Staying Well With the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense [Hardcover]

Suzette Haden Elgin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1997

Elgin applies her revolutionary system of verbal self-defense to the issue of wellness, showing that illness often has language-related causes, and leads readers to health-promoting language behavior.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Mjf Books (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567310818
• ISBN-13: 978-1567310818
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,759,673 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very practical advice on defusing verbally abusive situation, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Staying Well With the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense (Hardcover)

I really LOVED this book. One of the things it did differently from many self-help books is provide clues to help you recognize verbal abuse. Since its mostly sneaky manipulative people are the ones verbally abusing, its not that easy to tell, which is one of the worst problems. Susan Elgin provided a many examples to show tone, verbage and other clues. Just that much alone solved a lot of my problems for me.

The next section showed different styles of defusing the verbal abuse. This is also really good because different people can more easily use different styles. In each case the interaction was carefully taken apart, so that you can get the idea behind the theory.

The last thing I really liked about the book was the acceptance of the idea that some people really are not going to cooperate on defusing. There are some people that thrive on hostility and fighting. Although I can usually bore people away with the lesser defense, her last-ditch defense is absolutely stunning.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Bad But Could Be Better, January 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Staying Well With the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense (Hardcover)

This book consists of Elgin's system of verbal behavior as a guide to better health, suggesting that mental health can affect physical health. Most of the information in here is repeated from previous Gentle Art series. Avid followers of Elgin's elegant Gentle Art system will be disappointed by the paucity of new material.

For those who have never read any of Elgin's books, starting with her earlier writings will be a better investment.

5.0 out of 5 stars Pschosomatic healing, July 27, 2007

By 

J. Golden - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Staying Well with the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense: Of Verbal Self-Defense (Paperback)

Stress-related health problems cost the US more than $150 billion per year -- more than the combined profits of ALL the Fortune 500 companies! This book consists of a system of verbal behavior as a guide to better health, suggesting that mental health can affect physical health. Overcome stress-building hostility and develop strong social support networks. Defuse tension, minimize conflicts, and increase peace of mind. Replace harmful negative thinking with healthful positive thinking. Perceive yourself as someone in control rather than as a victim. Find that your own body's natural painkillers are more effective than any pain pill could be. The author is the founder of the Ozark Enter for Language Studies. This is the 5th book she has written in the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense series.