SOCRATES' WAY is immensely intelligent, yet user friendly; informational, yet inspirational. I am a devoted fan of Ron Gross's PEAK LEARNING, yet this latest read is something that I have been personally looking to discover for some time now. As an owner of an educational resource service, I'm always searching for books that I can recommend which will educate students in a subject area, while simultaneously instructing about important life values.

I have added SOCRATES' WAY to my latest resource guide, and will recommend it highly to educators from high school through college. The book is one that will be enjoyed by anyone, yet I can see how it would greatly assist in teaching today's learners about living well, through an accurate understanding of Socrates, himself.

I found it personally interesting, as the beginning chapter which is to "Know Thyself," is similar terminology that I have chosen for the opening in my most recent catalogue. Similarly, Ron Gross writes of "Strengthening Your Soul" toward the end of the book, which I have likewise placed in the conclusion of my catalogue resources. I found this placement of content to flow in a very fitting manner, both professionally and as an interested reader. It isn't difficult to envision students and teachers dissecting each chapter, step-by-step, resulting in each individual being able to "Know Thyself," which is what we aspire to as the end result of education.

It was enlightening to read the forward by Michael Gelb, author of HOW TO THINK LIKE LEONARDO DaVINCI, which is also one of my favorites to recommend, for similar reasons. Admirers of "LEONARDO" will most definately find SOCRATES' WAY to be a most enriching resource. You'll want keep it on your bedstand to gain inspiration, as well as give copies to the special people in your life. A must read!!

Never mind the "how to" and "dummies" books; this is the ultimate life and how to understand it book. With Ron Gross as Socrates incarnate we are privleged to experience wisdom of the ages brought relevant to the present times. A must for any thinking individual.

Socrates' Way: Seven: Master Keys To Using Your Mind To The Utmost by Ronald Gross is a marvelous and unique "self-help" book that draws on the wisdom of the philosophical genius Socrates himself. Centering on seven great precepts espoused by this wise man, ranging from "Know Thyself"; to "Speak the Truth"; and "Strengthen Your Soul," Socrates' Way is an inspirational, involving, rewarding reading and a superbly presented reading for anyone seeking personal or professional self-improvement.

Mr Gelb has a tendency to put out some pretty simplistic stuff. This, I think, is one of his more solid efforts. There's plenty of good examples, more apparent thought and depth in this than I think he's offered in most of his other works.
I finished reading the book many years back and still consider that it was one of the more enjoyable and educational that I'd read on the topic of thinking.

This book is based on the assumption that the thinking and communication skills of leadership, can, and must, be learned. And that leadership begins with personal growth. Just as Covey and Edgar Schein point out-we must understand and change ourselves, then truly know the culture of our people to accomplish change-because it is not the organization that gets changed-it's the people. In order for a leader to lead change, the author suggest a new way of thinking--more open to all possibilities-called Synvergent thinking-the synergetic integration of convergent and divergent thinking. Gelb in a very simplistic manner walks you through mind-mapping techniques, which integrates convergent and divergent thinking. I am sold on his technique-it brings out the positives of brainstorming, even if only brainstorming with yourself-but the end result is a visual product-that clearly identifies what you the leader want your people to understand-decrease the fog quickly-opening up opportunity for dialogue. A must buy for leaders, followers, parents, teachers, etc.

This book seems like a sequel of How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci. And, this other book is superior to this one. Michael Gelb did a more cohesive and detailed job of fleshing out the cognitive faculties of the mind by studying Leonardo, than he did by studying this Dream Team. Occasionally, the exercises appear a bit repetitive, boring, and uninspiring.

If I had not read this other book, I would have said that this book is great. Instead, it is very good.

Michael Gelb touches on the same subjects, concepts, and exercises as in 'Leonardo.'

This was a fun and entertaining book. Focused on innovation and how to unleash your abilities to be creative, this book provides insight into 10 Famous people that dramatically influenced the world with their ideas and actions.

I will immediately say that I naturally enjoy learning from history, particularly from the people that influence history. To understand why historical figures acted in difficult times, how they adapted, what aspects of their upbringing formed their thinking and how they influenced others to accept their thinking has always intrigued my mind.

The stories will not give you a full life biography on each person...just a synopsis of who the person is, what they did that was so revolutionary and how you can apply their actions to being innovative.

From Plato, Brunelleschi, Columbus, Copernicus, Elizabeth I, Shakespeare, Jefferson and Darwin to Gandhi and Einstein...each will challenge you to reflect on your own gifts and how you might see things differently.

I especially liked how the author provided with each story sections for personal reflection and excercises that allow you to share thoughts with others.

Even before I finished the book, I was already enjoying the discussions with my kids about their views on the subjects and quizzing their minds about how they would have handled the situations these great people were a part of.

I highly recommend this book, especially to those that are involved with consulting or facilitating others through innovation or creative expression in business.

Much like Michael Gelb's brilliant "How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci" this book succeeds in giving the reader engaging and informative biographies, while at the same time encouraging you to live and think like them.

The book is written in an easy, conversational style that gives the reader the feeling that he/she is having a delightful talk with the writer about the world's greatest thinkers.

Many times I have attempted to read up on geniuses like Plato, Darwin, and Ghandi with the intent of modeling my life after their examples, but I couldn't find the time to finish the marathon-length biographies I came across; "Discover Your Genius" is exactly what I was looking for--it gave me vast amounts of interesting information on each of the 10 geniuses and immediately showed me what I can do to improve myself with their examples.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever wondered what a genius is like and how you can enrich your life everyday by emulating them.

I find myself referring to this book again and again. I always recommend it as an introduction to the Alexander technique. It assisted me greatly when I was first taking Alexander lessons. It is still valuable years later as I refresh and review. Easy to read, entertaining, cogent, and reflective. It reads almost as though you were having conversation with Mr. Gelb. If I had to use one book to introduce a new person to the Alexander technique, theory and understanding, this would be the one.

I am a music major, and I am now in my third semester studying the Alexander Technique. This study has been the most important event in my musical life, and thankfully, it carries over into every other aspect of my life, as well. This book is the required reading for the course. Not that we get a grade on it. It's just immensely helpful. It's not a substitute for a trained Alexander teacher, but it provides another view point, a new way of putting things, of phrasing things, and can help the early AT student grasp the concept of it all a little better. I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn more about the Alexander Technique, and improving the quality of your life.

The other intro book at this level is Chris Stevens' "Alexander Technique."

I used to rank Stevens ahead of Gelb, but the new edition of Body Learning has expanded coverage on practical matters like finding teachers and the nature and purpose of lessons. The two books are dead even now.

Some readers may be frustrated because the book (and its subject) are so radically different from the usual self-help dreck. One of the best new passages is one where Gelb explains that, at his publishers insistance, he will include a do-it-yourself Alexander 'exercise.' The exercise consists of picking up the telephone and scheduling a lesson!

Deciding to study the Alexander Technique may be one of the smartest decisions you ever make. The clear explanations in this book should help you before and after this decision.

This book had great descriptions and pictures of many types of exercises for each body part, with numerous variations. As far as an encyclopedia of exercises this book is thorough and very useful. As an intermediate lifter I refer to this book when considering altering my routine and substituting exercises to work specific areas.
However the book also reads like a propaganda piece for Golds gym. It is repleat with statements about how it is the best gym in the world, famous European lifters dream of going there, it is the most inspiring place, etc... The text sounds alot like the bottom review, which is nearly directly cut and pasted from the intro. Also the nutrition and supplement sections are very vague, not particularly describing what vitamins might be good, or why.
Finally the lifting recommendations are all HIT training, that is high intensity training, short trips to the gym, ie. 45 min intense work outs. Other theories are excluded. Although I use it as a reference for exercises, the other stuff would make me prefer Arnolds encyclopedia or the various Ironman's books.

THIS IS A REALLY GOOD BOOK IF YOUR JUST STARTING OF. IAM ONLY SEVENTEEN AND THIS WAS A GOOD BOOK FOR ME TOO READ. IT TALKS ABOUT THE STUFF THAT IS REALLY OVER LOOKED LIKE NUTRITION(PROTEIN, CARBOHYDRATES, AND FATS). IT ALSO TALKS ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS AND THE DANGERS OF DRUGS, IT ALSO NAMES ALL THE ILLEGAL DRUGS THAT MOST PEOPLE USE FOR BODYBUILDING. THIS A REALL GOOD BEGEINERS BOOK.

Excellent if somewhat dated. A very useful text but not a manual...... an encyclopaedia.... as the title states. I've just bought another one to replace the one I lost when I lent it to someone.

This is more about mind mapping than presenting. I have used mind mapping for years - and it's very useful. It's really not so complex that anyone needs to make a career of it. Is this book really intended as a way to create back-end business for the author?

I picked up this book on vacation. It reads well with a format more like a "how-to" book. I found that, even though I am a professional trainer and consultant with "many" years of public presentations to parents, educators and administrators under my belt, Mr. Gelb's suggestions for improving my skills have been very helpful, easy to implement and effective.. I have recommended this book to our CEO for all our consultants. I have used mind-mapping for all my presentations and projects... can't sing the praises loudly enough!

Lots of sound advices, and useful things for any speaker, and this should help novice and veterans. Cover the mind-mapping useful technique.

Michael covers the same seven steps to genius every day he details more completely in his book: "How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci." In most cases even the same language is used. This is followed by Dr. Chopra's comments on how Leonardo's thoughts are mirrored in the philosophy of advaita vedAnta. During the following discussion and audience Q&A the audio quality is poor.

If you want a hint at what the insights of Leonardo are, this book may do. If you want vivid picture consider Michael's other book/audio.

I'm a media consultant, and recently heard Michael Gelb speak at an industry convention. MIGHTY inspiring. I won't even try to spell the seven Italian words he had an audience of 2000+ pronouncing in unison, but he made a convincing case that applying these seven traits to your work can make you the next Leonardo.

Leonardo is the best example of the great human potential. He stands out in mathematics, physics, engineering, aeronautics, architecture, drawing, painting and sculpture. Why could he master so many endeavors?

Michael explains in details the lateral way of thinking of Leonardo, based on his curiosity in everything, that helped him develop an immense creativity for methodology. Don't think that these are quick fix techniques, they require a whole lot of discipline, but it is worth it.

I really hate self-help books. I really do. Most of them spend 20 pages telling you how to help yourself and 250 talking about how wonderful it is to read the book you're reading.

But this book is different. I came upon this book very casually, not really looking for anything in particular. When I saw it, I knew that I had to have it. I have always loved da Vinci's art and his intellect - from the first time seeing the Mona Lisa in Paris as a teenager up to my latest trip to Florence a few months ago. But when I bought this book, it didn't occur to me that it might be in the genre of self-help because I was so fascinated with the subject, but that didn't matter once I started reading.

I really believe this book does give us a picture of how to think like da Vinci. The key is don't go into it expecting a lot, and you'll be pleased. Unlike some may perceive on buying this book, I never believed it to do so, and it never says, "You'll be a genius if you read this book." Mr. Gelb just describes da Vinci's methods of thinking, and credits da Vinci everywhere with multiple quotes. From start to finish, I don't think the author once tried to go off subject of how 'his (the author's) methods' were superior or any of the other self-help (...)- it's all credited to da Vinci. It's written fairly simply with daily exercises to produce the desired effects.

One thing that I find very beneficial in this book is that it gives a few paragraphs on how to help teach your children to think more broadly with each section. Having a child that is labled as 'difficult,' it helped me to understand him better, and to encourage his naturally intelligent behaviors such as curiosity when everyone has been trying to repress it...this to me is invaluable. By changing my thinking it really gave me a greater appreciation for a 3 year-old!

I only have one criticism of this book, where I truly believe the author inputs his own preferences exclusively - and that's mostly to do with the Sensazione exercises section in particular. Whether it's telling you to prefer Jazz over other music, or classical, I think his own opinions come through. But simultaneously I must add that his opinions are given as 'starting points' so to speak.

I have truly enjoyed this book. Although I haven't started the exercises (he suggests reading it thoroughly first) I feel that I have learned a great deal. It is also important to note that there is a companion workbook, which probably isn't necessary, but I'm going to buy it because I found this one to be a great book on improving insights and personal qualities.

Some of the best ideas are the simplest, the most obvious to understand and basic common sense. I used to have a professor in high school who defined common sense as the sense that is commonly absent. At any rate, this book has does a fantastic job of introducing you to 7 principles (based on Leonardo Da Vinci and his life - a true genius in the history of the world). As other reviewers point out if you're interested in learning more about just Vinci, there are plenty of other (perhaps better) sources to learn from. However, if you're interested in applying some of the master's techniques to your day-to-day personal and professional life (starting right now), then this your book! I strongly recommend you buy it and start using it right away to tap your own genius!

As I started this book I thought I'd read a lot of it before. Indeed, many of the ideas have little or nothing to do with Leonardo da Vinci, and have been presented elsewhere in one form or another in other. However, as a whole consciousness-raising or self-improvement system, Gelb's exercises combined with his fascinating Leonardo anecdotes are really empowering and liberating and relevant.

This book is not going to turn me into a genius, but it is a great way to get back in touch with the brainpower that gets lost in day-to-day work and school and life. It makes you want to follow all the exercises and live life more fully. Even if you don't, though, even one or two of Gelb's self-improvement strategies is worth the price of admission.

For me, I "remembered" that I like to write and communicate my ideas. So, thanks, Mr. Gelb, for helping me write this review.

I can juggle 3 balls but I struggle with 4. Maybe I didn't read the book properly or something.

If you want to achieve your full potential in anything you are ever to do, whoever you are, look no further. This book helps with just that. Written in a playful tone, and with practical examples from the game of juggling, you will find all the confidence, courage and mental skills to do anything you aspire. As the book also teaches juggling, it's style will feel a bit unfamiliar to most readers, but considering how it improved my life I MUST give it a 5 star. Check out books about accellerated learning by the same authors as well.

A wonderful book. I am a very experienced juggler and found Gelb and Buzan's use of juggling as a metaphor for achieving success quite refreshing. The book is thoughtful and insightful and is readily accessable to jugglers and non-jugglers alike.