The Birth Order Effect: How to Better Understand Yourself and Others [Paperback]

Clifford E. Isaacson (Author), Kris Radish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002

A revolutionary new system for understanding birth order-featuring a remarkable new birth order quiz!

Whether we're the first born, last born, or somewhere in the middle, our birth order-and how we view our place in the family-can tell us much about who we are and how we interact with those around us. In The Birth Order Effect, Cliff Isaacson shows us how to find our true place in the family structure, and how to use this important information in creating better relationships with those around us.

Starting with a fun and easy self-quiz, this revolutionary book tells you how to figure out which of the five birth types you are, and then shows you how to use birth order and family information to help you handle a variety of issues, ranging from compulsive organizing to repeated failed relationships. In no time, you will use the quiz not only for yourself, but also to fully understand and interact better with your family, friends, significant other, and even your business colleagues.

The Birth Order Effect represents a new and revolutionary way of thinking about birth order. More important, this book enables you to go beyond theory and put into practice what you learn.

Special features:

Profiles of five comprehensive birth categories

A simple test that pinpoints true birth order personality

A look at factors that influence true birth order, such as divorce, adoption, blended families, and large age gaps between siblings

The Birth Order Effect, the most up-to-date book on this very popular subject, will have you immediately using the results to gain a better understanding of yourself and others.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Drawing on his experiences as a minister, counselor, and parent, Isaacson has devised a theory for understanding oneself and others called the Birth Order Effect. The theory hinges on five personality types, or Birth Order Personalities, that the author makes clear are different from Alfred Adler's four categories. While there is often a correlation between chronological birth date and Birth Order Personality, that is not always the case. For instance, first-born children may exhibit characteristics of Isaacson's Birth Order Personality First Born, but they may also show signs of Birth Order Personality Only Children. Early chapters present several quizzes so that readers can identify their personality type. The author then describes each type and explains how it applies to parenting, marriage, and work skills. The book is written in the approachable, conversational tone of a popular magazine article. Unfortunately, Isaacson omits a bibliography and any evidence of research methodology to support his theory. Confusion may also result from his use of the term birth order personality and studies that Isaacson has previously read about chronological birth order. Not recommended. Kay Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, MD
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Cliff Isaacson works with patients at his counseling center in Des Moines, Iowa, where he makes his home. Kris Radish has worked as a newspaper reporter, university instructor, magazine editor, and freelance journalist. She is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and has written for such publications as McCleans, Catholic Digest, Milwaukee Magazine, and Cosmopolitan. She has also appeared on national news radio and television programs, such as MSNBC's Headliners and Legends. She lives in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Adams Media Corporation (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580625517
• ISBN-13: 978-1580625517
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A revolutionary new approach!, February 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Birth Order Effect: How to Better Understand Yourself and Others (Paperback)

Psychotherapist Cliff Isaacson truly has the answers to people's problems. He's developed a revolutionary new approach to understanding personality. I am amazed at how much I use his insights with family, friends, and even business associates--his techniques really work!

Forget everything you might have heard about birth order. Cliff's new theories are the best I've ever seen--and I am a psych major--because they really work! He's mind is like an x-ray machine that can see to your very core. No more weeks or years of therapy or analysis to solve problems!

His work is truly groundbreaking--it will change marriages, families, friendships, businesses--maybe even the world!

All my friends are fascinated with this practical, useful material. You will be, too!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars interesting, but not really about birth order, March 11, 2008

By 

B. Cannon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Birth Order Effect: How to Better Understand Yourself and Others (Paperback)

Interesting information, and I recognize people I know and have worked with in these "birth order" profiles, but it isn't really about birth order. The author says so himself - that these profiles are based on five "scripts" from Transactional Analysis that he then compared to his five children, and that you don't have to be a first-born (for example) to fit the first-born profile. If so, then why not call them what they are? As "birth order" personalities, they're worthless and misleading, and don't really fit anyway.

I have a master's degree in counseling psych, have studied Alfred Adler (who pioneered the theory of birth order), read a lot on the subject, and have used it a lot in my work and relationships. Isaacson's "new theory of birth order" isn't new, it's not his, and it is not about birth order.

Even as a layman, this has almost no use. Just for fun, my son and I both took Isaacson's quiz to see what birth order we would be identified as, and the scores were unenlightening. Both of us had almost equal numbers for each of the five profiles, meaning we couldn't conclude which was our true "birth order" according to his quiz. We both fit all five, even though my son and I are quite different in some important and obvious ways. I'm a true second-born of four, my son - though also second-born and having a few of the characteristics - is a classic youngest child. By the way, Isaacson claims there is no "youngest" personality.

And as if this weren't enough, there are typos all over the place.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written book on a fascinating subject. The insights will blow you away., December 18, 2007

By 

marshallh7 "marshallh7" (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Birth Order Effect: How to Better Understand Yourself and Others (Paperback)

I have read quite a few books and magazine articles on the subject of birth order dynamics, and this is the one that stands out for me. Isaacson began noticing birth order effects in his work as a counselor. As he studied what other researchers had come up with on the subject, he had the perfect vehicle in his counseling practice, day-in-and-day-out, to refine the theories. Very down to earth and practical. I like the fact that he keeps birth order dynamics in perspective, always acknowledging the many other variables in life that affect our personalities.

Where some other writings about birth order are too general and only categorize into only child, first born, middle born, and last; Isaacon is very specific in his identification of five personalities: only child, first born, second, third, and fourth born. An important element in his book is the idea that these labels, based on chronological birth order, usually correspond with a person's birth order -- but not always.

If you've never read anything on the birth order effect you'll be blown away. It's fun to look at yourself, your siblings, parents, and grandparents with a new level of understanding. Understanding bosses, co-workers, marraige mates will be easier. You'll find yourself noticing the birth order effect with everyone you meet and deal with. For me, it's one of those insightful books that once you've read it, you can't imagine going through life without having read it.