Angry All the Time: An Emergency Guide to Anger Control (Paperback)

~ Ron Potter-Efron (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Very angry people live in a trap. They use their mouths like fists. They lose control. Things are said, damage is done that later creates deep regret. Friends, lovers, jobs are lost. And it just keeps happening, regardless of the regret, the damage, the things lost.

Angry All the Time has real help and real answers.

An angry person can make immediate changes by learning to: · Identify the causes of anger
· Stop making excuses and stop blaming
· Follow the 8 steps of anger management
· Stay calm for 24 hours, and then for another 24 hours
· Avoid violence and threats
· Change anger provoking thoughts
· Deal with old resentments
· Ask for what you want without anger

This book can change the life of the angry person, and the lives of those around him or her. Also recommended for therapists who want to offer practical help to angry clients.

From the Publisher

A major update of a best-selling classic, this book teaches readers to understand and manage episodes of uncontrolled anger. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879237970
• ISBN-13: 978-1879237971
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #511,562 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

130 of 130 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Straight Shooter, April 26, 2000

By A Customer

This book is great for those of us who don't exactly have a normal relationship with anger. I should know. I am a recovering angry person who teaches (ironically) anger management. Potter-Efron's got our number, and he ain't gonna let us BS our way out of accepting responsibility for the havoc we've created in our lives.

I read a lot of books about anger, and this one is probably my favorite so far. So many books about anger spend a lot of time describing the problem and current theories behind the nature of anger, etc., but very little time talking about solutions. Potter-Efron spends at least half the book giving clear, concrete things a person can do to begin to bring anger under control.

Also, so many books about anger focus on people who tend to stuff anger. Who have a hard time getting in touch with and expressing anger. While that is a legitimate problem for many, this book focuses on exactly the opposite phenomenon. People who spew anger from all orifices with minimal (or no) provocation. It's just what I was looking for.

Potter-Efron uses a great deal of humor to illustrate points and to provide perspective. He even interjects the angry person's rebuttal for almost everything he says. And he's dead-on with these rebuttals. You'll find yourself wanting to dispute a point he just made, only to turn the page and read the very thoughts you were just thinking. And he tells you why these thoughts will only lead you to more or continued anger. Like I said. No BS allowed. Be advised, though, that if you are an angry person reading this book because somebody else told you to, or for any reason other than that YOU know that YOUR anger is out of control, this book will probably piss you off real bad. You might not even finish reading it. Sadly enough, you're the very one who needs it most.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lot of People Could Read this Book, October 25, 1998

By A Customer

I saw this book next to another book by the same author and felt compelled to look at it more closely. The introduction that I read was clear and concise. The author gave me the impression he wasn't going to take any *#$# from anyone who had the courage to admit they have a serious anger problem. I liked that. It was enough for me to buy it -- not because I'm an angry person, i.e., someone who is "angry all the time" (e.g., a rageaholic), but because it provided unusually clear guidelines for getting to the sources of anger and doing something about them. I know what's it like to experience anger (some don't). Sometimes it feels good, but other times it feels like &$#*. Sometimes it lingers, but other times, it stays with me longer than I would like. I was curious to see where I stood with respect to someone who is "angry all the time". This remarkable (and strangely humorous) book is divided into two parts: understanding anger and taking action to deal with it -- not to eliminate it from your life -- but to control it and use it well. I must admit, I like that concept of using your anger well. Everyone within reason (and I do mean everyone) could learn to use their anger well AND be consciously aware of what that means (I would also strongly recommend Letting Go of Anger by Pat and Ron Potter-Efron). This book, Angry All The Time, could be read by a lot of people. You might feel that you are habitually sneaky with your anger or feel unduly paranoid about the world. You might feel that you frequently get angry for no apparent reason or get angry a lot because you feel ashamed. You might feel that you become deliberately angry to always get your way or enjoy the rush of pleasure that comes with raging at the top of your lungs. You might feel a chronic need to exercise your righteous indignation or vent your feelings of hatred on a regular basis. As a result, you may feel like you're losing control of your life. If so, this book can help you. The author will give you intensely practical advice on how to deal with that anger. He is caring, but firm. Give him a chance. Listen to his words. And take action, now. You may, on the other hand, know someone who is "angry all the time". If so, take heart. There is a chapter in this book for you, too, and the rest of the book sheds light on the question of motives and goals of anger. And if you work with people who are, or seem to be, "angry all the time", this book will tell you about the anger and violence ladder and the six main reasons why people stay angry. Of course, you may just be curious about why people get "angry all the time" and want to know more about it as a student of human nature, as an observer of the human condition. Whatever. The first part of the introduction makes it clear that the book is intended primarily for those of you who have the awareness to admit that you have a serious anger problem. Here's a sneak preview, in the author's own words: "This is not a nice book. It's not supposed to make you feel better. In fact, after you read it you might feel worse for a while -- until you start doing things a whole lot smarter. Face it. If you're reading this book, you probably have a serious anger problem with anger or violence or both. You get angry over ridiculous things. You say and do stuff you later regret, and then you do the same crap all over again. You've lost friends, lovers, jobs, and maybe your freedom because you can't control your temper. If you haven't lost much yet, you will soon, unless you learn how to do things differently." Enough said.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for anyone, February 1, 2000

By	Sean Knight (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

I can say this book is for everyone. Whether your a rageaholic; partner, family member, co-worker or friend of an angry person; or someone who occassionly gets angry, this is a wonderful book to read. Mr. Potter-Effron explains with no holds barred. Since reading this book five days ago, I found my behavior and attitude has changed in a positive direction which is snowballing in a good way. I know now that anger was never a good part of my life and is something I can change. For rageaholics like myself, I do recommend also using the support of your friends, family AND a professional therapist or counselor to continue your progress towards an angry free life.