tell people about the books that have changed my perspective

As the weeks go by since I finished this book, I realize more and more how much of an effect it has had on my world view. I have a new perspective on so many issues with the basic knowledge of socoiopathy and it’s frequency.

I’m still reeling in near disbelief at the concept that 4% of people feel neither guilt or love.

My views on the our criminal justice system are the most affected. My opinions on this topic are in a state of flux. With each news story or crime drama I see the prospect of a sociopathic criminal is my first thought and shapes my perspective of the whole situation.

Also my view of religion is changed, as I now understand the argument we hear so often regarding the need for the fear of God to keep folks in line. Previously I’d thought our own conscious should be enough to keep us all doing the right thing, with this knowledge that some people have no conscious it makes more sense. Of course, now I suspect everyone who makes the claim of being a sociopath themselves and my respect and trust of the person plunges!

Due to the fear that this book has instilled in me, I’m not certain that this is a welcome change in my perspective. However it is undoubtedly a change that I won’t be able to shake.

Seriously good read.

I vaguely knew or had ideas about most of the content of the book. But so much was startling and though provoking. Also, I just saw the film “King Corn” which is similar to the first part of Omnivore’s Dilemma. Its worth watching.

Not a book, but a magazine. The best mag I’ve ever read. Supremely educational and entertaing. On recent plane trips I read two issues cover to cover, not a single article that I didn’t get something from. No temptation to skip anything. Love it.

This weekend I leant my copy of Smart Women Finish Rich to my cousin. And last weekend I leant A Handmaid’s Tale to my sister. I really hope they get as much out of them as I did.

I think I’m doing pretty well on this goal. I recomend these two books to people all the time. So far I haven’t ever recomended Deborah Low’s book to anyone I know in person. I don’t know why, but I’m kind of embarassed to admit that I read weight loss/self help books. But I have recomeneded it lots of times on some of the nutrition and weight loss forums that I frequent.

The Handmaid’s Tale gave me nightmares.

The story is that of a world in the not-so-distant future after some kind of major catastrophe (nuclear war?) has wiped out much of the population. Extreme fundamentalists have control of the government and women’s rights have been dwindled down to nothing. In this reality, women are baby making machines and not much else.

The scary thing is comparing this to some of the ideas being tossed around by people in power today.

This book taught me the basics of saving and reducing debt. It goes into types of investments, savings for retirement, financial goal setting and tips to reduce debt and spending.

I don’t think I would have paid of my credit cards by now or be a homeowner if I hadn’t taken this advice to heart. I feel much more informed for reading this book and often return back to it when I need more information.

I leant it to a male friend of mine and he got all huffy about women needing our own book. Isn’t that sexist? No, the information in the book works for people of any sex, but its geared toward women becuase in a lot of ways, women and men have different financial needs and most of the articles and books out there are geared towards men. Those other books might not be called “Investing for Males” but thats what they really are.

• In earlier generations, it was common for men to control household money. This is still common, especially in families where men make a much larger chunk of the income. Women in these situations are left helpless in the event of a death or divorce.
• On average, women make less money than men in the same positions, therefore have to save differently.
• On average, women work fewer years than men because many take time off for childcare. If a women takes say 2 years off work over the course of her career that can have a huge impact on the amount of money she puts into her retirement accounts, not to mention limits her chance for promotion and pay increases.
• Women live longer than men, therefore need more money for retirement and can’t be left helpless when their partner dies, taking all the knowledge of where the family’s money is invested with him to the grave.
• Women are more often tasked with teaching the value of money to thier children.

This book helped me with some of my body image issues. It is a self-help type book stressing intrinsic motivations for staying fit.

What I really came away with is a new attitude that has stuck with me for many months now. I now understand that my ideal weight is where I land when I treat my body ideally.

I want to be fit and healthy, so I should act fit and healthy and do healthy things. Sounds simplistic, but its a powerful revalation.

I try to recommend this book to as many people as I can. I want to continue to spread the word to anyone struggling with their body. I think there are jewels of insight here for those with eating disorders and those who just want to get into a healthier body.