Honoring the Self: Self-Esteem and Personal Tranformation (Mass Market Paperback)

by Nathaniel Branden (Author) "The greatest evil that can befall man is that he should come to think ill of himself," wrote Goethe..." (more)
Key Phrases: metaphysical efficacy, disowned self, likely translation, Ayn Rand, Answer Book, The Romantic Love Question (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"Tell me how a person judges his or her self-esteem," says pioneering psychologist Nathaniel Branden, "and I will tell you how that person operates at work, in love, in sex, in parenting, in every important aspect of existence--and how high he or she is likely to rise.  The reputation you have with yourself--your self-esteem--is the single most important factor for a fulfilling life."



How to grow in self-confidence and self-respect.



How to nurture self-esteem in children.



How to break free of guilt and fear of others' disapproval.



How to honor the self--the ethics of rational self-interest.

From the Publisher
"Tell me how a person judges his or her self-esteem," says pioneering psychologist Nathaniel Branden, "and I will tell you how that person operates at work, in love, in sex, in parenting, in every important aspect of existence--and how high he or she is likely to rise. The reputation you have with yourself--your self-esteem--is the single most important factor for a fulfilling life."

How to grow in self-confidence and self-respect.

How to nurture self-esteem in children.

How to break free of guilt and fear of others' disapproval.

How to honor the self--the ethics of rational self-interest.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (August 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553268147
• ISBN-13: 978-0553268140
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,581 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pinnacle in Psychology, June 18, 2001

By	J. Istre (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This is one of Branden's masterpieces. A truly profound work in his field. Branden's insights hinge on knowing ourselves. Although this somewhat Delphic oracle sounds simple, Branden develops it very well. The book delves into the way we see ourselves and seeks to get to the root of the word 'self.' When we are alone at 4:00 in the morning and no one else is around - our real, naked, self - the question of who we are and how we see ourselves can begin to be answered.

One of the most profound insights is that some of our seemingly hard-to-solve personal problems with our 'self' can be traced to an undeveloped self within our psyche such as our 'child self.' In our development as a child, for example, if we did not go though completely a natural cycle of development, or if a piece of the development is missing, that particular self may be crying to be completed within us. To get to the root of some of our problems we have to peer into these undeveloped selves and try to reconstruct why it was undeveloped and attempt to relive the event(s) to compensate for the loss in development. Sometimes it is like trying to peel away the layers of an onion - getting to the root of a psychological effect - but the effort is well worth it. I can testify from personal applications of Branden's approach.

This is very well written, rational, easy to read, and based on sound practice from Branden's clinical career.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It will change your life!, December 23, 1998

By	Holly Davis "hollydavis" (Bountiful, Utah USA) - See all my reviews

Two sections are absolutely incredible in this book-- that of "Rational Self-Interest" and "Death Anxiety". Dr. Branden uses REASON as his perfect way to convey his ideas. He is the first author in this area, that does not look at self-esteem as if it is something by itself that you "work on". Instead, he reveals what it really is, and how it comes about from REAL choices and actions; thus, it is based in reality. Dr. Branden's books are rare to me in that I read them almost continually; while other books are useful and good, I would put them on my shelf and re-read them only occassionally. I am ALWAYS reading at least one of Branden's books at any time, continually.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every human should read this book, October 20, 2003

By	"kharkle" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

I can't say enough about how reading this book changed my life.
I have read several of Branden's other books as well as his audio tapes (which I also highly recommend). Without overdoing the hyperbole, this book has been the single most important positive phenomenon in my life. I have read MANY self-help books, but none have given me more access to myself or allowed me to liberate myself more.
The writing is dense, but never overwhelming. Sometimes a single paragraph would occupy my mind for hours as 'the lights would come on'. Branden is brilliant. I have read the book 3 times over the past 2 years and have bought about a dozen copies (even in Spanish) for friends.
He has some fairly strong thoughts regarding some religions that might put some people on the defensive, but there is truth in what he says.