17 Lies That Are Holding You Back and the Truth That Will Set You Free

Rating:
Summary: If A Wise Man Were Across The Table......
Review: Having read and admired Steve Chandler's first two books, I was prepared for a lot of rehashing of the same material - which was okay as the first two were truly inspiring works. However, there's no recycling here. "17 Lies That Are Holding You Back & the Truth That Will Set You Free" is truly a book of practical thoughts to help you quit fooling yourself with self-inflicted falshoods and face life with a new attitude. Mr. Chandler does not allow for excuses (too old, not enough education, etc.) and he writes with an easy-to-read style that is without pretense. This is a guy who hit bottom, fought his way back, and plainly tells you how he managed to do it - and how you can too. This wasn't meant to be a deep psychological tome -- It was meant to be practical. For example, most "self-help" books are full of exercises that tell you that "you must stop right now and take this test," or "write this 100 word essay," before you can go on. You will find none of this in "17 Lies."

Imagine sitting across a table with a man who has hit rock bottom in his life, and between sips of coffee he tells you his story and how he climbed back, and you batter him with questions which are answered without psychobabble and in a humble, enlightening way. If you listen carefully, you'll here truth that is simple, makes sense, and hear many things to make your own life better, whatever your lot in life. Imagine that litle scene and make it happen by spending a night or two with Steve Chandler's "17 Lies That Are Holding You Back & the Truth That Will Set You Free."

Rating:
Summary: Powerful read on overcoming negative conditioning
Review: I started reading this book on a Friday evening, and did not put it down until I had read every page. It was a late, great evening of discovery.

"17 Lies That Are Holding You Back & the Truth That Will Set You Free" exposes the barriers we erect preventing us from achieving our goals. While meant as a defense mechanism, this internal sabotage is directly in the way of our true happiness.

While I found when I would read a new chapter heading, I would often say, "This lie will not pertain to me," I found something in my life where I told this lie to myself. Without fail, every chapter had relevance to my life.

It's a riveting, relatively quick read, with plain talk and highly readable messages. Not the academic psycho-babble that is difficult to digest.

This book will probably open up some deep-seated wounds, but it will also bring forth the healing process through the new understanding you will have about yourself. I will read it again this year and see how I am doing in my personal quest for honesty with myself.

Rating:
Summary: If you don't find something in this book helpful....
Review: you are either "perfect" or lying to yourself! Does Steve Chandler tell you anything that you don't already know? Probably not. Then how, you may ask, can this book be so helpful? It's encouraging! It's like sitting down with an old friend and walking away feeling renewed. It will change your perspective on things - if you let it!

With the Iraq war on TV everyday now, and the NY job market being what it is - I am guilty of letting myself feel that some things are beyond my control (need I admit it? - perhaps a little helpless). Steve helped to remind me that I do have full control over the way I perceive and feel about these outside factors and what effect I let them have on my life.

Yesterday before reading his book, I was feeling a little beaten down and today I feel empowered. There is at least one point in this book that I feel would help almost everyone I know! I will use this book as a boost in the months ahead. Read it for yourself, share it with your friends and family!

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational ¿Mind-Food¿ Overcoming Barriers to Happiness
Review: This is an uplifting self-help book, like 'Simplicity' by Jensen, or 'Thinking Big' by Schwartz, that is perhaps necessary for balance against the many jargonistic business-fad books (which ultimately add layers of noise between the reader and the task at hand). '17 Lies' deals with both the negative Neuro-Linguistic-Programming or barriers (called here 'Lies') that everyone can drift into leading to less happy balanced lives; and a few positive approaches to 're-program' oneself towards happiness.

The anecdotal, light-hearted, easily-read contents cover in two parts:

1. The 17 lies- it's who you know, there's something wrong with me, I'm too old for that, I can't because I'm afraid, I'd love to do that but don't have the time, there's nothing I can do, I worry because I care, I'm sadder now but wiser, the longer I have a habit the harder it is to break, people really upset me, winning the lottery would solve everything, they're too beautiful for this world, you hurt my self-esteem, it's a shame we didn't capture it on video, that's just the way I am, what doesn't kill me makes me stronger, and I am helpless.

2. Finding your deepest power- the truth is we're all powerful, the idea of owning your own life, who controls yourself, and finding your soul purpose.

Strengths include: the positive believable message of the book connecting with the reader; the author's depth of personal experience & belief as a motivational speaker; the forward-looking references to popular culture and society; and the good readability and flow.

If one was on a desert island and able to choose just one self-help book, this would probably not be it (perhaps the Schwartz or Jensen instead?)- '17 lies' could benefit from more specifics, anecdotes, sidebars, and tools to keep the reader entertained longer, as well as a less-US-centric outlook.

Some other options to better manage life include the books mentioned, and interestingly -'Meditation for Dummies' by Bodian, Goldman's 'Working with Emotional Quotient', and various time management texts (all offering tools as well as inspirational anecdotes).

Overall, '17 lies' is an enjoyable, quick and economic reminder towards boosting your self-esteem and taking charge of your life and happiness- far better than buying 'expensive status-toys', (putting off) living for the future, and giving in to those internal 'demons' of negativity! Despite that, more content, or reducing the price 50% would increase the 'value-for-money' star-rating.

[Note: This reviewer was sent a complimentary copy of this book by the author.]

Rating:
Summary: 17 Truths that will improve your happiness
Review: Steve Chandler's book talks about 17 lies tha hold you back. At first I put this book down after reading the chapter headings. Since I live my life not believing these lies I thought it would be a waste of time. After reading one chapter I was hooked, Steve has validated many of the truths I live by. I re-invented myself at 61 years of age to have fun in a new challenging career. Lie number three "I'm to old for that." We are in the middle of a family challenge and we acted to begin improving situation. Lie number seven, "I worry because I care."

Soon I found chapters that could help my family and me "set us free" from lies that one or more of us were believing. Lie number 10, " (some) people really upset me."

Steve has a chapter for every one, even those who believe they are happy. A great job of writing about basic life and how to deal with those barriers or lies that prevent us from being happy.

Easy, fast reading that will open your eyes to happier days.

Fred Held Adjunct Professor, e-business University of California at Los Angeles Continuing Education

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: What I liked most about this book is that Steve talks to you. He is very open about his personal failures and talk about how he overcomes them to achieve success.

Many people come to me to help them improve their lives it's so unfortunate that they have been programmed to accept so many limiting beliefs as a truth.

This book shows us that there is a better way. It show you how to differentiate many of your beliefs--from the ones that are myths-to the one's that will set you free.

Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated

Rating:
Summary: Nothing new here, and a lot of b.s., to boot...
Review: I like self-help books; they sometimes help me to get back on the right path or remind me of truths I've temporarily forgotten or set aside.

But this book is really just a re-hashing of stuff you've heard over and over again, nothing new here. And what botherd me the most about it is that there is some stuff I strongly disagree with.

He goes into a tirade about how taking videos and photos is "living in the past" and no one should ever take photos. Maybe he didn't state it quite so strongly as this, but basically he says that it bothers him when his family wants to take photos or video. I admit that one can over-do it with photos or video, but he makes it sound like no one should ever do so, and if you do, you are putting too much emphasis on the past. B.S.

Another big dose of b.s. comes when he starts talking about how winning the lottery ruins people's lives. Now if you want to talk about how money isn't the answer to one's problems, that is fine. But to take it to the extreme and say that winning the lotto is almost always a bad thing for the winner - well, that is just taking the concept too far, and telling another lie. It's just a lie to make one feel better about not having money. "Oh, if I win the lotto, I'd be unhappy, so thank goodness I am not going to win it!" B.S. He sights some examples, but I'd like to know what the percentage is of people who win the lotto and aren't at least a little less stressed in their lives, due to not having to work for a living. I think if you win a million dollars and you aren't a little less stressed, then you just don't know how to manage money!

I found the book to be full of crap.

Rating:
Summary: Steve Chandler Tells The Truth So We Can Hear It
Review: After listening to Steve Chandler's tape of the book 17 Lies That Are Holding You Back and The Truth That Will Set You Free, I was able to approach each day with a greater sense of honesty and found myself recognizing the lies with myself. It has helped me to change things about myself that I have been working on for years.

I had a sense that this book had grown out of years of Steve's personal experiences, struggles, and triumphs, which made the book even more authentic, for me.

There are LOTS of self help books out there. I believe I have read at least half of them. 17 LIES does just that..... it helped me to help myself...and start becoming a more honest person..
Thank you, Mr. Chandler!

Rating:
Summary: Energize, Create and Discover your True potential
Review: 'Immanuel Kant said that enlightment is a persons emergence from "Self-imposed immaturity", self-imposed immaturity is when we deliberately lie to ourselves and become frightened children in the face of adult challenges, instead of becoming brave men and women who are simply challenged by tasks ahead.

Nelson Mandela said, "Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure"'

I am 100 percent moved by this book; moved because like many of us I would lie to myself and justify an inaction with some self-defeating excuse. The fact is to the contrary there is plenty a person can do as we all have the power to do so. I was at Lance Armstrong's website and it said
"If You Believe; You can; You will"

Rating:
Summary: A great listen--definitely worth the price.
Review: I really enjoyed listening to Chandler read his book. Not only was the information dead on, he has a great voice. There are tons of nuggets in this book and the only negative to the tape is that you can not underline all the ideas, thoughts and key phrases included.

After reading one of his books and listening to this, I think I am going to put Chandler on par with Harry Beckwith, Pat Williams and John Maxwell and just one rung below Harvey Mackay. His books hit home and are worth reading/listening to more than once!