20 Something Manifesto: Quarter-Lifers Speak Out About Who They Are, What They Want, and How to Get It [Paperback]

Christine Hassler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 2008

If you’re in your twenties, you’re likely feeling the combination of the excitement of this defining decade and the pressure to figure out your entire life. The thrill of newfound independence and opportunity can be quickly squelched by worry, disillusionment, or disappointment. Like thousands of other twenty somethings, you may have experienced what life coach and quarter-life expert Christine Hassler calls an “Expectation Hangover.” This manifesto explores the all-important questions and life choices of these turbulent yet exciting years.

Twenty somethings may commiserate about the challenges they face, but few resources offer practical lessons or suggestions. In these pages, quarter-life men and women tell their stories, sharing their successes and failures, along with their frustrations and realizations. The author’s insightful commentary and “take away” suggestions provide the tools and skills you need to create change and direction in your life. You’ll recognize and articulate your personal goals, paving the way to what you truly want.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The author of 20-Something, 20-Everything (2005) offers a handy guide for navigating the often rough waters of the twentysomething years. Hassler draws on her own experience, but she has also gathered myriad stories and quotes from a variety of twentysomethings around the world, regarding everything from grappling with their expectations after college to job hunting and navigating friendships and relationships. Hassler addresses one of the biggest problems she thinks twentysomethings face: “Expectation Hangovers,” in which reality doesn’t measure up to what people in their twenties had come to expect from their lives, leading to depression and lack of direction. She then delves into the “twenties triangle,” addressing the three questions that dominate the decade: Who am I? What do I want? How do I get what I want? The chapters that follow address the biggest issues for people in their twenties: love, friendships, family, and career. Packed with stories and wisdom from their peers, this guide will definitely appeal to the many twentysomethings trying to find their way. --Kristine Huntley

Review

"In 20 Something Manifesto, Christine Hassler teaches the class you wish had been offered in school - Life 101! This book is packed with real-world tools twenty somethings can use to create a successful life on their own terms."
— Greg Behrendt, coauthor of He's Just Not That into You and It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken

"Christine Hassler demonstrates a true gift - the ability to inspire twenty somethings to take stock of where they are and take the steps to become the people they want to be."
— Alexandra Levit, author of They Don't Teach Corporate in College

"A great read for twenty somethings seeking honest answers to life's challenging questions....I strongly recommend this book."
— Jason Ryan Dorsey, Gen Y consultant and author of My Reality Check Bounced!

"Important information in an easy-to-digest format... highly recommended."
— Library Journal - Starred Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (January 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577315952
• ISBN-13: 978-1577315957
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Manifest excellence April 28, 2008

By C. S. Clarke

Format:Paperback

In 20 Something Manifesto, Hassler takes on the 'big' issues -- self-identity, career, love relationships, money, friends and so forth -- the whole caboodle. These are lifelong issues. You certainly confront them in your twenties decade. If you solve some in your twenties, great. If not, you'll revisit them throughout life until you solve them. And, some need to be addressed more than once because circumstances change -- e.g., considering the divorce rate, some of us will face the issues of dating and finding a spouse more than once. Moreover, some are continuing processes throughout all your decades, such as the task of making relationships work.

The author offers realistic, compelling descriptions and in-depth analyses of the issues as seen in the many forms in which they appear in actual life.

What makes Hassler's book fresh, readable and very useable is the method she employs: she publishes the experiences of scores of 20-somethings, in their own words, from their own perspectives, colored by their own values. Even better, she has them write 'declarations' at the beginning of their stories -- that is, you can see the 'moral of the story' up front.

She also speaks to each of the issues exemplified by the stories from her own experience and her own training. Then she offers some advice and/or techniques for dealing with the issues yourself. All that makes it easy to scan through the book to pick and choose the issues most relevant to you. You can read the book in the order that works best for you.

Note that not all of the contributors have solved their issues. But those that don't have possible solutions to offer you have developed insights that may well lead them, and perhaps you, to those solutions.... Or if there is no solution, the insights may lead to a viable way of accepting and living with the circumstances.

The author's use of contributors' stories gives an impression of a lively dialog going on in the book. It moves and flows like a live participative seminar, making it easy to read and giving impetus to your using the various techniques and exercises immediately.

The author started the book in her own late twenties, so her experience is with the issues as they relate to current 20-somethings. Nevertheless, since the issues are timeless, many folks in other decade ages can learn to resolve some of the issues that they couldn't handle in their twenties. Parents of 20-somethings can learn much about how their adult children think and feel and what are their concerns. Employers of 20-somethings can gain insight into their employees' behavior and motivation. Therapists and coaches will find it a valuable reference. Everyone will find it a good read. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! February 26, 2008

By C. H.

Format:Paperback

Finally! A book that offers real solutions. There are so many books out there that talk about the 20-something experience and it's trials and tribulations. Well, I don't need to read about it - I'm living it! This book offers solutions and ways to improve. Real ones! Plus, reading the experiences of other "twenty-somethings" really helps you feel like you aren't alone. A must read for anyone in their twenties - or someone with a twenty-something son or daughter.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "It's not only me!" March 2, 2008

By J. Sepulveda

Format:Paperback

That's exactly how I felt when I read Christine's first book "Twenty Something, Twenty Everything". At the time I was lost, confused and totally unhappy with the fact that the life I had been planning since I was 16 years was anything but that. Reading "Twenty Something, Twenty Everything" put me at ease as I knew that something was not wrong with me!

When the "20 Something Manifesto" came out I picked it up immediately. Although I am past those feelings of lost and confusion and feel happy again, the "20 Something Manifesto" is a great reminder for me to reflect back on those trying years and truly be grateful for them. I feel that without those "twenty something" years I wouldn't have this clear vision of who I am and how I want to create my life that aligns with who I am. You're twenty something years are by far the most valuable and most life transforming years of your life and Christine's both books show you just that. What's great about the 20 Something Manifesto is that not only is it authored by someone who went through it and succeeded but the book is filled with twenty somethings who have been there and made it out better than ever!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for all 20-somethings! February 26, 2008

By Lindsey Pollak

Format:Paperback

This book features a collection of authentic, diverse stories about the 20-something experience. (Full disclosure: I submitted a story to the collection.) Better yet, it provides Christine Hassler's expert advice and coaching exercises to help readers who need guidance about money, relationships, work and other topics. I love Christine's warm, intelligent and understanding style -- I really wish I had this book when I was in my 20s! Highly recommended.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read for Struggling 20-Something's!! February 19, 2008

By Kelly Kershaw

Format:Paperback

After reading Christine's first book, 20 Something, 20 Everything I couldn't wait for a follow-up book. It wasn't long after the release date that I had The 20 Something Manifesto in hand and have been reading it ever since. Christine has such a way about her writing that makes the reader feel as though someone finally understands what he/she is experiencing. In addition, the exercises provided allow each person the ability to truly delve into their own personal journey and discover things that might not have been very clear before.

I urge anyone struggling with their own quarter-life crisis to get to know Christine and her books. Not only are they an entertaining and engaging read but prove to become a road map through one of the most difficult times in a person's life.

5.0 out of 5 stars good March 7, 2013

By Kevin D. Williams

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Bought this book for my brother and he loves it. I haven't read it but he is passing it along to his friend

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book overall but format wasn't my favorite February 28, 2013

By shstric

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed most of this book, but I thought it was a little long (and boring) in some areas. On one hand, I enjoyed the stories from others, which made me feel like someone else knew what I was feeling. On the other hand, I thought there were too many stories in the book. I skimmed over and skipped a few sections in the back of the book that did not pertain to me. It wasn't a bad book; I just wish there had been a little more substance.