The Secret by Rhonda Byrne Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Secret
Book Review: A Book to Keep
Summary: 5 Stars
My business associates kept referring to reading from The Secret to enhance their personal development. What is the secret? I kept wondering so I went to Amazon and ordered the book. It arrived a few days later and I have read from it daily since its arrival. I am now learning about the secret and how to apply it to my own life. There is so much philosophy written on each page that I don't want to read too much at one sitting because I want to think about each of the ideas presented before going to the next, yet it is so captivating that I don't want to put it down. I am thankful and grateful to have this book which is already making a difference in my life. I know that I will start the book from the beginning again when I reach the end and I think that I will continue that cycle for the rest of my life. Don't hesitate to add it to your own collection.
Diane Nelson
Math teacher, retired
Book Review: A Brilliant Book
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read the book about three times over, while it has helped me with self improvement in the areas of health and mind. Before I have to admit that I was depressed over things, while taking drugs to help cope. It was Rhonda who has helped me realize that negativity is a real force in this realm we live in and the only way to combat it is to be positive. The author is an angel and I highly recommend anyone to read this because it has saved me from myself.Book Review: A Call to Inaction...
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this book and read it a couple of weeks ago because the title caught my interest. I expected to learn the secrets that successful people (not necessarily wealthy people) utilize in their lives to get results.
I was disappointed.
The book advances the premise that anyone can have all of the material things in life that he/she desires by simply believing that he/she already has it. It will then appear as if by magic due to the "law of attraction" which states that believing that we already have something will attract it to us.
She uses the example of the individual who magically began receiving checks in the mail by believing he/she was attracting money. Think about it for a minute. For me to receive something of value (wealth), it first has to be created. Since I'm not doing anything to create it myself, that activity has to be performed by someone else. Then, that individual (or individuals) must then make the decision to simply give it to me. This concept is ludicrous to the point of being dangerous. We already have far too many individuals in our society who are trying to get something for nothing.
Another thing I found disturbing is the focus on material wealth, even making the point that Jesus Christ was actually wealthy. This teaching has, unfortunately, made it's way into the Christian Church and is being taught, for example, by the Church for All Nations ("Jesus Christ is gonna' make me rich!!"). The fact is that He consistently preached against the obsession with material wealth. Ms. Byrne's reference to "Ask, and it shall be given...) from Matthew 7:7:8 refers to spiritual gifts, not material gifts.
I'll give Ms. Byrne credit for making a good point: In order to change our lives for the better, we need to begin by changing our beliefs. However, beyond that she does not emphasize that changes our beliefs will then normally lead to changes in our behavior, which then lead to changes in our results. The law of attraction is probably due to the fact that individuals who change their beliefs and then act on them, draw positive things and results to themselves by what they do, not just what they believe.
If you're looking for life-changing answers and strategies, bypass this book and pick up anything by Stephen Covey or Anthony Robbins. Your time will be much better invested.
Book Review: A Dangerous Book
Summary: 1 Stars
in the tradition of EST or The Forum, this is another "self-help" philosophy that is really just simple ego boosting. it tells you that you control your universe, which i guess can be empowering for some, but is filled with dangers and traps.
first of all there is the blaming. if you're sick, if your life is hard, well it must be your fault. this is the negative, flip side of empowerment, and the book strays in to this blaming territory often. it really doesn't help someone who is sick to tell them they've brought it on themselves.
secondly, while this book boosts the ego, it stops there. yes, i'm sure there are many fractured people who need a little ego boosting, but when you stop there, you are left with selfishness. you are left with things like "yes, i slept with my best friend's ex, but if it bothers my friend, that's his problem." Not running your life based on what other people think is one thing. Stomping on the feelings of those around you, those you care about, is wholly another.
i hope it's helpful for some people but i fear it will turn most of its readers into egocentric, boorish, rude individualists.
Book Review: A Dellusional Misrepresentation of the Power of Positive Thinking
Summary: 1 Stars
Read this instead, it's actually rooted in reality:
Top Secret: The Truth Behind Today's Pop Mysticisms
Positive thinking is very powerful, but not by itself. This book takes something rooted in reality and instead of explaining it, calls it magic. They figured as long as they are inserting magic into the equation, they may as well make it all powerful too.
The Secret:
Thoughts --> mystical, magical stuff --> Things happen to you solely based on your thoughts, nothing else
Reality:
Thoughts --> Create actions and human interactions --> Creates reactions from others and the world in general --> Things happen to you
and sometimes, things just happen
Furthermore:
The Secret: Nothing is outside your control. If you die in a plane crash, it was because of your thoughts (literally stated in the book).
Reality: Some things are outside your control, some are not. You choose how to respond in thought and action. Your actions can have influence in most cases, especially in human relations. Reciprocity is a psychological and sociological function, not magic.
Healthy:
Believing that everything that happens in your life is your responsibility TO DEAL WITH.
Unhealthy:
Believing that everything that happens in your life is your fault, good or bad.