Customer Reviews

You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way: Making It in the Real World: A Guide for Graduates

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I see where another reviewer rated this book poorly because they didn't believe all the hyped up reviews. I think that is a completely unfair review and perhaps would be better suited as feedback to reviews as opposed to a stand-alone rating of the book.

I've got the book sitting in front of me as I type this review, and I will say that all the positive reviews are very fair representations of what this book has to offer.

I honestly believe this book is suited not only for graduates, but also for parents. It is filled with life lessons we should all take time to teach our children.

It works really well for young adults because there are quizzes in each section that allow self-reflection. I believe this makes the book very appealing for those who need it most: college graduates and high school graduates.

For people like me - middle aged with young children, I can take the lessons in this book and apply them to not only my future, but also the future of my children.

FOR EXAMPLE: Chapter four is all about dating, marriage and parenting. Parrish's goal for the chapter is to advise the reader on making good decisions on the topic. Most Americans will tell you there is a serious problem with the way our teens and young adults relate to partners when it comes to dating and marriage. With almost half of all marriages ending in divorce, we honestly do need some good life lessons on the topic. In a numbered list in the chapter, Parrish reminds the reader to remember marriage is about trust and companionship, and not to let the physical excitement we feel during dating to rule whether or not our partner is worthy of our hand in marriage.

Hopefully Parrish's words and the format of this book will encourage young adult readers to consider the ramifications of each decision they make, how to realize a dream and make it come true, and how to truly become the person they aspire to be. It's certainly filled with great advice and life lessons and I look forward to sharing this with those I care about!

If you know a recent graduate who you care about and wish a happy successful life, just give him/her this book. It will broaden their perspective beyond the academics into the real meaningful aspects of living life.

How about learning the winning human relations skills to get and succeed in that first job, or, selecting and winning the perfect mate. How about learning the value of love in every challenge of life. These are just a few of the topic areas of this wonderful book that J.R. Parrish manages to convey in a concise, readable, and practical way.

In truth, most everyone at any age can benefit from this book. I certainly did and can only wish that I could have been able to read it at a younger age.

You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way: Making it in the Real World: A Guide for Graduates is sort of a handbook/workbook all rolled up into one. Mr. Parrish writes this book ideally for high school and college age students in mind. Though adults can learn and take away things from this book

I like that it was very easy to read. Each chapter is broken out into different topics like Human Relations, Making you dreams come true, and dating, marriage and parenting are just a few of the subjects touched on in this guide. At the beginning of each chapter, Mr. Parrish explains what the objective is for that chapter. He than shares true events that happened to him. Than the subject matter is broken down into sections. Those sections explain why it is important for eye contact, listening, etc. The reader follows the steps on how to help them achieve these skills or goals.

This book is very interactive as there are quizzes throughout this book. You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way: Making it in the Real World: A Guide for Graduates would make a perfect gift for any young adult just learning how to make their own way in the real world, especially now in these times. Pick up two copies of this book today as you will want to keep one for yourself.

If your looking for the PERFECT GRADUATION GIFT regardless of gender, vocational direction or hobbies and interests, then look no further. As long as you are open to the possibilites that this book promises, there is no limit to the fruit that it's wisdom will bare the recipient. Parrish's book is a must for every household. I have applied the principles in this book to my life and continually receive the benefits that Parrish promises to those who do so. At fourty five I feel that I stand to gain as much as the recent graduate from this book. As Parrish says "Its not knowing, but doing, that is important." This is a book to sink your teeth into. By reading and then applying one principle at a time, it won't be long before you realize that the results are inevitable.

After graduating college in 2006, I quickly discovered that many of the concepts and thoeries that I learned in my classes had very little carryover to the "real world". As many of my friends have shared with me, this is somewhat shocking leaving young graduates wondering what skills they have to offer. Parrish's book has the ambitious goal of helping young people such as myself learn the intangible skills that lead to success. Many of these behaviors and attributes take a lifetime to aquire. However, by habitually using the advice in the book, the reader can benefit from the author's knowledge without losing the precious time it takes to "learn the hard way". Parrish uses a unique storytelling style that incorporates his most important lessons - both personally and professionally.

While some of the ideas can seem simplistic at times, this also proves to be the most valuable component of the book. The concepts are the fundamentals of life - tried and tested over many lifetimes with overwhelming success. Parrish's insight often sheds new light on experiences, ideas, and thoughts that everyone is sure to encounter on the journey of life.

This book is a must read for someone 20-25 years old and for anyone who has not had the benefit of having a positive role model in their life. Beyond fulfilling our basic needs, everyone deserves to benefit from the book's character building advice which will lead to self improvement for all.

With his second book on becoming a better and more complete person, JR hits it out of the park with his frank discussion and delivery. I particularly enjoyed the discussions about "Avoiding dangerous relationship mistakes", "Circumventing the typical pitfalls of adjusting to the adult world" and admired, in particular, "Choosing the right mentors". Sound advice to be taken to heart and followed so that those boomerangs we've all cast from time to time, either knowingly or otherwise, don't come back around and smack us squarely in the head. This second writing is an excellent follow-up to his outstanding first work and a must for the young adults seeking to make the most of their lives going forward.

This book is exceptional, unique and fitting to young adults in their late teens, twenties or even thirties. It is clear, practical and relevant to what each and all of us face in the "Finishing Requirements" of adapting to the real world. It is written in a fashion that allows for strong understanding and reference ability and high credibility with true, real occurrences. The Author reminds me of other great Authors such as Norman Vincent Peal and Napoleon Hill as it relates to practical applications for life's journey and challenges one faces in an attempt to manage through real time trials and tribulations. It is a credible reference source for parents trying to nudge young adults to the right direction without over influencing the individualism of the individual.
The situations presented are very real authentic , experiences we have all faced and had to deal with, and the book allows private reflection without the risk of personal embarrassment with parents on methods of using one's own capabilities to navigate with many areas in life that are often not spoken or in reality dealt with in very inadequate ways unfortunately. I for one have dealt with and extensive number of the reflections contained with the experiential categories over my own life and often found myself reflection on "I remember doing that" which all to often was a memorable but not necessarily positive Growth experience.
The method of delivery is simple, the reference ability is convenient and the sequencing is appropriate. A great graduation gift for High School Seniors, College Graduates as well as young professionals on their first or second professional experience, perhaps in their twenties or early thirties even..

Don Lavoie Ph.D.
President & CEO
Sekurus, Inc.
38790 Sky Canyon Drive
Murrieta, California 92563
work 951-834-9400
cell 310-266-8404
dlavoie@sekurus.com

This is the most clear cut "how to have a happy, successful life" ever written. Yes, it should be required for every student or young adult, but most of us who are older could have saved years or decades of frustration with this simple, step-by-step "how to" guide for a happy life. Do you want a better job? more friends? more money? less frustration? It truly is easier than we make it.

I have a senior in college who will be graduating in December. He will be entering one of the worst job markets in my lifetime and certainly the worst in his. He will be competing for a job not only against other graduating seniors but against a burgeoning supply of skilled, unemployed professionals. How can he possibly compete?

My hope is that he will not only compete but that he will shine and thrive by taking to heart many of the skills and character elements that have shaped J.R.'s life and that he shares in his book. With each generation, some of these fundamental truths seem to fade from our daily conduct and the daily conduct of those around us. In one sense, this creates a tremendous opportunity for a young reader to differentiate themselves from those who live and act more selfishly.

My son has not read the book yet but he enthusiastically agreed to start as soon as he finishes his finals. I suspect that he will connect more deeply with some parts than others. But our commitment is to spend at least 30 minutes to talk about each of the six chapters as he finishes them. I hope that much of the book will make a lasting impression and I think that I can help him with the parts that he might resist. Reading You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way was a joy for me and had an immediate impact. Of even greater importance, I am looking forward to the opportunity of spending quality time to dig deeper into the meaning with my son. Just the ability to set aside six, 30-minute conversations about his life and future is a reward in its own right!

Gave as a gift. Arrived as scheduled and without issue. Gave to a college graduate who was a non-traditional student. Had good information. Pleased with purchase!