The Golden Ghetto: The Psychology Of Affluence

Rating:
Summary: Champagne Wishes & Caviar Dreams-Not!
Review: Feel mad when your numbers do not pop in a multi-million dollar lottery? Shredding the ticket to bits like an overdue bill. Does envy creep through your gut while glimpsing that cherry red Porsche purring effortlessly by your 8 year old Toyota? Rationalizing, well, at least yours is paid for. Well, don't. In "The Golden Ghetto", we get shocking glimpses into lives of some of the rich and famous which were left on the cutting room floor with Robin Leach. Apparently it is not all champagne wishes and caviar dreams.

Authoress, Jessie H. O'Neill, knows of what she writes. Her father was a workaholic with no time for his family. Resulting in a common money disease referred to as affluenza. The disease of money. Can you imagine? Wealth CAN be a disease causing specific dysfunctions of those feeling entitlement, it is theirs for the asking, not earning, coveting the guilt that lies therein.

In this book, which is provocatively written, we become privy to Ms. O'Neill's personal story. She is the grandaughter to Charles Wilson. I had never heard of him and was surprised to learn he was past president of General Motors and served as Secretary of State to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The manner in which she reveals family secrets of disorders--alcoholism, drug abuse, manic-depression, suicides, lack of fulfillment leading to wanton irresponsible behavior, makes the Kennedy family look *curse*-less.

As I read her story and others she divuldged, newsworthy names began to surface. Kurt Cobain, Elvis, JFK, Jr., Princess Diana, Freddie Prinze, Sonny Bono, Hugh Grant, Boy George--such odd behaviors and risks from people we seem to think, have or had it all. How could they be unhappy? How could they take such risks? The very fact that today we have almost one new millionaire every 63 seconds--usually due to tech stocks and or options. And, the written information regarding lottery winners and their usual fall from grace within a years time of sudden wealth, makes this well written book extremely timely.

I enjoyed this psychological profile of a disease which has no immunization. It does have a cure. Possibly why the authoress is a therapist herself.

Highly recommended for medical or feel better "I am not rich" reading.

--CDS--

Rating:
Summary: Champagne Wishes & Caviar Dreams-Not!
Review: Feel mad when your numbers do not pop in a multi-million dollar lottery? Shredding the ticket to bits like an overdue bill. Does envy creep through your gut while glimpsing that cherry red Porsche purring effortlessly by your 8 year old Toyota? Rationalizing, well, at least yours is paid for. Well, don't. In "The Golden Ghetto", we get shocking glimpses into lives of some of the rich and famous which were left on the cutting room floor with Robin Leach. Apparently it is not all champagne wishes and caviar dreams.

Authoress, Jessie H. O'Neill, knows of what she writes. Her father was a workaholic with no time for his family. Resulting in a common money disease referred to as affluenza. The disease of money. Can you imagine? Wealth CAN be a disease causing specific dysfunctions of those feeling entitlement, it is theirs for the asking, not earning, coveting the guilt that lies therein.

In this book, which is provocatively written, we become privy to Ms. O'Neill's personal story. She is the grandaughter to Charles Wilson. I had never heard of him and was surprised to learn he was past president of General Motors and served as Secretary of State to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The manner in which she reveals family secrets of disorders--alcoholism, drug abuse, manic-depression, suicides, lack of fulfillment leading to wanton irresponsible behavior, makes the Kennedy family look *curse*-less.

As I read her story and others she divuldged, newsworthy names began to surface. Kurt Cobain, Elvis, JFK, Jr., Princess Diana, Freddie Prinze, Sonny Bono, Hugh Grant, Boy George--such odd behaviors and risks from people we seem to think, have or had it all. How could they be unhappy? How could they take such risks? The very fact that today we have almost one new millionaire every 63 seconds--usually due to tech stocks and or options. And, the written information regarding lottery winners and their usual fall from grace within a years time of sudden wealth, makes this well written book extremely timely.

I enjoyed this psychological profile of a disease which has no immunization. It does have a cure. Possibly why the authoress is a therapist herself.

Highly recommended for medical or feel better "I am not rich" reading.

--CDS--

Rating:
Summary: Understanding Affluenza
Review: Her unique perspective on the "American Dream" makes this book unusually insightful. If we feel uncomfortable with another person's wealth, think how we make them feel!

Ms. O'Neill takes a close look at the personality of workaholics and other compulsive behaviors and how they affect spouses, offspring, and coworkers. She then examines how the "success" of the workaholic often misleads others to think that money solves all problems and brings happiness.

You will be surprised by your own thoughts regarding the wealthy and their descendents. I hope you will be equally surprised by the envy, hate and manipulation by those who choose to get close to wealthy people. The problems related to wealth she names "Affluenza". Once you understand it, you'll begin to see signs of it in many unexpected places. "Affluenza" affects rich, middle class and poor, each in its own way.

This is one of two books on psychology that I recommend the investor read. It is important to know that much of investors' success is related to understanding the market's psychology. This includes understanding the individual participants' minds as well.

Rating:
Summary: Challenges stereotypes...
Review: I know what you're thinking... People who inherit money should just shut up and be thankful. But the author of the "Golden Ghetto" acknowledges what almost no other American is brave or smart enought to admit: inheriting a fortune often brings with it some negative side-effects.

O'Neill brings to light the fact that money can isolate people, especially children, from their peers; can magnify problems that already exist within a family; can provide the means to keep problems of addiction "hush hush" and therefore lessen the likelihood of treatment. She does not diminish the fact that wealth brings priviledge and power, but demonstrates that happiness is not as inextricably linked to money as our culture would wish us to believe.

Rating:
Summary: Challenges stereotypes...
Review: Interesting words from the inside of the money machine. Addictions, aside from the accumulation of wealth, as well as the means to disguise them. Intriguing...... This book covers the whole enchilada.

Rating:
Summary: Got the flu?
Review: Interesting words from the inside of the money machine. Addictions, aside from the accumulation of wealth, as well as the means to disguise them. Intriguing...... This book covers the whole enchilada.

Rating:
Summary: An eye-opening book...
Review: Jessie H. O'Neill addresses issues of wealth in larger terms than money about what wealth is and isn't. She talks of affluence as having more than enough money for one's needs. She talks about the real meaning of wealth and its role and relationship to happiness. Happiness is not found in materialism but is something that comes from within. Real wealth is in enjoying what you have and in stewardship - sharing one's bounty with others. This book is a must read for people of all levels of wealth and all backgrounds. When you stop wishing for more and appreciate what you have you find you have more blessings and riches than you can know and possibly use. And it is in giving generously what we have that we receive our greatest blessings.