Telling the Truth About Perfectionism - Inadequacy and Power (2/20/08)

This is a book for anyone who wonders why they have not or choose not to make changes and what gets in their way. Brene Brown backs up her beliefs with hands on research and a good dose of humility and humor. It is a self help book that reminds us we can't do it without support and connection. Great job Brene.

It was a really informative, educational and therapeutic book that addresses the life paralyzing feeling of shame. It really help normalize my experience and help me with learning ways to let go of shame.i I suggest reading if you have issues of shame in your life.

It became very boring, , I had enough of her examples, it was ok about Shame, but only read half the book, she put me to sleep. I have a book club, so that is the book of the month, so I already chose a new book for Feb,

This book gives a vocabulary to talk with our family and friends to create change. It also validates "the incorrect" assumption that we are alone in the feelings we suppress when we sense the complete garbage that is thrown out into society.

This book has so many 'stories' that I figure most anyone can identify with at least one, but I found the book depressing. It's more of a this is why book and has little to help one move on and better oneself. I kept expecting to find the part where it would help me and after reading chapter after chapter, there would be just one or two sentences of try this. It could be shortened for a much easier read and could use less, 'this is why i decided to write this book' in it.

I actually bought this book about 3 years ago and didn’t finish it. I picked it up a week ago and couldn’t put it down. It was what I needed today. Shame isn’t something that dictates much of our behavior and if we don’t see those systems in our lives we can’t be better humans to ourselves and to others. I highly recommend it.

practicing courage, compassion and connection---in a culture of fear, blame and disconnection. As humans(women as this book speaks about) we sometimes don't see or refuse to see our flaws but when we do we refuse to focus on nothing but what we are are going through. This books teaches to see and deal with shame. The author doesn't stuff your head with facts that you will forget after a few pages. She "speaks" beacase she has experienced what many of those reading have. You experience a sense of empathy with not only the author but those others in the book. Empathetic, inspirational, and trully touching. A good read for all.

I needed to read this book. It gave me insight into some of the identity issues I'm processing through right now and how shame has had a large influence on how I view myself. The information in this book has helped me better identify my motivations for responding in negative ways in certain situations....it is very much tied to shame. I'm grateful for the way she offers a process for dealing with it and developing shame resilience. I will probably reference this book a lot as I consider my own shaming experiences and think about how I can be more helpful as people are processing through their own.

After getting Daring Greatly in audio format, I had expected Brene Brown's voice again. However, it was another speaker. My bad - I did not read closely enough.

Do be careful to buy the right version - I purchased the CD MP3 version. Works great on the PC, but won't provide track-by-track listening on my aging CD car and boom box players. Will try to download to my phone next to get good audio controls.

Happy Listening!

Brene Brown's books and talks resonate with me. Brilliant, insightful and genuine - very much worth your time. Being a first time mom and feeling like I could never be good enough... It helped me immeasurably to know I'm not alone and I AM ENOUGH! This is my first audiobook, without having much time to sit and read, this format worked perfectly.

This book speaks right to the core of me. While Dr. Brown gives many examples and explanations, some concepts are still challenging for me to apply personally. I think this book can have a profound impact on my shame state and relationships. I just don't know if I have the courage or compassion to connect with others in the ways she suggests.
Dr. Brown is clearly an authority in the area of shame.
This book shows that it isn't just me but everyone, and yet shame is a deeply personal and private issue.

I thought it would be more interesting and catching but I have struggled to get past chapter 3. I know shame is a huge part of why we blame ourselves and how important it is to understand it. I may have to keep on reading to see if there is something in the book I did not know.

Easy to read and a clear breakdown of the tangled mess that shame makes in our minds and hearts as women. Dr. Brown even begins to delve into the matter of shame regarding men and our children. This book was great, but as a mother of three boys- one with Asperger Syndrome and two more under age two- and wife to a white horse husband, I want a book on how to do this right with them. A point made in the book is that we help women and girls by raising our men and boys the right way.

I am really enjoying Brene's first book on shame. I actually read her second one first, and enjoyed it as well, but this one seems to be more densely packed with information, research, etc. If you want a lighter read, go for "The Gifts of Imperfection". If you want one with more substance, this is the one for you.

A wonderful book that will really make you think about how you process life's experiences. What you may think is just your interpretation of a situstion is actually a common feeling by others. It helped me feel more normal after reading it

I really didn't understand what shame was before this book. I now see it in my life and can work to change or move through it with grace. I did find the writing complicated at times and this required me to re-read several sentences or paragraphs. This coupled with processing my own emotions and experiences made it a "long" read.

Brene offers a great deal of insight from her research. As we interact with others, it's important to have an understanding of who we are and why we do the things we do. I thought It was Just Me provides some thought provoking material that helps you think about your emotional responses and how you can improve yourself. Definitely recommend this book for anyone in a helping related profession!

I liked this book very very much. I recommend it for women. It talks about shame and some other hard experiences we get through as women. I think every women should read it, whatever you're going through, you're not alone and this book shows you that. Really empowering because it shows you that we are all getting through some hard experiences at one moment and we don't need to be ashamed of it.

Brene chose to focus this book on women. I found her research to be extensive, grass roots, real and profoundly applicable to me. She touches on men in the concluding chapter but covers both genders in a more balanced manner in The gifts of imperfection. Her writing style in both books is warm, intimate and real. She has the courage to be honest, vulnerable, successful and personally connected to her exploration of shame.

I loved that it struck a chord within me to my worst shame of "appearance" I have body image problems. And I am beautiful, I get told all the time..I just couldn't get my mind to change. The worst was what I was telling myself when I looked in the mirror and how it was affecting the way I communicated everything to everyone. Not realizing I was trying to be a wife, work out, be a professional, care for my pets, care for my 17 yr old sister, cook the dinner, clean the house, do the grocery shopping, and help my husband with his college work, without a resentful attitude and a smile on my face. That that was "SHAME" And I made myself feel I was a bad wife, sister,home maker, professional when I got something wrong. NOT LOVING MYSELF AT ALL. It's a lot easier and kinder to admit that life is complicated and lessons are to be learned and people make mistakes all the time. And to bite my tongue (the hardest mission) LISTEN speak with compassion not my own filter on someone else situation. She just highlighted everything I needed to practice. And practice for my future children now so I don't shame them (as best I can) I love to help other women, I share this book with almost everyone woman I know who hints on a section. I desire more about the men's perspective but it seems simple enough and is very true. So me getting to be patient knowing my husband is processing his own shame and sneaking these lessons in so he doesn't think I'm analyzing him. Knowing were growing and changing all because I've at least begun righting my side of the ship. And he'll start doing the same and won't even know it. If I don't act the same he can't react the same. Life in progress. And this is One tool to help along the way.

I am going through lots of changes marriage spit up, selling of house and business, I have no home, no job and no partner so no anchors. Most of the time this is exciting but sometimes it is so scary it overwhelms me and when that happens I go back to reading this book or any of the others written by Brene and that it helps me to cope and feel positive again, thanks so much ?

Brene Brown is fab but you only need to buy the book she, herself, delivers (Daring Greatly, I think it's called). All others seem to copy that one almost word for word, with less dynamic narrators too.

This book and Dr. Brown's other book, the Gifts of Imperfection, have been tremendously helpful to me and I have shared them with all the other women in my life. She is the opposite of clinical and condescending, talks openly about her own life and struggles and triumphs, and makes her research and findings accessible and easy to incorporate into your life. Perfect for overachieving 20 somethings trying to adjust to the real world and middle aged moms trying to find balance alike. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't benefit from this not too heavy, not too long read. So many "ah-ha" moments throughout.

This book reveals how shame has been historically used in our education - both family and school - and that the price our generations pay might jeopardize the best of us. Author Brené Brown does a good job and you can do your own reflections on shame culture just by thinking about your own life.

This book arrived on time and was in very good condition. I recommend this book to anyone who is dealing
with shaming issues. Brene Brown is a great author and she has many other books to help with seeing
who you really are.

If you've ever wondered about the power of shame in your own and others' lives, this is just the book for you. If you've even wondered how to counter all the shaming messages sent to you by the wider society, this is just the book for you.

I was particularly attracted to Brown's analysis of the role of shame in maintaining our cultural status quo; knowing exactly who benefits from your feeling inadequate. Who makes money if you don't feel attractive enough, competent enough, patient enough...?

Speaking as one with a huge respect for social research, I appreciated the careful, sustained inquiry into such a painful topic. And it's not just valuable for women; she is careful to note (albeit towards the end) that shame is as large a topic in men's lives as it is in women's--the triggers are just different.

Though scholarly, the language is not academic, which makes the material more accessible. An excellent first read to understand the subject of shame and it's place in ALL our lives.

Wow, I thought she was writing about me it made me see how easy it is to adopt the words of other people true or not, now I know who I am and am still working on the little things with the help of this book.

This is quite an eye opener. I actually bought this book because I'm a certified life coach and I like to know good books to recommend for different issues that may hold people back from their goals and give them a new perspective. Let me tell you, this book gave me a new perspective on my own life and I saw a lot of correlations. I realized that a lot of my experiences have had to do with shame and what shame truly is since I don't think I really understood what it was and how it affects a person. Now I truly do. Just don't be surprised if during the reading of this book you have strong emotions come up surrounding past events from your life. Recognize it for what it is....a time for healing.

Material is very useful and informative, however, the info in this book seems to be repetitive of her previous books. My desire for purchasing this book was to receive fresh, new info. As an author and speaker she is wonderful!

Excellent book for my clients to read regarding shame and how it affects their lives. Often individuals need a new vocabulary to express the challenges and the unconscious emotions that confront them. This book does just that.

I appreciated the author's personal stories and overall did not enjoy the book. The content pointed out shame and did not have any "take away" action steps. It felt like the book had a great topic and missed the delivery. Brene Brown is an amazing speaker and I've enjoyed her TED talks.

So thankful that my brother introduced me to Brene Brown's work. Anyone attempting to understand how we get where we are emotionally and socially and seeking to live a wholehearted life needs to read her books!

Just starting this one. At first I did not care for it's outline, but after reading more- it clears the clouds and smoke. It's one of the life lessens we all need to understand and learn to cope with and get through life.
It is an important read for all!

I did think it was just me...
I knew that shame ruled many aspects of my life and shut off parts of me that caused the shame. I think that shame and regret are the most damaging things that can happen to a person other than death. Learning to accept that part of you that you find shameful and actually make them your strengths is one of the most freeing experiences of my life.

I really enjoy Berné Brown and all her research. I think she has hit the nail on the head when it comes to how people are really feeling. This book has made me so much more aware of what is really going on in my head and what to do about it.,

Very moving, life changing.....without the overwhelming fear that you are the only one.
Dr. Brown nailed it on many levels, and with awareness I have already begun to reflect in a much more constructive way.

This book by Brene Brown really should be read by all. She has brought to light a concept that has changed and challenged me to accept shame as a huge part of our society and how we relate and interact with each other. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

I haven't yet even gone through a quarter of the book and I'm loving the level of profundity. The ideas are not deep in the sense that they are mind shattering but they are real and alter my perception of my own interpersonal interactions.

I really enjoy Berné Brown and all her research. I think she has hit the nail on the head when it comes to how people are really feeling. This book has made me so much more aware of what is really going on in my head and what to do about it.,

Very moving, life changing.....without the overwhelming fear that you are the only one.
Dr. Brown nailed it on many levels, and with awareness I have already begun to reflect in a much more constructive way.

This book by Brene Brown really should be read by all. She has brought to light a concept that has changed and challenged me to accept shame as a huge part of our society and how we relate and interact with each other. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

I haven't yet even gone through a quarter of the book and I'm loving the level of profundity. The ideas are not deep in the sense that they are mind shattering but they are real and alter my perception of my own interpersonal interactions.

I had great expectations of this book based on recommendations However, I thought it read like a first draft that had not yet been edited. Some interesting ideas but not well presented. I did not finish it which is so unlike me once I start a book. I would hesitate to buy another from this author. And I so wanted to like it since we are both social workers.

I was disappointed in the way this book's language and manner of presentation was so "Mass-Market" and rather simplistic, even though I understand why it may need to be so. I think one gets just as much from watching Brown's TED talk, unless a reader wants lots of personal narratives.

For anyone who's ever felt inadequate in some aspect of their life - this book is undoubtedly a great help. I could rave on and on about it, but to be fair, the best thing you can do is purchase it yourself and read it. It's an eye-opener in so many ways words can't do this book justice at all.

The personal anecdotes, apparently designed to illustrate some why's we do things we are ashamed of, do not appear to be realistic actions. Even as illustrations of how we can shame ourselves. Unrealistic. Then, the writing is not clear, and it is redundant. And I'm a reader of these kinds of books, this is among the poorest. I rarely write any reviews but perhaps my opinions will encourage people to check it out of the library before purchasing it.

I was really looking forward to reading this book; however, I found it to be quite a disappointment. I enjoy listening to Dr. Brown in her youtube videos and her message is great. But her writing doesn't thrill me.

I was disappointed because even though I read previews of the book it was not the subject matter I was looking for. I put it on my shelf and thought maybe I would need it at a later date or someone else I knew would.

Although I have not yet had time to read this book, the shipping was very quick and it came even sooner than they has originally said. It was in good condition and I look forward to starting this book.

What I don't like is the digital voice narrator. I paid extra for the ability to listen and it sucks because it's not a real person and if it is, they have messed with the voice digitally and it's not pleasant to listen to for more than a few minutes at a time.

This is a wonderful book that would have saved me a lot of anxiety when I was 20, 30, 40. Now that I am in my 70's it is still not too late to learn. The humor and honesty of Ms Brown makes the book fun to read.
Ms Brown appeared on a PBS station and that nudged my curiosity. She is as interesting to watch as she is to read.

Although I have not yet had time to read this book, the shipping was very quick and it came even sooner than they has originally said. It was in good condition and I look forward to starting this book.

What I don't like is the digital voice narrator. I paid extra for the ability to listen and it sucks because it's not a real person and if it is, they have messed with the voice digitally and it's not pleasant to listen to for more than a few minutes at a time.

This is a wonderful book that would have saved me a lot of anxiety when I was 20, 30, 40. Now that I am in my 70's it is still not too late to learn. The humor and honesty of Ms Brown makes the book fun to read.
Ms Brown appeared on a PBS station and that nudged my curiosity. She is as interesting to watch as she is to read.

This is written from a very beaten down and negative perspective. As in know your limits and do what you can to keep going. I wanted something more uplifting, positive and inspiring. It was none of those.