An astonishingly short-sighted work
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Well this book was certainly compelling... page after page of encitement to self-absorbed individualism. Does anyone seriously believe that the contents of this book are "revolutionary"? All Ringer is doing is espousing the consumerist ethic with which we are bombarded daily. If everyone were to read this book and follow it's ill-judged conclusions, then society as a group of like-minded, co-operating individuals would cease to exist. We would rapidly descend into a war of all against all, with each pursuing their own narrow goals of personal material advancement. If that sounds good to you, then read this book and pull down the blinkers further. If you want to read a genuinely life-changing book, try Peter Singer's "How Are We To Live?".
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Elicits a Reality most want to deny; great book
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When I tried reading this book in college, I really couldn't relate. After a few years in the "jungle" (in my case NYC, financial difficulty, relationship problems), I felt that this book, unlike others which focus almost exclusively on positive, optimistic, and goal-seeking attitudes as answers to life, was on the money. Robert writes about value-for-value relationships (akin to the law of kharma/psychological reciprocity), and how this concept determines the outcome and rewards of relationships, whether love, friendship or employer. I have studied psychology, and have read more than twenty self-help books, and though this might be a little surprising (in the sense that people might find it cynical to an extent), I think there's so much truth to it. And because of the title, I found myself telling people "it's a good message - it's not about stepping on others." In fact, when one looks out for him/herself, that's when he can give or provide to someone else if he/she wants, and what he or she can give. So, it's also a message of independence. I've seen it happen where people help and give, sometimes giving what they cannot, and they end up frustrated, and things are worse than where they begin. Though the book might seem a bit cynical, I think it is on the money, and Robert was an author who could come forth and talk about reality (though I think we all need to escape it once in a while, or not focus on the negativity). I can related to a lot of what is in this book, though sometimes I do not want to believe in all of it - but it's reality. And I've found myself losing touch with it at the wrong times, and this book gives me a great message that will prepare me for future situations. Good job Robert.
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Powerful!
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A person's greatest power is his or her rational mind. This book very succinctly describes ways to achieve a rational existence in a Western society through gaining perspective, establishing goals, and carrying through. This is an enlightening, straightforward book, very much in the style of Plato or Aristotle. Ringer's fundamental tenet is essentially the same as Aristotle's concept of "the good life". Ringer may go another step closer towards describing just what the good life is, whereas Aristotle tended to describe the means by which to achieve and support it. Like Aristotle, Ringer is widely misunderstood. Look out though: you have about as much odds of getting an apology from Ringer as you do from Aristotle. But it's a more modern work. Also, I haven't found any typographical errors, which I appreciate.
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The Best Book Ever Written
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"Looking Out For Number One" easily surpasses every self-help/esteem book I've ever read. This is a no-nonsense, no-holds-barred look at reality from a man who's Been There and Done That! The information within contains some of the most profound insights into the motivations of Mankind, along with many funny and poignant observations. This book contains no fluffy rhetoric and any skill level will find it easy and enlightening to read. I have adopted Ringer's philosophies to make significant positive changes in my life and the people close to me. I've always felt the way he felt, but reading it in print and applying the tenets, I now feel empowered and vindicated. I cannot recommend this book enough!
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Lokk after yourself
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This book is shrill, goes on too long and is packaged with built in throw-away quality; which is a pity because despite the cheap paper and the awful cartoons there are some real nuggets to be mined amongst its prose. So if you feel brow-beaten into feeling guilty about just about everything: you need this book. Its a pity it doesn't explain why living for yourself is the hardest thing in the world. As I heard Dorothy Rowe, say the other day: "We control very little of lives and we can only attempt to alter the way we interpret the events that shape them!" Books like this can help, dismantle the scripts that constrain us, in our attempt to do so.
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