo delves more deeply into the influence of blood type in this follow-up volume, claiming not only that it determines the way individuals should eat, but also the way they should live. For each blood type he offers an extensive "prescription" for lifestyle changes, covering such issues as exercise, stress relief and sleep patterns, as well as supplements and foods. Type O, for instance, is advised to eat red meat and engage in aerobic exercise, while Type A is advised to focus on vegetables and try yoga. D'Adamo identifies the medical risk factors for each blood type, pointing out that, for example, As and ABs are at greater risk for developing cancer, while Os may be more vulnerable to mood disorders or destructive behaviors. In addition to his "prescriptions for living," D'Adamo offers a soup-to-nut diet plan for each blood type, complete with explanations of why various foods work for or against the body. While D'Adamo's plan is meticulously researched, readers may balk at the complexity not only of his text but also of the diet itself, which may create kitchen clashes when individuals of several blood types share meals. This comprehensive, fascinating theory will suit the nutrition-committed, but readers seeking a quick fix to weight and health problems may be left in a daze. (Jan.) 
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. 


From Library Journal


After best sellers like Eat Right 4 Your Type, D'Adamo explains how to rest, exercise, organize your time, and fight disease and aging according to your blood type. 
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


About the Book


The individualized prescription for maximising health, metabolism and vitality in every stage of your life. Your blood type is the key to living a healthy and vibrant life. Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo's groundbreaking work on blood types and their connection to diet and lifestyle has attracted huge attention and support. Thousands of testimonials and new genetic research all confirm that blood type affects your mental health, the way you digest your food and the efficiency of your metabolic and immune systems. His first book on the subject of blood types, "Eat Right 4 (for) Your Type", has consistently been on the bestseller lists.


About the Author


Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo is an eminent physician and naturopath. He has been selected Physician of the Year by the American Association of Naturopaths for his pioneering work on blood types and maintains a small practice in Stamford, Connecticut. This book contains the latest research and is a comprehensive guide to blood types and lifestyle choices.

Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign: The Science and Culture of Why We Hurt by Marni Jackson

Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign: The Science and Culture of Why We Hurt by Marni Jackson


Firnando Chau Review

Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign : The Science and Culture of Why We Hurt - Hardcover (May 28, 2002) by Marni Jackson


About the Book:-
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Crown; 1st edition (July 9, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0609603752
ISBN-13: 978-0609603758


From Booklist


Many patients and physicians have wished for a way to quantify pain as we do the other vital signs--blood pressure, temperature, heart beat, and respiration. Jackson explores the history, variety, acknowledgment, and treatment of pain, the fifth vital sign, accessibly and sympathetically, lending the subject personalism by citing her own experiences of pain, which range from a bee sting to her open mouth to anesthetic failure in the middle of a dental operation. She also mines the medical annals, citing such authorities as S. Weir Mitchell and William Livingston, and various literary works. Her interviews with pain experts make lively reading as she queries the likes of Angela Mailis of the Comprehensive Pain Program in Toronto, and Frank Adams, who was found guilty of "medical incompetence and unprofessional conduct" for humanely treating his patients' pain. Finally, her account of the Ninth World Congress on the Study of Pain, in Vienna, graphically depicts the complexity of a large meeting. A book for medical-school and hospital as well as public libraries. William Beatty, Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Other Reviews


“Jackson is an ideal guide for this exploration. With her personal and personable perspective, she acts as a surrogate for the reader, simplifying complex issues (both philosophical and technical) and humanizing often abstract concepts. Jackson leavens this very serious subject matter with a wicked and subversive sense of humour.” -- Quill and Quire


“One might think there was nothing new to say about pain, but Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign is a work of real originality and freshness, full of insights which seem both startling and obvious.” -- Oliver Sacks, MD


“Jackson’s book is a timely and necessary contribution to this important dialogue.” -- The Globe and Mail


About the Book


Pain. Everyone experiences it, yet we have trouble talking about it and science has only recently begun to understand how it works. Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign is a groundbreaking inquiry into the nature, treatment, and definition of modern pain.


In the United States, there has been a recent campaign to treat pain as the fifth vital sign. Just as temperature, respiration, pulse, and blood pressure, the four traditional vital signs, must be charted, hospitals are now obliged to assess pain in their patients, too. If this indeed happens, it will be nothing less than groundbreaking—making pain far more visible.


But how has it come about that we spend $24 billion a year in North America on Tylenol, Advil, and the rest, and yet chronic pain is on the rise? Why is it that medicine can master intrauterine surgery but it can’t help people with bad backs or migraines? Pain is the number one reason why people go to the doctor’s office, and the number one reason they come away disappointed.


For a long time, pain has been a dark continent, both in the body and in our culture. 


However, medicine is finally learning to evaluate pain as something more than a symptom—a main focus rather than a frustrating side issue for doctors. In the questing and narrative manner of an Oliver Sacks “neurological novel” or Sherwin Nuland’s inquiry into dying, Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign maps this largely unexplored territory through the stories of people who live with pain—from fibromyalgia to phantom limb pain—as well as the words of pioneers of pain research, and the professional experiences of doctors, scientists, and nurses. 


Above all, Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign makes an elusive subject vivid and readable. We all know what pain is. Now it has a voice.


About the Author


MARNI JACKSON is the author of The Mother Zone. She lives in Toronto.

Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar

Secrets of Closing the Sale by Zig Ziglar

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (September 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425081028
• ISBN-13: 978-0425081020