Customer Reviews

Who's Pulling Your Strings?: How to Break the Cycle of Manipulation and Regain Control of Your Life

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a must read if you've been in any sort of manipulative relationship weather it be romantic, friendships, or family related. Not only are the hints helpful in recognizing WHEN you're being manipulated, but it provides the tools necessary to combat manipulative situations. Every aspect of this book applied in my life somewhere and in multiple areas such as work, home, love, family, and friends. A MUST read for everyone as we've all been prey to manipulators at one time or another.

On an alternate note, there are also scenarios in this book that might make you think of a time or times that you have manipulated others. It's helpful to have these pointed out and be conscious of your own manipulative tactics even if you weren't aware of them previously.

Dr.Braiker made understanding "manipulation" easy. Kudos to a book well written. Searching for books to learn what manipulation IS is hard to come by. Sometimes in our fast paced world we are so caught up that the art of manipulation can cause denial even to "seemingly" intellegent people. My work environnment was so covertly manipulated by its owner that I preferred to look the other way, due to building a company, rather than force myself into realizing how detrimental my environnment was. Peoples live have been ruined. Whether your in a bad relationship on a personal or professional level Dr. Braiker will defintely help you understand, and ultimately help you gain Your-Self back.

This book is eye-opening. It takes two to tango. If a person is manipulating you, unfortunately it's your fault. You have many exposed buttons other people are pushing. So become a hard target to attack, buy this book.

Although I purchased this book in order to better cope with the inevitable interactions with my daughter's father, I discovered much more. Those little problems I was having at work...I was convinced that my high stress levels (with said ex) where causing me to forget things become easily confused & constantly find myself with too much work to do.
She was a stealth manipulator hiding behind a sweet, pious facade. I brought some of these indications to my boss's attention & we instantly realized that we, both were her victims!!
To be able to spot 'em a mile away: An invaluable skill.

I have been manipulated by people close to me and this is helping me see. It ticks me off that I allowed folks to control me by influencing me to settle for less than what I want in exchange for what they want for me. Who's life is this?..Who has it been?...Whom will it be should be no question.

One more thing! The book names the some of the types of people who control and manipulate. I took initiative by reading and rereading the DSM-IV codes 301.2X to 301.9Z. OMG I think I know some of these people. What scares me about learning this is applying what I read to folks I know. Whoa!

I am a therapist and I learned a lot. Especially instructive was the section on the zero-sum game about how manipulators think about their own behavior (play or be played) and how they think about their victims (stupid, deserve what they got). Understanding this alone helps me help others to not be a target. There is a section on how to handle the manipulators in your life and another on making yourself a less likely target. Well written. Helpful. I have recommended it to many clients, friends, and family.

I am a psychology major in college with a long list of people who have been "Pulling My Strings," including the current relationship I am in. This book has opened my eyes, not only to my intimate relationship, but with my teenager, family members, and co-workers that have and do manipulate me and others. The book describes many people with certain personality traits who are "targets" for manipulators, and how to change YOUR behaviors to cut the strings. The methods introduced in this book will also help you, as it has me, to stop the manipulator and manipulation STOP dead in his or her tracks!

I've recommended and lent this book to so many people. I have read it myself many times. I love that it's so easy to read and EXTREMELY practical. It has several quizzes and questionnaires in there that can help someone see their need to make changes. It offers understanding of the process of manipulation - why and how it works and how to overcome living under manipulation. It offers support for the fear that comes with setting boundaries with manipulators. I can't think of anything good that the book left out - it seemed to me it has everything someone would need to know on the topic to understand and "regain control of your life."