Self-help: To millions of Americans it seems like a godsend. To many others it seems like a joke. But as investigative reporter Steve Salerno revea...
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Nov 28, 2009
Khaya
rated it: 
“To be honest…I don’t think there’s been any profession that has wreaked more damage on the culture than psychology.” (John Rosemond, quoted in “SHAM”) Ouch.
In this book, Steve Salerno takes on what he calls SHAM – the Self-Help and Actualization Movement. As you can see from his chosen acronym, he’s not a fan. In fact, parts of the book read like an angry diatribe with ad hominem attacks. “Her doctoral dissertation was titled ‘Effects of Insulin on 3-0 Methylglucose Transport i More...
In this book, Steve Salerno takes on what he calls SHAM – the Self-Help and Actualization Movement. As you can see from his chosen acronym, he’s not a fan. In fact, parts of the book read like an angry diatribe with ad hominem attacks. “Her doctoral dissertation was titled ‘Effects of Insulin on 3-0 Methylglucose Transport i More...
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Jun 23, 2010
Marnie
rated it: 
This is the same review I left on amazon.
__________
There is a lot in this book worthy of merit. In cases where the author has cited real facts, studies and professionals in the field of psychology, he builds a compelling case that the self help movement is flawed at its core. I will admit that I am already biased against self-help and its big name proponents so I was a pretty easy sell on these things.
But where there are strong cases that the self esteem movement h More...
__________
There is a lot in this book worthy of merit. In cases where the author has cited real facts, studies and professionals in the field of psychology, he builds a compelling case that the self help movement is flawed at its core. I will admit that I am already biased against self-help and its big name proponents so I was a pretty easy sell on these things.
But where there are strong cases that the self esteem movement h More...
Jan 01, 2012
Frederick
rated it: 
This is a book about the Self-Help and Actualization Movement. It describes such people as Tony Robbins, Dr. Phil, Dr. Laura, Suze Orman, Tommy Lasorda, John Gray ('Men are from Mars...') and Marianne Williamson. It describes how shallow their advice often is and these people often inflate their resumes. He is especially vicious in skewering Dr. Laura.The book is a little unfocused however. He tears down a number of prominent experts, but does not give us any guidance about how to tell useful fr
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Jun 15, 2009
Katie
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I found this book very interesting. The author devotes entire chapters to Dr. Phil and Oprah, two people that I absolutely cannot stand. He points out that many "self-help gurus" are trying to help people with the very thing that plagues them. In Dr. Phil's background, he has an ex-wife on whom he cheated. When she confronted him, he said, "Get over it", one of his famous one-liners. Dr. Laura Schlessinger's harsh stance against extra-marital sex and pornography is highl
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May 16, 2011
Andy
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A pretty good overview of the misleading and even dangerous implications of America's culture of self-help covering the two basic movements (victimization and empowerment). Although it is presumably difficult to cover in great detail this controversy in all its aspects, Salerno does a pretty reasonable job considering he wrote about not just one of the manifestations, but all of the important ones from Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil, and Tony Robbins, to Alcoholics Anonymous, the self-esteem movement
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Apr 05, 2011
Natasha
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I do agree with some of Salerno's points, namely that people like Dr. Phil shouldn't be practicing therapy and that a lot of life coaching is just common sense. I do think he places way too much of a blame of Sham for causing today's culture. I see Sham as being a result of today's culture. With technology, our lives our becoming move convenient and people are being unable to live without certain devices. New generations feel entitled to more and more than the previous generation. The American D
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Feb 04, 2011
Redshirt
rated it: 
The premise is interesting, and he takes it in some intriguing directions. But his research and level of discussion is every bit as bad as those he purports to be exposing. Conflates correlation with causation on a regular basis, makes sweeping generalizations based on little to no evidence, etc.
Also surprisingly axe-grind-y about feminism, for a book that is not about feminism. Feminism shows up 8 times in the book, and always as the bad guy.
I'm sure Salerno doesn't actually More...
Also surprisingly axe-grind-y about feminism, for a book that is not about feminism. Feminism shows up 8 times in the book, and always as the bad guy.
I'm sure Salerno doesn't actually More...
Aug 19, 2010
Andrew
rated it:
Interesting book but kind of a downer. It was a one sided critique of the self help industry. I mostly agreed with the author's points but I'm suspicious of a completely negative take of such a sweeping subject. Surely there are positive things that can be said about this person or that subject and certainly counterpoints exist to much of the material presented- but that was not Salerno's object here. He could have used a little humor too. The take home message of this book is a good one th
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Nov 02, 2010
Eric
rated it: 
Steve Salerno nails exactly self-help is complete and utter bull@#$. He does it from the start, when he reports that market study shows the key demographic of self-help book buyers are--wait for it--self-help book buyers. He nails down motivational speakers like Tony Robbins and Stephen Covey. He nails down talk show hosts like Dr.'s Phil and Laura. And he is merciless, laying bare the fraud that is the Self Help and Actualization Movement.
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Feb 17, 2011
Jocelin
rated it:
I thought this was an interesting book. America has become obsessed with self-help. Most of the books that are out there leave us more confused than when we started. This book gave great insight to some of the ideas that have made us dependant on false hope and false promises. There were some aspects of the book that got a little boring like the chapter on "Put me in Coach". Overall very informant and worth reading.
Aug 04, 2010
This was older than I thought after having seen him on Dateline.
Plus, it started to feel redundant after the third chapter or so. Yes, self-help gurus make lots of money off catchphrases that don't mean much and living lifestyles that don't match what they preach.
I didn't find that to be a big revelation, so I figured I could stop reading. =)
Plus, it started to feel redundant after the third chapter or so. Yes, self-help gurus make lots of money off catchphrases that don't mean much and living lifestyles that don't match what they preach.
I didn't find that to be a big revelation, so I figured I could stop reading. =)
Dec 18, 2011
Caroline
rated it:
if money is involved, it's likely a scam/sham. don't believe all those gurus- save your money. they affect everything from schools, healthcare, love lives, medicine, crime and justice system. self help in america is all about getting the speaker rich, not about helping the lives of people. i loved this book
Sep 13, 2009
Lynn
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This is a one-sided attack against the self-help industry. I liked it so much because you rarely read criticisms of people like Oprah, Dr. Phil, Tony Robins, etc. Well deserved attacks on all.
Dec 17, 2009
Julian
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Mr. Salerno would have better served his work had he taken a mor humorous tack (like Peter Washington's history of the new age movement in Madame Blavatsky's Baboon). Instead it's a bunch of bitter griping which I got thoroughly tired of 200 pages in and never finished. Having said that, there are some important and illuminating points he makes regarding the self-help movement. If you are interested about the facade and uselessness of said movement and/or would like a counter point to the vom
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Oct 11, 2007
Peter
rated it:
If you watch Dr. Phil and think as hard as you can about his hair catching on fire like total Drew Barrymore in Firestarter then you should read this book. It's an absolute fantastic discovery into the multi-million dollar industry of self-help crap that only helps the authors and business people behind it.
Oh and I'm a psychotherapist working on my first self-help book I'll let you know when it comes out.
Oh and I'm a psychotherapist working on my first self-help book I'll let you know when it comes out.
Jun 08, 2008
Jean-claude
rated it:
This book takes a cynical view of the self-help movement and can only be truly appreciated after having experienced its benefits and disappointments. The ideas of SHAM do work, but unfortunately they only work once, during the idealistic phase of life.
This book should not be read by anyone under 30.
This book should not be read by anyone under 30.
Jun 06, 2008
Nancy
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This was an interesting, if somewhat depressing expose about how the self-help movement has virtually crippled American society. Some of it I completely agreed with, other parts I wasn't sure I did. But it was well researched although perhaps not as impartial as it could be and gave plenty of food for thought
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Dec 16, 2009
oriana
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A. Maz. Ing. This is the kind of book that confirms everything I've always suspected, and lays it out in a smart, coherent way that has the added effect of making me furious at the world.
Apr 16, 2008
Jen
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Moderately interesting, a few fun anecdotes and studies, not particularly worthwhile for anyone who already thinks the Self-Help movement is bunk.
Jul 12, 2008
Jessica
rated it:
This was a very good analysis of the self-help movement and how it has changed how Americans view themselves and get bilked out a lot of cash.
Feb 07, 2012
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