I read the hard cover about 3 years ago, so after reading it I gave it to my wife. Boy what a change it has made in my life and my wife's life. We have learned to communicate instaed of shout at one another. I've tried to be more passionate and loving with my wife since I've red this book. It has opened my eyes to how valuable communication is in a loving relationship. Until I read this bnook I always just let things in my relationship work themselves out. I now know that many of my problems could have been avoided if I had only communictaed in an open, honest and loving way. Thanks to Ella Patterson and her will to write a book like this, I am now a happier man, husband and father. I recommend this book to all couples. It's not just a book for women it's for men too. I don't know Ella personally, but If she ever reads this review I just want to say Thanks to her for helping to save my marriage. I am a better man because of her.

I feel this book should be every women's self-esteem Bible. I read it over and over just for some refreshening.

"Will You Dance?" is a symbolic story that defines the life experiences of most of us at one time or another. In the form of shadowy figures it tells the story of how we move through an emotionally crippling event to a whole new world. The figures are Destiny, Change, Fear, Loss, Hope, Faith, Joy and they are presented in that order. Why that order? Because that is the normal order of events. First something happens to us that changes our life, which is Destiny. Along with such an event Change is always present. And, of course, along with Change comes Fear and Loss. Eventually, these are followed by Hope, Faith, and then finally Joy.

We enter life full of joy and involved in the dance of life. At some point a life change occurs that causes us to no longer dance the dance of life. If we follow through the whole process we are finally asked the important question by Joy.... Will you dance? This book is a highly recommended and enjoyable read written in an almost poetic style.

Will You Dance asks us to face life's greatest challenge; to find the gift in whatever pain we enounter on our path through life. The book provides a profound and inspirational message to anyone facing change, loss and fear. Remarkably beautiful in prose and artistry, Will You Dance makes a beautiful gift for those facing challenges in life. There is no-one I can imagine that would not be touched by Dr. Childs-Oroz's words of wisdom.
Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, MD
Psychiatrist, and author: Fed Up! The Breakthrough Ten Step No-Diet Fitness Plan

In late winter, I purchased the ABCs of Self-Esteem by Will Horton. I read a few of the excerpts to my special education students (ages 10 to 15). They asked to be read to again from the ABCs. They used the ABCs for their weekly oral reading tests. I have found the book to be thoughtful, inspiring and motivational for myself and my students. Many interesting conversations occured in my classroom as a result of the introduction of the ABCs of Self-Esteem. I will be teaching eigtht grade next year. I look forward to using the book again and again.

This book is extremely well written, with a keen sense of understanding. Well argued, with thorough knowledge of relevant literature. Unlike so much philosophy a good read and easily comprehended. A major advance in the field.

I feel a need to write a review of this book for two simple reasons: Number one is that it has had a profound effect on my life regarding my self-image and effectiveness in dealing with others, and number two, it will do the same for you. The bonus is that just by learning the information presented by Dr. Swets, it will also have a tremendously positive impact on those you love as well.

The title gives a hint (yet can't possibly do justice) to the actual wisdom and teachings contained in the book. Obviously, most people, because they are talking, feel as though they are also communicating. But that's not so. Just hearing you or me talk does not necessarily mean that the other person is "listening." And unless they are listening, what you and I say will not have much impact. A key to personal success is talking so that the other person not only will listen, but be inclined to take your point of view as well. This is true regardless of whether one is dealing with spouse, small and teenage children, friends, neighbors, employees, employers, customers, prospects, or that person you may meet just one time in your life.

I love what Dr. Swets says on page four: Communication that wins a positive response from others can provide you with a new way of life. Nothing is more essential to success in any area of your life than the ability to communicate well. Nothing can compare to the joy of communicating love, of being heard and understood completely, of discovering some profound insight from another's mind . . . Self-concepts are enhanced, attitudes broadened, beliefs depended, perspectives clarified, hopes restored, frustrations dissolved, hurt feeling healed.

Although much of what Dr. Swets teaches will show you how to live life with a minimum of personal 'hassles' with others (in other words, 'prevention'), he also includes a brilliant chapter dealing with "Conflict Resolution" for those occasions when conflicts do occur, as they inevitably will. The fact is, there are times when conflict and misunderstandings will take place. When that happens, there needs to be a positive, win-win solution. Dr. Swets provides this in a simple-to-understand- and-apply fashion. Reading that one chapter will ensure that you'll never again have to feel as though a conflict with anyone in your life cannot be worked out. It is simply magnificent information, and worth many, many times the price of the book itself.

I feel I could write volumes just on what I learned from this book, however, I'd rather you purchase the book yourself and learn from it first hand. Let's put it this way: The venerable Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, in a very complimentary Forward to this book, put it wonderfully well when he wrote, .. . a book that outlines procedures of communication with the completeness of Dr. Swets' study becomes a working manual that can be invaluable. And I do not know of a book that more comprehensively covers the entire subject of communication. Moreover the author himself communicates in a clear and understandable manner . . . He knows how to write so people will understand, how to talk so people will listen . . .

And may I add one more note? In all the classics dealing with communication and people skills (and The Art Of Talking So That People Will Listen ranks right up there with the classics) such as How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, How To Have Confidence And Power In Dealing With People by Les Giblin, as well as those on general success such as Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, the great authors all teach in terms of "universal principles", natural laws that have stood the test of time and will transfer from situation to unique situation. Yes, techniques change from time to time, but principles never do. The principles taught by Dr. Swets will work for you, your children, your grandchildren, etc. I could not personally give this book a higher recommendation.

Bob Burg, author of WINNING WITHOUT INTIMIDATION and ENDLESS REFERRALS.

I just love the blue mountain art poems, they are so inspiring, when I read this one from Douglas Pagels, I was impressed and again fell in love with another special poem book. I give this book as a gift from Meghan fund which sends gifts to those with recent loss of a baby and also to friends or family having a hard time in life. It has a wonderful cover with the pretty sunflower and great caring poems. I recommend this book to anyone having a difficult time in life as the inspiring poems are encouraging to your soul.

This book is excellent. It begins in the right place, that is, by laying out the REASONS for doing estate planning for a Christian family, then discusses the alternatives available for estate planning in easy to understand language (this is probably the BEST book in the field for defining the terms in real English, rather than legalese). Then the book discusses the important part of planning: deciding what you want to do to help your spouse, children, and plan for taxes, with alternatives explained and laid out. Finally, it has a realistic discussion about lawyer's fees and how to work with a lawyer to limit them, and how to call in other advisors to do some of the grunt work

Having served on many boards, this no nonsense approach to the "real" work of a board is a must. Too much time and energy is wasted by boards, its members and staff doing non-strategic work. This assessment tool helps to clarify the "real" work.

This book has provided me with strength and comfort as I was going through the most difficult time with my husband's sickness with MS. As I read the author's experiences of his own painful personal situation and his agony of asking GOD of why, I could easily relate that to my own.

This is not a book for pleasure reading. It is intended to walk you through the process of acceptance of your situation that GOD is in control of all. It was painful to go through the book. My book was so full of tears, notes, and coffee stains. When I first read the book, I cried more than I read. As time went by, I could feel the strength in my soul to be able to think through the process.

This book has saved four of us and the two turtles. It has confirmed our faith and belief that our heavenly father is with us through good time and bad time.