How Could You Do That?!: The Abdication of Character, Courage, and Conscience [Paperback]

Laura C. Schlessinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 1997

How Could You Do That?! illustrates Dr. Laura Schlessinger's philosophy of personal responsibility through her usually provocative but always stimulating moral dialogues with callers about everyday ethical dilemmas.

In her lively pull-no-punches style, Dr. Laura takes on the moral dilemmas of our time: from the mindless pursuit of pleasure and immediate gratification to taking the easy way out when those actions produce ugly or uncomfortable life-altering consequences. She demonstrates in no uncertain terms that personal values are never someone else's reponsibility but your own, and why choosing not to honor them actually compounds unhappiness. Finally she explains that by disciplining self-indulgence and rising above temptation we can discover the infinite pleasures, the true happiness, of the moral high ground.

Dr. Laura delivers not only a compelling argument for an ethical approach to life but also an invaluable inspiration to rebuilding character, conscience, and courage. Here is a work that can make a genuine difference in the quality of your own life and the lives of those we love.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Laura Schlessinger takes the quotation marks off the phrase "bad behavior," and makes an impassioned argument against the self-indulgent subjective morality rampant in our society. Following her previous New York Times bestseller, 10 Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives, Dr. Laura Schlessinger -- the internationally syndicated radio superhost who reaches 15 million listeners per week -- argues effectively that doing good leads to feeling great. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

While not a physician or psychologist, Dr. Laura, as she is popularly known, is a favorite self-help guru. Her first book, Ten Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Their Lives, was a best seller. Dr. Laura appears here as she appears on her popular radio show. She's tough, she's judgmental, and she's very right wing. Dr. Laura's premise is that character, courage, and conscience should be incorporated into our everyday living and decisions. With conversations from her radio show as the backdrop and biblical references throughout, she shows how this can be done. The problems are varied, and readers will surely find something they can relate to. Given the popularity of Dr. Laura's first book, this book will be in demand in most public libraries, especially in those markets where her radio show is aired. Larger libraries should consider multiple copies.?Priscilla Davis Dann, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L., South Euclid, Ohio
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial; First Edition edition (March 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060928069
• ISBN-13: 978-0060928063
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Laura Schlessinger received her Ph.D. in physiology from Columbia University and holds a post-doctoral certification from the University of Southern California and licensing in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is the author of nine New York Times bestsellers, including THE PROPER CARE AND FEEDING OF MARRIAGE. Her award-winning radio program is internationally syndicated by her Take On The Day company. It's broadcast every day on more than 250 stations, XM Satellite Radio, and the Armed Forces Network, and is stream-linked and podcast on www.drlaura.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I have ever read., November 23, 1999

By 

Nadine (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Could You Do That?!: The Abdication of Character, Courage, and Conscience (Paperback)

I've read more books in my 23 years than most have in their entire life and I have to say that this is the most amazing, on point book I have ever read. If anyone can say anything negative about this book I would be shocked. She basically simplifies and breaks down life. The advice she has given in the book and on her show is advice that is right on point. We know what what is right and wrong yet we usually choose what is easiest, often suffering in the long run. If people were to live their lives with honesty and integrity, the world would be an easier place. If you've read this book and was offended, chances are you've been in the same situation as some of the examples in the book and don't want to admit that you were wrong. I think that the guidelines set in this book should be taught to every child and adult on the planet.

41 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Preaching about values from a Psychoanylist? About time!, February 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How Could You do That?! The Abdication of Character, Courage, Conscience (Audio Cassette)

Having only heard Dr. Laura's radio show a couple of times I was reluctant to try this book. I thought she treated her callers rather rough. Now I know why. She is trying to use the minimal amount of time she has to help the caller view the situation from a position few think of, that of right and wrong.

This was a fun book to listen to (I had the unabridged book on tape). Yes, fun. The reader started sounding just like Dr. Laura and was most interesting. I had the impression I was listening to Dr. Laura herself dictate the book. Her examples from people who had called or written her were interesting and helped clarify her positions.

Dr. Schlessinger made a powerful plea for using character, consience and courage in our life decisions. I have always believed in good and evil, right and wrong. This book helped me understand why good and right are the best way from what almost seems like a purely practical standpoint. Hearing this subject from the religious pulpit is fine, but it is about time we started hearing about it from other sources as well. Thank you Dr. Laura.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You are what you do-first do good then feel good, November 25, 2005

By 

R. J. Claster "rjclaster" (Van Nuys, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Could You Do That?! The Abdication of Character, Courage, and Conscience (Hardcover)

There is really no such thing as unconditional self-acceptance. Those who say so are promulgating a pernicious falsehood. One must first live a decent, honorable and productive life. Only then do you get to feel good about yourself. Seeking to heedlessly gratify your desires or impulses of the moment to do things (or fail to do things) your conscience knows to be contrary to your standards of right, worthy and virtuous behavior is, in a mental, emotional and spiritual sense, akin to spending capital that you have not earned, and therefore will eventually cause you to feel very negatively not just about your behavior but also about who and what you are (except, perhaps, for sociopaths). You cannot have your cake and eat it too. The longer, for better or worse, you behave in certain ways, the more it comes to define you, not only to others but also to yourself. Thank you, Dr. Laura, for helping me to learn this lesson of life.