Rating: 
Summary: Possibly not
Review: Following a suggestion in the book I gave the book an A, but I still wish I had my money back. However intriguing and even rewarding some of these ideas might ultimstely be, this is a sloppy, vague presentation of them. It is like sitting and listening to someone who has just gone through one of those Large Group Awareness experiences; they talk a lot about transformation and possibilities, but can only specify a few ambiguous examples. I had really looked forward to this book, and was immensely disappointed in spite of myself (no doubt an indication that I need to buy their next two books as well.)
Rating: 
Summary: Opening the door to possibility
Review: Having been brought up in the north of England where stoicism is still more highly prized than emotional candour, I have always been suspicious of "self-help" books. Consequently when a collegue gave me a copy of The Art of Possibility, I approached it with some cynicism, or at least with scepticism.
I need not have worried because this is in no way a self-help book. Readers will find no quick fixes or tricks here, and so it is bound to disappoint those seeking psychological sticking-plasters (as we can see in a review below). Rather the Zanders offer sets of practices - "possibilities to live into" - which, due to the way society has conditioned us, are extremely demanding to put into practise. Each idea is illustrated with real life accounts from the Zanders to demonstrate the idea in action. Most impressive is the willingness and honesty with which the Zanders discuss their own faults and mistakes. This rather proves the point that the ideas they propose are in no way easy to perfect, in this less than perfect world. Just as in learning a musical instrument, or acquiring a new skill there are no shortcuts. However, as with most worthwhile skills, the effort is more than repaid by the consequences of living into possibility.
The greatest compliment that I can pay the Zanders is that I have read and re-read the book many times, and practice it every day. I can't claim to be successful, but in the attempt have created waves that continue to open up possibilities I would not have considered possible before I read this book.
I highly recommend The Art of Possibility to anybody seriously seeking to release their full potential from the control of our human conditioning.
Rating:
Summary: Encore!
Review: How many times do you find a book that you want to read just a little bit of every day, so it doesn't end? "The Art of Possibility" is one of those books. This book provides insight as well as inspiration into leadership.The book calls us into a world of opportunity. It illustrates how, with simple shifts in our view of life, we can open ourselves up to our own excellence. Another key learning from this book is that we are shown that when we empower and see the greatness of others, we increase our effectiveness as leaders. "The Art Of Possibility" is a pleasure to read and it provides a new way we can look at our work and lives right away. This book is worth reading more than once.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding 12 practices
Review: I am very satisfied reading this book early in the morning each day. It is a very constructive orientation and help me in guiding my vision of life with the rest of the world. It is a teaching tool that help me in recognizing how important is the life. Congratulations to the authors. Their experiencies is an excellent duo.
Rating:
Summary: Change your perspective, change your life
Review: I bought this book on someone's recommendation, but it just sat on my shelf for a few months until Tom Peters mentioned the Zanders in one of his newsletters. I read his interview with them on his web site, went home, and read their book through in one sitting. It starts off unpromisingly: the first couple of chapters are brief and, I felt, rather platitudinous. But then the authors started illustrating their points with anecdotes, and it all became clear to me. Recognizing your assumptions and how they limit you, and being willing to expand your thinking beyond them to new possibilities, makes a major difference in how you deal with the challenges in your life. I also liked their positive approach -- too many of us get entrapped in "something's broken about me and I need to fix it." The Zanders are certainly not the first to articulate this point of view, but I felt that their illustrative examples made it much easier to understand. But you do have to THINK about what their stories imply; they don't give you "step 1, step 2" instructions on how to apply this philosophy to your own life. The book has already given me a different perspective on several aspects of my behavior that had been troubling me, and on that basis alone I'd recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Now, let me tell you something about ME
Review: I can only imagine spending time with this couple. Perhaps, say, meeting them at a dinner party. The conversation goes something like this:
Rosamund: "Tell me about yourself."
Guest: "Well, I was born in Boston."
Rosamund: "Now, put that in the context of ME."
Guest: "Well, you live in the Boston area."
Rosamund: "That's right. I've got my act together. In fact, I've got my act together more than anyone else in Boston."
Benjamin: "Well, let's talk about me in Boston. I conduct kids orchestras."
Rosamund: "That's right, that allows us to pronounce general platitudes about life, management, love, and self esteem."
Benjamin: "You know, I wasn't always this perfect."
Rosamund: "Benjamim, shut up. I asked our guest to put his comments in the context of ME." This was one of the most useless and unbearable books I've ever read. I kept reading, to the bitter end, just to see if it stayed as bad as it started. It did. What a waste of paper and ink.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite as good as a personal experience
Review: I experienced Benjamin Zander doing a presentation at a conference a few years ago, and though some of his activities were not my cup of tea, the power of his ideas and more importantly his energy was effective. While the book is not as good as the real thing, it is a lot easier to access!
Certainly there are many books of this type, but the message that we become what we think is such a critical message that it needs repeating and reinforcement from a variety of voices.
Rating:
Summary: REDEFINED BOUNDARIES
Review: I have been going through a real soul transformation over the past few years and I have read a lot of self help books but the Art of Possibilities has absolutely sent me into fast forward. This is truly a facinating book. The authors captivated me from the first page and kept me to the end. Not only have all my self made boundaries been smashed but I now listen to classical music with a new sense of appreciation. In fact the book reminded me of listening to many of my favourites. I can't thank the authors enough for what the two days of reading has done for me. I will never be the same. My possibilities are endless and I am extremely grateful for the insight.
Rating:
Summary: Not very clear or original
Review: I have read many religious and secular self-help books, and hoped that this one might add new insight. It didn't add much of it. Now, if you've read no self-help books and need some alternative perspectives from which to understand your situation, this book might help. You will, however, have to take time with lengthy anecdotes that are not always very tightly related to the broader lesson of the particular chapter in which they appear. You'll find similar lessons in many other self-help books, but usually presented more usefully and lucidly.
Rating:
Summary: Don't take yourself so goddamned seriously!
Review: I met Benjamin Zander several times, as the company I work for had him present at several leadership type meetings. He had a profound impact on my life. I went from thinking that I worked for an insurance company, to working for a company that helps to keep people healthy and living full lives. His ideas appear simple, almost child-like, yet they make total and complete sense in the big-bad grown-up world. Taking these simple steps lets you live a more joyous, purposfull life. I highly recommend this book, and if you ever get a chance to see Zander, whether conducting a symphony, or discussing his philosophy, please take the chance...it will be inspiring!
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