Emotional Vampires: Dealing With People Who Drain You Dry by Albert Bernstein Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.27 You Save: $7.68 (45%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $8.36 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Emotional Vampires: Dealing With People Who Drain You Dry
Book Review: Useful, Informative, Easy to Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I came across this book when a close friend of mine ran into issues with a difficult person in her life. Some one gave her the book, and (because I read everything in sight!) I subsequently read it. It was very beneficial in explaining my relationship with my youngest son and in helping him understand me as well. I have tendencies toward the obsessive-compulsive side, while he tends toward the hystrionic. I credit this book with helping both of us to come to terms with our very different views of the world, and I am happy to say that our relationship is stronger and much more positive because of this book. The book helps you pinpoint your own strengths and weaknesses, gives you strategies for self-improvement, and recommends specific steps for dealing with all types of difficult, puzzling people in your life. It does all this in and easy-to-read, informative, and entertaining format. If you have a person in your life whose personality you just can't seem to "get," or if you seem to rub others the wrong way and don't understand why, I highly recommend this book! I have given away copies and continue to loan my own out on a regular basis.Book Review: Short, sweet and to the point...identify those energy thieves and breathe easier.
Summary: 5 Stars
People are not simple and it's challenging to manuever through days of endless interactions in this every day world. This book defines behaviors and then offers checklists so that you can identify basic motivation in others. Whether others are acting unconsciously or with intention, you have the tools to identify energy-robbing behaviors so that you can react with awareness or avoid the stinkers altogether. The reading is easy, well organized and easy to understand. I love the checklists...they are not comprehensive, and we definitely need to avoid labeling others...but they allow a peek into the thought processes of others. Book Review: Emotional Vampires
Summary: 5 Stars
I found this book full of brilliant and profound insights all understated in a highly readable, metaphoric even poppy, humorous style. I suspect his insight is partly a gift, I doubt it can be entirely reduced to training or experience. The humor is one of the great pluses of the book, he makes people who are terrorising you seem ridiculous, a very good start toward being able to deal with them. The clarity and readability is a little deceptive, there is actually a huge amount of info crammed in that in my case took plenty of (facinated) rereadings to really begin to use.
My only complaint is that he does not point out to people who know little about psychology that the book is not comprehensive, he covers only 5 of the 10 personality disorders (he actually focuses on personalities with varying degrees of these disorders), perhaps because he doesn't consider the others "vampiric". there are other ways to drive someone mad, you may need to do other reading including the DSM before being sure of what youre dealing with.
For me it was also good for understanding and trying to outgrow my own vampiric tendancies (paranoid) but as the author predicted showing the book to narcissistic or anti-social vampires may as well have been serving them garlic.
One of my favorites.
Book Review: Haven't read the complete book yet
Summary: 3 Stars
This book seems to be pretty helpful. I have been going through a terrible divorce and find that parts have hit on my feelings. Book Review: The Family's Memoirs
Summary: 5 Stars
This book helped our family deal with a sister when our mother passed away. Her sole refuge, Mother excused, endorsed, even promoted behaviors and vicious verbal attacks against family members that left the rest of us an armed camp...and scarred. Extend a hand to this sister and she'll gnaw it off verbally while she's plotting her next assault.
Dr. Bernstein's very positive approach is to invest less time in "fixing" and more into learning how to live constructively with a personality type. He identifies the strengths of each type and cautions against labeling...and expectations that the "vampire" will change. Ever.
Clearly stated "Danger, Will Robinson!" flags are needed to alert readers when quirks are escalating into areas where GREAT caution should be exercised...or to indicate when all contact should cease. His brief observation that Paranoids sometimes take lives leaves a world unsaid.
You know how readable and effective this book is by checking the number of reviews!