Bad Childhood---Good Life: How to Blossom and Thrive in Spite of an Unhappy Childhood 
asked by freedrink on November 8, 2006 3:44 PM
With her characteristically pointed advice and take-no-prisoners attitude, Dr. Laura's book Bad Childhood - Good Life tackles one of the most basic questions of therapy: How can a person effectively move past the injuries of a bad childhood? Her answer will be familiar to her fans—look at your current behavior and modify what you can change rather than simply venting your anger or allowing yourself to ever be victimized again.
Forget about simply accepting or forgiving your parents for their errors—Dr. Laura extols the virtues of conquering. Through excerpts from her radio show and letters from her listeners, she illustrates her points about guilt, anger and fear in personalized accounts from individuals. Short lists and question/answer sections make for an easy read that allows you to smoothly fast forward and backtrack to the topics you find most relevant at the moment—and numerous references to other chapters and her website provide all the additional information you could want. Faith is a subtle but definite component; some readers will find it the most helpful part of the book while it decidedly won't appeal to others.
Not everyone will agree with—or appreciate--her succinct manner that drives right to the root of issues. Like her show, the book presents absolutes rather than possible alternatives. For readers looking for a definitive method for moving past childhood issues, Dr. Laura might offer the solution. Jill Lightner
Reviews
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The Music Was Great Then!, November 25, 2006
Reviewer: Betty Burks (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews
It was a wonderful time to grow up in my hometown. Things were easy for the
poor and rich, as we were equal in the talent contests and given a chance with
or without a mother there pushing for her kid. Dean Martin was one of the best
singers, but Eddie Fisher was my singer and I was president of "The Fisher
Notes." I wrote a review of his latest memoir which is not NTA, meaning no one
can read or vote one way or the other. I put a lot of effort in my reviews, so
here it is:
Janet Dailey now lives in Branson, Missouri, the place Deana Martin also
calls her new hometown.
A Dutiful Daughter's Memories, August 12, 2006
I got too close to the truth for comfort!
Dean Martin was successful in the Fifties.
No Title Available
A Devoted Daughter?, August 25, 2006
Never Say Never Is A Good Motto., August 25, 2006
Reviewer: Betty Burks (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews
Writing is magical. The empty page is where you start to put together the
disparate parts of your life. Once you put it down on paper, you can figure out
how all your plans can start to come together. This is a fairytale of a little
girl who never growed up. She lived with her mother in a big house in a fancy
neighborhood in Pasadena. Her father had a fanciful career in movies and on
television; his downfall was not drinking, as we were led to believe, but Lainze
Kazan on one of his musical review shows. She was a regular and he certainly
perked up and his eyes would light up when he talked about how beautfiul she
was. He was part of a duo which dissolved, and he was much better on screen
without his partner. Part of the Rat Pack, a broup of irrational performers in
Las Vegas, he lost himself and became a bum. If you believe that this book was
written out of love or devotion, you are absolutely wrong. She used it merely
to get on a radio network who panders to half-way talent and has-beens to make
a career on the back of her famous father.
His son wrote 'That's Amore" another of his songs. His didn't sell well, as
this one did not. It was given away on that same network where they have
appointed a "host" which just shows how far it has fallen. She would not be deemed a
singer with another name. He died in dire circumstances with no family
support, and it is a shame this writer has to stoop to obtaining a career on the
demise of a famous singer. Maybe he would sit up and appauld, but I think he
would turn in his grave at the injustice of this travesty. Since my first review
was lost, this is just a resume. Too bad you couldn't read what I said.
She has made a career off of her dad's fame and has just about taken over
MYL. She is a fraud with very little talent, certainly is not a star like her dad
she abandoned and never will be. If she were so great, why on earth is she
stuck in Branson, Missouri, answer me that! She is making tons of money off her
dead dad and he is not here to defend himself. It's a dirty shame.
The Fifties were good to Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Fisher and other
male singers; females didn't do so well. But it was a grand time to grown up
and go off to college. Life was worthwhile then, not as the poor verses the rich
in today's world.
Reviewer: Betty Burks (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews
It was a wonderful time to grow up in my hometown. Things were easy for the
poor and rich, as we were equal in the talent contests and given a chance with
or without a mother there pushing for her kid. Dean Martin was one of the best
singers, but Eddie Fisher was my singer and I was president of "The Fisher
Notes." I wrote a review of his latest memoir which is not NTA, meaning no one
can read or vote one way or the other. I put a lot of effort in my reviews, so
here it is:
Janet Dailey now lives in Branson, Missouri, the place Deana Martin also
calls her new hometown.
A Dutiful Daughter's Memories, August 12, 2006
I got too close to the truth for comfort!
Dean Martin was successful in the Fifties.
No Title Available
A Devoted Daughter?, August 25, 2006
Never Say Never Is A Good Motto., August 25, 2006
Reviewer: Betty Burks (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews
Writing is magical. The empty page is where you start to put together the
disparate parts of your life. Once you put it down on paper, you can figure out
how all your plans can start to come together. This is a fairytale of a little
girl who never growed up. She lived with her mother in a big house in a fancy
neighborhood in Pasadena. Her father had a fanciful career in movies and on
television; his downfall was not drinking, as we were led to believe, but Lainze
Kazan on one of his musical review shows. She was a regular and he certainly
perked up and his eyes would light up when he talked about how beautfiul she
was. He was part of a duo which dissolved, and he was much better on screen
without his partner. Part of the Rat Pack, a broup of irrational performers in
Las Vegas, he lost himself and became a bum. If you believe that this book was
written out of love or devotion, you are absolutely wrong. She used it merely
to get on a radio network who panders to half-way talent and has-beens to make
a career on the back of her famous father.
His son wrote 'That's Amore" another of his songs. His didn't sell well, as
this one did not. It was given away on that same network where they have
appointed a "host" which just shows how far it has fallen. She would not be deemed a
singer with another name. He died in dire circumstances with no family
support, and it is a shame this writer has to stoop to obtaining a career on the
demise of a famous singer. Maybe he would sit up and appauld, but I think he
would turn in his grave at the injustice of this travesty. Since my first review
was lost, this is just a resume. Too bad you couldn't read what I said.
She has made a career off of her dad's fame and has just about taken over
MYL. She is a fraud with very little talent, certainly is not a star like her dad
she abandoned and never will be. If she were so great, why on earth is she
stuck in Branson, Missouri, answer me that! She is making tons of money off her
dead dad and he is not here to defend himself. It's a dirty shame.
The Fifties were good to Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Fisher and other
male singers; females didn't do so well. But it was a grand time to grown up
and go off to college. Life was worthwhile then, not as the poor verses the rich
in today's world.
reviewed by ronmiller on November 11, 2006 6:26 PM
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I love this book. I felt like I was reading my entire life and childhood, straight out of the pages. I learned so much about my mother, and I truly believe that this book changed my entire outlook on life, and family. I love you Dr. Laura, and thank you.
reviewed by potato on November 11, 2006 6:39 PM
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Has this woman ever spent a day in the shoes of someone who has suffered major emotional/physical abuse? I CANNOT believe that her advice is to find spirituality and even suggest the christian "god" as the MOST helpful solution. I think this book is very one-sided and easily written without compassion. Do this, do that...you should feel this...that. Though she does claim that moving on is not easy to do...she sure contradicts herself in her statements. For some of us, purely praying to God does not cut it. What about the mentally, emotionally and pysically abused who aren't christian? I think this book is not politically correct. Though I decided to read it anyway and put my beliefs aside in an attempt to find something useful and helpful. But this book just kept coming back to christianity and praying to God as an answer. Aside from spirituality, if I could just snap my fingers as it seems so many of her "life" example subjects in the book who were often quoted seem to be able to do...why the hell would I need to invest my money and time in such a book? I've already been told to snap out of it and move on forget the past, stop wallowing, etc. This doctor repeating my friends and family isn't going to make much more of a difference just because she has a radio show. Sorry. Furthermore, making people feel bad about themselves for victimizing themselves and bringing their friends and family down in the dumps with them, isn't going to make them feel any better about themselves. The suicidal, the ones who truly feel worthless will feel even worse at these acusations no matter how truthful they may be. I just would have hoped a doctor would have better skills in dealing with the phsycologically distressed and would have a more compassionate approach to "awakening" them.
reviewed by wendi on November 21, 2006 8:50 AM
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Whenever I read a book by Laura Schlessinger, I don't seem to read it cover to cover. I pick up a page where ever it opens and read that. I never fail to learn something with each reading. "Bad Childhood---Good Life" has lots of good messages in it. She is a smart lady and doesn't let you wallow in your past. The only thing that I disagree with her is on brain chemical problems..some types of depression, bipolar disorders and other medical reasons for some behaviors. I feel like she doesn't suffer from them..so they don't exist. I would like her to say..fine, they exist..now get medical treatment for them and move on. I won't hold my breath that that will ever happen.
reviewed by bigben on November 22, 2006 11:42 PM