5.0 out of 5 based on 1 reviews. – Customer review on 03/06/2008

I've read 4 books by Albert Ellis, "A Guide to Rational Living", "The Road to Tolerance", "How To Live With A Neurotic", and this book. I would have to say, that not only did I enjoy this book the most, but I think that his unique psychology/philosophy is one that would make a very positive impact on the world if more people understand it.

This book is slightly different to other self-help books that I've read. The great majority of the book is a discussion on the philosophy of human worth, and more specifically the different philosophies that are common in our western world. The different discussions on the philosophy of human worth are:
- The philosophy of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), especially its key underpinning of unconditional self-acceptance, unconditional other-acceptance, and unconditional life-acceptance.
- Self-esteem and especially conditional self-esteem.
- The advantages and disadvantages of the two different philosophies of human worth, both REBT and self-esteem.
- The concept of the philosophy of human worth itself.
- He compares the philosophy of REBT with the philosophies of many past famous philosophers.

Finally, near the end of the book he discusses practical methods used to adopt the teachings of REBT and how they can improve your emotional health.

In my opinion, this is one of the best books I have ever read. It describes a very good argument on a practical philosophy of human worth, and particularly in the emotional consequences of that philosophy in your life. This book had a very profound effect on me, more than almost any other self-help books that I have read. It would take a long time to describe just how it has benefited me, but it has benefited every area of my life. Work, intimate relationships, risk taking, recreational pursuits, interpersonal relationships, you name it.

I must note, that I was already very familiar with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and the role of thinking in emotions and behaviors before reading this book. If you are a relative beginner in CBT or self-help material, you may benefit more from David Burns' book "Feeling Good". In my opinion this book may offer a more beginner friendly introduction to the topic. Once you have practiced the practical skills you will be very much ready for a book like Ellis' here.

If you have an interest in philosophy of human worth, or if you are interesting in enhancing your life through self-help books, this book may just be one of the best books that you may read. If you have the honesty to self-assess and self-analyse your thinking and problems in life, this book will work even better. If you don't, you may just learn what it takes to have the courage to self-analyse the problems that you have, and to minimise or move on from them (a hint is something about unconditional self-acceptance).

(Note: When you read the topic of unconditional self-acceptance, try not to brush it off as accepting yourself as you are and not doing a thing to improve yourself. It holds more wisdom than that.)