Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A really useful book!, 2 Jul 1999
By A Customer
I have to admit that I was prepared not to think much of Thom Hartman's hunter vs. farmer theory. I wanted something that seemed more "real" (now I'm not sure what I meant by that). So I saved this book for last and read Russell Barkeley and others first. To my surprise, this was my favorite of the six books on ADD I read, maybe because I did save it for last. I read all the pathological stuff first and it made a lot of sense to me, but it also made me feel overwhelmed about the job ahead of me raising two sons with ADHD. Then I read Hartman and immediately felt a sense of relief. This I can deal with, I thought. (And to my real surprise, I realize now that I'm a hunter, too!) Specifically, this book is full of "tips" from folks with ADD themselves (mostly adults, with a few high school and college students mixed in) about how they manage various aspects of ADD in their lives. The book presupposes that you know what ADD is and accept that you will have to manage it or it will manage you (if you haven't gotten that far yet, read Driven to Distraction first). It does not expound his hunter/farmer theory in great detail (that's in ADD- A Different Perception) but gives you enough of this theory that you can "get it" without reading his other books. (In my opinion, you can skip his other books and go straight to this one.) Hartman does not suggest (as I thought he would) that folks with ADD don't ever need to consider medication, nor does he gloss over the fact that life with ADD presents many challenges, difficulty, and pain for "hunters" and their families, teachers, and friends. (Note: this book is oriented more toward teens and adults than young children in terms of the "tips" but I also think it is valuable for folks with young children who can benefit from the "long view" of life with ADD.) So many books out there are about theory, and this one is about real life management without elaborate point systems and IEPs. The message is to understand yourself, find out what you're good at and what you're not, and then try to find a path through life where you use your talents. Understand that you're not good at everything, and get help with things you need help with, but basically, get out there and channel that energy and enthusiasm and locate what someone called "right livelihood."
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A positive look at strategies for A.D. affected people., 15 Jul 1997
By A Customer
I was looking for positive books on A.D. to use to boost my 10-yr old son's self-esteem after recently beginning treatment for this "disorder". The book gives many examples of successful, creative, and dynamic individuals throughout history who were undoubtedly A.D. affected. Hartmann explains in detail his theory that A.D. affected individuals represent the "Hunters" of our society - highly observant, quick in thought and action, seeking excitement unlike the more numerous "Farmers" who represent the agrarian development of our civilization with more plodding ways. Many of the successful strategies given are from those individuals who have learned to control and focus this "multi-tasking" part of their personality becoming quite successful in the process. Mr. Hartmann balances this view of A.D. as a "gift" with ample examples of the pain, tragedy, or mere lack of success which can occur when the A.D. individual is put in the wrong circumstance. This book is refreshing departure from the countless books which rehash the "disorder" with the usual history, diagnostic criteria, and treatment. As a modestly successful A.D. individual who has great difficulty finishing a book, I was pleasantly supprised to have finished it in an evening (long) and greatly enjoyed sharing its salient points with my family. My favorite quote in the book was: "I'm not Attention Deficit, you're just boring!"
Ken Brown, Anchorage, AK
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very helpful and positive ways of dealing with ADD, 21 April 1997
By A Customer
Real people talking about ADD, what it does, and how they overcame their obstacles. Very postive, and very inspiring to those who may be despairing about what their ADD creates for them. I highly recommend this book.
Note: Doesn't have the standard "Do you have ADD?" tests & stuff. This is for those who know they have it.
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