Customer Reviews

The Teenager's Guide to the Real World

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I found this book while strolling through Barnes & Noble one day. I was 16 at the time and starting to discover that sometimes the adult world does not coincide with my wants or my needs. My parents were making me pay this dreaded thing called insurance on my car and their were expenses associated with my car I hadn't even thought about like registration, tags, inspections, and property tax. This book makes it very clear in its section on money that as a teenager, you probably cannot make it in the real world on your own. This book is straight forward and simple, telling the honest truth about the adult world. I am 18 now and am still finding real life examples of situations described in the book. I was somewhat prepared for them after reading the book, even though I didn't like them, but these experiences were in no way traumatic or heart-breaking as they would have been if I had not read the book. It is the only book teenagers must read for themselves, especially my sister, for who this book came out five years too late.

I first bought this book about 4 years ago with my daughter in mind (she is now 19). I read it first and was very impressed with the down-to-earth way the writer laid out the realities of adulthood. I grew up with four older brothers and have three kids of my own. I know from that experience that a lot of teenagers reach a point where they become obsessed by "getting out on their own" or "getting their own place". They don't think about what is realistically necessary in order to succeed on their own.

This book is written in a way that grabs your attention and serves as a wake-up call. For the previous reviewers who complained that the author did not advocate sex among teenagers, what adult in his/her right mind would do so? However, he DID NOT say it isn't an option....obviously it is. What he said was in the context of keeping yourself from making a mistake that could actually ruin....yes, ruin....the rest of your life.

His main theme seems to be that the choices you make today WILL affect you down the road, and he points out ways to make the right kind of choices.

After I read it, I shared it with my daughter. She read it cover to cover, and has referred to parts of it ever since. I then passed it on to my (then) 17-year-old stepson -- whom I don't think even cracked it open, but hey, I tried. Now I am buying it for my (now) 17-year-old stepson, who I will strongly encourage to read it.

Great book for parents and teenagers to share -- TOGETHER !

I find it amusing that some of the reviewers giving poor reviews of the book make clearly erroneous statements. For example, one reviewer mentioned the emphasis on 'material things' in the book, saying how Brain focuses exclusively on making money. But if they would have actually read the book, it would make sense that they would have noticed the chapter entitled "Material Things Will Not Bring You Happiness" (duh). Also to the person saying that he doesn't even consider teenage sex as an option, did you miss the chapter "Teenage Sex Is An Option" ? How careless can you be? Obviously these people did not read the book.
It offers many common sense things (common sense to people who have gone through them) for teenagers. I am 20 and I consider myself pretty well-versed in the world, having held many types of jobs in addition to attending college. I've been involved in taking care of the family finances, so I know many of the unknowns out there, and this book still offered me such good advice that I'd recommend it to not just teenagers, but any young adult who is just getting started in the real world.

This is the ULTIMATE guide for being a teenager!

EVERY teenager should have this book, the world would be a better place if that was so. This book has changed my life, my goals, and the way i look at things. Forget EVERY other book out there(most of which are preachy and boring), this is a hands-on practical guide for living!

Let me restate: If you are a teenager you _MUST_ have this book, i have nothing more to say, except i will personally give you a refund if you don't like it!

Thank you Marshall Brain!!

I bought this book three years ago for my (then) 12 year old daughter, and we read it together. She still pulls it out periodically to review certain chapters. I highly recommend this book for any teenager and their parents. The book is written in such a way that it keeps teens' interest; serious ideas, but written in a down-to-earth manner. This book truly will help teens to become confident, responsible adults!

I just finished reading a library copy of this to see if it would be good for my teenage son. I am extremely impressed. It's very readable, and there are many chapters filled with wisdom it took me 35 years to attain...wouldn't it be nice if my son got a head start? I don't agree with every idea in the book, (sometimes Brain strikes me as a bit too conservative) but he's written the kind of book that could get a teen's attention, hold it, and serve as a good, solid, no-nonsense guide to life--from figuring out a career to getting respect, learning humility, understanding social forms, pursuing relationships, and being effective in whatever you choose to do. I'm placing my order for a copy now.

I simply love to read books that offer success short-cuts &/or survival skills to teenagers & young adults. This is partly attributed to my strategy work with teenagers.

I stumbled on to this book by chance on the net. It has been an interesting read as I found it to be a good guide for teenagers making their transitions into adulthood. It is also fact-packed with in-depth guidance on the rules to the Game of Life.

In a nut shell, there are altogether forty five chapters, covering a broad range of subjects: Money & Insurance, Jobs & Careers, Love & Marriage, Attitudes & Values, Goals & Success, Law, Police & Lawyers, Sports, Parents, Peers & Relationships, & Life in a Fast Changing World. Let me recap the author's ending remarks in the Preface of the book: "My goal in writing this book is to help you to see how the world works so that you don't feel mystified, so that you can see that you are OK, so that you can understand what is going on around you, so that you can find your place in the world more quickly, & so that you can be more successful..."

My only adverse comment about this book is that it is too thick, too densely packed, without any form of graphical illustration, & it stretches over almost 350 pages. Worst of all, the text comes with small print. It looks exactly like a typical software manual. As a matter of fact, & to my surprise, the author is the president of a software development firm. He should have known better to incorporate a friendly 'graphical user interface' to make his book more palatable to teenagers!

Frankly, I don't think any teenager would have the patience (or attention span) to read this book, despite the fact that it is really a good book. Although there are some parts of the book I do not specifically concur with the author, they are nevertheless over-shadowed by the good stuff.

To all teenagers out there: If you want to design your life, control your destiny, understand yourself & plan a successful future, go & spend some time with this book, despite its shortcomings. It will be really worth your while.

I borrowed this book from the library, but am now back at Amazon to order a copy to give to my 16 year old daughter. I want her to read it cover to cover, and keep it as a resource always. Why? Because it contains page after page of important, logical, indispensible advice for living a full, productive, and happy life...all explained with humor, insight, and amazing clarity. Some of the reviews here criticise Mr. Brain for speaking directly against teenaged sex, or talking about the importance of money, or seeming to have conservative values. Guess what, kids? These are the very lessons that you WILL learn - either the hard way, or the smart way. Brain is just trying to give you the "smart" option, to save you some heartache and, quite likely, years of making mistakes. The book is amazingly comprehensive - helping with everything from buying a car or house to understanding the give and take of personal relationships. It's practically an "owner's manual" for someone with a bright, shiny new life who wants to take proper care of it. One note: I'm not going to hand this book to my daughter, say "read it," then walk away. We're BOTH going to read it, then I'm going to say "let's talk about it." This is an invaluable tool for parenting...not a replacement. Thank you, Marshall Brain, for this remarkable book!

I use this book as my text for my high school Teen Living classes. It says it like it is with very solid logic and reasoning. It covers just about every topic affecting teens today from money to sex. It says what most parents want to say, but coming from a book makes it more digestible for the average teen.

I am very interested in books written for teenagers. Maybe because there weren't as many life skills guides when i was a teenager ten years ago. I feel that they can be very helpful, and talk about things that can assist teenagers and adults alike.

I don't have a problem with those that have strong religious beliefs, but when it shapes the way a book is written, it carries that undertone. For example, when Marshall Brian talks about sex, he explains that it is not an option for teenagers. That is a very unrealistic view. Even if he doesn't believe its a good idea for teenagers, express that, then follow it up with... "if you decide to have sex, this is how to be safe." Whether or not he thinks they should, it will happen, and the author shouldn't be in denial about it. Another thing is, he acts as if marriage and children is the end all, be all. The point is, he only discusses one path for teenagers to follow. He never discusses gay teenagers, and they do exist, whether he wants to admit to it or not. Some people are not interested in marriage or children, and in this day and age, a lot of people stay single when they are older.

It's great how he breaks down the money situation, like how much money you need to move out and start on your own, and how to develop your talents and skills, so it can help you in the job situation later. However, sometimes, it seems that he leans toward money being everything, or the most important thing, which isn't true. There is a lot more to life than being successful in a job and making money. He never mentions having fun, building self esteem, enjoying your time being young. It's like he is presenting a life that looks good "on paper," rather than what is good for the individual.

He also talks down to the teenagers quite a bit, saying things like: "As a teenager, you are fairly naive about the real world," and "most teenagers also life in a protected dream land created by their parents." Maybe that's true for some teenagers, but I feel that in the new millenium, teenagers are more aware about what is going on arounnd them.

He is the president of a software development firm and taught computer science. He seems to make some good points and it is easy to understand. But, in the future, I think that he is better off writing books having to do with what he is best at. Not everyone can write books for teenagers. You need to provide more than one option, or at least, get to know teenagers, so you know what's important to them.