Rating: 
Summary: "The Present" Disappointing
Review: I have previously read and enjoyed "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson, so I was anxious to read his book entitled "The Present". Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. He seemed to take one simple thought-"Just Enjoy Today"-and stretch it into a book, albeit a very quick read. I did not feel the content was inciteful or useful beyond the one simple statement made above, which we've all heard before. Anyone can quote a concept, but few people can make the concept workable. Johnson leaves out the "how" part of living in The Present by giving example after example of how everything will just be wonderful if we would just worry about today. Maybe I'm one of those people he mentions in his book...maybe I just didn't "get it".
Rating:
Summary: "The Present" Disappointing
Review: I have previously read and enjoyed "Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson, so I was anxious to read his book entitled "The Present". Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. He seemed to take one simple thought-"Just Enjoy Today"-and stretch it into a book, albeit a very quick read. I did not feel the content was inciteful or useful beyond the one simple statement made above, which we've all heard before. Anyone can quote a concept, but few people can make the concept workable. Johnson leaves out the "how" part of living in The Present by giving example after example of how everything will just be wonderful if we would just worry about today. Maybe I'm one of those people he mentions in his book...maybe I just didn't "get it".
Rating: 
Summary: EASY TO READ! GREAT MESSAGE!
Review: I read the book sitting in a recliner rocker at Costco while my wife was shopping. It took about 55 min. from cover to cover. It's somwwhat like a car wreck. Everyone slows down to look... some pull off to the side of the road and look some more... but everyone is glad it didn't happen to them and they weren't involved. I'm glad I didn't spend ten bucks to buy it but I'm glad I read it !!! Unlike one of the other reviewers, I wouldn't buy multiple copies and give them to my kids. I'd tell them to go shopping at Costco and look for a comfortable recliner. Just one view...
Rating:
Summary: Well worth an hour...
Review: I read the book sitting in a recliner rocker at Costco while my wife was shopping. It took about 55 min. from cover to cover. It's somwwhat like a car wreck. Everyone slows down to look... some pull off to the side of the road and look some more... but everyone is glad it didn't happen to them and they weren't involved. I'm glad I didn't spend ten bucks to buy it but I'm glad I read it !!! Unlike one of the other reviewers, I wouldn't buy multiple copies and give them to my kids. I'd tell them to go shopping at Costco and look for a comfortable recliner. Just one view...
Rating: 
Summary: Some helpful principles for your life...
Review: I tend to like self-improvement titles, as picking up one or two good ideas you can implement in your life can make a world of difference. To that end, I picked up a copy of The Present by Spencer Johnson. Johnson, the author of another book I really liked, Who Moved My Cheese?, tells a parable about a young man who is mentored by an older gentleman. The gentleman tells the man about "the present", and he does all he can to figure out what exactly that means. He finally realizes the "present" is not a physical gift, but a concept involving being totally involved in whatever you are currently doing. By learning how to learn from the past and prepare from the future, you can be much happier and productive in the present. Definitely some interesting concepts, and ones that I can easily see myself working to implement in my own life.
Rating:
Summary: Some helpful principles for your life...
Review: I tend to like self-improvement titles, as picking up one or two good ideas you can implement in your life can make a world of difference. To that end, I picked up a copy of The Present by Spencer Johnson. Johnson, the author of another book I really liked, Who Moved My Cheese?, tells a parable about a young man who is mentored by an older gentleman. The gentleman tells the man about "the present", and he does all he can to figure out what exactly that means. He finally realizes the "present" is not a physical gift, but a concept involving being totally involved in whatever you are currently doing. By learning how to learn from the past and prepare from the future, you can be much happier and productive in the present. Definitely some interesting concepts, and ones that I can easily see myself working to implement in my own life.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I think the theory of mindfulness that this book presents is really important to living a happy life. Although it's a simple concept, it's a good one to be reminded of. I also recommend the Emotional Intelligence Quickbook to all who are looking to enjoy life and live in the moment.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Present I Received
Review: I usually have a hard time staying focused and reading a book. I read this book in two sittings. It is such an uplifting book that through a parable gently nudges one to desire "The Present" and work towards obtaining it. I highly recommend it. I plan on using it with my adult students.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps Johnson's best (and that's saying a lot)!
Review: I'm probably in the minority for not having been crazy about Spencer
Johnson's megaselling WHO MOVED MY CHEESE? (though the book he
co-authored with Ken Blanchard, THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER, is
one of my all-time favorites). Yet that said, I jumped at the opportunity to listen to Johnson's
latest effort, THE PRESENT . . . and I'm glad I did . . . it was
fantastic! Though the subtitle (THE GIFT THAT MAKES YOU HAPPIER AND
MORE SUCCESSFUL AT WORK AND IN LIFE, TODAY!) is perhaps
just a tad ambitious, I really did feel better after listening . . . it
is short story, told in the parable fashion that Johnson likes
to employ, about a man who learns a valuable lesson about
living in the present from a wise old gent. The key: In order to achieve bliss in life, it's important to pay
equal attention to the past (learn from mistakes), the present
(live in the moment) and the future (plan for it as best as possible,
but don't "lose yourself in worry or anxiety"). There were so many worthwhile ideas presented that I almost
ran out of paper writing them down; for example: It is hard to let go of the past if you have not learned from the
past. As soon as you learn and let go, you improve the present. The more you learn from the past, the fewer regrets you have. Only two things can rob you from joy of the present: your
negative version of the past or your negative version of the future. You can't change the past, but you can learn from it. It is important to plan for the future if you want the future to be better
than the present.
Rating:
Summary: The Sequel to "The Precious Present"
Review: I'm surprised that no one has noted that this is Spencer Johnson's follow-up to his classic 1984 book "The Precious Present". When I first saw this book in fact, I thought it was just a repackaging and renaming of the original. But it is a new book that continues and expands the fable of the boy and the old man. I frequently still give "The Precious Present" as a gift to friends and loved-ones. Now I plan on giving those same people this new book, which deepens the message of the original book. I suggest you do the same - if the recipient appreciated the first book they will love this sequel too. There is also a convenient card included in "The Present" that contains a summary of the principles. Some people complain that the message of this book is too simple. Rather than a negative, I see the simplicity as a powerful positive. Knowing something and actually doing it are two very different things. Who among us could not benefit from a simple reminder of the power of living and focusing in the present? To reinforce the message so that I actually live it rather than just know it, I try to reread the original book once a month (it is very short and takes less than 10 minutes). I highly recommend both books.
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