Rating: 
Summary: Very interesting!
Review: This book is so well written and simple to understand that it doesn't take long for one to finish the novel in a single day. Mr. Chandler's words drive home the truth of life, the lies we tell ourselves time and time again and the ways that he shows us to rid our thoughts of these very lies that we harbour. This is a very handy, helpful and reference type of book that could also be used when needed. There are 17 chapters in all, representing the '17 lies' we are so familiar with and then a few chapters in conclusion dedicated to the 'truth.' Advice: Get this book, there's a lot of knowledge inside and many things you need to know if you're feeding enough truth to yourself to be happy:)
Rating: 
Summary: Don't buy
Review: Some self-help books have a peculiar style.
They never have a paragraph more than two or three sentences in length. The phrases used are short, direct and commonplace.
The author believes this style adds an air of pure, simple wisdom to his cliches.
But it is actually a false and very artificial profundity.
You are starting to see what I mean now, aren't you?
And the white space helps pad out the pages so you can charge $22.95 for a mostly empty book.
This book is squarely in that category and is not worth it.
But then, you already knew that somewhere deep down in your soul.
Didn't you?
Rating:
Summary: plain talking and honest
Review: This book is well written book and surprisingly non-patronising for a motivational "believe in your dreams" style book. The language is simple and clear. The message is not hidden in wrapping. Whereas many of the things mentioned in the book you know already, there are a lot of issues and home truths that you have no doubt pushed from your mind in order to "get on" in your life. It is exactly these kind of things this book is talking about. A sign of a great book is that there are parts you wish you'd written yourself and passages of text you somehow find yourself copying out in to a secret notebook. This is one such book.
Rating:
Summary: We are NOT powerlessly trapped in mediocrity!
Review: As the title suggests, this book is about lies. The 17 lies referred to in the title of this book are the very damaging lies to the soul that we send down deep inside ourselves that convince us that we are powerlessly trapped in mediocrity. And awareness is the key to the truth that will set us free.
In this book the author focuses on helping ordinary people like us break free of the self-told myths that keep us from realising our full potential. We have all lied to ourselves when we make self-defeating excuses such as: It's who you know; That's just the way I am; I'm not good with people; and There's nothing I can do.
In simple, clear language, the author dramatically reveals that we already have self-awareness, and that is the key to all the power we need to free ourselves. With his trademark energy and humour, Chandler shows us how to overcome self-imposed constraints like laziness, fear, and addiction. Most importantly, in this breakthrough book, he makes the learning process entertaining and fun. This book will help us love ourselves and realise once and for all that only the truth can set us free.
Steve Chandler may arguably be the most original and inspiring figure in the highly competitive world of motivational speaking. He is an author, public speaker, and corporate trainer who conducts more than 100 seminars a year. He is the author of the bestseller 100 Ways to Motivate Yourself, Reinventing Yourself and the audiobook 35 Ways to Create Great Relationships. ...
Rating:
Summary: Thank you Steve
Review: This book is a simple and straightforward solution to most of the day to day problems that pull down our performance and steal our happiness. What is most impressive about this book is the author's frankness in admitting his own flaws and how he was able to overcome them. Many of the instances he cites are probably true with most of us. In my case I have immensely benefited by overcoming atleast 2 lies that were holding me back. I am writing this review after a period of 2 months on reading this book and am convinced that it has really helped me.
This book does not need much time to read. It has all the potential to change the rest of the time at our disposal for the better.
Rating:
Summary: You have met the enemy....
Review: Which lies? Chandler explains that "These are the lies to the soul...[which] we send down inside ourselves that convince us that we don't have any power." His book is dedicated "to uncovering a racket -- the racket of conning ourselves into believing deep down inside we are helpless. The racket that talks us into believing in our defects instead of our energy." Chandler believes (and I agree) that honesty really is the best policy, especially with ourselves. The opposite is also true. Most of our wounds are self-inflicted. One way or another, the 17 lies he examines are forms of self-deception which can so easily enable us (key word "enable') to justify to ourselves almost anything. Ernest Hemingway once suggested that all great writers have "a built-in, shock-proof crap detector." (His own was often in need of repair.) Without such a device, we are vulnerable to lies told by others. Worse yet, we believe the lies we tell ourselves.
Chandler explains, "The widespread popularity of self-deceiving might be due to its effectiveness. It gets the job done. It takes us out of the game. It sits us down at the end of the bench so we don't have to play. It even puts a cool towel around our necks, a towel in which we can hide our faces if we become ashamed that the world is passing us by." Even those who compete can always find a reason to justify lack of effort, selfishness, insubordination, etc.
The material in this book is organized within two parts: "Lying to the Soul" which introduces the 17 lies, a chapter devoted to each; then "Finding Your Deepest Power" in which Chandler discusses the true source of power, the idea of owning one's life, the concept of self-control, and the process of locating one's "soul purpose."
Frankly, I have by now become weary of (if not hostile to) books and articles on many of these same subjects. (You know what I mean: "Give yourself a big hug and then go buy yourself South America! You deserve it because you're wonderful!") For that reason I was somewhat skeptical as I began to read Chandler's book. Almost immediately I realized that Chandler really does have some very important insights to share, most of them obtained after years of lying to himself. As I approached the final chapter, I was eager to be told how to stop the deception..."all this lying." I was ready for THE ANSWER.
Well, Chandler refuses to provide one. Only after I re-read the book did I fully understand what he means (in the final chapter) when he suggests, "The best way to stop the lying is to stop it your own way. Once you know [italics] the truth that you are powerful beyond measure, you will intuitively and immediately find your own way. The truth itself sets you free....Once you've found your own way to be straight with yourself, you will use it forever. It won't go away, because it's yours. You own it. When the time comes, don't forget to be happy. You are an owner of the human spirit."
How easy it is to read comments such as these; how difficult it was for Chandler to gain the personal experience he needed to recognize the truth in them. In the strongest terms I can now summon, I urge you to read and then re-read this book. It will not transform your life from lies to truth, from self-deception to self-revelation. Only you can do that but Chandler will help you to complete that difficult process.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good
Review: I enjoyed this book. The first part of this book is particularly good. Chandler's anecdote on how he freed himself of the many lies that were holding him back would serve as an inspiration to anyone. I particularly liked the story of how his daughter helped him send manuscripts of his first book to several publishers. I walked away from this book with a lot of insights into how we can lie to ourselves. These lies sort of lull us into situations that might not be the best for us. If I have a criticism of this book, it is that I don't consider all of Chandler's "lies" to be lies. I do think that we get a little bit sadder as we become wiser. And people can have a big effect on how we view ourselves. But all in all, I consider this book a cut above the usual self-help books, and I recommend it. I also recommend Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute.
[Note: This reviewer was sent a complimentary copy of this book by the author.]
Rating:
Summary: You must read it twice...
Review: I've been through my share of self-help books, but this one will not disappear into the next box of books I drop off at the library used book sale...
This is a book that you can stick in your laptop case and read twice on a business trip. The second time through, grab a pencil or highlighter and start ticking off the tips that you need to return to quickly. Mr. Chandler personalizes the entire book, coaxing you into believing it's his story of discovery that you're reading. Instead, when you reach the second section of the book, you'll find that you're the one who's started a journey of discovery.
I haven't asked him, but there's a subtle twist to the way the book ends that makes me think that he's a fan of puzzles. In this case, I think the answer is hinted at in the old adage: "It's not the destination, it's the journey."
Don't skip to the end of this book to find out the secret to the meaning of life. If you do, you'll miss the answers scattered throughout...
This is a simple straight-forward book that you can safely recommend to your confused friends. I know I will!
[Note: The reviewer received a complimentary copy from the author]
