Karma Cola: Marketing the Mystic East
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • It will make you a more sophisticated traveler.
  • KARMA COLA IS AN AMAZINGLY WELL WRITTEN BOOK
  • Amazing...
  • True, but Very Partial and Unfair
  • Amusing but not Moving
Karma Cola: Marketing the Mystic East
Gita Mehta
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679754334
Release Date: 1994-06-28

Book Description

Beginning in the late '60s, hundreds of thousands of Westerners descended upon India, disciples of a cultural revolution that proclaimed that the magic and mystery missing from their lives was to be found in the East. An Indian writer who has also lived in England and the United States, Gita Mehta was ideally placed to observe the spectacle of European and American "pilgrims" interacting with their hosts. When she finally recorded her razor sharp observations in Karma Cola, the book became an instant classic for describing, in merciless detail, what happens when the traditions of an ancient and longlived society are turned into commodities and sold to those who don't understand them.

In the dazzling prose that has become her trademark, Mehta skewers the entire Spectrum of seekers: The Beatles, homeless students, Hollywood rich kids in detox, British guilt-trippers, and more. In doing so, she also reveals the devastating byproducts that the Westerners brought to the villages of rural lndia -- high anxiety and drug addiction among them.

Brilliantly irreverent, Karma Cola displays Gita Mehta's gift for weaving old and new, common and bizarre, history and current events into a seamless and colorful narrative that is at once witty, shocking, and poignant.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars It will make you a more sophisticated traveler........2007-03-18

I read Karma Cola before my first trip to India in 1983. It helped me understand that I cannot fully comprehend this beautiful, exotic culture. It is enough to merely observe and marvel in it.

I appreciate her irreverent tone, which reminds me of Tom Wolfe.


5 out of 5 stars KARMA COLA IS AN AMAZINGLY WELL WRITTEN BOOK.......2006-11-03

Gita Mehta has a real knack for using an economy of words. She covers the vast topic of Westerners misunderstanding of South Asian spirituality in less than 150 pages, and yet she leaft this reader feeling like he'd read a comprehensive summary of the issue.

Mehta has a wicked sense of humor, and excells at deflating the hypocracy of the fake gurus. This is an excellent book - you should buy it.

5 out of 5 stars Amazing..........2006-06-22

Mehta's book is nuanced and wonderful. She's hardly against the mixing of east and west (whatever those cliched labels may mean...) - she's a satirist laying bare the shallowness of hippies who trip and the sadhus who trip them. Mehta's "River Sutra" shows that she understands genuine spirituality well enough. She also understands Indian modernity well enough. (What could be more modern than the commodification of the spiritual and the "traditional"?).

I just wished she had focused a little more on the echo of colonialist greed in the attitudes of the many "spiritual seekers" who throng India's beaches and hills with their drugs and their personal issues. Whether its the hyper-aggressive Israeli military brats or the more clever thieves of intellectual property who go on to patent Indian techniques under their own names in the US and Europe, there's a seamy side to this story that perhaps needs another book.

In any case, this book is a must-read with the insulting exoticization of the "East" underway again...possibly a frightened reaction to the economic ascendence of Asian nations? (Its easier to dismiss the woman taking your job away if you imagine her spacing out in saffron...)

3 out of 5 stars True, but Very Partial and Unfair.......2005-06-04


I read this book during my fieldwork on spiritual tourism in India. Mehta is a professional writer from a highly secular elite Indian family. In this book, she snipes at both Western New Agers and Indian gurus of the 1970s. The former are criticized for being blindly naive in their search for salvation in India; the latter are denounced in their manipulation of naive foreigners, for the sake of their own material (sometimes, sexual) interests. I witnessed similar situations.

However, Mehta was way too selective in choosing what stories to tell, and says nothing positive about spiritual search. Underlying her sarcastic sense of humor, there lies a basic exclusionary assumption: Mehta is against the mixing of East and West. The book clearly shows her irritation with this type of experiments, and she ends up being unfair. For example, contrary to what she depicts, "Bhagwan" does not mean "God" among Osho disciples when referring to their leader. In sum, Mehta ends up throwing the baby out with the bath water.

3 out of 5 stars Amusing but not Moving.......2004-06-02

I bought this book while traveling in India. Mehta offers well-written vignettes in which Western hippies make fools of themselves in "mystic" India. Several of these vignettes are genuinely, laugh-out-loud funny.

Beyond this "culture clash" humor, the book makes no deep statements on the interrelationship of Eastern and Western cultures. Perhaps her criticisms were more relevant when a glut of hippies saturated India in the 60s and 70s, but the glut has dried up. In fact, perhaps if more Americans did travel to other nations, including India, and showed a genuine appreciation for other cultures and belief systems, we would all be better off.
Karma Cola Marketing the Mystic East
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Karma Cola Marketing the Mystic East
    Gita Mehta
    Manufacturer: Touchstone
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback
    ASIN: B000GR7A46

    Never Marry a Cowboy
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • A knight in Shining Armor!!
    • Great read!!! Very Romantic!!!
    • Excellent Writing Could Not Save This Book
    • I'M IN LOVE WITH KIT
    • Never Marry a Cowboy
    Never Marry a Cowboy
    Lorraine Heath
    Manufacturer: Avon
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Mass Market Paperback

    GeneralGeneral | Romance | Subjects | Books
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    GothicGothic | Romance | Subjects | Books
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    ASIN: 0380803313

    Book Description

    In his arms she found the greatest joy she'd ever known . . . but his heart belonged to another. Can her love make their marriage real before their time together ends—forever?

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars A knight in Shining Armor!!.......2007-06-18

    I absolutley loved this book, I have read it three times now. Kit agree's to marry his friends dying sister, Ashton. Before she died she wanted to experience love and marriage. Especially with Kit. Kit agree's and he treats her like a queen, taking care of all of her needs. Kit helped her experience everything you would feel when you are in love. I loved the way he treated her, very sweet, caring, romantic. This is just a great love story and I recommend it to anyone who loves romance. I will keep this book and read it again and again until I can't read it no more.

    5 out of 5 stars Great read!!! Very Romantic!!!.......2007-01-03

    I loved this whole series by Lorraine Heath. This book in particular was very touching.

    2 out of 5 stars Excellent Writing Could Not Save This Book.......2004-03-25

    The plot in this book was pathetic, and even the author's excellent writing could not save it. The event to bring the lead characters together was a fake wedding. The premise is the heroine is dying and her wish before she dies is to have a wedding ceremony. WHO WANTS TO HAVE A FAKE WEDDING???? I could have believed that she would wish for a temporary marriage, a night of passion, a party held in her honor, etc... But I cannot believe that anyone would want just a wedding ceremony as their dying wish. The hero (who apparently works for the Make A Wish Foundation) grants her dying wish.
    My second big problem with the book is the heroine's treatment of the hero. She rejects him when she learns of his deep, dark secret. The secret was nothing terrible, so it was difficult for me to believe that anyone would be horrified by it. I think the hero deserved a lot better than the lame, sickly heroine.
    In summary, this book was not believable. Most of it did not make sense to me. I would pass on this one.

    5 out of 5 stars I'M IN LOVE WITH KIT.......2003-10-17

    LORRAINE REALY DID IT THIS TIME! I HAVE FALLEN MADDLY IN LOVE WITH THIS MAN. I CRIED. I LAUGHED, I LOVE IT , MORE PLEASE MORE.

    5 out of 5 stars Never Marry a Cowboy.......2002-11-06

    Since I'm a Texan I love all of Ms. Heath's cowboy books. This is a very moving romantic novel. He marries his best friend's sister because he is told she is dying. He is a man with a said past. He loved his brother's wife very much and she died. He blames himself. So he attempts to make up for some of it by tenderly caring for his wife. He tries to make her last days happy. I won't tell the ending but there are times you could cry for both the hero and heroine. They are so vunerable.
    Never Marry a Cowboy (standard print) (Avon Romantic Treasure)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Never Marry a Cowboy (standard print) (Avon Romantic Treasure)

      Manufacturer: HarperCollins
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover
      ASIN: 0739414801

      Product Description

      From the moment Kit Montgomery walked into Ashton Robertson's life, she knew here heart would always belong to the dashing English rogue

      Cerberus Storm (Outlanders)
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • Excellent!
      • An intelligent adventure story
      • Best thing published by Gold Eagle!
      • Knowledge shines through
      • A STORM of action and adventure!!!
      Cerberus Storm (Outlanders)
      James Axler
      Manufacturer: Gold Eagle
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Mass Market Paperback

      Men's AdventureMen's Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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      ASIN: 0373638485

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Excellent!.......2006-01-04

      Another excellent book in the Outlanders series by Mark Ellis! Not quite as sci-fi as usual, there was a tad more paranormal in it, with all the American Indian lore. But it was still fast-paced and full of vivid characters.

      5 out of 5 stars An intelligent adventure story.......2005-12-08

      I enjoyed this book very much, although some of the violence was a little too graphic for my tastes. However, the descriptions of all the places and people were very vivid and the characters very interesting. I also liked the relationships between heroes.

      I have my doubts that a Native woman would walk around topless in a Wyoming winter as Catamount does, but there were some Northeastern tribes whose women's attitude toward nudity was very open.

      The Native mythology in the book showed a great deal of research and respect. I was surprised to find out that the tai-me was a real artifact. So I learned while I was entertained!

      I'm very curious to find out about Catamount and Sky Dog and if they ever can heal their relationship.

      Overall, Cerberus Storm was an intelligent adventure story and it was refreshing to see how the female characters were not made subordinate to the men, which seems to be the standard fate for heroines in books of this kind.

      I also greatly enjoyed Hell Rising in the Outlanders series.

      5 out of 5 stars Best thing published by Gold Eagle!.......2005-11-23

      Over the summer, I sampled one book each of the most recent Gold Eagle offerings. With Cerberus Storm, once again Mark Ellis shows us why the Outlanders series is the best thing currently published by Gold Eagle.

      His latest entry in the ongoing saga of the Cerberus warriors picks up the story several months after the events of Children of the Serpent, but with no mention of what went on in the fill-in book, Successors, which is for the best.

      A lot has changed in the Axlerverse-the villes have fallen into chaos and people are leaving them, paying for transportation to find new lands to settle, like the wagon trains of the 19th century. The convoys are being preyed upon by renegade Magistrates and when the Cerberus warriors decide to put a stop to i, they do so in a big, blazing way-as usual for them.

      Also as usual for an Outlanders adventure by Mark Ellis, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Soon Kane, Grant and Brigid are reunited with their old friend Sky Dog of the Lakota and his warrior society.

      From the first novel, the strength of the Outlanders series has been the characters and their growth, development and interaction and Cerberus Storm is no exception.

      Mark Ellis put these strong characters into new situations with each novel, but still have readers identify with them. One of the compelling things about this novel is how the main crew, the trinity of Kane, Brigid and Grant deal with a technologically superior enemy out in the wilderness.

      In this, Ellis excels.

      But there's also a fascinating plot with the introduction of Catamount and the mysterious power wielded by an ancient Indian artifact. The Millennial Consortium shows up fully formed and they're nothing like what I expected from the brief mention of them back in Evil Abyss. I'm sure this group will make some serious enemies in future episodes.

      For those of you expecting a confrontation with the Overlords, I will say I was expecting the same thing, but after finishing Cerberus Storm, I didn't mind one bit that it dealt with a completely different storyline.

      Those surprises are one of best things about the Outlanders series, keeping it fresh and unpredictable.

      Also-just because Ellis didn't bring this fast-paced story to a halt to show Kane and Brigid "doing it" to satisfy the mastabatory fantasies of Eric the Red and his various alter-egos, there's plenty of eroticism in Cerberus Storm, mainly due to Catamount.

      The story comes to a good but somewhat sudden ending point--leaving you curious and wanting more. And isn't that what all good stories in an ongoing series are about?

      5 out of 5 stars Knowledge shines through.......2005-11-23

      This novel was a somewhat nice change of pace, considering that we have so many earth shattering stories to contend with, especially Children of the Serpent, which changed the whole outlook of the series in one single shot.

      So, the fact that this novel was straight-forward was, in a way, kind of refreshing.

      Eight months have passed between this novel and the last one written by Mark, Children of the Serpent.

      A lot can happen during eight months, and hopefully some of the events that took place will be detailed in future novels.

      It begins with a young Indian being hunted down by a group of warrior women, and leads into an encounter between the Cerberus exiles and a group of renegade Magistrates, who after the fall of the Baronies into pure Chaos, have decided to eke out a living as highwaymen and slavers.

      It's through this meeting that Kane and company discover that the warrior women are linked with the Hellhounds, the former Magistrates, and a third party as well.

      You have a Warrior maiden (well, considering what happened to her, you really can't call her a maiden now, can you?) named Catamount, who is after a sacred indian artifact.

      It's not revealed until well over half way into the novel the reason she's looking for this artifact, or the motivation behind her throwing her lot in with the Millennial Consortium. You'd think that a proud, powerful woman like Catamount would never have anything to do with a man, especially a white man, but the reasons become quite clear.

      I won't give away too much more of the plot, as what I have said pretty much covers the gist of it.

      It was nice to finally learn about those behind the Consortium, and the plans that they have for the Outlands now that the Baron's have disappeared.

      The author once again shows his knowledge of Native American history and mythology, blending both into a well written, exciting adventure.

      If I had a single complaint, it would be how the novel ended. It seemed too abrupt.

      As is the standard with all of The main author of the series novels, we have familiar interaction between the main characters, although some have begun showing signs of changes, like Lakesh - and this time because it's slow and gradual, it's not a bad thing. With his youth still more or less intact, he is taking more chances and heading out into the wilds with Kane, Brigid and Grant more often, and seems to be showing interest in his Eastern Indian heritage once again.

      We have a powerful, exotic and beautiful woman introduced, one that may or may not be an enemy in the future.

      The only thing missing was the really exotic location - we have had adventures set in space, on the moon, Mars, all over the world, even other dimensions and times.

      Was it really a bad thing though? No, not at all. The fact that the novel dealt with Native American's made that pretty much impossible. So an adventure stuck pretty much in their own back yard was a nice change of pace.

      I am interested in seeing if the villan, the Towasi, will return. It wasn't clear if this 'evil spirit' was destroyed or merely defeated at the end of the book.

      5 out of 5 stars A STORM of action and adventure!!!.......2005-11-18

      Cerberus Storm is a non-stop thunderstorm of action, adventure, great characters and sexy women!!!

      It's a real Outlanders adventure, not an imitation like the one before written by a fill-in, and all the great characters are on the money.

      I loved all the Indian lore and even minor characters were very colorful.

      All in all, this book will STORM your imagination with quality!!!
      Cerberus Storm (Outlanders)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Cerberus Storm (Outlanders)
        James Axler
        Manufacturer: Gold Eagle
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback
        ASIN: B000OWN6PK

        The Christian's Secret of A Happy Life
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • Wonderful book!
        • Zigging a little where others zag
        • This book Needs to be Re-Discovered !!!!
        • Your Best Life Now!
        • ABSOLUTELY LIFE-CHANGING!!!!!!!!!
        The Christian's Secret of A Happy Life
        Hannah Whitall Smith
        Manufacturer: Barbour Publishing, Incorporated
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        GeneralGeneral | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
        Smith, Hannah WhitallSmith, Hannah Whitall | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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        ASIN: 1597894036

        Book Description

        "Settle down on this one thing," wrote Hannah Whitall Smith, "that Jesus came to save you now, in this life, from the power and dominion of sin, and to make you more than conquerors through His power." The exciting message of freedom-from the bondage of sin, to the life of Christ-is what has made The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life a favorite for more than a century. Smith's masterwork is personal, practical, and powerful, and overflowing with substance for thought. This handsome softcover edition features the original, unabridged text.

        Download Description

        This is not a theological book. I frankly confess that I have not been trained in theological schools, and do not understand their methods nor their terms. But the lord has taught me experiementally and practically certain lessons out of his Word, which have greatly helped me in my Christian life, and have made it a very happy one. And I want to tell my secret, in the best way I can, in order that some others may be helped into a happy life also.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!.......2007-09-30

        This is a wonderful book - written in a simple, clear style yet filled with deep insight. The author has a true heart for God, and writes with compassion for her brothers and sisters in Christ.

        5 out of 5 stars Zigging a little where others zag.......2007-03-18

        Of the reviews listed here as of this date, only one departs from a laudatory amen.

        Ms. Smith has offered a perspective which I believe could be an advance for some but possibly a snare for others.

        With only a an uncertain grasp of her life gleaned from surfing the net, these thoughts present themselves:

        Much like Christ himself, she grew up in a religious tradition (Quakerism) that her spiritual journey required her to depart from. It is fairer to say the book has been written by a religious rebel than by a Quaker.

        Again, like Christ, she looks to God the Father.

        Like Christ, she attracted followers and supporters.

        Like Christ, within the boundaries of loving God, she offers faith and hope. I come away from Christ with more of a sense of the importance of charity than I do after reading Ms. Smith.

        Again, assuming that biographical material perused after reading the book is true, the encouragement and success of the book is understandable. However, material is never confronted which might have been had the book title been 'The Joy of Being Crucified With Christ'

        5 out of 5 stars This book Needs to be Re-Discovered !!!!.......2007-01-17

        ALL Christians ~ New and Mature NEED to read this book, absorb it, and allow God to work through it, you will never be the same, it is absolutely Life Changing, and yes IGNORE the 1 bad rating, they must have read it looking for "a secret" to be happy, or get happy, or something, not understanding that GOD HIMSELF is the secret. To Know GOD, and not to use HIM.

        5 out of 5 stars Your Best Life Now!.......2006-12-08

        Hannah Whitehall Smith was talking to a friend. The friend was telling her that most of the Christians she knew seemed sad and miserable, and if this is what Christianity is like, she can't imagine too many people ever becoming interested in having a relationship with Christ.

        This bothered Hannah, so she sought the Lord for the secret of a happy life. This book is the fruit of her discovery. The first part of the book gives the scriptural evidence that God wants us to live a happy Christian life. She refers to Romans 6:1-6, Ephesians 4:22-24, and Matthew 1:21 (It would have been helpful if the author would have put the scripture references next to the quotes as I am doing now, perhaps this probem was alleviated in more recent editions of the book. I am using the 1976 Revell edition). Part one also describes God's role in this life and our role.

        Part two is a discussion of the some of the difficulties that we experience as we strive to live the happy life that God wants for us. Whitall Smith deals with temptation, failures, doubts, and our own stubborn wills. She tells stories and gives examples of people who are sturggling, and others who found victory.

        The final section of the book describes the results of living the life that God blesses. We experience deliverance from bondage, spiritual growth, joy that comes from our obedience to God, and the blessing of having a special union with God.

        This is a Christian classic, and even after all these years, it still speaks. Highly recommended.

        5 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY LIFE-CHANGING!!!!!!!!!.......2006-10-12

        This book should be given to every person who accepts Jesus as Lord and Saviour the moment they receive Him!!!!! If those who have not yet accepted Him would only read this book, MANY misconceptions about who God is, and what a Christian is, would dissolve, leaving them free to "see Him as He really is"!!!!!!!!!

        I HIGHLY recommend this book to ANYONE wanting to get closer to the Lord, realize more deeply His heart for us, and understand more clearly how He works in our lives!

        Warmly,
        Barb Shelton

        P.S. I agree with the person who said to ignore the one bad review. They truly did not "get it." Take a look at the other review they wrote.
        The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life
          Hannah Whitall Smith
          Manufacturer: Barbour & Company, Inc
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

          Smith, Hannah WhitallSmith, Hannah Whitall | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          ASIN: 0739403761

          Product Description

          Complete and Unabridged
          The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life (Complete and Unabridged)
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life (Complete and Unabridged)

            Manufacturer: Spire Books
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Paperback

            Smith, Hannah WhitallSmith, Hannah Whitall | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
            ASIN: B000FGJV7C
            The Christian's secret of a happy life for today: A paraphrase of Hannah Whitall Smith's classic
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              The Christian's secret of a happy life for today: A paraphrase of Hannah Whitall Smith's classic
              Catherine Jackson
              Manufacturer: Revell
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Unknown Binding

              GeneralGeneral | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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              ASIN: 0800709764
              Secrets of a Satisfying Life: Discover the Habits of Happy People
              Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
              • Balances daily living with the hope of abundant life
              • A helpful guide full of practical wisdom for daily life
              • A good read!
              Secrets of a Satisfying Life: Discover the Habits of Happy People
              David D. Ireland
              Manufacturer: Baker Books
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Paperback

              HappinessHappiness | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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              5. Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits

              ASIN: 0801065461
              Release Date: 2006-03-01

              Book Description

              Research shows that only 20 percent of Americans consider themselves to be happy. What about the other 80 percent? Perhaps they are too busy. Maybe they are afraid to take risks. Whatever their reasons, these people have one thing in common: the desire to have a more satisfying life. ''The secret to a happy life can be found simply in the practice of certain behaviors,'' writes David Ireland. In Secrets of a Satisfying Life, he provides practical advice for attaining happiness and satisfaction. Rather than focusing on the problems that need to be changed, Ireland teaches how to cultivate happiness by recognizing and practicing the habits of happy people. With interactive tools and insightful stories, David Ireland's simple approach will help people discover what they've been missing in life.

              Customer Reviews:

              5 out of 5 stars Balances daily living with the hope of abundant life.......2006-04-04

              Thanks to this wonderful book, every reader can know the secrets of a satisfying life! With a writing style that is both conversational and informative, these pages have the potential to change lives. After carefully researching the thought patterns and actions of happy people, author David Ireland discovered certain habits that formed a common denominator. This book sums up his observations and offers a practical plan for a powerful new life experience.

              While most of these insights aren't startling or innovative, the author's quiet enthusiasm provides the necessary emotional support and encouragement for readers. His ideas are arranged in short, orderly segments with each point being addressed clearly and backed up with real-life stories and quotes. Bible verses strengthen each principle and bring the focus back to God's perspective.

              The author has clearly taken the pulse of contemporary culture. His words reveal a sound understanding of the frustrations that most people experience, which forms a solid connection to his audience. His discoveries about happiness come largely from psychologists and behavioral scientists. Scattered throughout these pages are many anecdotes depicting the life-changing principles he presents. The combination of all these elements makes the book interesting and gives it the potential to help people find a measure of true happiness in their lives. Although the author uses many secular sources to back up his teaching, he does return to the Bible as the final authority.

              Simply and sincerely written, Secrets of a Satisfying Life balances daily living with the hope of abundant life. - Joyce Handzo, Christian Book Previews.com

              5 out of 5 stars A helpful guide full of practical wisdom for daily life.......2006-03-29

              Dr. David Ireland --- pastor of a 5,000-member Christ Church in Montclair, New Jersey, radio/television personality and prolific author --- understands how to communicate effectively. Ireland uses common sense truisms to get his points across, and he does so with life-changing punctuations. In his text, SECRETS OF A SATISFYING LIFE, readers might wonder what new could be said on this tried topic, but skeptics be warned: Ireland's book is both substantial in content and refreshingly stimulating in scope. Detailing the "roadmap" to happiness in the opening chapter, the author cites the three goals readers should aim to achieve by studying these principles: 1) Discover the habits of happiness; 2) Learn how to practice the habits of happiness; and 3) Learn to laugh at yourself.

              Ireland looks closely at statistical evidence that reveals those lifestyle choices of individuals who consider themselves very happy. Bottom line: the happiest people are those who help others. In the wake of "happy" people, researchers have discovered similar characteristics shared by those who demonstrate consistent satisfaction with their lives. Included is the essential quality of developing a realistic perspective on life. The way in which life is seen and interpreted makes all the difference, so one must continually reevaluate personal perspective to ensure accuracy. While good/bad experiences/events happen to everyone, it is those who learn mastery in achieving a healthy perspective who live most "happily."

              Ireland recommends asking the following questions when difficulties arise: 1) Am I responding impulsively? 2) Is this the worst thing that can happen to me? 3) What do I want my future to look like? and 4) How can I establish a strategy for happiness as part of the overall solution? He suggests this rule in response to any difficulty, warning that "bad news cannot be responded to impulsively...and a levelheaded response will help maintain a positive state of mind." Further, Ireland notes that individuals must not make the mistake of equating positive thinking with happiness. Rather, "habits of happy people are deliberate responses that have successfully proven to meet their personal emotional needs."

              Ireland makes the telling statement that when one looks for the happy man, one will find him not in search of happiness. Instead, the happy man will be found building, writing, educating, growing; in other words, he will be making conscious choices on a moment-by-moment basis to enrich his life and the lives of those around him.

              Ireland also discusses, chapter by chapter, the enduring specific happy habits of satisfied individuals, learning how to be content, understanding the value of a hopeful outlook, realizing one's dreams, the odd pairing of happiness and busyness, developing happy relationships, and underscoring the need for forgiveness and the need for laughter.

              With practical wisdom for daily life, Ireland exposes the myths and hindrances to experiencing a rich and happy existence. Likewise, he provides step-by-step disciplines for achieving the "happy" life God intends as showpieces of His glory and goodness to humankind.


              --- Reviewed by Michele Howe

              4 out of 5 stars A good read!.......2006-03-03

              What makes a person happy? Is there a secret to happiness that can be taught? David Ireland believes there is, and that by studying happy people and the healthy things they do, we can discover a prescription for happiness.

              In Secrets of a Satisfying Life: discover the habits of happy people, Ireland outlines the three main points of his premise: discover the habits of happiness; learn how to practice the habits of happiness; and learn to laugh at yourself.

              Habits of happy people are the deliberate responses that have been successfully proven to meet one's needs. Secrets of a Satisfying Life goes on to outline how developing these responses and overcoming the distractions of the past keeps us moving toward the discovery of our life's purpose.

              Written in the traditional style of the self-help genre, Ireland continually breaks his thesis into bite-size chunks and regularly restates his main points, all while including plenty of examples and quotes from experts. Its construction makes it suitable for study in an adult Sunday School class.

              While Ireland definitely tries to make this book relevant to non-Christians through his extensive use of modern metaphors, discussing concepts that border on new-age philosophies and by giving examples using icons of modern culture (Madonna, Venus and Serena Williams), the work assumes a Biblical belief system in its readership.

              Many concepts here will benefit the general public, however readers who are not espoused Christians may find the worthwhile core message difficult to find. The result may be that Ireland finds a reduction of sales in the secondary market (non-religious), as the preponderance of New Testament scripture may eliminate the appeal of this work to the broader audience of spiritual seekers. This limitation dilutes the message that Ireland is trying to send, that we can ALL use these methods.

              In the end, what shines through most clearly is Ireland's belief that hope, "a sense of reach that inspires and motivates, is what breeds happiness."

              Armchair Interviews says: Secrets of a Satisfying Life says that life is filled with the mundane, and it is by finding satisfaction there that we will be able to enjoy it and find our life's purpose.




              Secrets to Being a Happy Christian
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                Secrets to Being a Happy Christian

                Manufacturer: Joyce Meyer Ministries
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                Binding: Audio Cassette

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                6 audio cassette tapes in set. product ALB176.
                The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life ( Complete and Unabridged)
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                  The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life ( Complete and Unabridged)
                  Hannah Whitall Smith
                  Manufacturer: Spire Books
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Paperback

                  Smith, Hannah WhitallSmith, Hannah Whitall | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
                  ASIN: B000FGJV4A
                  The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life for Today
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                    The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life for Today
                    Catherine Jackson
                    Manufacturer: Fleming H Revell Co
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Paperback
                    ASIN: 0800750616
                    The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life
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                      The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life

                      Manufacturer: Spire Books
                      ProductGroup: Book
                      Binding: Paperback

                      Smith, Hannah WhitallSmith, Hannah Whitall | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
                      ASIN: B000FG0C9I
                      The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life
                      Average customer rating: Not rated
                        The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life

                        Manufacturer: Fleming H Revell Co
                        ProductGroup: Book
                        Binding: Paperback
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                        1. The Christian's Secret of A Happy Life The Christian's Secret of A Happy Life

                        ASIN: 0800750047

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