出版社周刊评论

A motivational speaker and workplace consultant, Charles confronts the problem of increasing incivility, which she calls "cultural crankiness." Although she ambitiously seeks to advise readers on everything from relationships and parenting to the challenge of adapting to technology and new business strategies, her self-help book is best appreciated in small doses. Drawing her lessons from the simplicity movement and other popular trends, such as the defining of one's life "mission," she identifies 10 main sources of stress: time constraints, communication overload, emotional distance, money concerns, competition, customer contact, technology, change, aging and the complexity of life. In a "Cranky Quiz" for each trend, Charles lays outÄand sometimes stretches outÄits components. For example, the quiz on "communications overload" addresses 10 separate problem areas, several of which involve watching TV (e.g., watching talk shows vs. political talk shows vs. commercials, etc.). In what amounts to information overload, Charles goes on to offer "anti-crankiness alternatives" for each sub-item. Suggestions that might be practical, straightforward or entertaining often get lost in the onslaught. Charles's style is relentlessly energetic and colloquial, though weighed down by gimmicky language. The reader may be able to mine some entertaining and useful ideas from individual chapters, but the effect of the whole can make one, well, cranky. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved