How to Organize (Just About) Everything : More Than 500 Step-by-Step Instructions for Everything from Organizing Your Closets to Planning a Wedding to Creating a Flawless Filing System

Rating:
Summary: YIPPEE!
Review: At last, a guide to making my chaotic life simpler. This book has short, to-the-point information that has already made so many things around our house run more smoothly. I love Peter Walsh's show, and here too he doesn't lecture, just lays out loads of practical ideas in a simple tip format that even the most disorganized person can follow. My current faves are teaching kids about money and organizing our photos. Don't be intimidated by its huge size--I found the (500!) topics witty, easy to read and short--most are only a page or two long. Plenty of surprises and laughs--who thought getting organized could actually be fun? I may not need to impress a date,
survive a coup or plan a block party, but now I know how to!


Rating:
Summary: Is it any good for the disorganized?
Review: I would appreciate it if anyone can tell me whether Peter Walsh also addresses the hopelessly disorganized, who would like to be more organized. Does he address the specific problems that they have to deal with, or are his books primarily aimed at those who are trying to improve upon perfection?

BTW. as I had to give a rating, I gave 5 stars because it would be unfair to pull down the ratings of a book that I haven't yet read.

Rating:
Summary: My New Year's present to myself!
Review: I'm a semi-organized person faced with a wildly disorganized life and I soooo appreciate finding a book that gives me organizing specifics on various projects in a clear, helpful and non-intimidating way rather than ask me to roto-rooter my brain and actually BECOME more organized before I can tackle the chaos! The book itself is a clever and witty read, and although I picked it up to help with My Major Life Changes (planning a wedding this year, among other things...)I've just enjoyed thumbing through it and letting it inspire me to try some things differently...great as a New Year's resolution helper!

Rating:
Summary: When Peter says "Everything," he means it!
Review: I've been following Peter Walsh's advice since "Clean Sweep" was first broadcast, and it makes a world of difference. To have this advice - and more - in one place, accessible at any time, is invaluable! He addresses just about anything that comes up in life - home and garden, personal issues, office, social, careers - you name it! Each entry has step-by-step instructions, along with "Tips," "Who Knew?" and "Warning" notes on the sidebar. The instructions are clearly written and easy to follow. Anyone who is "born organized" will find that this is a great confirmation of what they've been doing...and they will still learn more tips! A definite 5-star rating, and worth every penny! You won't regret buying this book - I've read a lot of organizing books, but Peter's is definitely the best of the lot!

Rating:
Summary: Oddly Disappointing
Review: It's hard to describe a book of over 500 pages as superficial, but that's exactly what it is. Chopping up complicated problems into a half-dozen "steps" might make them seem more achievable, and it does make fairly entertaining reading, but it trivializes the very real problems that I think most people would buy a book on organization for. I don't think it will help you get a handle on your paperwork or household clutter, won't help you organize your weekly schedule any better, and won't give you a more serene approach to inevitable problems. Elements of those challenges are touched on in dozens of one-page chapters, but not in a systematic way. This book makes you work way to hard to dig out the advice you need.
Reading through the other reviews, I note that most say they look forward to reading the book or plan to keep it as a reference. That's fine, but it doesn't make it a great book on organization for those who want to get or stay organized. For them, a single page to "Create a Flawless Filing System" is inadequate and a comparable amount devoted to "Become President of the United States" is absurd.

Rating:
Summary: Thank you Peter Walsh....
Review: Thumbs up on this book. I definitely don't see my husband or myself reading this book from cover-to-cover, but it will become one of the most used "reference" type books in our home. After thumbing through the list of contents my mind is whirling! You can read on how to "Orchestrate the Perfect Conception" -- which after three children hasn't been a problem in our house -- to then "Choose the Best Elementary School" for those little sweeties.

I must say that there are a lot of topics that don't pertain to us like "Organize An Archaeological Dig" or my favorite "Defend Against a Hostile Takeover"! Hmmmm? Maybe with three kids we'll need that afterall! Ha Ha Ha!

I profess to being one of the most "with it" and organized people but this book has so much to expand on. I think I'll pick a topic every few weeks and create a "face lift" for my life!

**Excellent book to have at hand!