Control Theory: A New Explanation of How We Control Our Lives [Paperback]

William Glasser (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harper & Row; 1st edition (October 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060912928
• ISBN-13: 978-0060912925
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So many insights, March 4, 2009

By 

D. H. Young (Rotterdam, Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Control Theory: A New Explanation of How We Control Our Lives (Paperback)

I've learnt so much from this book. Its basic premise is that, while we can't control everything in life that happens to us, we can control our reactions to those events. Very often those reactions are self-destructive or damaging to ourself and others, unless we realise why we behaved in that way and that we have the power within ourselves to choose another course of action.

I'm as sceptical as the anyone about the endless stream of self-help books on the market, with their overfacile cures for every known malady under the sun. This book doesn't pretend to be that, it just offers samples of typical behaviours we can all recognise, goes behind them to analyse the real underlying reason for them, and offers suggestions for alternatives. Eye-opening.

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless, June 15, 2011

By 

T J Ganski - See all my reviews

This review is from: Control Theory: A New Explanation of How We Control Our Lives (Paperback)

I read this book in 1987 after the demise of my first marriage. I was a basket case. I had lost myself in the relationship, so when it ended, I was a shell full of misery and negative self-images. This book gave me the wisdom necessary to reconstruct myself and get on with what has become a wonderful life. My subsequent life has had its share of major disappointments and tragedies, but I am better able to deal with them productively thanks to this book.

Why did I entitle this timeless? I recently suggested the book to me 20 year old son who is feeling overwhelmed by a negative self-image despite all his great qualities. The premises of the book still apply.

5.0 out of 5 stars Control Theory, March 21, 2011

By 

Eileen M. Horn "literature lover" (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Control Theory: A New Explanation of How We Control Our Lives (Paperback)

Though I have a degree in psychology, I never really understood human behavior until I read this book. I'd put it at the top of the list of the most important books I've read.