Self-help book fails to hit target

Published on

Friday, January 14, 2011

Written by

Rex Aguado [1]

This book starts with a bold and brave statement: "Much of what we think will improve our well-being is either misguided or just plain wrong." Like most self-help books, it blatantly tries to get you hooked, and it probably works. But for those looking for some workable recipes for success, this book may feel a bit half-baked.

For one thing, the book devotes 112 pages to the authors' main ideas, while 114 pages are packed with technical information, notes, references and hard data. There's also the gimmicky aspect of a linked online feature, complete with a packet insert that contains a password to a Gallup testing website.

The Gallup connection is no surprise, as both authors work for the global polling company. Tom Rath is the author of best-selling How Full is Your Bucket? and StrengthsFi