Becoming Real: Defeating the Stories We Tell Ourselves That Hold Us Back [Mass Market Paperback]

Gail Saltz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2005

In this refreshing and unique book, Today Show psychiatrist Dr. Gail Saltz shows how to pinpoint, deal with, and eliminate the debilitating baggage that stands in the way of success. Through revealing and intensive questionnaires, Becoming Real helps identify the symptoms that lead to repetitive self-defeating behaviors and provides essential tools for becoming a stronger person-in love, friendship, career, and in life-with a newfound confidence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A wonderful book that is important, interesting, and fun to read. -- Harold S. Koplewicz, M.D., author of More than Moody

About the Author

Gail Saltz, M.D., is the mental health contributor to the Today Show and is a contributing editor for Glamour magazine. She is also clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Weill-Cornell School of Medicine in New York City. A psychoanalyst in private practice, Dr. Saltz is a member of The New York Psychoanalytic Society, and chair of public information for The New York Psychoanalytic Institute.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Trade (May 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594480826
• ISBN-13: 978-1594480829
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,148,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXTRAORDINARILY PROFOUND..., July 23, 2005

By 

k.g.lee "If hope is lost, then so are we..." (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Becoming Real: Defeating the Stories We Tell Ourselves That Hold Us Back (Mass Market Paperback)

It's been a year or so since I have read the hardback version of this book, but now that's it's available via paperback, I find myself coming back to it again and again ... giving this book to numerous friends... be they seemingly on the "right path" for themselves or "not so much."

Gail Saltz employs gentle yet poignant examples of real life scenarios throughout "Real Lives" and one would have to be in severe denial not to recognize themselves within the pages. It's not the easiest thing in the world to admit that you might be dancing to a beat of your own creation, especially if that beat is no longer relevant to your life. There's a subtle genius discovery between the lines that Dr. Saltz has written... and to me it is this: Any "mid life crisis" one finds themselves enduring might simply be the "backstory" that got you through childhood knocking on the front door of your adult life. In no way is this just another "blame your parents" diatribe. The book more so suggests that you still are the author of your own reality, and that it's never too late to revisit the facts and "rewrite" your own story!

So go ahead and look through the peep hole... you might enjoy the "new" you that emerges!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Becoming Real, June 10, 2005

By 

Vickie Wright "Reader" (Nevada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Becoming Real: Defeating the Stories We Tell Ourselves That Hold Us Back (Mass Market Paperback)

I have found this book to be invaluable. I started using the techniques described and have found my life becoming richer in experiences. When we attract the same situations to us over and over again, it means that change is seeking us out and keeps giving the message of change over and over until we "get it". If you want to "get it", get this book.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look at yourself (male AND female), and you'll gain immensely from this book, March 17, 2006

By 

R. Stein - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Becoming Real (Paperback)

Men, read this book. Women, read this book. It doesn't matter what sex you are; insert the words "human being" anywhere when giving this book a shot, and you won't be discouraged; you'll become relieved, angry, enightened, and real.

THEN you can start using this amazing work.

I don't own a television, don't know Gail Saltz or MSNBC from Adam, but realize that people can't relate to techno-pseudo babble in Western Culture. People need things simple. "Becoming Real" does that by addressing people's denial of what's screwin' em up in ways I never thought possible.

As a self defeater/dependent male, I tend to help people to hide my own crap, but I take solace in knowing that if one person reads my first book "review" and gives this book a chance, they might change for the better.

I already have.