A Guide to Rational Living

I originally came to this book through a link from Chris Flannery's blog [...] and following this up through a number of Ellis's typically straight-talking interviews uploaded to youtube.According to Ellis much of the troubles people encounter in their lives revolve around the innate irrationality of humans and and suffering caused by our own misunderstandings and misinterpretations of ourselves, the world, and social relations.By taking a rational stance against these; acknowledging the innate worth of the individual, and challenging our perceptions of feeling desperate of of being helpless in the face of challenges, but seeing them as merely inconveniences, that can be worked through by a process of logic and enlightened rationalism.Melding the humanism of Rogers, with the rationalism of Skinner, this is certainly an interesting and thought provoking book: Ellis's approach firstly championing the idea of gentle self regard, before working from the inside out in creating a sensible relationship with ourselves, with others and the world.

While this book is set out in subject based chapters, which is helpful, all the key information is found within case studies which are written up within them, I feel that this does limit the scope of this book, as each chapter is tied to that specific case study. I found that the key 'advice' or 'explanation' was only brief and therefore it was more like reading a text book and hunting for theories, with a highlighter pen! Nevertheless the book is accessible and helpful, it's just that a great deal of superfluous 'case study' information is also included.

A classic book that has been hugely influential since its first release. As the author states you may not be able to use the ideas on your own to make large changes and I believe most would do well to work with a qualified professional as well. That is not to say you should not get it! I would certainly suggest getting it to learn about the ideas. It gives a very clear direction out of destructive thinking.

In good condition - took a little while to arrive from the States. Very homey almost slangy 70s style can be a bit difficult to digest but its the daddy of all our modern self help tomes with the difference that this one is based on actual research by qualified and experienced doctors.

Loved the way it is written, no nonsense approach, way to understand

Interesting book, first published in 1961 and updated to ensure that the advice is current for today. Lots of case studies to illustrate the methods of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy.

read this book after my therapy finished,a guide to rational living,great read,im back on track and fully understand the content of the book,reading this has helped me so much,to change the way l deal with certain situtations.life is good again thanks to the wellbeing centre l was referred too

Not the lighest read but it does contain sound principles. Arrived on time with a different cover, a couple with super funny hair dos. Will be reading it again, the condition was exactly as described

I had never heard of REBT but I came across its concepts in a psych article and thought it was enlightening: The idea that the key to improvement isn't to be more positive, but rather to be more RATIONAL, and more broadly that by controlling our beliefs we can alter our moods. This basic premise is brilliant and at the time of the original publishing date, it was revolutionary and controversial.In fact, the first 5 chapters (which you can arguably skip) go into the science behind this theory and takes a lot of time to refute or respond to rebuttals from other doctors and researchers who questioned Ellis and Harper's theories. While I see the value in these chapters that aim to explain and set up the theory behind their methods, I found them a bit redundant and dry.The really helpful part is in the description of the most common irrational beliefs and how to alter your thinking so they don't depress or enrage you. I saw this list online and it is what inspired me to buy this book, so I will put it here for you:1. The idea that you must have love or approval from all the significant people in your life (101).2. The idea that you absolutely must be thoroughly competent, adequate, and achieving or The idea that you must be competent or talented in some important area (115).3. The idea that other people absolutely must not act obnoxiously and unfairly, and, that when they do, you should blame and damn them, and see them as bad, wicked, or rotten individuals (127).4. The idea that you have to see things as being awful, terrible, and catastrophic when you are seriously frustrated or treated unfairly (139).5. The idea that you must be miserable when you have pressures and difficult experiences; and that you have little ability to control, and cannot change, your disturbed feelings (155).6. The idea that if something is dangerous or fearsome, you must obsess about it and frantically try to escape from it (163).7. The idea that you can easily avoid facing many difficulties and self-responsibilities and still lead a highly fulfilling existence (177).8. The idea that your past remains all-important and because something once strongly influenced your life, it has to keep determining your feelings and behavior today (187).9. The idea that people and things absolutely must be better than they are and that it is awful and horrible if you cannot change life’s grim facts to suit you (197).10. The idea that you can achieve maximum happiness by inertia and inaction or by passively and uncommittedly enjoying yourself (207).I thought going into this that #1 was going to be the chapter that best applied to my life, but as I read I realized how much of my stress actually stems from #3. I didn't realize how much judgment I was spewing based on this irrational belief, and it also explained fights I've had with others when I've been on the receiving end of that irrationality.This book gives advice based on both sides of the fence, and has some nice sections on fostering more rational self-talk as a way to alleviate crippling feelings.The other thing that was helpful for me was realizing that I was already practicing a lot of this, and it made me thankful for my father who always challenged my perspectives whenever I got worked up about "nothing." I also recently had a friend who was telling me that I am too calm and I should be more upset about things (my dysfunctional childhood, the loss of a loved one) and I got kind of worked up and wondered if I was "in denial" or "too cold." Reading this made me realize that I was actually responding in a really healthy way--letting myself feel deep emotions but snapping out of it, and approaching my life from the "big picture," and thinking rationally as a way to stave off long-term depression, resentment, and anxiety.I didn't give this 5 stars because of the writing style and awkward client conversations that are used as the primary examples for each irrational belief.This was first published in 1961, and it shows. It is rather dated and the diction and conversations reveal its age. I found it amusing, but I could see how a modern reader might be alienated by it, and I wonder if an updated version might be helpful.Additionally, the writers come of as glib, arrogant, and insensitive. They're almost mocking the clients, at times, and think of their approach to psychoanalysis as "tough love." They were speaking very nonchalantly about topics like death and suicide. They kind of encourage people to "just get over a death" by realizing that "it isn't a DISASTER" and "YOU're not the one who is dead." It was pretty awkward, and I felt myself cringing. I do understand that they talk about "healthy grieving" and encourage people to have deep feelings; rather they are aiming to discuss neuroses, and use an example of a man who was still grieving 7 years later over his mother's death as intensely as the day after (to exemplify irrational belief #5).Also in their defense, I appreciated (at times) their levity, which highlights the absurdity in some of the clients' beliefs (it is also helpful to laugh at yourself when you are thinking so crazily), but it was often strange and even uncomfortable to read their fairly impersonal recount of their clients' issues and to make light of grave topics. Saying things like, "if you're children die it isn't the end of the world," or "if this is so upsetting, then you can commit suicide" really detracts from their credibility.I also recognize, in defense of the authors, that the conversations are excerpted and probably taken out of context, being used to highlight the irrationality of the beliefs (which is what this book is about, after all) rather than to highlight their bedside manner, But I can see this turning off readers. Personally, I think that some combination of empathy and reasoning may be the ideal, and I would NOT recommend speaking to friends like this.As a whole, I would recommend this book and think it has the potential to change the way you think, and in turn the way you feel. I know a few people with depression and anxiety issues, and this has also helped me understand them (what they're thinking and why it is so detrimental to their mental health). I am aiming to change the way I communicate with both myself and with these friends.

I was normally very suspicious about the self-help literature but like any of as I had my hard times as well. I decided to read a few books to see what happened. I started with this book and I should say now it means a lot to me. So, I felt the need to write a review to be able to help people like me-who are suspicious about self-help literature. The book is really scientific, rational and humanistic at the same time. It s not like those popular 'you should trust yourself, you can do anything you want' type of self help book. It really shows how you create your anxiety with your unhealthy thinking and emotions and how to deal these unhealthy emotions and thinking through rational thinking. It is not of course an easy process without any guidance from a psychotherapist but still worth starting with.

I have always heard about Dr. Ellis & his great work. But, somehow it took me three years to come across this book since I started reading on Self- help psychology. I am so thankful to Dr. Ellis & Dr. Harper to produce such a marvellous piece of work. In summary, I think this book will train you to improve your Rational thinking abilities & possibly might put a full stop to all our self defeating behaviour. You just have to work on it.

En este libro, el cual tiene traduccion al castellano como "una nueva guia para una vida racional", se dan las bases para la autoayuda a traves de REBT. Esta tecnica se basa en suponer que la mayoria de nuestro sufrimiento es imaginario. Aplicandola uno evitaria sufrir mas de la cuenta a lo largo de la vida.

Psicoterapia personal, sencilla , práctica y plena de sentido común.Excelente ,Representa un soplo de aire fresco ante explicaciones complicadas , abstractas y pretenciosasExpresa básicamente que somos dueños de nuestros pensamientos y ellos condicionan e incluso determinan nuestras emociones y acciones consiguientes.

This book is my Bible.The Originator of REBT and CBT -Now do you want me to tell why this book will help you more than ALL the self help books put togather.

Trolls got you down? Should be standard reading in all high schools and colleges.

I was impressed by the theory developed by Mr Ellis. The book is interesting and the tools he develops are helpful.It was a good overview of the REBT philosophy and therapy.What I liked less is that all examples in the book concern successful cases. It would be helpful to see examples of people who did not succeed to overcome their psychological problems with REBT.

...to a better me. A perfect companion to some professional counselling. It's an easy read. Logical. Helpful.

Worth reading. In these times of being bombarded by stimulus and multiple sources of communication, we all need a way to understand what drives our busy mind. Once understood we can better understand how to shut it off and recharge.

very rare book for me

The only self help book you will ever need! Get out of the world of musts and live a fuller richer life

very good!

It's really helpful.

Very useful.