Customer Reviews

The Art of the Possible: The Path from Perfectionism to Balanace and Freedom

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I really enjoyed this book, as with a few other's of hers I have read. Stoddard's books are so easy and relaxing to read. She doesn't use any scientific methods or any research studies. She explains simply how, by changing our attitudes, and our environment (home, office) we can enjoy the little things in life everyday. And by doing this, we can enrich our lives and become much happier people, even though we all have difficulties and hardhips.

"Appreciative of the beautiful" describes this book and Alexandra's insights into life. I would read this book before bed and I would wake up in such a good mood! A positive, motivating and quaint little book. I loved it!

I have read other books on perfectionism, as well as scientific research papers on this topic, and this particular book was somewhat helpful but not really what I was looking for. Nevertheless, if you are different from me and you like her style, you may benefit greatly from this book on an important topic about which too little has been written. So I have given this book 4 stars even though it didn't fit me very well, because I think it may help a lot of other people. It is definitely not a concise, scientific book on perfectionism. I found that each significant point that she made seemed to take a lot of pages, and many of her points were repeated, so I found that my mind kept wandering. Also, I was somewhat disappointed in her long section on death, because I am a Christian and I have much more hope in an afterlife than she does. Her belief seems to be summed up by the following quotation which she gives from Peter Megargee Brown: "The memory of you with those you left behind is perhaps your ultimate immortality." Finally, I am a male reader but I think her writing style would appeal much more to women. Regardless, she made some excellent points, especially in the first three chapters, and I did benefit to some extent from reading this book. But for my personality, the best book I have found on perfectionism is "Too Perfect: When Being in Control Gets Out of Control" by Allan Mallinger.

This book isn't about perfectionism, so don't let the subtitle fool you. It's really just a rich woman spouting niceties, using bland positive-thinking style philosophies. Her "advice" is nothing more than motherly observations. Along the way she tells some depressing stories about her family that she tries to turn positive and constantly needs to tell us about her husband (a lawyer), her trips (like to Paris where they just went to "do nothing," and the famous people she knows (Jackie Kennedy). She tells little stories that snobby women at New England tea parties may find cute, but the average reader won't be able to relate to.

In the end there is nothing solid to help the reader learn to overcome perfectionism and have "balance and freedom." It's just a bunch of platitudes strung together, such as "be true to yourself" and "take time for yourself."

There are different ways to compose a book of this subject.

a.
One way is for the author to tell people about his or her life, to carefully exaimine one's OWN life/experiences, and share one's own biography/story, as related to the topic.

b.
A second way is to identify experts on the subject, and to grapple with their thoughts and explain their insights.

This book is type "A". It is the author's story.

If you like biographical 'how to' books, I think you may like this one.

However, for me, I do not find her style useful. I was seeking more substance, more material, and more insight. However, I believe this book may be OK for many readers who like this sytle.

"Appreciative of the beautiful" describes this book and Alexandra's insights into life. I would read this book before bed and I would wake up in such a good mood! A positive, motivating and quaint little book. I loved it!

As a speaker, author, and world-famous interior designer, Alexandra Stoddard was the first to show millions of of people how to turn the place they live in into an oasis of tranquility, beauty, and joy. Beginning with her bestselling Living A Beautiful Life, and followed by other highly successful books, she demonstrates the magic that transforms living space, from cottages to mansions, not into showrooms, but into homes that reflect the comfort and joy of those who live there. Now in The Art of the Possible she adds wise words to the dream of creating a perfectly beautiful home, reminding all those who seek beauty to overcome the confines of perfectionism in favor of freedom that allows creativity to flourish

I wish I had read this about 30 years ago. A lot of practical information with her usual wit and humour. Alexandra is always personal, warm and human.