Dave

more about society than relationships

Revisado: 03-31-25

While I found the beginning of the book useful, as it helps to define what love is and is not, I found large sections of this book largely unhelpful for learning to build more meaningful relationships. There's a LOT of theory around the patriarchal nature of western society, and how that's been a bad thing for a million reasons. But I was hoping for something a little more practical here.

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saved my marriage

Revisado: 03-31-25

I'm recommending this book is highly as I can. I owe it a great debt. The advice in here literally saved my marriage.

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outstanding

Revisado: 11-27-24

full of wisdom and humility, I hope this book finds it's way into hands that will implement it's crucial lessons

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outstanding, far surpassed expectations

Revisado: 01-14-23

Just finished Grapes of Wrath. Wow. Just wow. Definitely in the top five books I've ever read. I can certainly see why this is required reading in a lot of classrooms. I can also see why this book was so controversial and even banned in a number of places. The crazy thing is, if I read this book back when I was in high school or maybe even college I don't think I would have appreciated half of what is in there, or had any idea why it was controversial. Sure, I would have understood that the people struggled and had a hard life. But all the power structures in play that led to those struggles, the economics involved behind why the farmers were making their decisions, and the corrosive politics behind the scenes, not to mention the social commentary.... it's just incredible how Steinbeck weaved it all together with such multifaceted characters.

Going into this book, I thought it was going to be about what it was like to live in the Dust Bowl. But it was hardly about that at all. On the surface it's the story of how a family was displaced from Oklahoma (in the Dust Bowl) and their never-ending search to find stability and safety as they crossed the country to California. But really it was a story about how people treat each other, the reasons why groups of people grow to hate each other, the strength that can be achieved by working together, the dark side of American economics, and the power of kindness.

From what I can tell from some brief internet research, it was very historically accurate. And I think it's that fact that really makes this story hit home, because it's all real. Of course it's not a real family, but they represent what actually happened to tens of thousands of real families. And that is utterly depressing because no one should have to go through this. I think that's why this book really sunk in for me, far deeper than any books that are not based on real life events like a Harry Potter or 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Reading this book makes me feel like I learned absolutely nothing in high school American history class.

Anyway, if you have the chance, I couldn't recommend this book anymore highly. The first chapter starts out kind of slow, but you won't regret sticking with it. The narration was outstanding, by the way.

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way better than expected

Revisado: 12-27-22

I thought this was going to be all horror and gore but it turned out to be quite a psychological thriller, which left me pleasantly surprised. the characters were also well developed and had fleshed out personalities. additionally, the narrator did a fantastic job, giving each character a distinct tone and accent, adding a whole extra level to care to development beyond what the text alone could accomplish.

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more of the same

Revisado: 11-01-22

Literally what every other book in this space is saying. Dangles fabulous images of wealth before your eyes, sets up extremely unhealthy mental patterns that are bound to send you straight into depression if you (probably) don't succeed, and of course tells you the next step: buying his multi-thousand dollar courses, which he disguises as resources. If you haven't read any books like this, then this has a lot of the basics that will get you acquainted with the space. It's not all bad stuff. Concepts like divorcing time from income are very important. But if you feel like you've already read a bunch of books that talk about things like that, then you don't need to read this one.

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esto le resultó útil a 6 personas

dry at times but good content

Revisado: 10-29-22

The narration was not very engaging, and the content itself can get fairly dry over discussions of topics that feel like they could be a quarter as long. However the lessons taught in this book seem to be very important, and I look forward to seeing how I can apply them in my life. If they hold true, then these principles really ought to be spread and more widely accepted, as they have the potential to greatly improve our ability to solve problems. And we sure have a lot of problems to solve these days.

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no way

Revisado: 06-03-22

This guy strikes me as totally insane. It's interesting to get some of this ideas, but overall this seems like a completely delusional life path. If this is really the secret at the heart of zen, Buddhism, and other eastern paths, it leaves me extremely disappointed in each. I knew the western religions were completely crazy at their heart, but previously i had held out hope for the east. I guess i was wrong. I have no doubt one can reach this state if mind and experience the joy he describes. But the same foes for western religuon. Why fool yourself? I'd rather be miserable and live in reality than be happy and live a falsehood. At least that way you stand a chance of improving yourself and the world around you.

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great message of hope and ideas

Revisado: 05-28-22

Lots if great ideas, mixed with realities we are sure to contend with. It made me hopeful, but we will see if how tge future plays out.

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what a great story!

Revisado: 04-24-22

I often listen to old books like this just to get a sense of where all these famous tales came from. They're not all so great, believe me. But this one was actually quite entertaining, and wow what an ending! Definitely a good read.

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