Though it seems to be aimed at sort of a Pop-Psychology market, this book contains a wealth of GREAT information about different ways we have of expressing anger - or holding it in. I found explanations for behaviors I'd been seeing in loved ones, that had puzzled me; and in some instances I learned they were healthier behaviors than I'd thought. As a person who has had to learn how to let anger out in acceptable ways, I found this book an absolute gold mine. It is written clearly and simply, with none of the 'fluff' we expect from New Age-type books. In fact it was written before 'New Age' caught on.
I got my first copy from a therapist who had picked it up in a used bookstore. This is an unsung hero of a book. Full top ratings!!!

This book would have probably just composted into the rubbish pile with all the other evidence of the "est" fad, had not the business somehow resurrected itself in a new guise molded to the '90s sensibilities rather than the original '70s silliness. In fact, their recent reappearance, with the over-achiever's moniker "The Landmark Forum" is testimony to both L. Ron Hubbard's and P. T. Barnum's famous dictums. Be aware, before you pull out that checkbook, that both these celebrated scammers spawned thousands of imitators, one of which was Werner Erhard. Do a search using his name, "est," or "cults," and be prepared for a surprise, if you don't already know the story. And don't be fooled by the boosters posting "reviews" of this and other "est" related puff-pieces.

As a Landmark Forum graduate, I found this book to be very complementary to the training I have taken at Landmark Education. Many of my unanswered questions around the person of Erhard and the est training are now fully answered.

This is truly the best book for anyone who is interested in what the experience of est was to, not just an Average Jane, but one with a Psychology degree. It will also greatly inform you on what the Landmark Forum is like, except that there have been some format changes since est. What makes the book so fascinating is that Adelaide Bry includes all of her doubts and misgivings about est, Werner and the process, and takes responsibility for them and explains what she gets out of having her doubts and how they affect her life, how they hold her back.

For those of you, who are skeptical, this is the best book to read because so was she! She takes you through the training in a remarkable way that describes the experience without really giving anything away. She shares what she got and how it impacted her and then includes chapters on est in the prisons, on Werner himself and many short pieces by graduates. Her research is tremendous and you put it down having as clear an understanding of est and Landmark as there is.

As someone who has gone through the Landmark Forum and many of its succesive courses, I can say that it is quite simply one of the most extraordinary experiences you will ever have. Sure, you could say it's weird that everybody comes out so happy and that it costs too much and that you have to sit for so long in one spot. What you should know is that it challenges us in every way we know. That we can only sit still for a certain period of time. That we know everything about ourselves. That we're a good judge of character. Everything. The Landmark Forum and est before it are never about changing your views. Because change implies that your views are somehow bad and they're going to make them good. They were and are always about transformation, expanding how we view life and ourselves.

This book has assisted me in my views of est, Landmark and life and if you can find it or know someone who has it (like me for all my friends out there) you will put it down completely satisfied and probably very interested in the Landmark Forum experience!

Some of the worst 70's pop-psych to ever see the light of day. Shame on Harper & Row for ever considering it.

BUT, if you want something to giggle at, this might be the book for you. I bet you can't read the whole thing with a straight face!