This unique and fundamentally liberating book shows us that examining our attitudes toward money earning it, spending it, and giving it away can of...
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reviews
Oct 19, 2007
Jenna
rated it: 
To be perfectly honest, I expected to hate this book. I thought it would be flimsy and cliched and hapless.
To my great surprise, it isn't. What it is, is a moving book that challenges the reader to reexamine assumptions about money, wealth, and "enough."
I read this at about the same time I read The Fifth Discipline, and they were actually a great combination, giving rise to my thoughtful reflection on the mental model of scarcity that most of us (including me) More...
To my great surprise, it isn't. What it is, is a moving book that challenges the reader to reexamine assumptions about money, wealth, and "enough."
I read this at about the same time I read The Fifth Discipline, and they were actually a great combination, giving rise to my thoughtful reflection on the mental model of scarcity that most of us (including me) More...
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Aug 29, 2011
Sherry
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This book was recommended to me. As I often do, though consciously I am trying not to anymore, I read prepared to react, to judge, to criticize, to dismiss. The photo of the author on the book jacket gave me reason not to venture further (no need to explain), but I opened the book and read anyway.
However, someplace along the way, as I read THE SOUL OF MONEY, I just read, I just listened. I was most engaged with the stories, more off put by the didactic nature of the book. I will cont More...
However, someplace along the way, as I read THE SOUL OF MONEY, I just read, I just listened. I was most engaged with the stories, more off put by the didactic nature of the book. I will cont More...
Nov 04, 2009
May-Ling
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i liked the book because it made me think more about money and my life. it's a little too "chicken soup for the soul" for me at some parts. i think it is a better read for someone who doesn't already think a lot about their relationship for money and i'm always doing that. here's an excerpt of the type of thinking the book opens up.
"The myths of scarcity that drive popular culture and popular wisdom promote owning, holding, collecting and accumulating. In the context o More...
"The myths of scarcity that drive popular culture and popular wisdom promote owning, holding, collecting and accumulating. In the context o More...
Jan 08, 2009
Megan
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I will admit to some initial skepticism about this book; especially given the first few chapters, I expected it to be an offering of over-sentimentalized neo-liberal non-profit jargon. I'm glad to have been proven mostly wrong, and to see the critiques of American aid and charity that Twist offers up. I think she's right; we need solidarity, not charity.
Many of her ideas on sufficiency - that we will both experience fulfillment and bring about the change we need in the world when we More...
Many of her ideas on sufficiency - that we will both experience fulfillment and bring about the change we need in the world when we More...
Oct 23, 2010
Madeline
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I think this book is a must-read for anyone doing good in the world who is forced through that work to deal with money, from fundraising to managing funds to developing a program.
As someone doing non-profit work, I can say that this book personally has helped me to re-evaluate my relationship with money in more a healthy, productive way. Fund-raising is so often perceived as the "evil necessity" or the "boring" part of non-profit and other social work, but it doesn' More...
As someone doing non-profit work, I can say that this book personally has helped me to re-evaluate my relationship with money in more a healthy, productive way. Fund-raising is so often perceived as the "evil necessity" or the "boring" part of non-profit and other social work, but it doesn' More...
Mar 14, 2010
Jerry
rated it:
Lynne Twist talks about money in a way that I've never experienced before. She delves deep into the idea of money as a means of expressing our greatest hopes for ourselves and our communities. The way she talks about money imbues it with a spiritual significance that I've realized is totally appropriate. Lynne's life is now dedicated to putting into the practice that helping people to help themselves - rather than just stopping at "helping people" - is the way to co-create a more comp
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Aug 28, 2011
Laura
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I'm going to give this book 3 stars. Although I am inclined to give it 2 stars. Yes - we over consume. And that consumption robs us of something in our interactions with other people. She points to Live Aid as having created a greater sense of dependency by those receiving the aid. She also acknowledges a level of corruption in much aid. However, I didn't have enough concrete examples of what she was proposing instead. I felt this could easily let people feel they didn't need to be involv
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Jul 23, 2008
Kellie
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Enjoyed the book. Author is very passionate and tends to get a little long winded, but I enjoyed her thoughts. I will recommend it to all my clients, perhaps it will be a Christmas gift to each of them...
Keep your highlighter handy, there are many great thoughts to come back to at a later time.
Here are a few of my favorites...
"No matter how much or how little money you have flowing through your life, when you direct that flow with soulful purpose, you f More...
Keep your highlighter handy, there are many great thoughts to come back to at a later time.
Here are a few of my favorites...
"No matter how much or how little money you have flowing through your life, when you direct that flow with soulful purpose, you f More...
Feb 06, 2011
Diane
rated it:
The keys to this book are her clear definition of the 'scarcity principle': Myth 1 there's not enough; myth 2 more is better; myth 3 that's just how it is. Then she provides examples from her experience in the field internationally to shine the light on these myths. The second, but equally important principle she identifies is 'sufficiency' Its these two principles that make this worth exploring. Its the human condition each of us must face with honesty and compassion, not blame or righteou
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Apr 29, 2010
Laura
rated it:
When I saw this was our book club book for April, I about gagged. I am not huge into non-fiction anyway, and this sounded like a total snooze-fest. However, I liked this book a lot more than I thought I was going to!
Lynn Twist is a fundraiser for several major non-profits, and she has had some amazing experiences, including meeting Mother Theresa, working with the Achubar of the Amazon, and traveling all over the world giving seminars. The chapters with stories of actual people More...
Lynn Twist is a fundraiser for several major non-profits, and she has had some amazing experiences, including meeting Mother Theresa, working with the Achubar of the Amazon, and traveling all over the world giving seminars. The chapters with stories of actual people More...
Jul 25, 2009
Joan
rated it:
I agree with the author's overall point that our use of and relationship with money can be used in more positive, values-affirming ways and that the first step in this is recognizing that we really do have all that we need right now. By the middle of the book, however, I started to wonder if delivering this particular message was all the author intended to do with the pages in front of me. The stories are personal which is nice but I would have also like to read some demonstrative examples of ho
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Jun 08, 2008
Ramona
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Want to get out of your way when it comes to dealing with money and all of the stigma attached to it. Lynn Twist brings to light the extraordinary power that can be harnessed by having a "right" relationship with money. She reveals the potent possibilities available to those that know how to work within the monetary system and who use it for the greater good.
She shows us that scarcity, a fable cast by cultural beliefs, thrusts the believer into a repetitive pattern that More...
She shows us that scarcity, a fable cast by cultural beliefs, thrusts the believer into a repetitive pattern that More...
Feb 25, 2010
Mike
rated it:
This book was interesting and had a lot of insights and some very touching moments. I was disappointed to see that there was a story about an abusive husband who held his creative, intelligent, etc. etc. wife back, but nothing about abusive women who cause suffering to men and children... the author is a shallow feminist. Other than that the book was pretty good.
Mar 04, 2010
Shea
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I liked this book better than I thought I would. I received it as a graduation present. But it turns out that it did really make me look about the role of money in the world and in my own life in a more critical way. And I really like her view on foreign aid as crippling to those in need. As well as the importance of collaboration.
Mar 28, 2009
John
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Overpromises and underdelivers. Some good parts....but otherwise disappointing. After the first 30 pages, which was the best part of the book, I started skimming quickly.
If you're playing the great gain game, not a bad book to start changing your philosophy. Must be followed up by Approaching Zion by Hugh Nibley which is the best modern book on man's relationship to money.
If you're playing the great gain game, not a bad book to start changing your philosophy. Must be followed up by Approaching Zion by Hugh Nibley which is the best modern book on man's relationship to money.
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Jul 04, 2009
Patricia
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Beautifully written. Thought provoking. Inspiring. I would recommend this book to everyone I know. Chris and I started reconsidering our relationship with money about 8 years ago. This book really helped me continue that exploration in a very positive way.
Feb 02, 2010
Hope
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liked many thing about this book, very provacative ideas and good for a group discussion. However I think her editor should be fired. There was so many run-on sentences and redundancies that I would practically fall asleep in parts. the stories of real people were great in illustrating her concepts.
Dec 27, 2009
Swami
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met a woman who lives the integrity of using money for the best of reasons (ie, not just a book about someone talking about the theory). Great respect for her and her work with the Pachamama Alliance
Jul 31, 2011
Vince
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What amazing woman this this Lynne Twist. I learned a lot from her and really appreciate her lessons about money. Net Net...your money is a blessing from which can change the world.
Jan 02, 2008
Asta
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I liked the anecdotes about people the author knows and her experiences traveling the world. The story about meeting Mother Teresa in India was great.
The thesis is that money is powerful and should be used to create good for you and the world. I can agree with that. Also, money flows like water and we are the coduites of our money. We can control the flow and need to learn how to direct the flow of money to create good, happy, balanced lives.
There are not concrete s More...
The thesis is that money is powerful and should be used to create good for you and the world. I can agree with that. Also, money flows like water and we are the coduites of our money. We can control the flow and need to learn how to direct the flow of money to create good, happy, balanced lives.
There are not concrete s More...
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Jan 22, 2009
Cyndie
rated it:
Lynn Twist wants you to know that you already have the money you need! You just need to be more aware of how you spend it and what role it plays in your life.
Dec 12, 2011
Courtney
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A little preachy at times but overall a good reminder that money is not evil. It's all about how we choose to make it and what we choose to do with it.
Jun 26, 2011
Sally
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This book should be required reading for everyone. This is not about how to manage your money - rather a book to change how you view the world. Loved it.
Sep 20, 2009
Peggii
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"Money itself isn't the problem. Money itself isn't bad or good. Money doesn't have power. It is our interpretation of money, our interaction with it, where the mischief is".
Mar 07, 2009
Just started to read. Initiated into the beggar and maiming of children for begging in India - amazing. Then I just saw Slumdog Millionaire.
Oct 30, 2010
Heather S. W.
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Must READ. Favorite $ book. Love the story of Mother Teresa and the Wealthy couple! Loved the concept of $ = power and consciously spending $.
Jun 04, 2011
Sharon
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Helpful if you actually go through and follow her suggestions. It gave me lots of insight into my own relationship with money.
Jun 01, 2011
Adam
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A Recommendation from Lauren:
It's a good book, well constructed, and since it was recommended by a friend, worth reading. I found it enhanced views I already felt about money, which is probably why I'm friends with this person.
Spoiler Alert*** In summary, vote with your dollars, and be aware that we are all connected. Sufficiency is the economic word of the day, and scarcity is so out. Use what you have for good.
It's a good book, well constructed, and since it was recommended by a friend, worth reading. I found it enhanced views I already felt about money, which is probably why I'm friends with this person.
Spoiler Alert*** In summary, vote with your dollars, and be aware that we are all connected. Sufficiency is the economic word of the day, and scarcity is so out. Use what you have for good.
Jan 19, 2010
Lauren
rated it:
Love this book. Talks about our relationship with money and how it relates to our core values.
