Customer Reviews

ADD Success Stories: A Guide to Fulfillment for Families with Attention Deficit Disorder

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I have to admit that I was prepared not to think much of Thom Hartman's hunter vs. farmer theory. I wanted something that seemed more "real" (now I'm not sure what I meant by that). So I saved this book for last and read Russell Barkeley and others first. To my surprise, this was my favorite of the six books on ADD I read, maybe because I did save it for last. I read all the pathological stuff first and it made a lot of sense to me, but it also made me feel overwhelmed about the job ahead of me raising two sons with ADHD. Then I read Hartman and immediately felt a sense of relief. This I can deal with, I thought. (And to my real surprise, I realize now that I'm a hunter, too!)

Specifically, this book is full of "tips" from folks with ADD themselves (mostly adults, with a few high school and college students mixed in) about how they manage various aspects of ADD in their lives. The book presupposes that you know what ADD is and accept that you will have to manage it or it will manage you (if you haven't gotten that far yet, read Driven to Distraction first). It does not expound his hunter/farmer theory in great detail (that's in ADD- A Different Perception) but gives you enough of this theory that you can "get it" without reading his other books. (In my opinion, you can skip his other books and go straight to this one.) Hartman does not suggest (as I thought he would) that folks with ADD don't ever need to consider medication, nor does he gloss over the fact that life with ADD presents many challenges, difficulty, and pain for "hunters" and their families, teachers, and friends. (Note: this book is oriented more toward teens and adults than young children in terms of the "tips" but I also think it is valuable for folks with young children who can benefit from the "long view" of life with ADD.)

So many books out there are about theory, and this one is about real life management without elaborate point systems and IEPs. The message is to understand yourself, find out what you're good at and what you're not, and then try to find a path through life where you use your talents. Understand that you're not good at everything, and get help with things you need help with, but basically, get out there and channel that energy and enthusiasm and locate what someone called "right livelihood."

Of the 4 ADD books I've read so far, I've definitely enjoyed this one most. I think it has the most practical tips, a good explanation for what's known about ADD, and a supportive, but not condescending tone.

I even liked the Hunter/Farmer model/theory/metaphor/mythology of ADDers just being another type of person, rather than a defective one. He makes some convincing arguments for the plausibility of this theory, yet doesn't hit you over the head with it. I don't personally need the ego boost of saying I'm a Hunter, versus those slow Farmers. :-) But it is somewhat comforting to think you're just wired differently, instead of wired defectively.

Anyway, the best part is the tips from his previous readers. I've read through them and highlighted a lot. Now I have to go back and write summaries, and try to apply one idea a week, rather than trying to do everything at once.

Thom Hartmann is one of the best writers on ADD, for ADD'ers. Why? Because he doesn't label people with ADD as having brain disease and broken. His Hunter in a Farmer's World Model makes so much sense. It's been dissed by Barkley and others, but in the last year hard genetic research has come in proving the theory, and other ADD researchers have reached the same conclusions.
But that's not why you should buy this book Buy it because it gives tons of examples of people with ADD who have had success in all different aspects of life. The fact is, ADD people are the ones with ants in their pants who change the world. Who don't sit there and settle for the ordinary. They do things-- start companies (entrepreneurs,) make noise about problems (call them politicians and activists,) investigate stuff (detectives, reporters, scientists who don't wash test tubes and replicate the ADD scientists visionary work.)

So read about how ADD'ers make it, how they succeed, and start feeling not only hopeful, but perhaps even a bit cocky about being an ADD'er or knowing one.

As a "hunter" myself, I never could get past all that boring ADD diagnotic stuff about receptors, etc. This was the first book on ADD that was interesting enough to read. It confirmed, for me, what I thought all along. I'm not defective, just different. Many gifted people throughout history have been just tormented by our boring farmer society. This book has also helped my to deal with my child's school. I had been fighting with them for years. Another thing that I think is interesting is the Native American (or Nomadic European tribes)connection. I had speculated about it myself. Now when someone tells me they're ADD, I ask if they have Native American blood, and so far the answer is always yes.

Thom Hartmann focuses on the positive aspects of ADD. There is so much that people with ADD can do and contribute... there is so much GOOD that can be channeled and focused in the right direction to create a successful life! As an adult with ADD and the parent of a child with ADD, I really appreciate these great examples.

I was looking for positive books on A.D. to use to boost my 10-yr old son's self-esteem after recently beginning treatment for this "disorder". The book gives many examples of successful, creative, and dynamic individuals throughout history who were undoubtedly A.D. affected. Hartmann explains in detail his theory that A.D. affected individuals represent the "Hunters" of our society - highly observant, quick in thought and action, seeking excitement unlike the more numerous "Farmers" who represent the agrarian development of our civilization with more plodding ways.

Many of the successful strategies given are from those individuals who have learned to control and focus this "multi-tasking" part of their personality becoming quite successful in the process. Mr. Hartmann balances this view of A.D. as a "gift" with ample examples of the pain, tragedy, or mere lack of success which can occur when the A.D. individual is put in the wrong circumstance.

This book is refreshing departure from the countless books which rehash the "disorder" with the usual history, diagnostic criteria, and treatment. As a modestly successful A.D. individual who has great difficulty finishing a book, I was pleasantly supprised to have finished it in an evening (long) and greatly enjoyed sharing its salient points with my family.

My favorite quote in the book was: "I'm not Attention Deficit, you're just boring!" Ken Brown, Anchorage, AK

Real people talking about ADD, what it does, and how they overcame their obstacles. Very postive, and very inspiring to those who may be despairing about what their ADD creates for them. I highly recommend this book. Note: Doesn't have the standard "Do you have ADD?" tests & stuff. This is for those who know they have it

The book includes: 1) "Maps, Guidebooks, and Travelogues for a Hunter in a Farmer's World," 2) Stories by people with ADD describing how they succeeded and what they learned, 3) Workplace success stories, and 4) School success stories. Much of the material relates to the workplace. It is practical and interesting.

This is a good book for people that are dealing with ADD. I had no problems ordering from this seller.