I am a professor of Human Services. I have been using this book for the past 8 years, and wish all students could take the course as first semester freshman. Hanna has presented a very good overview of personal development. Students are introduced, often for the first time, to concepts such as self esteem, personal responsibility, interpersonal relations and conflict management. I have seen many students develop brand new understandings and skills which they apply to their own lives immediately. In the helping professions, this course is an essential basis for understanding the self, gaining an introduction to psychological approaches, and for learning to help others effectively. I recommend this book very highly. One measure of my regard for it is that in almost every other course, I select different texts frequently. This is either because I do not like the text I have used, or simply to keep myself interested. This is the only book I consistently use year after year. I have browsed for different books, thinking I might be stagnating. I have not yet found one I wish to use instead.