How to Raise Your Self-Esteem: The Proven Action-Oriented Approach to Greater Self-Respect and Self-Confidence (Mass Market Paperback)

by Nathaniel Branden (Author) "How we feel about ourselves crucially affects virtually every aspect of our experience, from the way we function at work, in love, in sex, to..." (more)
Key Phrases: ten endings

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Branden, psychotherapist and specialist in the field of self-esteem psychology, here offers a "how-to" follow-up to his popular Honoring The Self (Tarcher, 1984) that gives a detailed account of the importance of self-acceptance in human existence. Intended for use without the aid of a psychotherapist, Branden's book shows that there are many paths to self-esteem, as exemplified by accounts culled from his own private-practice files. A series of progressive self-exploration exercises gives us most of the ingredients necessary to reverse completely our negative self-assessments. Among them, living consciously, without guilt, and with authenticity receive top billing. Recommended for general as well as professional psychology collections.Robert L. Jaquay, William K. Sanford Town Lib., Loudonville, N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Comforting and optimistic, this important self-help book is filled with step-by-step techniques for developing and strengthening feelings of self-worth. Shows readers how they can raise self-confidence, self-esteem, and commit themselves to happier, healthier lives. First time in mass market.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (October 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553266462
• ISBN-13: 978-0553266467
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,211 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

149 of 160 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A word of Advice, October 27, 2001

By A Customer

This one is certainly the best self-help book that I've encountered in my search for help. I've read some of the supportive reviews, and I agree with the praises. This book has been helpful for me, and I did manage to raise my self-esteem quite a bit, hence the 5 stars. However, instead of doing some more praising, I thought a word of advice is in place for those considering buying this book. I'm writing this for people who seek self-help books because they feel like they really NEED help.

In seeking help of the kind this book is offering, it's helpful to understand the limitations of self-help books in general. If you can afford therapy, then I strongly recommend that you seek therapy. An interesting question for you to ask yourself might be - if I need help, why must it be SELF-help? If the answer isn't money, I'd advise you to rethink it.

I've worked with this great book for over a year, and I have been to therapy for several months. My impression is that there are improvements that are MUCH HARDER to achieve on your own. I think some of the reasons for me were:

- As I worked on my own, my defense mechanisms were trying to make it easy for me, by dealing with problems that were relatively easy for me to deal with. For instance, it was easier for me to deal with my problems in my relashionships with my friends, so I avoided my relashionships with members of my family. Naturally, the latter have significantly more effect on me.
- A self-help book tries to help as many people as possible, therefore describing many different problems that people have. Another defense mechanism would make me adopt problems which I don't have, as it is much easier to deal with problems that you do not have. A therapist can help you filter these out.
- Finally, any amount of words written in a book could not have the effect for me of the nurturing relationship with a human being, that seems empathetic to my problems, is dedicated, and accompanies me on this very difficult, painful and frightening quest for happiness.

If you do decide to buy this book, be prepared for a long rewarding journey, with ups and downs, pain, anger and tough decisions to make.

The two things I liked most about this book: First, it helped me feel good enough about myself to be able to seek help, to share my problems with a therapist, and gave me hope (by proving it) that good may come out of it. The second, it is honest. As opposed to the many "Suddenly it's all so simple and easy..." self-help books, it prepares you for hard work, and does not pretend to have some voodoo technique of helping you. Thanks

52 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another self-help book, December 8, 2000

By	Dave O'Hearn (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews

I read this book because I was interested in Branden's psychology, not to change my life, so I can't attest to that aspect of it. The other reviews have mentioned that the book brought positive results, but with so many self-help books on the market, why choose this one? I recommend it, because Branden is the foremost psychologist on self-esteem. His more in-depth work, _The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem_ is a classic. In his years of professional experience, he has helped everyone from clients seeking therapy to businessmen at seminars. When Branden says self-esteem, he means the real thing, having real things in yourself to be proud of, not a false, inflated image that can burst like a bubble. For a classic and brilliant analysis of self-esteem, along with ways to raise it, I recommend his other work I mentioned above. This one is more of a self-help book, and if that's what you're looking for, I can't recommend it more highly.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the few classics of psychology, February 10, 1998

By A Customer

Before reading this book and doing the excercises, I was a mess. I had severe depression and didn't have a job. I couldn't cope with people and their abuse. My self esteem was so low, that I could't return something to the store that I didn't like. I tried seeing psychologists but my parents could't afford their bills. Then I found this book and started working about 10 minutes a day on the excercises. I felt stronger and increased the work load to 6 to 8 hours a day. I pulled myself out of the depression and feel very strong and confident. Thank you so much Dr. Branden for writing this book.