Genre: Non-fiction, Self-help
Synposis: The author shares lessons he learned while battling alcoholism and how to move on with his life, heal, and accept responsibility while finding peace and happiness.
Review: It is hard to review a book like this. On one point, you cannot criticize the method, because according to the author it worked for him. That is irrefutable proof that it is technically a valid method. And yet, for me, the method is sort of a cop-out. Now, maybe that is unfair; I have never dealt with an addiction on the level of alcoholism. I
have witnessed it first-hand. My dad was an alcoholic. I have struggled with my own "addictions" and issues such as a desire to succeed, perfectionistic tendencies, and a need to have control. In that aspect, I can relate to the author's points. And from that perspective, I have to object to the main theme of the book. Acceptance.
Now, maybe this is my flaw. Maybe my perspective and attitude are the problem, not the philosophy that the book teaches. Since my life is far from perfect, and I can acknowledge that a large number of the problems that I face are because of MY attitude, then perhaps you can take this review and shove it. That being said, the idea that one should accept one's lot is patently offensive to me. No offense to the author, or Wal-mart employees around the world; but to me if you have worked hard to get a degree and have established a career, as the author had; being content working for Wal-mart as a sales associate and doing the best you can at the job just couldn't be something that I would accept. Don't get me wrong; I would take a job at Wal-mart, or even a fast-food place (I have done it, and would do it again) in order to make sure my children were fed. I would absolutely do the best I could at the job I was working, because that is how I was raised. But I could not be content at that. I would spend almost every waking moment looking for another job, or pursuing other ventures. (As this author is clearly doing, since he is publishing books!)
I do admire that he talks about taking responsibility for the effects his choices had on others around him, and not dwelling in guilt but moving forward from that point. Yet, at the same time a particularly lazy individual. (and I speak from the experience of having such an individual in my life) would take this author's words and use them as an excuse. An excuse not to strive for success, an excuse not to make different choices as long as he owned up to his mistakes. Then he would demand that we let him move forward drifting in a useless and pointless, but HAPPY life. None of which, I suspect, were the author's intended messages, yet messages that one could take from his book, if one were so inclined.
That is the danger of self-help books. They are only as useful as the person willing to use them can make of them. Sadly, I've known a lot of people who use self-help books as a way to justify their choices, rather than the intention: an act of self-improvement.
About the Author: (Directly from Lee's Amazon Author's Page)
My self-help book, "Overcome Any Personal Obstacle, including Alcoholism, by Understanding Your Ego", was just released by Lulu.com. It's an essential road map for the soul, a sort of GPS for the spiritual seeker, especially for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. Inspired by Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth" and my wife Amy's premature death from alcohol abuse, the book features The Seven Insights of Enlightenment and traces the root cause of the Seven Deadly Sins to the ego. Book also provides guidance for taming your ego and making it possible to develop the Seven Virtues (opposite of Seven Deadly Sins).
Last May, I attended John Truby's 3-day "Master Storytelling" seminar in New York City. Shortly after that, I wrote "Stone's Throw From Hell", a movie script which received an average 8.75/10.00 and a perfect 10 in dialogue from
www.screenplaycoverage.com and was featured on an October 2011 episode of "Acting Up", a talk show about the film industry on AM1680 hosted by Skyler Caleb and Steve Moulton. To see excerpts from their stellar coverage and to learn more about my writing, go to
http://www.leeaeide-writer.com.
My first published article, "He's Paid His Dues", appeared in the August 1997 issue of REFEREE magazine, a nationally-syndicated publication for umpires and referees.
I completed three writing courses, including the Novel Writing Workshop, from the Writer's Digest School, way back in early 90's before the Internet's rise in popularity. Strange but true: back then we mailed our assignments to the instructor, who mailed them back after grading and making comments.
My latest completed movie script is "After The End", a tale of the last two survivors of a nuclear war. The man, Ivory Blackman, must conquer his inner demons in order to keep the human race going. He and his lover Rhodna battle assassin from outer space to protect unborn child. Zombies, creative killing, attempted suicides, cool kitty and much more. Hopefully coming to a movie theater near you in 2013. That's assuming the end of the world as we know it doesn't happen on 12/22/12.
Lastly, besides writing, I love animals -- have a 16-year-old Rat Terrier named Indy and a 3-year-old Orange Tabby named Shaggy II -- and enjoy bicycling, bowling (in a league even), golfing and playing tennis.
Rating: Not fair to rate self-help books, in my humble opinion. Too much of the rating process is directly reflected on the individual reading the book.
