Guru Ratings
H. Jackson Brown
Bad.
Remember my ratings criteria. I’m not judging these gurus on “global” or moral values, but very specific criteria. Many of my favorite books would be rated “bad” by my criteria for self-help (probably, because they are not self-help books). My ratings don’t reflect how well an author met his own goals, but how well they met my criteria for useful, accurate self-help.
The Complete Life’s Little Instruction Book (2000)
A long list of arbitrary life tips. Examples:
- Don’t marry a woman who picks at her food.
- Read the ten books nominated each year for the ABBY Award.
- Always put something in the collection plate.
- Buy the big bottle of Tabasco.
- Don’t cut corners.
- Eat more pancakes and fewer rice cakes.
- Never be ashamed of your patriotism.
His writing shows all the classic problems of shotgun-style self-help. Avoid.