Customer Reviews

Chapters : Create a Life of Exhilaration and Accomplishment in the Face of Change

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Much of what the author is saying in this book looks good on paper; however, many suggestions are simply not practical for anyone in a low-income bracket. How many individuals could afford to have a year's wages set aside in the event they lose (or quit) their job? If you are a professional with considerable investments and savings, that may be possible, but for one who lives from paycheque to paycheque and just barely scrapes by, that idea is a dream not a realistic possibility.

On the positive side, there is much truth to the fact that an individual will have an average of nine different jobs through the course of their employable years. Life is indeed much like the chapters of a book - for everyone that ends another begins. In this respect, the author does help us to understand the various stages we go through as we close one chapter and begin another. There are some interesting anecdotes in the book and a lot of inspiration; however, readers will need to read the suggestions and apply what they feel will work for them based on their own unique personal situation. A "one-shoe-fits-all" approach cannot be found here because we have such varied income levels, disposable income, and financial responsibilities. Read the book for the tips it contains, then decide what will personally work for you and what will not.

I have to admit, this book does have a good premise and some good practical exercises -

however - I could hardly relate to Ms. Carpenter and her assorted group of colleagues, all of whom seem rather "priviliged" in their varied media/outdoors/CEO status. You could hardly imagine these case studies really "suffered" with career problems; they all seemed rather "connected" (power brokered), monied and probably from families that eased the way for them to start off. The Chapters book was rather self-serving of Carpenter, who "discovered" a new career of writing/coaching (albiet with a ghost writer/collaborator). I was soooooo turned off by this book (like "oh, my my maid just quit, how bad can it get??"). I am a well educated professional myself but have none of the luxury and "connections" Carpenter seems to have. As a quite "elitist" book, I suggest it only if you went to an Ivy League school and/or were "born into" money. Sorry be be so negative, but that's what I came away with here.

I work for a company that has the dubious distinction of laying off the largest number of people in 2001. Although I had gotten promotions and praise, I was not immune to the turmoil and was let go in November. Ultimately I was able to find another job within the same company, but the failure stung. Hey, "The Gig was Up".

I had four weeks off between the two jobs, and it was during this downtime that I picked up "Chapters". Had I read it earlier, I might have rejected the job offer. This book perfectly captured my feelings and put a name to the stages I was going through. For example, I did nothing but watch TV for the first two weeks. I didn't know if this would last two weeks or two years, and I was terrifed that I wouldn't EVER feel like getting off the couch. Knowing that someone else had gone through the same experience, and that I would come out of it, was comforting. Even though she is a senior executive and I'm a middle manager, our experiences had similarities. She lays out many examples of non-linear careers that are ultimately successful and satisfying.

This is not a "how to" book. However, this tome lays the groundwork for further exploration and is a welcome addition to the career/self-help genre.

If anyone had doubts about the importance of dealing with radical change in our lives, the events of September 11 will have dispelled them. Suddenly it became clear to all of us that there are no more signposts or security blankets. The extraordinary timeliness of this book astounded me more and more as I read.

Carpenter address the changes that have happened in her life with an openness that is completely refreshing. Most of us learned of her from the press during the Internet boom (and bust) and a great deal of the coverage has been anything but flattering. But the character of the writer with her guard down, looking back not only at her last chapter but those that led up to it, leaves the reader with a sense of her true depth. The vast amount of research she has done with other individuals and professionals in this area creates a perspective on this subject at a most critical time when we are all looking at a world defined by changes.

"Chapters" is a comprehensive examination of the one thing we all know to be true: change is the only certainty. Instead of looking at how to cope with change, Carpenter invites us to embrace and dance with it. Its clear- there will be massive changes in almost every area of your life for the rest of your life. Will you get stuck in the past and feel burdened by it or create a future that encompasses all the elements you personally need to thrive. The book shows that we all have the choice and contains many clear and inspiring stories of those that have navigated their way into a life they love.

My father used to quote "The past is prologue, we go on from here." Carpenter shows that we are all creating our own life, chapter by chapter, and have the capacity to use the inevitable changes as launch pads for greater happiness and fulfillment. An inspiring and valuable book that can't help but give each reader a new perspective on what it means to be a human being in the 21st century.

As a psychotherapist and author who teaches the importance of facing fear head on (Embracing Fear, HarperSanFrancisco) I am always glad to see a book like Chapters that offers a realistic perspective, useful guidance and a hopeful message. Uncertainty is indeed the very nature of life, and Ms. Carpenter's well-written and organized book is based on the premise that coming to terms with that uncertainty (accepting that we cannot change this fact) is the key to feeling secure. (Isn't irony ironic?)

Like Gavin de Becker (Fear Less), Candice Carpenter has a way of pointing to what is real and reassuring us with it. The best news is that her reassurance --- backed by her own experience, thoughtful research, and genuine compassion --- has tremendous credibility.

I can think of at least a half dozen people I will recommend Chapters to immediately. And it certainly will go on the next edtion of my reading list for clients.

This book came into my life at a time when I am feeling very restless in my career. It has really helped me to see clearly and put the emotion aside. It is a must read for anyone who is feeling stuck and unhappy. Life is too short to stay in a career you have always done because of fear of the next step. Read this book and then go and live your dream!

I've only read half the book and have stopped. While she does offer some good stories and a few suggestions I found the book monotonious. It was filled with a run on story about her work with others stories thrown in the middle; instead of ALL the stories (about CEOs and heads of comapnies - I couldn't relate) shorten the book and give the suggestions.

As a psychotherapist and author who teaches the importance of facing fear head on (Embracing Fear, HarperSanFrancisco) I am always glad to see a book like Chapters that offers a realistic perspective, useful guidance and a hopeful message. Uncertainty is indeed the very nature of life, and Ms. Carpenter's well-written and organized book is based on the premise that coming to terms with that uncertainty (accepting that we cannot change this fact) is the key to feeling secure. (Isn't irony ironic?)

Like Gavin de Becker (Fear Less), Candice Carpenter has a way of pointing to what is real and reassuring us with it. The best news is that her reassurance --- backed by her own experience, thoughtful research, and genuine compassion --- has tremendous credibility.

I can think of at least a half dozen people I will recommend Chapters to immediately. And it certainly will go on the next edtion of my reading list for clients.

Chapters is the best career (and life) advice book I've read in many years. I felt like Carpenter was writing about my life as she shared her professional and personal life, adventures, and wisdom with me. The book is written in a way that really made me examine my life and, at the same time, it was incredibly comforting to me. I have already purchased four more copies for gifts and have recommended it to friends, relatives, coworkers, college students, executives, and board members.

As a psychotherapist and author who teaches the importance of facing fear head on (Embracing Fear, HarperSanFrancisco) I am always glad to see a book like Chapters that offers a realistic perspective, useful guidance and a hopeful message. Uncertainty is indeed the very nature of life, and Ms. Carpenter's well-written and organized book is based on the premise that coming to terms with that uncertainty (accepting that we cannot change this fact) is the key to feeling secure. (Isn't irony ironic?)

Like Gavin de Becker (Fear Less), Candice Carpenter has a way of pointing to what is real and reassuring us with it. The best news is that her reassurance --- backed by her own experience, thoughtful research, and genuine compassion --- has tremendous credibility.

I can think of at least a half dozen people I will recommend Chapters to immediately. And it certainly will go on the next edtion of my reading list for clients.