Product Description

Nathaniel Branden's book is the culmination of a lifetime of clinical practice and study, already hailed in its hardcover edition as a classic and the most significant work on the topic.  Immense in scope and vision and filled with insight into human motivation and behavior, The Six Pillars Of Self-Esteem is essential reading for anyone with a personal or professional interest in self-esteem. The book demonstrates compellingly why self-esteem is basic to psychological health, achievement, personal happiness, and positive relationships.  Branden introduces the six pillars-six action-based practices for daily living that provide the foundation for self-esteem-and explores the central importance of self-esteem in five areas: the workplace, parenting, education, psychotherapy, and the culture at large.  The work provides concrete guidelines for teachers, parents, managers, and therapists who are responsible for developing the self-esteem of others.  And it shows why-in today's chaotic and competitive world-self-esteem is fundamental to our personal and professional power.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19463 in Books
• Published on: 1995-05-01
• Released on: 1995-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Self-esteem expert Branden outlines the six characteristics that define his guide to better living, emphasizing personal responsibility and self-reliance.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Branden, who has already explored issues of self-esteem in The Psychology of Self-Esteem , LJ 2/1/70, and How To Raise Your Self-Esteem, LJ 3/15/87, argues that acquiring high self-esteem is essential to a person's survival in the world. His core assertions are believable enough , but he does not outline the six pillars until well into the book, which is too late to hook the reader. Ultimately, this is a repetitive, verbose, and somewhat rambling book. Better choices would be Richard Bednar's more scholarly Self-Esteem: Paradoxes and Innovations in Clinical Theory and Practice (American Psychological Assn., 1989) or, for public libraries, Matthew McKay, Self-Esteem (New Harbinger, 1992). Not recommended. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/93.
- Jennifer Amador, Central State Hosp. Medical Lib., Petersburg, Va.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Branden practically invented the concept of self-esteem and was probably most responsible for promoting it in this country. His latest book is another solid effort that builds on his previous work. He defines the titular pillars as living consciously, self-acceptance, self-responsibility, self-assertiveness, living purposefully, and personal integrity, and he describes not only their importance but how to practice them. He also looks at self-esteem within the contexts of school, work, psychotherapy, and culture and how to develop it within each. His is a balanced book--part theory, part social commentary, part self-help--that is clear, well researched, and well grounded, a valuable, credible addition to the psychological self-help shelves. Mary Ellen Sullivan

Customer Reviews

Well written, clearly full of good content...
I've been reading this book a little bit each day for the last couple weeks. I've been having issues with self-esteem for years, though nothing I'd call serious. Was looking for a book written on the subject by an authority and above all was looking for steps or tactics to improve self-esteem.
I'm probably a third through the book and what I have read I agree with. However, I find myself reading it and saying to myself "Yes. This is correct...I agree with this. This explains my situation." However I'm left thinking "Now how can I really address this?" Because I am impatient I turned to the back and found the 31 week (yes, 31 weeks!) sentence completion process and started that while I'm in the process of reading. I'm going to stick with it through completion...but I must admit I hope it does not take me this long to achieve some greater improvment in my self-esteem. Call me too impatient, if you wish. Its a well written book, as stated.

six pillars of self esteem
Glad I bought this book. I will reread it many times. It was very meaningfull to me.

Mandatory Reading For Everyone
I have the abridged audio version and recommend that and this review is about that in particular.

There are perhaps about 20 books that can be considered mandatory reading for all humans. This is one of them. Probably in the top 5. Get it? Got it? 'Nuff said. And do the 31 week excercises. You'll find them in the back of the paper book.

If you want to hem and haw, find excuses not to get it or whatever...fine. Go your merry blissfully ignorant way. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.