Customer Reviews

Feng Shui: Back to Balance

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As president of Professional Research Institute, I am constantly on the look out for books that make a difference in people's lives. Sally Fretwell's book Feng Shui: Back to Balance is without a doubt the best book on Feng Shui I have reviewed. It is easy to read, entertaining and presents clear step-wise directions for making your home or office better, more harmonious and supportive environments. Where other books on this subject concentrate on the way Feng Shui may have worked in Ancient China, Sally's book cuts through out-dated dogma and presents the subject in a positive way for our Western civilization. Her approach makes you aware of potential problems and difficulties you may encounter for sure - but in a light-hearted, nonjudgemental way. Other books on Feng Shui almost make me paranoid! Not so with this. And although it's fun to read, it is chock-full of the information you need most to rearrange your living spaces for optimal energy and thus optimal health and happiness. Her section on color is especially insightful and she goes into depth on the Chinese 9 Star Ki system. This not only helps you with rearranging your living spaces, but also helps you understand your own personality and the personality of others. I highly recommend it to anyone - whether new to the subject or experienced Feng Shui practitioners.

This is one of the best Fung Shei books I have ever read. I couldn't put it down. It was everything I always knew, but didn't know for sure and now its okay for me to be thinking and feeling the way I do. I finally understand what has been making me so crazy at times and what has worked and has NOT worked for me in my life! I especially liked the Nine Star Ki I-Ching theory. It has been soooo much fun putting people and friends together and even understanding my own fire/fire personality - I'm that "Wallflower". Thank you Sally for having the courage to write a wonderful book that is so simple and easy for the average person to understand. This a valuable tool and has become a handy book when I'm in the mood for decorating or when I'm wondering why my best friend is the way she is. I now have the confidence to say NO WAY when a certain thing doesn't quite suit me, or if I want to move an object in my home to another location even if its out the door, its moved. I've given this book to friends. It's been so much fun comparing notes and listening to how other people get along and relate with their friends and families. This is a must book for everyone and is definitely a positive conversation tool. It gives a new dimension for phone chat with your girlfriends! You have given me a wonderful gift and the freedom to create my world - Thank You!

What a change. A lot of feng shui books get bogged down in rules and quick fixes. This book suggests multiple options and allows you, the reader, to mull over the ideas and find something that fits with yourself. I have to admit, if I didn't live in an apartment I'd probably be painting and having fun experimenting with a lot of the ideas in the book. Sally Fretwell's writing style is easy going and full of simple examples from real life. Of all the books that I've read in this area this brings nine star ki and feng shui together the most naturally. I think there is still more out there but this is a great introductory and practical book for anyone wanting the best start. Hopefully this book will be the beginning of further work.

I received this book as a house warming gift for my new home.

I have to admit, I knew very little about Feng Shui and the principles prior to reading this book. As I read the book I found it very easy to understand and was amazed at how the principles were already being applied to my new home. The ideals outlined by the author are very basic and I found myself saying "well that makes sense" or "why didn't I think of that". I appreciated that the book was well thought out and easy to follow.

For instance, my living room is such a "happy space" for me and my favorite room in the house. After reading the book and logging onto the web site, I read up on color and how the colors I choose for this room blended with my personality and added peace and harmony to my life.

However, I have been unhappy with one of my upstairs bedrooms and could not place "why" I didn't like it. By looking at some of the ideas outlined in the book, I saw some slight changes that I could make that would improve my mood in that room.

I am enjoying this book and have decided to make it a coffee table book in my living room.

This easy-to-read non-fiction is hard to put down. Ms. Fretwell takes a fascinating subject that is traditionally hard to follow in books, and puts it into a perspective that I can use in my own life, and in my work as a Realtor. There is such truth and insight into her work. In a very few wors she is able to convey large and confusing concepts about feng shui and the nine star ki personality types that come together and have great meaning. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to make easy improvements in their quality of life.

I have lived my life by the Feng Shui practices for many years and frequently pick up new books to explore other avenues of my fascinating art.

I found Back to Balance on Amazon and was impressed by what I saw on the web page and ordered the book. I was throughly impressed with the author's interpretation and descriptions throughout the book and feel that the author has a very good sense of Feng Shui and can explain it to the layperson in simple to understand terms.

I found this book to be right on the mark.

Thank You,

Jenny

I am not a Feng Shui Expert, nor did I have any interest in Feng Shui. However, I was at a party over the weekend and noticed this book on the hostesses coffee table and the title intrigued me. I picked it up and began leafing through it. I did not realize that I had spent over an hour off in the corner to myself going through this book until my wife came to retrieve me.

I went out the next morning and bought a copy of the book for myself.

I had always thought Feng Shui was a complex subject and very difficult to understand. I never gave it my credence as I was under the impression that I would have to hire some bohemian woman to come into my home wearing fluffy skirts and spraying incents to get my home into balance. I was mistaken. Just from looking at the back cover of the book and seeing a picture of the Author, I realized my impressions were mistaken.

I found this book very easy to follow, written in simple terms to explain things that were out of my expertise. I enjoyed walking around my home after reading the sections and looking hard at the placement and balance of my home and thinking of ways to improve upon what I already had. I appreciated the author's perspective that I could use what I already had and enhance, altar or decrease as opposed to completely redoing.

Another plus I found with this book was the author's web page and a link to speak/e-mail directly with a professional on the subject for additional questions I had.

I will now keep this book "Back to Balance" on my coffee table for future parties at my home.

- Howard

As the owner of several Feng Shui books, I found Ms. Fretwell's book to be very informative and easy to follow. FINALLY an author who can "speak" to us that are new to Feng Shui and puts things in terms and perspectives that are easy to understand and relate to everyday experiences.

Though I was a person who didn't really "buy into" all the Feng Shui "stuff" I was willing to try some concepts. AND... They made a difference. Ms. Fretwell's easy to understand concepts allowed me to put Feng Shui principles into effect in my home and life.

My opinion... THIS is the Only Feng Shui Book to buy !

This book is well written and easy to read and understand. However, I was not thrilled with the Feng Shui solutions offered by Fretwell. For example, if you have a kitchen that is not highly functional, she suggests knocking out walls adding recessed lighting, etc. Now I understand that this is an ideal solution, however, most of her solutions cost thousands of dollars. With that said, I do not regret buying it, is is a pretty good book.

Sally Fretwell's, Feng Shui:Back to Balance, is absolutely wonderful. Her explanations of the basic principles are clear, easy to understand, and sprinkled with stories that bring them to life. The book is well organized and beautifully presented--a great example of good Feng Shui. My husband and I were so impressed with Sally's common sense approach to the topic that we asked her to consult with us on the design of our new home. To Sally, Feng Shui isn't about rules dictated by some expert, but it is about empowering us to get in touch with our own ability to sense these universal principles and gain balance,peace,abundance and joy in our lives.