The Myth of Self-Esteem, by author and social psychologist, John P. Hewitt, offers a dispassionate, although slightly spirited, discourse on self-esteem in American society. Hewitt begins by stating, "the object of this book is to unravel the assumptions that are built into the contemporary usage and understanding of the idea of self-esteem and to build a more complete picture of this phenomenon and the importance we attribute to it." He goes on to state of his subject, "to learn something about the reality of self-esteem, we must first consider it as a myth - a set of beliefs contemporary people hold about themselves and their social world, stories they tell about themselves and their lives." Through focusing on the cultural rather than scientific significance of this uniquely western/American phenomenon, Hewitt challenges our assumptions about how we achieve success in the midst of despair and how we use this non-universal, in one respect, concept to buttress our identity in our daily interactions.

Hewitt asks questions that cause one to wonder, "what exactly is meant when we say 'self-esteem'?" Do we mean what we intend, or have we fallen into the trap of engaging in empty dialogue without critically analyzing our intent. The Myth of Self-Esteem offers various vignettes that illustrate the varied ways not only that the term is used, but also its lack of solidity as to a definitional meaning. Also, given that many cultures around the globe focus more on humility as an admirable trait, how have Americans come to value two words that seemingly defy a single sufficient definition upon critical analysis?

Strengths and Weaknesses

Overall, the book is well written in that it provides the reader an opportunity to examine what is meant by "self-esteem" and the social structures that maintain such a myth.

The strength of Hewitt's argument comes from his ability to illustrate, via the use of vignettes, the imprecise nature of a definition among many of the term "self-esteem." However, the weakness, although delineated earlier in the work, is that he does not relay on "scientific" studies. Although he chose to focus solely on the cultural component of the created phenomenon, adding to the discourse the positions of scientific research would quite possibly shed additional light on the subject and make his already strong argument stronger.

What does it all mean?

Hewitt, has done an admirable job of presenting considerable information, although not scientific, that yield many questions regarding self-esteem. While reading the book, many questions arose in my mind as to how I have come view myself in relation to others and my surroundings. It soon became apparent that such is due in part to my acceptance of many of the present social structures and limited concepts that attempt to define them. Given that I have undergone a shifting of consciousness, as it relates to my surroundings and my role in the creation and sustaining thereof, many of the previously accepted concepts have begun to whither away. For instance, as a child and young adult, growing up in and attending church "religiously" was an accepted, although unquestioned, way of life. As a result of delving into ontology, my view on the nature of being has shifted to a differing perspective; one which is more inclusive as opposed to exclusive. Not necessarily, "better," just different. The end result is that I now think more critically about information that is presented to me, be it in literature or lectures. Given Hewitt's offering for discussing "self-esteem," many will be in a more advantageous position to recognize a portion of their being and its functioning that they may have not previously considered.

As humans prepare to move to the next phase of physiological/psychological evolution, such concepts as self-esteem must be challenged in order to provide a clean slate upon which to erect the forthcoming reality. Questioning the very essence of our beliefs and abilities and upon which such is based, causes many to have an even greater insight into their complete nature. In one instance, Hewitt eludes to the potential of creating individual realities by thought. In this instance, he touched on a key point that warrants further consideration. As humans come to realize that they possess the ability to create and destroy "worlds" by thought, the potential then exists to journey into realms of the "little known" and begin serious critical inquiry into the human essence and its "higher" potential. As this journey begins, the evolution not only of human conscious continues, but the physical evolution of humans continue as well. With this in mind, Hewitt's "Myth of Self-Esteem" is a wonderful addition to the ongoing discourse.

Note: the above is part of a work presented in a course on Deviant Behavior and Social Control.

This autobiography of the author of such classics as "Treasure in the Snow" and "Star of Light" is itself a real treasure. Patricia St. John doesn't engage in any "everything is happy happy happy" account of her life. There is a realism and depth that those who take their Christian life seriously can connect and relate to. In my own opinion, the poem near the end "The Alchemist" is in itself worth the price of the book. If you are skeptical of the popular evangelical cliches that trivialize Christian experiance and Biblical truths about the Christian life, this book will be breath of fresh air.

This 15+ ounce guide is very pleasing to look at: glossy paper, colored photos almost every page, multicolor maps and trail profiles, parts of text set off by shading. It has the information the walker needs, where the refugios are, how many beds, alternate choices. There is an introductory section with introduction, overview, followed by the beginner's guide, and then a short history section. The main body of the guide follows, organized in 33 stages where each stage corresponds to a typical day's travel. Each stage has a map and a trail profile.

Its beginner's guide section is very useful - detailed equipment list, travel info, essential phrases in Spanish.

This guide also makes a serious effort to address the spiritual or inner path side of the journey. In addition to the map and profile, each stage begins with three paragraphs - the Physical Path - a narrative overview of the day's walk, the Mystic Path - to awaken you to the spiritual potential of the day's walk, and Personal Reflections - a quotation from the author's reflections. In each stage there is a page with blank lines for the walker to write in their own reflections. The mystic path, personal reflections and blank reflections page didn't work for me, but that is personal preference. I am very weight oriented, cutting pages out of books, edges off of maps, etc. when I travel on a journey like this. I would rather give up the self help section and have fewer pages, less weight and a little smoother reading flow in the guide.

The only real competition to this guide is Davies and Cole Walking the Camino de Santiago. Brierley's guide clearly beats Davies and Cole on appearance, and maps and profiles are much better. However, you pay for that quality with weight. Davies and Cole is a little more readable, and 10 ounces. Either one will get you there. I'd buy each ahead of time and make your choice. In total trip expenses it's a minor cost, and both have information you will appreciate.

The author of this book portrays Shelley as a very real, very normal teenager. Her relationships with her brothers and relatives indicate that they were very close. It is a well written mystery and should be read by any mystery lover.

I thought of reading this book after my father read it. He thought that it was interesting and would be a book for my level. He described it as a mysterious, funny, and interesting book. Even the cover seems to give hints that it would be fun. Finally after reading the summary on the back of the page, I was convinced and I decided to give it a try.
The main character in this story is Amy Farnum.She is a thoughtful and open-minded girl with many curiosities.Amy has an older sister Sally and a younger brother Jack who is always seeking out adventures. After receiving a letter from her great-great uncle to her grandfather to find a lost treasure in his house, Amy and her family rush out to help him for her grandfather had passed away. There they encounter a mysterious stranger, clues, and a big surprise!
I enjoyed this book very much. It has the combinations of things I enjoy in a book: Adventure, secrets, and romance. Chills ran through my back as I read through the book. It was fun and exciting story and kept my interests. This book should be read by anyone who enjoys a good mystery!

From its birth in the first Crusade, through the possession of the isle of Rhodes to its lost of the island against the forces of Suleiman the Magnificent, to making a home on Malta; the great siege of Malta by Suleiman again, Mr Bradford is able to make well researched material interesting. After Malta, the Knights were on top, how they dropped to the bottom as they lost Malta to Napoleon, were they are now in the world as a humanitarian organization.
If you have any interest in this subject, this is a good book. It could have used a few more maps (I read the 1973 hard back version), and three times it seemed the author was taking sides with the Knights on some minor old debate. His book "The Great Siege; Malta 1565" is an excellent book.

If you enjoyed Ernle Bradford's classic, "Great Siege: Malta 1565", I recommend "The Shield and the Sword" (1974) as a supplement. A complete history of the Knights of St. John from the order's founding in Jerusalem to the present, Mr. Bradford's book is impeccably well-written and researched in five languages. And like "Great Siege", it is grippingly told. Not stopping at the siege of Malta, Bradford briefly relates how, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Order evolved into an honorary society for Catholic nobility. Finally, we learn how the Knights -- who still exist and are based on Malta -- became a respected humanitarian organization. More in touch with its original purpose as a hospitaller order, the Knights of St. John now fights indomitably for peace around the globe and even includes women.

I have two quarrels with the book, though. First of all, I would have enjoyed reading more about the daily life of the Knights. As it is, Bradford focuses overwhelmingly on military history. Of more significance, though, Bradford gets too close to his subject...This is a one-sided view...Otherwise, a good read. 4 stars.

The characters in Robert Funderburk's "The Spring of Our Exile" spring to life as real people in this South Louisiana mystery. Dylan, a sheriff's deputy and a complicated man prone to human mistakes, is forced to face the sweaty darkness waiting both in the cajun swamp and in the recesses of his consciousness. He sometimes struggles to maintain his integrity, but, clutching to his faith, he is successful.

His wife and child, the center of his earthly world, often are his strength as he battles those whose corruption includes lies, cheating, illegal drugs, violence, even murder. And then there is "the other woman" who is bent on using Dylan for her own sinister purposes.

The story-line, told amid descriptive passages that bring the reader the smells and sounds of the bayou and paint a picture of a sultry, lush Louisiana, tells of a beautiful, former grade school girlfriend of Dylan's, who returns from Hollywood seeking Dylan's help, charming her way into his life. Dylan, unknowingly, must contend with her rather nefarious agenda, while investigating a series of seemingly unrelated lawless acts that drag Dylan into the shadowy, sordid world of the criminal.

And, there, standing among the shadows is a beautiful and very familiar face.

In the end, will good triumph over evil, right over wrong? ...... have faith.

Juan Sebastian Bach escribió 3 pasiones, la mas conocida es la de San Mateo y la de San Juan, esta obra es muy solemne, lleva el toque caracteristico de toda la musica de Bach, la representación mas grande de esta obra estuvo bajo la batuta de Felix Mendelsohn. En la obra está plasmada toda la pasión de Jesucristo según el evangelio de San Juan, valdría la pena que escucharas esta obra, No te arrepentiras!

This little book gave me enough information on St. John's Wort and other herbal treatments for depression to make my decision on whether or not to use it. This is definitely not for one who is severely depressed and not for myself. Regardless, the book explains an interesting fact that St. John's Wort is widely "prescribed" for depression in Europe. If you are suffering from mild to moderate depression this book may be of your interest. Further readings may be needed.