SHAM: How the Gurus of the Self-help Movement Make Us Helpless (Paperback)

This book has not persuaded me to stop reading motivational literature, but it has given me tools to analyse the messages I am receiving more deeply. It had never occurred to me that self- help literature falls roughly into two categories: Victimisation, which sells you the idea that you are not responsible for what you do and Empowerment which says you are responsible for all you do - good or bad. These ideas are two side of the same coin, and it turns out neither is entirely true. I find it helpful to be aware of these concepts.

Various household names in the US are discussed in this book, many of whom I had not heard of being from the UK. I enjoyed hearing about characters such as Laura Schlessinger, Barbara De Angelis, Marianne Williamson and Suze Orman. The chapters about Anthony Robbins and Dr John Gray were interesting, providing a context for their writings. It is should be said that it is possible for ideas and concepts to be of use, even if those that preach such ideals do not always meet their own standards.

Salerno debunks the idea that tactics that work on the sports pitch are easily transferable to the boardroom. Elsewhere he suggests that people that have survived dangerous situations, such as nearly freezing to death on a mountain, are exactly the last sort of people you should take advice from. Equally he asks if convicted ex-conmen are the people who should be teaching a nation's youth about how to improve self esteem. The chapters covering SHAM's infiltration of America's schools, hospitals and courtrooms were interesting but less directly relevant to my life.

What Salerno is calling for is more rigorous thinking. He is saying you shouldn't believe something is true just because someone charismatic tells you so. Additionally just because you follow a certain 7 Steps, it doesn't guarantee a pre-described outcome. Life is not a level playing field. The idea that we can all be happy all the time is a false one. If self-help literature exists only to line the pockets of the people that write it then Salerno's book is a way to cut through the hype - and ironically might offer us the best chance of succeeding in life. Salerno is thorough, without ever been dull. He is humorous, without ever being flippant. You should buy this book if you have read any self-help literature, or if you want to understand why US society is in the state it is.

This is the Anti-Self-Help book. I have read it and enjoyed it. I have also read a number of the books on which he rants.

Just like the authors he rants against he gooes to far. Some people find some self-help books helpful some of the time. Most self help books do start with simple ordinary ideas and take them too far. Some self-help books do more harm than good. Some do no good at all.

I have read a lot of self-help books on particular themes. They all told me the same things in different ways - at $20 a pop. Did it help? Well, not much if at all. Is it wise to run your life by a bunch of rules you read in a book? Maybe not. Should you be able to choose? Yes!