Rating: 
Summary: Not a self-help title.
Review: There has been much talk of late concerning the poor American education system and the dumbing down of Americans. Though most of it has come from Canadians, who like to think of themselves as smarter and less violent than Americans (whether this is actually true or not), some of it has come from concerned American parents, such as Thom Hartmann, who want a better education system for their children. Many Canadians would agree with Mr. Hartmann that assessment that there is too much emphasis on rote memorization and not enough on the learning of critical thinking skills in American schools. But what about Canadian schools - are they any better? What about the schools in other countries and continents? Find out first hand what Mr. Hartmann learned on his visit to Yellowknife N.W.T (Canada) and about his visits to places as far away as Germany, India and Australia. In this book, Mr. Hartmann lays out a detailed plan as to how to motivate children to learn and adults to become successful. Some of the topics raised by Mr. Hartmann, such as standardized testing, charter schools, teacher/school report cards, peer tutoring and advertising in the classrooms, are hotly debated during Canadian provincial elections, and Mr. Hartmann holds strong opinions on each of these issues. He also debates whether his goals are best achieved within or outside the existing school system and structures - whether it would make more sense to fix what we have or throw it all out and start over. Through it all Mr. Hartmann remains a proud patriot, crediting early heros, such as George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison with making his country great. (Though one could argue that Canada's first Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald was more colorful than Washington, or that Alex Graham Bell was more creative than either Edison or Franklin.) Thom Hartmann's Complete Guide is a great book. It provides advice and useful tips for both those with active wandering minds and those whose minds which are more linear and detail- oriented and explores all aspects of living. If you have never read a Thom Hartmann book - this book is a must read.
Rating: 
Summary: Is it Just the American Education System?
Review: There has been much talk of late concerning the poor American education system and the dumbing down of Americans. Though most of it has come from Canadians, who like to think of themselves as smarter and less violent than Americans (whether this is actually true or not), some of it has come from concerned American parents, such as Thom Hartmann, who want a better education system for their children. Many Canadians would agree with Mr. Hartmann that assessment that there is too much emphasis on rote memorization and not enough on the learning of critical thinking skills in American schools. But what about Canadian schools - are they any better? What about the schools in other countries and continents? Find out first hand what Mr. Hartmann learned on his visit to Yellowknife N.W.T (Canada) and about his visits to places as far away as Germany, India and Australia. In this book, Mr. Hartmann lays out a detailed plan as to how to motivate children to learn and adults to become successful. Some of the topics raised by Mr. Hartmann, such as standardized testing, charter schools, teacher/school report cards, peer tutoring and advertising in the classrooms, are hotly debated during Canadian provincial elections, and Mr. Hartmann holds strong opinions on each of these issues. He also debates whether his goals are best achieved within or outside the existing school system and structures - whether it would make more sense to fix what we have or throw it all out and start over. Through it all Mr. Hartmann remains a proud patriot, crediting early heros, such as George Washington, Ben Franklin and Thomas Edison with making his country great. (Though one could argue that Canada's first Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald was more colorful than Washington, or that Alex Graham Bell was more creative than either Edison or Franklin.) Thom Hartmann's Complete Guide is a great book. It provides advice and useful tips for both those with active wandering minds and those whose minds which are more linear and detail- oriented and explores all aspects of living. If you have never read a Thom Hartmann book - this book is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book on ADD Attention Deficit Disorder
Review: This is a wonderful book.
As an adult ADD'er, and a parent of a child with ADD, it was great to discover Thom Hartmann's writings. He, unlike most authors of books on ADD, takes a much more positive perspective, so you don't feel like you have a brain disease. Some of the other authors' aproaches can really lead to low self esteem. My daughter, now finishing her sophomore year in college, with a 3.5 average, found Hartmann's ideas liberating, compared to the brain disease model. This book pulls together Thom Hartmanns latest and classic thoughts on ADD, using his Hunter in a Farmer's World point perspective on people with ADD. It offers views on school and work-- how to succeed, how to make them better. In a world where diversity is diminishing and uniformity is being ramrodded down our throats, Thom Hartmann's books make us take another look at some mainstream assumptions. My daughter and I are happy withour ADD-ness. We wouldn't want it any other way, and there are plenty of other people out there who have adapted successfully to being ADD-- entrepreneurs, researchers, surgeons, reporters, programmers, detectives, salesmen, mechanics-- a lot of the people who are at the cutting edge of making a difference in this world. Thom Hartmann's book helps parents and adults understand what's going on with ADDD and offers strategies to cope so ADDers can be successful and happy. Before you take or put a child on Ritalin or some other drug, read this book. You may still choose to use the medication, but you'll understand the biology, anthropology and politics better and also become aware of other, non-drug options. Others who give a reasonable picture on ADD include Lynn Weiss, Joel Sears and Lynda Thompson, John Ratey, and Ed Hallowell. Check out his website at thom hartmann dot com to find out more about him.
Rating:
Summary: He understands ADD...
Review: Thom Hartmann is somebody who seems to really understand what ADD is all about. This is a great book that brings up some very interesting points. The section about education and learning is outstanding. I think all people who have ADD themselves or care about a person with ADD should read this book. This is a great book somebody who us just begining to learn about ADD. It's also a great book for somebody who is looking for a different view of ADD than doctors and other my be giving. I think anybody who has an interest in ADD should read at least one of Thom Hartmann's books.
Rating:
Summary: Not a self-help title.
Review: While I've enjoyed Mr. Hartmann's other books, I was somewhat disappointed in this one, but my disappointment has more to do with my own expectations then with the book itself. I picked up the book in a bookstore. Had I read Amazon's blurb I would've been more aware that the bulk of the book talks a lot about the school system. As an adult with no children, this was interesting reading, but not directly helpful to me. And that sums up my feelings for the whole book. There is a big section on what is wrong with our school system (again, interesting, but even if I were a parent, most of what Mr. Hartmann argues for -- a complete overhaul of the system -- could not be accomplished before my child graduated from school) but not a lot on how to help the individual child cope with ADD _today_. The section on ADD in the workplace was heavily skewed toward the entrepreneur starting his or her own business, with very little advice for those of us 'in the trenches' trying to fit into our workplace microcosm. Consider the title is the "Complete Guide" I really think the content was skewed towards a small segment of the ADD community. All that said, Mr. Hartmann's ideas are interesting and his writing is always enjoyable. So while this book failed me as a 'self-help' title, I still enjoyed reading about his ideas.
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