Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good!
Review: Having rad this book for myself, I can honestly say that it's pretty good. There are some things that I found to be dangerous and over the top, such as how they trained their children to avoid the pond in the yard or suggesting that a parent sit on a child who is fleeing the punishment. But if you use common sense, temperance and prayerfully choose what you are going to apply for yourself, it is a book worth purchasing!I have started applying the training to my 10 month old and it works, exceptionally well and there is more to it than spanking, switching or the like. Read it for yourself before you formulate an opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: Take from it what you can
Review: My neighbor first gave me this book, and its companion "No Greater Joy" about 5 years ago. We then had 2 toddler boys, and the "Parenting Magazine"-type advice left me with disobedient, fit-throwing children. I felt like I was in over my head with these two boys. I used time-outs, and we had little peace. After reading the book and putting into practice the training techniques, my toddler actually told me he was happy that I spanked him now, since I was a nicer mommy! If you teach your children to obey you without having to use an increasingly forceful tone, you won't have to spank, and your house will be peaceful! If you enjoy being with your children and like them and genuinely smile at them, they will want to make you happy. Partly thanks to this book, we now have 5 happy, well-adjusted, out-going, obedient, loving, creative, smart children. They are not cowering, resentful robots. We ENJOY being with our kids. We can take them anywhere we want to go (the oldest is 9). Our friends like having their children around ours because they are such good examples. They make good choices, even when we aren't around. I cannot imagine having the desire, let alone ability, to raise 5 children without having read this book. We've given the book to several friends: some have implemented it; some have not. It does seem severe when you first read it -- but it works. The thing to keep in mind is you are not punishing them to gain obedience. You are teaching them how to obey you the first time you say to do something and that obedience is good and makes them happy. You are training their hearts and wills more than their actions. You are also teaching yourself that you can actually expect your child to obey and respect you, which is not the common occurrence today it seems! You are teaching yourself to train them before you get mad and do anything in anger. Mostly the book trains us parents how to be consistent. Know that you can implement the Pearls' basic message, which is *** NEVER GIVE A CHILD WHAT HE WANTS WHEN HE IS DOING SOMETHING HE SHOULDN'T *** without spanking as they discuss when speaking of foster care, etc. Read the "No Greater Joy" books for numerous examples of very creative consequences. My favorite is "Twinkie Twerp." I can almost guarantee you'll smile when you recognize a child you know in that story.
Rating: 
Summary: Pearls of Evil
Review: The Pearls' book is a guidebook to evil. If you have no love for your children and no faith in a higher power, you may be able to follow the Pearl Way. However, if you have conscience and common sense, you will throw this rubbish in the trash where it cannot hurt another child. Parents who look to their faith for wisdom will look away from books like this.
Rating:
Summary: disgusting
Review: ...If you are a caring parent, do not even bother to borrow this from the library, you will be appalled.
Rating:
Summary: Worst parenting book I didn't finish.
Review: I received this book as a well meaning gift, but after reading only the first two chapters I stopped, and threw the book away. This book, under the guise of religion and the bible, advocates child abuse as a legitimate means of discipline. A short time after tossing this book, I watched its advice in action at a relative's house. My fears were confirmed - the child's behavior was entirely based on fear of physical pain (abuse). Since then, I have discovered Love and Logic, which has been a wonderful way of encouraging my children to be creative, energetic, thoughtful and kind.
Rating:
Summary: They're Keeping Me in Business
Review: I am a marriage and family counselor. If parents or children came to me and reported doing some of the things the Pearls advocate, I would have Child Protection Services visit the home. Some really stupid, harmful advice. People like them keep people like me in business.
Rating: 
Summary: Found the principles of this book to bear beautiful fruit
Review: I read TONS of books before I had a baby-looking around, I DID NOT want a child like 99% of the ones out today. Whiny, hitting their moms, and terrible acting. My midwife said she had been around thousands of kids for over 20 years and would put them in two categories: the "trained" and "untrained". She had never read the book herself, but the families with 10 happy obedient children reported they had used the principles of To Train up a Child. Well, I read the book, and it helped conquer all fears of having a problem child. I could think of two families (only) that were friends of mine, whose children were SUPER pleasant, so I asked the two moms if they had heard of To Train up a Child. Both had implemented the principles for years and their children were happy and obedient. (Just as my midwife had reported). Tying heartstrings and looking into your child's eyes with a smile and love in your eyes EVERY time you look at them was just a bonus I got from the Pearls. And now, we have a PEARL. People are in awe at how calm, beautiful, well behaved, and loving our child is. And I'm ready to have ten of my own. Why not when you have joy day and night in your home?
Rating:
Summary: Horrified by this "Christian" author
Review: I was horrified by this book. The author claims that his theories on childraising and discipline come from the Bible, however, he twists the Bible to fit his theory. His isogetical interpretation of Scripture is a disgrace to the Christain community. It is also very poorly written. I honestly would doubt if Pearl even obtained highschool degree due to his writing and style. I would be leery of any author who claims total authority, as he does, on any issue, especially Child-raising. I would recommend Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tripp to Christian parents looking for a balanced conservative perspective on child-raising.
Rating:
Summary: The worst parenting advice ever!
Review: This is, without a doubt, the worst parenting book I've ever read. In fact, I wouldn't even call it a parenting book. It's a book about how to control, intimidate, humiliate and scar your children. As a Christian mom, I am sickened by the way scripture is twisted to support Pearl's agenda. Of course parents who follow his advice see huge changes in their children. The children's spirit would be crushed by this type of parenting. A child would be afraid not to obey. If I ever saw a parent treating a child the way Pearl suggests you should, I would report them. Animals shouldn't be "trained" the way Pearl recommends you train children. It is appalling!
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT BOOK
Review: I read this book and wow, did it change both me and my child! After incorporating the techniques described, I have willing obedience and a happy, well adjusted child. As a matter of fact, she comments on other children now, and says they need to spend a week with me, and they wouldn't misbehave anymore! She feels good about herself. It works because it is the truth of God's word in action. Thank God for the Pearls.
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