Customer Reviews

Control Theory: A New Explanation of How We Control Our Lives

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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.

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.

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.

I love to read and this books rates #2 of the 3 best books I have ever read. I have shared it with others and they all liked it. It really addresses certain issues in our thinking and over all approach to life. I also like the fact that it has a different approach to what it talks about. I have not read his other books but do wonder if they are just as good.

Paula Pettengill

Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley, Inc. SOLD THIS BOOK NOT STATING IT WAS A WORD FOR WORD REPRINT OF Take Effective Control of Your Life, by the same author. DO NOT ever purchase from Goodwill Industries of the Conemaugh Valley, Inc. You will regret it, because they have no conscience and will sell reprints without identifying them as such. Had to file a claim to get my money back.

This is the best book that I have read that explains the basics of Control Theory. It is a simple, straight-forward book. I recommend it for anyone who is seeking to learn the basics of Control Theory.