Why Is Everyone So Cranky: The Ten Trends Complicating Our Lives and What We Can Do About Them [Paperback]

C. Leslie Charles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 20, 2001

Now available in paperback -- "If you have a life full of hurry or worry, this book is for you! Why Is Everyone So Cranky? will liberate you while it entertains and informs you." --Mary LoVerde, author of Stop Screaming at the Microwave

With unprovoked violence and angry outbursts on our roadways, airways, sports fields, stores, and other venues, we're witnessing the rise of contentiousness in our culture. Despite the booming economy, crankiness has infiltrated our homes, workplaces, and society. From USA Today to the Washington Post, Newark Star-Ledger, LA Times, and more, Leslie Charles has received critical acclaim for her intriguing explanation of why rage has become all the rage in our culture. You've noticed the symptoms of the Anger Epidemic: have you been infected by it? This book outlines the 10 social trends complicating our lives, corrupting our relationships and workplaces, and how to constructively address these issues.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A motivational speaker and workplace consultant, Charles confronts the problem of increasing incivility, which she calls "cultural crankiness." Although she ambitiously seeks to advise readers on everything from relationships and parenting to the challenge of adapting to technology and new business strategies, her self-help book is best appreciated in small doses. Drawing her lessons from the simplicity movement and other popular trends, such as the defining of one's life "mission," she identifies 10 main sources of stress: time constraints, communication overload, emotional distance, money concerns, competition, customer contact, technology, change, aging and the complexity of life. In a "Cranky Quiz" for each trend, Charles lays outAand sometimes stretches outAits components. For example, the quiz on "communications overload" addresses 10 separate problem areas, several of which involve watching TV (e.g., watching talk shows vs. political talk shows vs. commercials, etc.). In what amounts to information overload, Charles goes on to offer "anti-crankiness alternatives" for each sub-item. Suggestions that might be practical, straightforward or entertaining often get lost in the onslaught. Charles's style is relentlessly energetic and colloquial, though weighed down by gimmicky language. The reader may be able to mine some entertaining and useful ideas from individual chapters, but the effect of the whole can make one, well, cranky. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

". . . Leslie Charles shows us that we don't have to participate in the mad rush all around us." -- Richard Carlson, Ph.D., author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

"This book will help many to live more rewarding lives, accepting their flaws, and turning them into positive attitudes . . ." -- Harold Bloomfield, M.D., author of Healing Anxiety Naturally

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; Reprint edition (June 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786884436
• ISBN-13: 978-0786884438
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,073,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now We Know Why Everyone Is So Cranky!, January 30, 2000

By 

Marilynn T. Mobley - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why is Everyone So Cranky?: The Ten Trends Complicating Our Lives and What We Can Do About Them (Hardcover)

We've all asked the question, "Why is everyone so cranky?" countless times but C. Leslie Charles is the first person I know who has actually attempted to answer the question. And boy, does she answer it! She not only shares the 10 trends that are making us cranky, but she offers constructive solutions that can be applied by us all, no matter what our state of crankiness is. She has a way of getting inside our minds, but better yet, she gets inside our hearts and reminds us that nobody has to be cranky. We choose our attitudes and reactions. This is a well-written, at times entertaining, book that makes you think, laugh at yourself, and resolve to do better. Just reading this book will make you want to work harder at being less cranky. Thank you for holding the mirror up to us, Leslie!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Cure for the Crankies, November 28, 1999

By 

"perfectclient" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why is Everyone So Cranky?: The Ten Trends Complicating Our Lives and What We Can Do About Them (Hardcover)

Leslie Charles provides us with a wonderfully witty approach to dealing honestly with the increasing crankiness that each of us encounters and produces on a daily basis.

She provides a frank assessment of the current level of stress existing in the world and also practical and positive steps for improving the situation.

More than just theories, I deeply appreciate the fact that Charles has actually used these steps to improve her own life. If she was able to overcome so many obstacles, I know that there is hope for all of us to do so by following her advice.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to make a difference in the world.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prescription for Rage Relief!, December 8, 1999

By 

Energy Lady (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why is Everyone So Cranky?: The Ten Trends Complicating Our Lives and What We Can Do About Them (Hardcover)

This book accomplishes two great things. First, with all its questions and quizzes, it helps you wake up and see exactly what is bugging you/making you cranky. Second, and probably more important, it shows you how to create a life prescription that not only takes care of a lot of the stressful stuff, but sets you on a better path towards personal peace.