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Rip It Up
by
Rip up this book and unleash your hidden potential
Most self-help books encourage you to think differently; to think yourself thin, imagine a richer self or to visualize the perfect you. This is difficult, time consuming and often doesn’t work.
Drawing on a dazzling array of scientific evidence, psychologist Richard Wiseman presents a radical new insight that turns co
...moreKindle Edition, 256 pages
Published
July 5th 2012
by Macmillan
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I really enjoyed reading this book. In a nutshell, it describes how our actions changes our emotions (not the other way around), and how this can be used to improve our lives. Using actions to change emotions is far easier to do than the converse - trying to change our emotions so that we then act differently.
I like how the author uses research to back up the key points. Many of the ideas presented are also applicable to daily life, so can be used by the reader without difficulty. Throughout th ...more
I like how the author uses research to back up the key points. Many of the ideas presented are also applicable to daily life, so can be used by the reader without difficulty. Throughout th ...more

For the giveaway, please click here.
I was sent this book, plus a copy to give away to one reader, by the publisher (Pan MacMillan) in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know a thing about psychology. Or rather, I didn't before reading this book. Richard Wiseman sets out to write a new type of self-help book, and although I have never read any before so have nothing to compare it against, I really did enjoy this one.
The basic premise is that you read through each chapter, which sets up each ta ...more
I was sent this book, plus a copy to give away to one reader, by the publisher (Pan MacMillan) in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know a thing about psychology. Or rather, I didn't before reading this book. Richard Wiseman sets out to write a new type of self-help book, and although I have never read any before so have nothing to compare it against, I really did enjoy this one.
The basic premise is that you read through each chapter, which sets up each ta ...more

There is a lot of useful information scattered through this book, along with a fair bit I will probably never use. It's not groundbreaking information if you are familiar with psychology, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth reading again and considering how you could actually apply it in your own life. Ripping pages out of the book didn't bother me much, but if you're someone who thinks books are meant to be clean and pristine, than you may struggle with the exercises. I am sure you could just
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Wiseman continues his work exploring how individuals can apply established Psychological theory in their lives. If you've read 59 Seconds, then this book expands on and refines some of the thinking explored in that book. Much of the theory here derives from or is related to the work of psychologist William James, who proposed theories entirely opposite to those of his peer Freud. Where Freud speculated about an inner landscape of subconscious, full of drives you don't understand that effect your
...more

Feb 27, 2013
NormaCenva
rated it
did not like it
Recommends it for:
better not,
Shelves:
books-i-ve-enjoyed-in-my-20s
Reading this book left me quite upset and angry (don't worry just for couple of seconds only). As a "helping" professional, in my field I work directly with people who have all sorts of difficulties in their lives, and I learned from experience both personal and relational, that there are NEVER any cut out, ready solution for a problem, even if it may seen so in the beginning.
This book is just another one of the sorts that tries to masks CBT approach. It tries to portray the proposed solutions ...more
This book is just another one of the sorts that tries to masks CBT approach. It tries to portray the proposed solutions ...more

Picked this up from the 'free library' at the bottom of Scotland Street (a great idea, and where a fair amount of my books are coming from just now) as I'd once heard Richard Wiseman give a talk and thought he was quite interesting.
This book, though, rarely rises to the level of meh. I think there's an interesting article about William James buried in there somewhere, but it's hidden amidst selp-helf advice "the whiniest section of the bookshop" to quote a line from Rat Girl - though here my pro ...more
This book, though, rarely rises to the level of meh. I think there's an interesting article about William James buried in there somewhere, but it's hidden amidst selp-helf advice "the whiniest section of the bookshop" to quote a line from Rat Girl - though here my pro ...more

4.5
Although I believe this book should have been given different name it was full of interesting information and ideas, small exercises that could come in handy. It might or might not help you depending on who you are or how seriously you take it, but in my opinion it is definitely worth reading for everyone
Although I believe this book should have been given different name it was full of interesting information and ideas, small exercises that could come in handy. It might or might not help you depending on who you are or how seriously you take it, but in my opinion it is definitely worth reading for everyone

I had previously read "59 Seconds" by Wiseman and thoroughly enjoyed the concise, immediately practical findings of modern psychology presented in the author's unique style. I had high expectations for "Rip it Up", and for the most part I was not disappointed.
Most of the book is dedicated to the results of various experiments related to what Wiseman calls the "act as if" principle he outlined in his other books. As I mentioned, most of the advice in the book is immediately usable in daily life ...more
Most of the book is dedicated to the results of various experiments related to what Wiseman calls the "act as if" principle he outlined in his other books. As I mentioned, most of the advice in the book is immediately usable in daily life ...more

"fake it till you make it" - that's the central premise of this enjoyable, relaxed and possibly life changing book. taking the work of william james as the start, prof wiseman describes the extensive and sometimes fun research on how emotions follow behaviour (and not the other way round). This approach resonated with me, so far as I've been off the fags for 3 days now with, so far, no problems. a practical, positive-action 'self-help' guide.
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Fun and interesting read. If you have read 59 seconds or Quirkology then some of the studies will be familiar to you. I enjoy the way that these books give straightforward realistic tips for making a change to your life. Some I do not remember all of the time but I like to refer back now and again for a quick happiness or self-esteem boost. It is amazing how easy it is to change how you feel by changing what you do first.

Like his previous book. This one continues the author's quest to review self-help advice by looking at studies that prove or disprove them to come up with practical advice.
Central to the book is the idea of the 'As if" principle. That behaviour affects emotions as well as the other way around.
A fun read. ...more
Central to the book is the idea of the 'As if" principle. That behaviour affects emotions as well as the other way around.
A fun read. ...more

A rather underwhelming book full of popular psychology. It doesn't offer anything new - but rather uses anecdotes to make one point. The way you act, dictates the way you feel.
That's all there is to it. ...more
That's all there is to it. ...more

Disappointing. I'm a big Richard Wiseman fan, but this book just wasn't nasic premise is good, and some of the research is interesting. But then the book just goes on and on and on about the same point, with no new information.
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A very oractical hapiness guide. Just read and do as it says. I like to read Richard's academic but cuddling way of writing :)
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Interesting book with detailed accounts of numerous experiments to assess happiness. If you like studies such with fake probes being attached to people's foreheads to mislead participants to thinking that the facial muscles are being studied (whereas subjective happiness is being studied) you will like this book. This study assessed the effect a smile has on reported happiness and showed that smiling did increase reported happiness. Therefore book suggests regular smiling for at least 20 seconds
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I had been trying to get my hands on a copy of this book for years and I finally got to read it. I must say that is is by far one of my favorites this year.
The book deals with a not so new psychological and behavioral theory or "method", if one could call it that way, that proposes a reversal of the "mind over matter" axiom. It states that sometimes the "mind" just reacts to the "matter" (being your body, surroundings, etc), if you act in a certain way, you will evoke a certain mood, the "body" ...more
The book deals with a not so new psychological and behavioral theory or "method", if one could call it that way, that proposes a reversal of the "mind over matter" axiom. It states that sometimes the "mind" just reacts to the "matter" (being your body, surroundings, etc), if you act in a certain way, you will evoke a certain mood, the "body" ...more

The main theme of this book is that altering your behaviour can alter your emotions, for example smiling can make you happy. This idea is summed up in the phrase “fake it until you make it” which has been around for quite a while.
I found some of the advice useful, such as pushing away food to help you diet, but in many sections I found the key points were lost in the long winded writing.
Overall I I thought this book provided some good advice, but was too long (reading time around 6 hours) and wo ...more
I found some of the advice useful, such as pushing away food to help you diet, but in many sections I found the key points were lost in the long winded writing.
Overall I I thought this book provided some good advice, but was too long (reading time around 6 hours) and wo ...more

The most important and the only take away from this book is the 'as-if principle'. behaviour influences emotions, actions influence behaviour, etc. You smile and you feel happy and not the other way around. this single point is highlighted in the entire book using different studies and experiments. It radically changes your thought process. but other than this, there's nothing in this book. hence 3*
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Purchase Rip It Up here for just $10!
Not just another old self help book! Wiseman's Rip It Up backs up his tips with scientific evidence, and can be applied to every facet of your life; physical, emotional, professional and interpersonal.
Anastasia- The Book Grocer ...more
Not just another old self help book! Wiseman's Rip It Up backs up his tips with scientific evidence, and can be applied to every facet of your life; physical, emotional, professional and interpersonal.
Anastasia- The Book Grocer ...more

It is fun and full of interesting information, but I hate that it pretends to be one of those wacky books that promise to fix all your problems. I know it is a marketing strategy (people aren't as interested in popular science books about psychology as they are in being happier), but it's annoying to me.
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Empiracle evidence to describe what works and what doesn't work in the realm of self help. Good portion of book is a rehash of 59 seconds (previous book by RW). The other 50% is new material which is great. Highly recommend.
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Not Wiseman's best book; repetitive in parts and covers ground that anyone familiar with his work will know. Still lots of interesting stuff in there. Probably best to be selective and just read the chapters that interest you.
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Will definitely be trying out some of the things I've learned from this book. I did notice that I do exhibit some things he has mentioned here.
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Did you people actually ripped up parts of the book? | 5 | 18 | Dec 10, 2013 11:48AM | |
Book Giveaways: [Ends 5th August] 'Rip it Up' by Richard Wiseman (INT) | 2 | 10 | Jul 29, 2013 11:46AM | |
Dragons & Jetpacks:
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1 | 18 | Jul 28, 2013 07:02AM | |
Free Books, .99, ...: [Ends 5th August] 'Rip it Up' by Richard Wiseman (INT) | 1 | 9 | Jul 28, 2013 07:01AM |
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Professor Richard Wiseman started his working life as a professional magician, and was one of the youngest members of The Magic Circle. He then obtained a degree in psychology from University College London and a doctorate from the University of Edinburgh.
Richard currently holds Britain’s only Professorship in ...more
Professor Richard Wiseman started his working life as a professional magician, and was one of the youngest members of The Magic Circle. He then obtained a degree in psychology from University College London and a doctorate from the University of Edinburgh.
Richard currently holds Britain’s only Professorship in ...more
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