Rating: 
Summary: A Programming Manual for the Human Brain
Review: How many other books are still in print with a 1978 edition, even though newer editions are available?Maxwell Maltz understood how we have something analogous to a computer inside our brains. Try manipulating a robot arm to pick something up -- you'll see how many steps are involved. But with our own arms, we can pick stuff up without thinking about it, because all the instructions are preprogrammed. This programming affects our entire life. The self-esteem movement doesn't even begin to cover the power involved, even though self-esteem would be useless without it. Even Maltz's term of self-image is too tame. You have been programmed since birth. Maybe it was done well, maybe not. In either case, you owe it to yourself to do your own reprogramming, setting the goals that are important to you. Psycho-Cybernetics will show you how.
Rating:
Summary: A rare pioneer in the field still standing strong
Review: I don't make it a habit to read self-help books, but the iconoclastic fitness guru Matt Furey has managed to make a killing by selling a program he based on Maltz's concepts and most other "motivational speakers" usually bend a knee in respect to this classic. So I picked up a cheap used copy and read it cover to cover. The only question I have is why anyone would spend their money or time on any other self-help literature.
Firstly, Maltz had the raw clinical experience necessary to write this kind of book: he was a crackerjack plastic surgeon who saw immediately and firsthand the life changing power of self-image at work in the faces of his patients, rather than slowly through lengthy sessions on the leather couch. (And anyone who scoffs at unorthodox contributions to a research field ought to know that Albert Einstein was working for the German patent office when he submitted the General Theory of Relativity.) At the same time, Maltz confesses where the exact strength of his knowledge lies instead of trying to convince his reader that he is a maven of everything.
Secondly, Maltz was receptive to many fundamental tenets of psychology and works them into Psycho Cybernetics with good evidence and explanation. He stays away from the controversial and the bizarre theories which several other books seem to ascribe to in order to grab attention and make sales, nor does he try to repackage ancient metaphysical hokum with inane and feeble examples.
Thirdly, there are no workshops, special reports, live phone help, or products to buy. (Though I cannot speak for the organization that has cropped up around Maltz's name.) There is none of the pretense or self-exaggeration in his book, either openly or implied, that some modern authors who shall remained unnamed seek to use in order to dazzle.
Maltz was definitive and unequivocal in his ideas, quick to set a standard and stick to it. He was concerned with some very fundamental existential questions of life and seems to have understood that some modest philosophizing was necessary if the book's thesis was to remain logically consistent and convincingly useful. It thus rises high above the haphazard pop philosophy/ethics smeared all over mass media today which are either shallow and weak or imperiously stupid. Maltz simply faced the truth of his own convictions. Psycho Cybernetics by no means outlines life management skills as an exact science, but its suggestions are very intellectually compelling. The book is effective because Maltz' honest and uncondescending style earns your respect.
Rating:
Summary: a little better than the original
Review: I enjoyed the original Psych-Cybernetics when it came out. This version is moreup to date in connecting psych-cybernetics to moderndiscoveries about how the brain works. The political correctness is a little overdone, emphasizing thatthe technique can be used by women who have careers, minorities, etc., but I guess one expects that sort of thing in the ninetees. I study the book a little every day, although I have already read it once through. Excellentfor people interested in the brain.
Rating: 
Summary: Left so much to be desired
Review: I give this book 2 stars because the author tried so hard. And I really believe she wishes to help others with this dubious "re-make" of the original "Psycho-Cybernetics." To even begin to attempt to improve on Maxwell Maltz's ingenious and bestselling work, the author should have been extremely sure that she had some extra information of benefit to people. Instead, she offers trite interpretations on the original work, and seems to be mostly concerned that we remain politically correct in remembering that both male and female can benefit from this book. The author then gets preachy and pedantic (referring to the agoraphobic client of hers) and tries very hard to write something helpful, but instead ends up with a cumbersome tome' that says a whole lot about nothing. You would be far better off buying the classic, "Psycho-Cybernetics" by Dr. Maltz published in the early 1960's. Bottom line: If you attempt to improve on perfection, you had better be sure you have an honest shot at it. The author failed and it is strikingly obvious. Yet I do believe she meant well.
Rating:
Summary: Classic book that is still relevant today
Review: I hadn't for decades thought about Dr. Maltz's classic of self-help literature until a few days ago when I was having one of those "Where are they now?" reveries about several authors, and for some reason his book popped into my head. Maltz's book was a forerunner of the esteem literature and movement of the 70s but in some ways was never surpassed in its simplicity and relevance. Dr. Maltz noticed in his medical practice that a very small change in a person's physical appearance often produced dramatic and positive results in that person's personality as a result of their now having a more positive physical self-image, which led him to his idea of developing a positive sense of self-worth based on eliminating false ideas and values and other similar negative thoughts. Maltz believed that people could indeed take control of their minds and using a number of simple but useful techniques you could re-engineer your own attitudes and beliefs and in the process become a happier and mentally healthier person. Maltz's message is even more relevant today in a culture that if anything is even more appearance-obsessed than it was back then. The mass media's constant barrage of image-conscious messages is even more relentless now and his advice is as useful an antidote against such negative propaganda and a shallow and superficial culture that values appearance over substance as it was 40 years ago. Overall, still a classic in the field that is just as relevant today as it was four decades ago.
Rating:
Summary: Classic book that is still relevant today
Review: I hadn't for decades thought about Dr. Maltz's classic of self-help literature until a few days ago when I was having one of those "Where are they now?" reveries about several authors, and for some reason his book popped into my head. Maltz's book was a forerunner of the esteem literature and movement of the 70s but in some ways was never surpassed in its simplicity and relevance. Dr. Maltz noticed in his medical practice that a very small change in a person's physical appearance often produced dramatic and positive results in that person's personality as a result of their now having a more positive physical self-image, which led him to his idea of developing a positive sense of self-worth based on eliminating false ideas and values and other similar negative thoughts. Maltz believed that people could indeed take control of their minds and using a number of simple but useful techniques you could re-engineer your own attitudes and beliefs and in the process become a happier and mentally healthier person. Maltz's message is even more relevant today in a culture that if anything is even more appearance-obsessed than it was back then. The mass media's constant barrage of image-conscious messages is even more relentless now and his advice is as useful an antidote against such negative propaganda and a shallow and superficial culture that values appearance over substance as it was 40 years ago. Overall, still a classic in the field that is just as relevant today as it was four decades ago.
Rating:
Summary: A Revelation for Underperformers & Procastinators
Review: I have not read the original book by Maxwell Maltz yet, but after reading this book I will. I was a newcomer to the conceptual ideas contained in this book. In the UK no-one seemed to know Maltz or his theory. The ideas and the way this book was written are conducive to a clear understanding and application of Maltz's theory. As a newcomer I can recomend this book on it's own merits. It is clearly written, the theory is clearly laid out and in simple terms. The theory itself is breathtakingly simple, but the repercussions on areas such as goal setting and goal attainment are INCREDIBLE. I had always grown up to understand that it is Willpower that will conquer all, and goal success can only be attained by using willpower. Everytime I tried to use willpower I seemed to fail. This theory explains why failure will occur, and what to do about it, and how to set goals and achieve them. If you are a failed goal setter, who habitually prefers procrastination than action, this book and application of the theory, will change your life. Application of the theory contained in the book will have a profound affect on your life. Highly Recomended
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Summary: Psycho-cybernetics 2000. You make the call.
Review: I personally beleive with different pesonalities, characteristics,and backgrounds theres not one formula for everybody.I found this book to be a boring read,I had trouble with it keeping my attention. What's the use writing a book if it doesn't captures its audience? Another negative is gender,although I could care less someone else might not feel the same. I also found out from my personal experience, is when someone puchases a self improvement book they are looking for some kind of peace much like one that goes to a religous organization, so I take it serious when a book with such good principles in it has forgotten to basically motivate its reader into not wanting to put the book down until you know the book like you breathe.To sum it up, if you read regurly then get ready to soak up the knowledge,dissect it and study it as if you is takeing a class course the principles wiil work. In addittion you also may want to form a study group, or find some inspirational/motovational books and tapes because you may need them I know I did to keep me pumped to finish reading this book.I gave it 2 stars because of this but the choice is yours.
Rating:
Summary: The best written self-help psychology book .
Review: I picked up this book when visiting my family in USA. It had been sitting there all these years, but I never bothered to read it because I thought it must not be relevant because it was so old. Well, after reading it, I can say that it is most definitely the most useful, relevant book I have read. The new self-help books written in this day and age are terrible mindless junk that do nothing for me. I use his concept daily and have improved my mind so much.
Rating:
Summary: Psycho-Cybernetics 2000
Review: I read the original Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz in the early 70's. I read it again last month and then read Bobbe Sommer's version. I think the original is better. Maltz keeps it simple and focuses on the subconscious as the primary goal seeking mechanism. I thought Sommer's book diluted the message with cross messages from other self help techniques. Maltz's method works great. It's simple and effective. It's not a self help book, it's a book about reprogramming yourself. Sommer seems to turn the science into a self affirmation exercise.
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