Customer Reviews

Staying Well With the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense

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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.

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.

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.