Breaking the Cycle of Compulsive Behavior [Paperback]

Martha Nibley Beck (Author), John C. Beck (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Deseret Book Co (February 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875792901
• ISBN-13: 978-0875792903
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Martha Beck is a writer and "life coach" who specializes in helping people design satisfying and meaningful life experiences. She holds a bachelor's degree in East Asian Studies and master's and Ph.D. degrees in sociology, all from Harvard University.

She worked as a research associate at Harvard Business School, studying career paths and life-course changes in today's economic and social environment. Before becoming a life coach, Dr. Beck taught sociology, social psychology, organizational behaviour, and business management at Harvard and the American Graduate School of International Management. She has published academic books and articles on a variety of social science and business topics.

Her non-academic books include the New York Times bestsellers "Expecting Adam" and "Leaving the Saints", as well as "Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live", "Steering by Starlight", and her newest book, "Finding Your Way in a Wild New World: Reclaiming Your True Nature". Dr. Beck has also been a contributing editor for many popular magazines, including "Real Simple" and "Redbook", and is currently a columnist for "O, the Oprah Magazine".

More information can be found at marthabeck.com, including Dr. Beck's lively blog posts and video blogs, books, speaking appearances, and life coaching strategies and suggestions.

Dr. Beck lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars a little awkward, June 25, 2005

By 

Penelope Ocha "readwrite" (NorCal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Breaking the Cycle of Compulsive Behavior (Paperback)

I understand that this book is still being widely sold in LDS and Christian bookstores. The book's point of view is that homosexuality is something that can be overcome.

It's interesting to note that each of the book's co-authors has subsequently come out as gay and lesbian respectively. This makes their theories ring more than a little bit hollow.

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable help for overcoming addictive behaviors, October 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Breaking the Cycle of Compulsive Behavior (Paperback)

This is the best book I have seen addressing the challenges of those who try repeatedly to break out of compulsive behaviors, but without success. Through real-life case studies of three individuals who successfully overcame compulsive behaviors (an eating disorder, a drug problem, and a pattern of homosexual behavior, respectively), the authors discuss the reasons for people's failures to break addictions, as well as the steps necessary to successfully break out of a compulsive cycle. Although geared specifically toward members of the LDS Church, the book is an invaluable tool for anyone interested in overcoming an addiction or helping someone else do so.

7 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book with huge flaw, January 26, 2005

By 

Eric C. Erickson "AxelDC" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Breaking the Cycle of Compulsive Behavior (Paperback)

This book describes well the shame cycle that many addicts experience. Those suffering from addiction and those around them should read this book to understand how to get out of this cycle.

It's one huge flaw is its early 90s, Mormon-inspired view of homosexuality as a simple character flaw to be overcome. Martha Beck has since recanted and recognizes that sexual orientation is an inate human trait and not something that can be changed or one should be ashamed of.

Apart from this one chapter, the book is a sensitive, insightful look into addiction.