JUSTIN

Great Source of Apologetics

Reviewed: 05-23-25

It has a lot of good information, but it's dense and requires a lot of attention and rereading to really absorb. I've heard many of these apologetics before, and it seems like more effort could have been made to simplify the arguments. If your apologetics require a lot of prior knowledge on the other person's behalf, and if getting to your point takes a long time and a lot of breath, it's likely too complex to make any solid points. Wes Huff for example explained saying "It doesn't make sense to think being came from non-being, or that mind came from mindlessness. For there to be a "big bang" would require a Big Bang-er." Pithy and effect 👍

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Common sense + WooWoo = ridiculous

Reviewed: 12-30-24

While I get some of the basics here because it's essentially Buddhism lite, most of it is common sense on the face of it, but then the author takes things so far to the extreme it becomes nonsensical. He starts off with the trite "all of reality is an illusion" gimmick, but then says everything you were taught from your parents, school, and church are all nonsense and illusion. Excuse me?! Who do you think you are, sir?! Moving on, don't talk badly about yourself, others, and don't gossip. Okay, that makes sense, until he states that doing so is casting a spell on yourself and others to believe whatever the other person says is true or that you say to yourself. Also, according to the author, if you don't ever say anything bad or judgmental you will be immune to others speaking badly about you. Well that's not true... even if I know what someone who I love says isn't true, unless I'm a psychopath you're damn right it still will hurt if it's cruel. Next up was don't take anything personally, and that what people say to you or do to you is about them and their projection of themselves on you, but never about you. Okay, decent enough advice, until he says "Even if someone shots you in the head, don't take it personal". He wants you to be so detached from your own existence and self worth that your life being taken is something to not take personally. He also states that if you ever take anything personal at all and become defensive, well that's only because you've agreed that what the person said was true. Um no, mister not a serious person. If I defend myself it's because I respect myself and know my worth and will not stand for being treated lesser than. That's called self-worth and self-respect to not let other trample on you! I ended the book there. Unless you're a yogi or Buddhist monk who already buys into the whole worldview of; the self is an illusion, there is no "I" at the center of who we are, reality itself is one giant illusion, blah blah blah... I doubt you'll get much from this gobbledygook. I am me, I exist, my life has meaning, and my life is mine to do the best I can with what life and God have given me, both good and bad, end of story.

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Necessary for understanding masculinity

Reviewed: 11-05-24

My title says it all really. I grew up without a father, and in my early 30s was brought to me knees by life. I had to rebuild myself. As I've started my journey to know and understand God I've been looking for instruction on the righteous use of my masculinity, and to find where the warriors look in scripture for guidance. This book has been an essential piece to knowing my own heart.

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Great but dark

Reviewed: 08-28-24

It's a great historical story everyone needs to hear, especially in 2024 where we have democrats pushing for the same exact kinds of policies of Soviet Russia. Be warned, it's a heavy read and will certainly you dubious of humanity and government even more so than you likely already are...

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She nails it

Reviewed: 04-19-24

I've heard these points made in various places, but Abigail really codifies everything my generation got wrong with their obsession with their kids feelings, soft parenting, and shielding them from any and all struggle. I can't encourage this book enough.

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Meh...

Reviewed: 04-12-24

He makes a lot of good points respectively, and he isn't wrong on all fronts. That said, let me save you the time of listening. If you accept alcohol does you no good, is not fun, does not ease stress or pain, and that social situations are just as fun without alcohol, then POOF! you're cured. Essentially replace your current bad "brainwashing" with his good brainwashing, credulously accept everything he tells you wholeheartedly, and PRESTO you no longer want to drink. Well I read both of his books on quitting drinking and they didn't fu@$-all nothing besides explain to me what I already knew.

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1 person found this helpful

Meh...

Reviewed: 04-12-24

I don't mean to sound combative or rude, but this book didn't have the desired effect for me. He tells you that you don't need alcohol to deal with stress or have fun because you did that before you started drinking. Also, that hangovers suck and drinking makes things worse rather than better after you sober up. Well most drinkers are acutely aware of that already. We're well aware alcohol doesn't magically erase life's struggles. He also admits it does lower inhibitions (basically it turns the dials down on your give-a-damn). Unfortunately that's why many of us with a problem are drinking in the first place, so that's pretty much a moot point for us.

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Good Stuff

Reviewed: 03-22-24

Nothing is set in stone or certain, but pretty much everything he's saying is true. Be a man, and do all of the things a good man is supposed to do. Be the best version of yourself so that's what everyone else is getting, including your wife, which is what makes her want you more.

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Too Woke

Reviewed: 09-27-23

His Intro to IFS book was much better even though it was much shorter and lacks any real time instruction. That book is more politically neutral and gives you valuable information without the author's biases. I spent way too much of this book rolling my eyes or being annoyed at all of his liberal interjections and biases. Give us the damn information, not your Lefist political opinions and propaganda. I sure hope none of this liberal ideology is part of the actual treatment or I'll have to look into other programs despite my excitement about IFS therapy. I appreciate the guided aspects and like that they'll help you get a leg up for starting your treatment in person, but I still am giving a lower review score because the author is obviously a bleeding heart liberal, and those are the people ruining our beloved USA. After skipping over the woke diatribes as much as possible I couldn't even finish the last 45min of the book. He literally leads you through a meditation to confront your inherent racism! WTF man...

PS: Glad to see I'm far from the only person who feels this way about the book.

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2 people found this helpful

More a sermon than help...

Reviewed: 07-21-23

This book is more like a long sermon than any kind of help. Even if some of the techniques somewhat work, 3/4 of the book are biblical texts and a whole lot of preaching about how your dick belongs to god and your wife. Unless you're a devout theist, and I mean devout with a capital D, don't waste your time with this book. The author is trying to guilt trip you into being a better person through all of the typical shame based trappings that are the basis of all religion: Be good and do as I say or else, insert hellfire and smite.

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1 person found this helpful