Taking Stock: A Spiritual Guide to Rising Above Life's Financial Ups and Downs [Paperback]

Rabbi Benjamin Blech (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 2003

Shows readers how to move toward a lifeview in which success is defined by spiritual clarity, not by money.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Rabbi Blech, a professor at Yeshiva University in New York and author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Judaism, uses his own experience of mismanaging his money and his counseling of others to offer his insights on having a healthier attitude about money. To make his case, Blech uses not only biblical references but also thoughts from philosophers, moguls and others. His key message is the commonsense, though not original, notion that people should not equate happiness or self-worth with their bank statement: "Far too many of us have internalized this ridiculous notion by defining success in life as the ability to accumulate material possessions. That forces our self-image to constantly waver between success or failure as a human being." The book is well organized with chapters covering such topics as "Wealth or Health," "How Expensive Is a Guilt Trip," "Pessimism Is Deadly" and "Is There Life After Failure?" Each chapter includes a summary of key points, though some are quite obvious: "Money, like everything else, is good in moderation" or "Those who are wise have always known that the blessings of children, family, and love far outweigh all financial aspects of life." Readers may well find these aphorisms soothing and the book's message generally supportive. However, anyone needing practical help managing his or her money won't find specific financial advice here.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"..chock-full of anecdotes,parables and quotes- that [...] form a blueprint for getting through the states of grief." -- The New York Times

"Taking Stock is a revelatory book filled with the wisdom and practical tools.." -- MyJewishBooks Online

"Tenth generation Rabbi Benjamin Blech offers a wealth of knowledge and insight,[...]about keeping financial matters in perspective." -- The Ft.Worth Star-Telegram

Tenth-generation Rabbi Benjamin Blech offers a wealth of knowledge and insight based on his immersion [...] realistic, upbeat advice. -- Morning Star - Telegram October 27, 2003

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 17 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM (October 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814407870
• ISBN-13: 978-0814407875
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,313,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At least the crash left me enough money to buy this book ..., October 23, 2003

By 

Jack Horowitz (Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taking Stock: A Spiritual Guide to Rising Above Life's Financial Ups and Downs (Paperback)

I have to admit it -- I was one of those crazy people who clicked the "refresh" button every ten seconds to see how my stocks were doing. And they were doing great! And then, before I knew what had hit me, it was all . . . gone.

I had a really difficult time dealing with it. But I got over it. And nothing, *nothing*, helped me to do that, to get on with my life, more than this one book.

Blech writes with humor, with poignancy, and with insight. He's been there, and he takes us with him as he describes his own journey from despair back to having financial and spiritual perspective.

Buy this book. You'll be glad you did.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read: Offers a great perspective with a humorous bent, October 31, 2003

By 

Alicia Peck (New York, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Taking Stock: A Spiritual Guide to Rising Above Life's Financial Ups and Downs (Paperback)

A Must-read! I'm 32 and watched stocks of mine like Lucent go to ZERO. (So much for my savvy investing and early retirement plans.) But Taking Stock helped to give me a prespective and feel better about things. It was, in parts,very empathetic (I have to say that I felt better knowing that other people lost as much as I did...) but it was also upbeat, reflective, and really funny at times. One of the most important things is that the book encouraged me to move forward, figure out what matters, and put my energy into that...I think that it is an important read that will help put things into a healthy perspective.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LIVING LIFE WITH GUSTO AND JOY, October 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Taking Stock: A Spiritual Guide to Rising Above Life's Financial Ups and Downs (Paperback)

TAKING STOCK is one of the most enjoyable, helpful and hopeful books I have ever read! It is the true reality book. Benjamin Blech, through personal experience, wit and incredible wisdom helps us face ourselves, our desires, our weaknesses, our strengths AND brings us to the point where we not only see reality but we appreciate it and build from there with joy and alacrity and inspiration. While dealing with financial adversity, this book is truly universal in appeal. We all have our demons, our sadnesses, our struggles. He gives us the tools and perspectives we immediately recognize, like a meeting with close friends, which enable us to face deep adversity and come through it more whole, happy and ready to embrace life fully. There is also a section of stories which I found paticularly poignant. The book reads very quickly. I liked this book so much, found it so beneficial and enjoyable to read, that I am going to buy additional copies and send them to family and friends.