The Confidence Course: Seven Steps to Self-Fulfillment (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Walter Anderson is the editor of Parade, the magazine insert that appears in many U.S. Sunday newspapers; Parade's optimistic, all-American style is echoed in The Confidence Course. In addition to becoming more confident, Anderson wants to teach you how to win friends, influence people, and become an overall better person. His advice is deceptively simple: take responsibility for your behavior, do things rather than "try" to do them, act in spite of your fear, and practice tolerance of others. Anderson's confidence is catching; when he discusses how to speak in public both courageously and entertainingly, you might just forget your fears and go out and rent a lecture hall. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Anderson, the editor of Parade since 1980, is also an appointee to the National Commission of Libraries and Information Services and a board member for the Literacy Volunteers of America and the National Center for Family Literacy, generous activities that reflect one of his seven steps to self-fulfillment: "Believe in something big. Your life is worth a noble motive." Simple on the surface, profoundly resonant upon reflection, this statement exemplifies Anderson's positive, no-nonsense new book, his third, the fruit of a course on self-confidence he created and taught at the New School for Social Research in New York City. The class was a resounding success, an indication that lack of confidence is endemic and that Anderson's pragmatic program, rooted in the teachings of his friend, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, works. Anderson is blunt and to the point. "No, life is not fair," he declares. He, too, has struggled all his life against "the most painful feelings of inferiority," until he discovered that adversity can become inspiration, fear can be transformed into courage, and dreams can be realized. Wasting no time on psychobabble, Anderson offers concrete suggestions for how to learn from your mistakes, how to hold people's attention and earn respect, how to define success in a meaningful way, and how to live a full and fulfilling life. A tall order? Absolutely, but Anderson is so specific and experienced, so focused on strengths instead of weaknesses, he generates a palpable aura of reasonableness, and readers can't help but feel hopeful. Donna Seaman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (February 3, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061094536
• ISBN-13: 978-0061094538
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #484,764 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, uplifting, useful and filled with compassion, December 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Confidence Course: Seven Steps to Self-Fulfillment (Hardcover)

This book will help anyone either trying to improve their own self esteem or the self esteem of others. Walter tells a personal uplifting story then gives useful steps for ones own self fulfillment. Do yourself a favor and buy 2 copies, since as soon as you read it, you'll think of someone who needs it more than you do, and you won't want to give away your copy and its too hard to find in the book stores.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A smorgasbord of wisdom seasoned with humanity., December 3, 1997

By	Mark Goulston "Dr. Mark" (Santa Monica, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Confidence Course: Seven Steps to Self-Fulfillment (Hardcover)

Walter Anderson's book, The Confidence Course, is a smorgasbord of wisdom flavored with humility and seasoned with humanity. He doesn't talk down or at the reader, but with the reader. By baring his own neck, heart and soul; Anderson enables the reader to entrust his or her heart to the words in this kind, wise and loving book. If you allow yourself to trust in the writer's words and to suspend whatever disbelief your skepticism or cynicism uses to protect you, you will feel less alone and your spirit will be lifted. The greatest accomplishment of this book and of Walter Anderson is his becoming the loving father to the reader that Mr. Anderson never had as a child. Buy this book to help heal the wounds that hold you back in life.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars confidence course, October 31, 1999

By	renee ([e-mail]) (new zealand) - See all my reviews

well I think that this book was pretty cool. Iam only 15 and I read it and it has helped me alot personally inside. I still have trouble not being ever so shy around people but I just tell myself Iam just as good as them if better. Also I have found myself to be noticing how to deal and take responibilites for my own actions and apoligize etc when I know its right. I recommend this book to anyone that needs confidence or self esteem.