Rating: 
Summary: A fine work on the nature of character formation
Review: "Character Is Destiny" offers a well-organized and well-written primer on the nature and formation of good character. Based on the ethical traditons of Aristotle and Aquinas, Gough organizes his chapters around fourteen pithy axioms about character; he vividly and simply explains and illustrates one per chapter. "Character is what you are in the dark," The final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands," and "Example is not the main thing in life--it is the only thing" are a few of the axioms Gough uses as chapter titles. No philosophical jargon here! Gough writes for the average person. But make no mistake, his content is searching and practical. For me, the chapter entitled, "Character is higher than intellect," in which Gough takes to task the mistaken notion (inherited from Socrates) that "knowledge is virtue" is worth the price of the whole book. If you're looking for a book that offers solid advice on building good character without being preachy, Gough's book is the ticket.
Rating:
Summary: Great Gift For Parents and Partners!
Review: Enjoyed this book immensely. I have purchased three additional copies for my adult children, in the hope that they too may benefit. Although this book's content would likely be included in any "good ethics course" in college, I couldn't help but wonder if students today are "taking ethics". An excellent overview of personal ethics and virtue, most appropriate to today's fast-paced and increasingly self-centered and self-absorbed world. A beautiful presentation of Dr. Gough's apparent love of life, virtue and the struggle we must all experience in life in order to be virtuous, and, thereby, become our unique or real self. Dr. Gough's admission of his own imperfections, his own struggle to become virtuous, and his love of his family and God enable the reader to achieve an intimate bond with a philosopher and his philosophy: no easy task with such a "deep" subject. Try it and you'll like it!
Rating: 
Summary: TREAD WORN AND RERAN
Review: I am not a friend or relative like the ten people before me who wrote five star reviews. So I can say that Russell Gough's book is a lot of old ground written in a simple manner that dilutes any real meaning. His thoughts contain no real insight, no fresh ideas or any of level experience that goes beyond the common. It would appear that the inspiration for Gough's book was his university publishing quota.
Rating:
Summary: Good Stuff
Review: I bought and read this book months ago-it made an immediate impact and revealed some self-conflict. I just pulled it off my office shelf for a re-read. This book strikes at the heart of whether or not there is "right" and "wrong" in human relations, regardless of ones religious views. Almost 28 years of military service in leadership positions has utterly convinced me that there are undeniable "laws" at work in human relations-principles or laws, such as "being polite", "being neat", "being honest", "being helpful"... at work with undeniable consequences, whether or not we believe they are. We don't really break these "natural laws," we break ourselves against them and suffer consequences, sooner or later, directly or indirectly. Gough presents this very personal ethics issue in a simple, direct way that can be very helpful in developing your character and leadership! It should be included in every LEADER's kitbag!
Rating:
Summary: A inward checkup on our Core Values!
Review: I bought and read this book months ago-it made an immediate impact and revealed some self-conflict. I just pulled it off my office shelf for a re-read. This book strikes at the heart of whether or not there is "right" and "wrong" in human relations, regardless of ones religious views. Almost 28 years of military service in leadership positions has utterly convinced me that there are undeniable "laws" at work in human relations-principles or laws, such as "being polite", "being neat", "being honest", "being helpful"... at work with undeniable consequences, whether or not we believe they are. We don't really break these "natural laws," we break ourselves against them and suffer consequences, sooner or later, directly or indirectly. Gough presents this very personal ethics issue in a simple, direct way that can be very helpful in developing your character and leadership! It should be included in every LEADER's kitbag!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I have had the opportunity to read through many different books on self-improvement. So many in fact that I couldn't really tell you what they were about...until now. Dr. Gough's book was a weekend reading for me, and without a doubt, in that one weekend, I found a way not only to make my life more productive and better, but even more important, my life has become much more honest to myself.One chapter in his book, on Character is Who You are in the Dark drove home who I really was. WOW! Nobody could do that before, not even my parents (in fact, they are convinced I'm from some other planet). Quite simply, I feel that if any other book can make my life turn around as Dr. Gough's has, I'll be hard pressed to believe it. For the first time in my life, the decisions I make are for the right reasons...not just because I "wanted to". Read this book, and I am sure you'll do what I've done and that is buy a copy for all those that are close to me (and w! ! e'll make our friends at amazon.com very happy)! Good luck!
Rating:
Summary: Best lifestyle change book yet!
Review: I have had the opportunity to read through many different books on self-improvement. So many in fact that I couldn't really tell you what they were about...until now. Dr. Gough's book was a weekend reading for me, and without a doubt, in that one weekend, I found a way not only to make my life more productive and better, but even more important, my life has become much more honest to myself. One chapter in his book, on Character is Who You are in the Dark drove home who I really was. WOW! Nobody could do that before, not even my parents (in fact, they are convinced I'm from some other planet). Quite simply, I feel that if any other book can make my life turn around as Dr. Gough's has, I'll be hard pressed to believe it. For the first time in my life, the decisions I make are for the right reasons...not just because I "wanted to". Read this book, and I am sure you'll do what I've done and that is buy a copy for all those that are close to me (and w! ! e'll make our friends at amazon.com very happy)! Good luck!
Rating:
Summary: Good Stuff
Review: The author did a great job all around. He at least nibbles around the edges of trying to put a philosophical foundation under this, still largely, "how to" book. If, like me, you would like to go further and understand the solid foundation that supports all of the author's fine work, I'll give you a tip that can save you a lot of prolix philosophical reading. I found a book called "WEST POINT", by Norman Thomas Remick that explains all the philosophy in easy to read, understandable language behind the 200 years of character building at West Point, the world's premier school for that purpose. It will advance your understanding of the principles presented so expertly by Mr. Gough in his 5 star effort. Regardless of whether you are serious about understanding what all this is REALLY all about, you'll find "CHARACTER IS DESTINY" readable and enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth reading and rereading.
Review: This short book takes a good look at the value of trying to be good. It's a subject that doesn't lend itself well to easy reading, but Gough has been able to write a book worth reading that is also enjoyable to read. I felt enriched when I was done with the book. Enriched, lifted up, and I find it easier to be my best self. I'm the author of Self-Help Stuff That Works, and I am an expert on what works. This book works. It causes a positive and lasting effect in the reader.
Rating:
Summary: Should be read by any person in business.
Review: What a delightful book and how simply but powerfully it gets its message across. The subject of ethics is one of the most interesting of all - and Russell Gough gets you interested in making yourself better by showing you how to build your character. The search for what makes people successful and happy all seems to come back to one thing: our characters. As he says in this book, "life rewards those who are ethical." Here's a question for all people who claim to be ethical or who claim to operate ethical businesses: Have you ever read ONE book on the subject of ethics?! If not, begin with this book. I have placed an order for 700 copies. It will be placed on our company's 'must-read' list. Thank you for writing this book. You have helped make the world a better place.
|
