Customer Reviews

The Complete Life's Little Instruction Book

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When Mr. Brown's son Adam was leaving for college in 1990, Brown wrote the first installment of "Life's Little Instruction Book" for Adam to take with him, with basic principles to live by and live well; as the years passed, it grew into three volumes, and here we have all three books under one cover with 1560 entries. It provides food for thought, in subjects that range from mundane and practical to occasionally, some of remarkable spiritual depth.
Much is on ethics; we are constantly making choices, some that can affect the rest of our lives, and there are some sections here that might stir us to bring our choices into sharp perspective.

There is a lot about taking responsibility for one's actions, and on doing the right thing ( # 636: "Do the right thing, regardless of what others think"), and on respect and kindness to humanity and the environment.
There are two entries, on tape recording the laughter and memories of one's parents, which is a wonderful idea, and one I wish I had done (# 248 and # 440), and much useful advice on finances, getting a job, and a lot on having a fruitful and happy marriage (# 364: "Every day look for some small way to improve your marriage").

Being that this was written for a young man, it is an especially good book for the male of the species, but it would make a wonderful gift for all young people starting out in life, and for those of us who are in our later years, nice reminders to keep us sharp and on the right track.

I re-read this book (or at least a portion of it) every month or so, just to remind myself of what kind of person I want to be. It's positive suggestions have really made me be a better person. I'm a teacher, and I've actually posted up some of the suggestions on the walls of my classroom, in an attempt to make my students more positive and peaceful. The book makes a great gift for any occasion, for any person.

This book is a comprehensive study; sometimes funny, sometimes fraught with emotion, always applicable and poignant, it holds a place of honor on my living room coffee table. Very rarely does a book offer continuous comfort like this one. Instructions such as, "eat no one's meatloaf, but your mother's" and "once in your life, own a convertible" are genuine treasures. Once picked up and opened, you will find it nearly impossible to put down.

This is an absolutely wonderful, thoughtful, caring, concise, nurturing book that everybody of any age can benefit from. How lucky the son of the author is to have a father with such a wonderful insightful soul that he has taken the time to document his life's wisdom to his son in the form of a book. It is the perfect book for everybody.

I loved this little book! This is the result of a dad sitting down to write out a few words of wisdom and advice for his son who was going off to his freshman year at college. The first list was 511 entries, and then, he mailed his son a new collection every two years.

There's some great advice all through this book! And no long stories attached either. Short and straight to the point, each numbered piece of advice is no more than a few lines long. The suggestions cover a broad range, some are serious while others are funny or trivial, but all are honest and good advice, and many are just interesting. Like #841: "When your dog dies, frame his collar and put it above a window facing west" -I've never heard of that before.

I highly recommend this little book as a gifts for anybody in your life and for anything from birthdays to graduations or just because. Would also make a good coffe table or bathroom book too.

I very much enjoyed this work. There is always a danger with a book of this kind that it will descend into platitude, or go off into empty generalization. But Browne has a very light touch, and his messages of responsibility and caring for others make much sense. He also is very good at noticing the minor problems of everyday life and how to deal with them.
I want to include a number of examples in this review. They may not however appear exactly as in the original. I have read this book in its Hebrew translation and will now translate a bit back into English.

" I have learned that even if you made an appointment for the doctor at eight in the morning, you will have to wait an hour."

" I noticed that something that you have done in a split- second might cause you heartbreak all your life."

" I noticed that generous people almost do not suffer from psychological problems."

"I noticed that the teenage years contain a great deal of suffering, confusion, pain and love."

" I learned that I cannot expect others to solve my problems."

"I noticed that more luxuries do not necessarily mean more happiness."

" I noticed that the birthdays of my children caused me to feel older than my own birthday does."

" I learned that to love and be loved is the greatest of all of life 's pleasures"

" I learned that it is forbidden to marry someone who has greater problems than your own."

"I learned that you have to fight for the things you believe in"

Outstanding.

This book sumarizes the things I have been trying to teach to our children. I bought one copy for each of our four children upon their H.S. graduation.

These are the tips you have acknowledged and learned, but never thought to write down. I am glad someone did.

Bravo!

I purchased these books for a group of college students that worked together as a staff. Some graduating, some still studying. I can only hope they do take the time to read it (here and there - not all at once) and it helps each one of them be better people. I believe this book has the ability to create role models and help people to treat others with kindness.

I first found this book on a bargain shelf at my local bookstore and picked it up for just 4 or 5 dollars. It really was a good buy.

It really is not a book that one would want to pick up and read but rather a book that you would want to have lie on your desk at work or on your coffee table at home so that visitors (or clients) can pick it up and turn to a random page and find any assortment of good philosophical sayings.

Each time I pick it up I find myself smiling at the fact that it gives something new each time you open it. With over 1500 entries, it really does give advice on everything. It gives advice on the things that we ethically know, but not necessarily are written down anywhere.

I bought a second copy not long ago for a friend of mine for a Christmas gift. It's a simple little thing that can make a big reaction.

After having been read this by a very admirable teacher, I decided to borrow this book from the library. I easily got attached to this book and plan on purchasing it in the very near future. If you ever wanted a neat little book here it is. It has all of the little things that your parents said to do and more! A great read!