Customer Reviews

The Story of You: (And How to Create a New One)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stephen Chandler may or may not be among America's most beloved public speakers and authors, but he's one of the most effective. This book, like all the others of his I have read, is pithy, funny, and direct. But it also has the potential to be life changing.

Yeah, yeah, well every motivational book has the "potential" to be life-changing. Heck, a chance encounter with a bore on an airplane has that "potential" as well. What's so special about this one?

Several things. First, Steve is an autobiographical writer, and, having a biography that has forced him to rethink his direction on many occasions, he is without pretense or phoniness. The tales where he helped someone and the tales where someone helped him are spread thoughout the book, with neither gloating nor self-flagellation. Which is a necessary, but not sufficient, pre-requisite.

But his clear-thinking shines through. I really believe that the great ideas can be reduced to a few words. They're not new. But they need to be restated in new ways sometimes. Why is a Tiger Woods or a Stephen King so wildly successful in their chosen fields? A certain natural talent is undoubtedly helpful. I will never break par on the golf course. But though I envy those who are within 10 pounds of their ideal weight, I do nothing but envy. Why? Because I choose not to. Because I tell myself stories about how it's not my fault (egged on by publishers, diet folks, and daytime television magnates who get rich off my inertia and victimitis.) The stories I choose to tell myself about myself are just that, stories. They are not divinely inspired, though it is comforting to think they are sometimes. I can't finish my book because I don't have time. Too busy, rush, rush, oh, aren't we all, you know how it is, blahblah. Well, phooey! Tolstoy wrote War and Peace by hand about 7 times. I don't have time to sit at my computer and type??? I don't because I allow my lazy/busy stories to crush the "I am a writer" story.

Truly want to change? Let Steve guide you. Want comforting platitudes about how you're too busy or your body structure or your childhood or ...well, try elsewhere.

I know that Steve Chandler does not really think of himself as a motivational speaker. He is however, a motivational thinker. He has woken up my sleepwalking neurons again, with his latest effort, "The Story of you".
The story of you, yet again, proves his ablity to capture a thought and present it with tremendous clarity. In this case, how people trap themselves in their existances through the fables and fabrications they believe about themselves. He shows the reader how to invent the new, clear, vibrant, Story of you, in a way that is concise, and easy to follow.
If you liked Chandlers' "Seventeen Lies", you will love "The Story of You". My only complaint about this book, is really about myself. I read the entire book at one sitting, so the joy of new discovery must wait, until I reread this book(which I shall), or Steve Chandler writes another book.
All in all, a fabulous read!

From all directions, three related products hit me upside the head. Each of the products, Chandler's excellent book, Debbie Ford's excellent audio The Answers are Within You: Unveiling Life's Greatest Spiritual Secrets in the Shadow of Your Soul and Joe Caruso's excellent audio The Principles of Authentic Power (best audio I have ever purchased) all deal with concept that we are very much a product of the stories we tell ourselves. After three whacks upside the head, I think I got it. :) I hit the trifecta, or should I say the trifecta hit me.

Steve Chandler has written another engaging book. The author is an excellent story teller, weaving in short stories about himself (occasionally) and others to make his points more forcibly. Having read others of his books, I believe this to be his best yet with more consistent adherence to a theme.

I wanted to give the book a five star rating because of its impact on me. I am sure that if I heard this highly regarded speaker talk on this subject it would be a five star speech. But, I agree with other reviewers who suggest that some more polishing would have made this a true five star (ironic in that the author tells of his advice to other authors to polish, polish, polish).

I am just going to hold my five star rating for his best book yet, one that is undoubtedly on its way given Chandler's observations about his own journey. I truly admire what Chandler is doing with his own life and that of others with his superb storytelling.

For readers who have not yet absorbed the power of the stories we tell ourselves (and others), may I suggest getting the message from one of the trifecta. Three authors with different styles of communicating, all making a point we need to understand if we want to achieve a higher level of personal performance. Not everybody will need three whacks upside the head, like I did, to fully absorb the message.

This book explores the relationship between our successes and failures, whether real or perceived, based on the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. Very interesting book and worth the read.

I came upon this audio book by accident, having no prior exposure to Steve Chandler or his previous work. All I can say is "Wow!" The wisdom contained in this book is beyond words. It is the kind of collection of experience and wisdom that makes you want to share it with as many people as possible. I immediately wanted my family members to hear it, as I knew they too would somehow connect to Mr. Chandler's "stories."

His use of empowering quotes, personal anecdotes, and lifetime experiences with friends, family members, and clients is carefully woven into a story of its own--a lifeline for me at this particular moment in my life.

Such a book in either print or audio form, is calling out to be shared with others! It could be used as a part of a motivational training session in almost any work environment you could think of; it could be used as a "book club" book, because each section and/or CD is just begging to be shared, discussed, and analyzed.

As a result of this book, I have been able myself to re-connect with people who are a part of my past "story" and who will continue to be a part of my new, future "story."

This book is one you won't be able to stop reading or listening to--believe me, if you have it in audio form, it will make those long commutes to/from work worth every minute. You may even take a detour just to keep listening.

Some books have the propensity to change your life and how you live it. This is one of those books. A great gift to give yourself and others!

Fantastic stories and practical examples that will make you think and give you a lift. More than just a motivational self-help book, it will help you see deeper into your perceptions about your past and how they affect your global thinking. Chandler rocks because he is very cool and very smart.
Highly recommend any of his books to anyone.

I have read most of Steve Chandler's books. Primarily, every single one of them makes me laugh.
He has this dark sense of humor which pemiates through out the book along with great quotes and lessons.
Business or motivational books doesn't have to be all that serious to come across its messages.
I also like the fact that he doesn't have this big ego which you find quite often in many authors, that's why it's more inspirational.

This book is insightful in a very basic way. It is easy to understand and for those who are honestly looking to improve their attitude towards life this book will make you see things more clearly. If you do the work and make some changes it will bring joy.

Fantastic book! Unique and compelling insights and powerful and practical advice.

His CDs are equally inspirational.

Steve Chandler conveys a deep message about who we have chosen to be and how to break free from our self imposed chains of personality. He is honest, and reveals his past failures as all part of the human experience. Candid, fresh, entertaining, simple, practical, and insightful .. I read this book underlining much of it, then read it outloud to my college daughter who loved it as much as I.