Feng Shui for Dummies (Miniature Edition) (Hardcover)

by David Daniel Kennedy (Author) "Everyone appreciates the benefits of beautiful, comfortable living environments; America's billion-dollar interior decorating industry attests to this fact..." (more)
Key Phrases: faceted crystal sphere, missing risers, corresponding life area, Feng Shui, Three Secrets Reinforcement, Commanding Position (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The ancient Asian art of feng shui has become popular in the West over the last decade. This mini guide demystifies the belief that harmonious placement in architecture and interior design can have a dramatic effect on wealth, health, and success. Clear, concise text provides an accessible overview of traditional and contemporary feng shui basics for home or workplace. More For Dummies Miniature Editions™

From the Back Cover
Praises for Fen Shui For Dummies
"If you've ever wanted to know anything about Feng Shui, this IS the book to read." —Deborah Rachel Kagan, President, Sacred Interiors

"David Kennedy has certainly come up with a gem with Feng Shui for Dummies. I highly recommend this read." —James Moser, CEO, Feng Shui Warehouse

"David has a unique way of organizing the increadible amounts of Feng Shui information into clear, concise, easy to understand principles..." —Ileen Nelson, Director of the Feng Shui Studies Department, The Metropolitan Institute of Interior Design

Energize your home or workplace and watch your life improve!

The ancient Chinese art of harmonious design —demystified at last
Feng Shui can help bring positive energy into all areas of your life, from family and relationships to money and work.

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--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Running Press Miniature Editions; Min edition (September 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762411295
• ISBN-13: 978-0762411290
• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 2.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,386 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

116 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not Great, July 28, 2001

By	Amber McCann "Future Author" (Modesto, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Feng Shui for Dummies (Paperback)

I am a little mixed about the book. One on hand it is excellent for giving down-to-earth, easy to understand Feng Shui principles. On the other hand, it fails to mention many important aspects about Feng Shui itself, such as the Elements. The book talks about what to do when the energy for a certain room is negative because of certain placements like the kitchen or the bathroom. But it fails to talk about the elements of each room and how to balance them. In fact the book recommends bamboo for nearly every "treatment", but that is really impractical because it doesn't even explain the elements. The elements of water is briefly discusses, but the others: fire, air, metal, and wood arent even mentioned. I was very discouraged when I read the book and found this out. Please if you are looking for a book on Feng Shui, find another one.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear and Concise, September 13, 2008

By	Eco-Friendly Feng Shui Designer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Feng Shui for Dummies (Paperback)

Feng Shui for Dummies is a wonderful book that covers Western, or Black Sect Feng Shui as opposed to compass Feng Shui. There are many differences between the two schools, but I feel that the Western is more accessible and makes more sense for people living in the Western hemisphere in the 21st Century.

David Daniel Kennedy has a knack for making the complex subject easy to understand. A nice companion book to this one was also written by Kennedy and is called FENG SHUI TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE. I recommend you read the Dummy book first to gain a firm understanding of Feng Shui and then use Tips as a quick reference for cures.

I also recommend HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET to further your understanding of Feng Shui for TODAY'S lifestyle--plus pick up eco-friendly and design tips.

Highly recommend!

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This may not be the best book out there, but..., October 1, 2004

By	Mrs. Rachel Van Tonder "toffi" (uk) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Feng Shui for Dummies (Paperback)

Why are some reviewers here so hostile that they almost seem to be venting their anger here? Feng Shui is a philosophy... it may not be a religion, but it is a philosophy, so it requires a certain amount of belief from you if you want to make use of what it has to offer. If you don't believe in it, fine... just sell your book secondhand through Amazon Marketplace.. why get frustrated??

Personally I think this book is not the best out there on Feng Shui. Hanging crystals everywhere is plain silly-looking and hanging baguas around the house give me a creepy feeling, not to mention that guests might feel the same, etc.

With over 300 Feng Shui titles sold in the market, it can be very tricky deciding which book to buy. Some people buy them for the beautiful colours and pictures of the examples in the books, others for the knowledge. If you're like me wanting to really get into the subject and apply it to your interior designing, there are much better Feng Shui books sold out there which give a much more proper treatment of the subject - you won't feel silly after reading them. They are "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Feng Shui" by Elizabeth Moran and "A Master Course In Feng Shui" by Eva Wong. And if you want to know more, "Flying Star Feng Shui Made Easy" by David Twicken is good and so is "The Living Earth Manual of Feng Shui : Chinese Geomancy" by Stephen Skinner are really great books geared to the Western reader with authentic Oriental knowledge.

I am agnostic (I don't believe the existence of God can be proven although I don't rule it out either) but I found Feng Shui to be a deeply spiritual subject with close links to form and functionality of objects and space, and aesthetics. I have a great deal of interest in design... so I was drawn to Feng Shui initially for its value in interior design. I believe that every man's home is his temple and sacred space. Feng Shui incorporated with interior design has helped me make my modest home into a shelter which not only looks and feels aesthetically pleasing, it has a beneficial effect on my well-being as well. Its a bit common-sensical. When you walk into a house and something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and leave. Don't buy the house. But if you already own it, you can make it a nicer place to live in. Feng Shui doesn't demand that you surround yourself with gold and expensive items in the home. You can always adapt it to suit your budget and needs. Read some good Feng Shui books, and get yourself a compass from the hiking shop... and have fun designing!