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The 7: Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life
Radio and television host Glenn Beck has experienced the rollercoaster of life like few others. From the suicide of his mother when he was just thirteen, to his eventual alcoholism, depression, divorce, unemployment, and health scares—Glenn has weathered life’s darkest storms.Any one of those struggles could’ve ruined him, yet Glenn was able to keep moving forward. He saw past the darkness into the light; past his grief and addictions and into what his life could be.The process of finding happiness through personal redemption was not easy, but it left Glenn with a blueprint for how to confront future adversity. Glenn is living proof that these steps—he calls them wonders—don’t just work on paper. They helped transform his life and can they can help to transform yours as well. Glenn Beck and Dr. Keith Ablow—two of the most popular and influential personalities in American media today—have joined forces to present a powerful guide to personal transformation and fulfillment that is as unique as their own unlikely partnership. They are called the “7 Wonders” and they can be used by anyone who has made the decision that they are ready to change their life.After the television talk show host and the bestselling psychiatrist struck up a fast friendship they realized that their experiences with life’s struggles were complementary. What Keith had studied, Glenn had lived. What Keith had counseled patients on for years, Glenn had suffered through for decades.The deeply personal insights they shared brought them to realize that their life stories had seven key principles in common; seven wonders that seemed to be essential ingredients for anyone attempting to transform their life.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2010
About the author
Glenn Beck
75 books1,096 followersGlenn Edward Lee Beck is one of America's leading radio and television personalities. His quick wit, candid opinions and engaging personality have made The Glenn Beck Program the third highest rated radio program in America and Glenn Beck, one of the most successful new shows on the Fox News Channel. His unique blend of modern-day storytelling and insightful views on current events allowed him to achieve the extraordinary feat of having #1 New York Times bestsellers in both fiction and non-fiction. Beck also stars in a live stage show and is the publisher of Fusion magazine.
Online, he is the editor of GlennBeck.com and the publisher of TheBlaze.com.
Beck is the author of six consecutive #1 New York Times Bestsellers including his latest book, the thriller The Overton Window. When The Christmas Sweater, his first novel, debuted at #1 on the fiction list, Beck became one of a handful of authors to write books that reached #1 on both the fiction and non-fiction NYT lists.
Online, he is the editor of GlennBeck.com and the publisher of TheBlaze.com.
Beck is the author of six consecutive #1 New York Times Bestsellers including his latest book, the thriller The Overton Window. When The Christmas Sweater, his first novel, debuted at #1 on the fiction list, Beck became one of a handful of authors to write books that reached #1 on both the fiction and non-fiction NYT lists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
May 18, 2011
I'm not much of one lately for any political reading, which is part of why I found this book so gratifying. Whatever one may think of Beck, this book is less about him and even less about his politics and more about Ablow and his improvement methodology honed through years of experience as a professional psychiatrist. The 7 is a compelling case for applying the seven listed virtues in a straightforward and effective way that changes lives. Beck is used as a model of this transformation -- someone who had a life, then lost it all, and then turned things around. This is more than just superficial self-improvement; this is transformation so fundamental that one's inherent programming is rewritten, one's demons are conquered, and one's life finds peace.
I found myself fascinated by the idea that the negative emotional and behavioral problems of today are rooted in painful memories of the past, that we get hurt as children and then bury those memories (because who wants to live with painful memories in the consciousness all the time?) but still feel the effects of those experiences well into adulthood. To conquer our demons, we must embrace the truth, dig out and face the painful memory, and then transcend the pain, and we must do so through the exercise of conscious choice.
But Beck and Ablow also both stress the importance of finding one's true path in life and the role of what many call "coincidence" (which I place in quotes because neither Beck nor Ablow believe in coincidence). I admit that I was hesitant at first to believe as they do because to my rational mind it just didn't make sense. With so many variables to control, there has to be some allotment for pure, random chance. I have believed for many years that some things don't just happen for any particular reason; some things just happen.
And then I read something that appealed to my rational mind and changed it around. "Think of all the things that had to happen for Larry's story to reach you via this book: I had to have a talk show (one chance in several million). Larry and his daughter had to appear on it (again, the odds are small). Glenn needed to be hired for a national television show (one in tens of millions) and have me on as a guest. Then he and I needed to become colleagues, then friends, then coauthors. You needed to purchase or borrow or stumble upon a copy of what we created and you needed to reach this page and read these very words at this very moment -- when you can really use them. The odds of all that happening have more zeroes than our national debt. Do you really think it was all a series of meaningless coincidences? We don't." After reading that, neither do I.
There is much more to this book, so much more that I couldn't put it all into one review. But I will include a great deal of praise for what it contains. Applying the principles in this book has changed and is changing my life. This has been a significant building block in the new me -- the true me that I am discovering and uncovering. No matter what life may hold for you right now, if you aren't applying the seven virtues in this book to your life, you are living well beneath your privileges. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in getting the most out of life and bringing their level of joy to its highest capacity.
I found myself fascinated by the idea that the negative emotional and behavioral problems of today are rooted in painful memories of the past, that we get hurt as children and then bury those memories (because who wants to live with painful memories in the consciousness all the time?) but still feel the effects of those experiences well into adulthood. To conquer our demons, we must embrace the truth, dig out and face the painful memory, and then transcend the pain, and we must do so through the exercise of conscious choice.
But Beck and Ablow also both stress the importance of finding one's true path in life and the role of what many call "coincidence" (which I place in quotes because neither Beck nor Ablow believe in coincidence). I admit that I was hesitant at first to believe as they do because to my rational mind it just didn't make sense. With so many variables to control, there has to be some allotment for pure, random chance. I have believed for many years that some things don't just happen for any particular reason; some things just happen.
And then I read something that appealed to my rational mind and changed it around. "Think of all the things that had to happen for Larry's story to reach you via this book: I had to have a talk show (one chance in several million). Larry and his daughter had to appear on it (again, the odds are small). Glenn needed to be hired for a national television show (one in tens of millions) and have me on as a guest. Then he and I needed to become colleagues, then friends, then coauthors. You needed to purchase or borrow or stumble upon a copy of what we created and you needed to reach this page and read these very words at this very moment -- when you can really use them. The odds of all that happening have more zeroes than our national debt. Do you really think it was all a series of meaningless coincidences? We don't." After reading that, neither do I.
There is much more to this book, so much more that I couldn't put it all into one review. But I will include a great deal of praise for what it contains. Applying the principles in this book has changed and is changing my life. This has been a significant building block in the new me -- the true me that I am discovering and uncovering. No matter what life may hold for you right now, if you aren't applying the seven virtues in this book to your life, you are living well beneath your privileges. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in getting the most out of life and bringing their level of joy to its highest capacity.
May 31, 2011
Liked this book. Thought maybe it would be 'like all the others' but it wasn't.
Written by two authors in alternating chapters, Glenn Beck and doctor Keith Ablow, they expand personally and professinally on the seven factors crucial to a happy/healthy life.
It is actually a book that I would have yellow highlights on just about every page! Lots of good stuff in here!
Sorta like a book you would give a graduate...
Favorite Quote:
From the very last page:
don't read if you don't want to know the seven wonders, but you would still be missing out on all the 'meat' of the book!!!
"You can lead with the Seven Wonders, too. First you must know yourself. You must use courage and faith to empty out the hard drive of your soul and then fill it with your truth. Because only from that solid foundation will you have enough compassion for others and enough confidence in your ideas and plans, to move people. You really will need the support of famiy and friends because nothing can replace those sources of warmth and honesty in your life. Without that support you can't have the kind of solid footing that allows you to walk worthy paths that inevitably course through darkness, and have others follow you, without ever losing hope. And you will need to be in touch with your common sense, lest you be drawn off course by confortable, insufficient solutions to problems that require clear thinking, bold action, and a willingness to confront adversity.
The seven wonders are not a recipe for leadership or success; they are merely the raw ingredients. We don't know how God puts them together to create momentum and motivation and miracles that change families and communities and companies and countries, but we know He does. And that's okay with us. Because we don't have to know 'how' it's done, we just have to know that it is. We just have to pray for it, witness it, believe it, and dedicate ourselves to being the vessels for it."
p 288
Written by two authors in alternating chapters, Glenn Beck and doctor Keith Ablow, they expand personally and professinally on the seven factors crucial to a happy/healthy life.
It is actually a book that I would have yellow highlights on just about every page! Lots of good stuff in here!
Sorta like a book you would give a graduate...
Favorite Quote:
From the very last page:
don't read if you don't want to know the seven wonders, but you would still be missing out on all the 'meat' of the book!!!
"You can lead with the Seven Wonders, too. First you must know yourself. You must use courage and faith to empty out the hard drive of your soul and then fill it with your truth. Because only from that solid foundation will you have enough compassion for others and enough confidence in your ideas and plans, to move people. You really will need the support of famiy and friends because nothing can replace those sources of warmth and honesty in your life. Without that support you can't have the kind of solid footing that allows you to walk worthy paths that inevitably course through darkness, and have others follow you, without ever losing hope. And you will need to be in touch with your common sense, lest you be drawn off course by confortable, insufficient solutions to problems that require clear thinking, bold action, and a willingness to confront adversity.
The seven wonders are not a recipe for leadership or success; they are merely the raw ingredients. We don't know how God puts them together to create momentum and motivation and miracles that change families and communities and companies and countries, but we know He does. And that's okay with us. Because we don't have to know 'how' it's done, we just have to know that it is. We just have to pray for it, witness it, believe it, and dedicate ourselves to being the vessels for it."
p 288
April 8, 2011
First and foremost the book is a call to Mormonism.
Typical Glenn Beck, give up just enough truth and common sense to hook a sane person, then add the Glenn Beck cool aid. I read the book because I have some friends and family who are raving about the book and Glenn Beck himself, and I wanted to know what this cult leader is saying to hook his followers. I could not in good conscience suggest this book - unless you are researching cult leaders, mass hysteria, or propaganda distribution.
I was initially struck with the excessive use of quotes. Every point that is made has at least one quote from a great mind to seemingly back up the premise, no matter how far out of context the given quote has been taken. This was the selling point for one of my friends, saying that, “Glenn is more of a messenger and channel for the great knowledge of the world, which is obvious as he generously quotes the great people of the world”. Now, after reading the book, I have to question the critical thinking skills of the Glenn Beck fans in my life.
The book cleverly switches back and forth between Glenn Beck and Keith Ablow (psychiatrist, author, tv personality), and weaves a weird tale of a fallen human (the old Glenn) and his rebirth into and enlightened man filled with the God that is in us all (the new Glenn). In this narrative the authors present the seven stars of enlightenment to guide ones path to peace and eventually, Mormonism – the religion with no Hell and an all you can eat buffet of great things for any patriotic American.
I feel like I wasted a couple days of reading time as I have come no closer to understanding why people so fervently follow this man Glenn Beck.
Typical Glenn Beck, give up just enough truth and common sense to hook a sane person, then add the Glenn Beck cool aid. I read the book because I have some friends and family who are raving about the book and Glenn Beck himself, and I wanted to know what this cult leader is saying to hook his followers. I could not in good conscience suggest this book - unless you are researching cult leaders, mass hysteria, or propaganda distribution.
I was initially struck with the excessive use of quotes. Every point that is made has at least one quote from a great mind to seemingly back up the premise, no matter how far out of context the given quote has been taken. This was the selling point for one of my friends, saying that, “Glenn is more of a messenger and channel for the great knowledge of the world, which is obvious as he generously quotes the great people of the world”. Now, after reading the book, I have to question the critical thinking skills of the Glenn Beck fans in my life.
The book cleverly switches back and forth between Glenn Beck and Keith Ablow (psychiatrist, author, tv personality), and weaves a weird tale of a fallen human (the old Glenn) and his rebirth into and enlightened man filled with the God that is in us all (the new Glenn). In this narrative the authors present the seven stars of enlightenment to guide ones path to peace and eventually, Mormonism – the religion with no Hell and an all you can eat buffet of great things for any patriotic American.
I feel like I wasted a couple days of reading time as I have come no closer to understanding why people so fervently follow this man Glenn Beck.
August 6, 2011
This is really two books in one. Every other chapter alternates being authored by Glenn Beck and then Keith Ablow.
Glenn's chapters are autobiographical, sharing his experiences overcoming alcoholism, searching for a church, finding Christ, meeting his wife and building a life with her.
Keith Ablow is a psychiatrist. He shares stories illustrating the "7 wonders". The 7 wonders that will change your life are courage, faith, compassion, truth, friendship, family and common sense. Each of his chapters illustrates one of these wonders. He uses stories of patients from his practice as well as highlighting moments in Glenn's life.
The two perspectives come together very cohesively. I really liked it a lot. Between the two there was much wisdom shared. They drew from many different sources. Here are a few of the quotes that I liked.
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear-not absence of fear." --Mark Twain, p. 38
"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." -- Thomas Jefferson p. 55
"You are permanently, irrevocably connected to truth...Divine power is still inside you. If you move even one step in the direction of your truest and best thoughts and actions-the unique individual you really are-you will begin to align yourself with this irresistible power and unlock your God-given capacity for joy and success." -- Keith Ablow p. 71
"Truth is frightening. Pontius Pilate knew that, and washed his hands of truth when he washed his hands of Jesus. Truth is demanding. It won't let us sit comfortably. It knocks out our cozy smugness and casual condemnation. It makes us move....For truth we can read Jesus. Jesus is truth." -- Madeleine L'Engle p. 90
"Dreams are important. They're messages from God. When you ignore them or resist them or are kept from pursuing them, you are cut to the core of your being. Inevitably you then inflict injuries on others, too." Glenn Beck p. 93
"At the heart of all religions is the certainty that there is a fundamental truth, and that this life is a sacred opportunity to evolve and realize it." -- Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, p. 124
"In Zion, people really care about one another. It's not socialism; it's the exact opposite. No heart is forced to do anything. Every single heart chooses to help others because of their own free will." -- Glenn Beck p. 151
"You will not be punished for your anger. You will be punished by your anger." -- Buddha p. 164
"That which we do not bring to consciousness appears in our lives as fate." -- Carl Jung p. 265
"You were born with a barometer of truth inside you. You have the ability to process data faster than any computer ever created. Everything you have learned from books and all the common wisdom to which you have been exposed in life is no match for your God-given intuition." -- Keith Ablow p. 279
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -- Martin Luther King jr. p. 286
"It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it." -- George Washington p. 287
I hope that wasn't too many quotes to handle. There was much more wisdom that I didn't write down. This was just the greatest hits. For the rest you'll have to read the book.
Glenn's chapters are autobiographical, sharing his experiences overcoming alcoholism, searching for a church, finding Christ, meeting his wife and building a life with her.
Keith Ablow is a psychiatrist. He shares stories illustrating the "7 wonders". The 7 wonders that will change your life are courage, faith, compassion, truth, friendship, family and common sense. Each of his chapters illustrates one of these wonders. He uses stories of patients from his practice as well as highlighting moments in Glenn's life.
The two perspectives come together very cohesively. I really liked it a lot. Between the two there was much wisdom shared. They drew from many different sources. Here are a few of the quotes that I liked.
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear-not absence of fear." --Mark Twain, p. 38
"Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." -- Thomas Jefferson p. 55
"You are permanently, irrevocably connected to truth...Divine power is still inside you. If you move even one step in the direction of your truest and best thoughts and actions-the unique individual you really are-you will begin to align yourself with this irresistible power and unlock your God-given capacity for joy and success." -- Keith Ablow p. 71
"Truth is frightening. Pontius Pilate knew that, and washed his hands of truth when he washed his hands of Jesus. Truth is demanding. It won't let us sit comfortably. It knocks out our cozy smugness and casual condemnation. It makes us move....For truth we can read Jesus. Jesus is truth." -- Madeleine L'Engle p. 90
"Dreams are important. They're messages from God. When you ignore them or resist them or are kept from pursuing them, you are cut to the core of your being. Inevitably you then inflict injuries on others, too." Glenn Beck p. 93
"At the heart of all religions is the certainty that there is a fundamental truth, and that this life is a sacred opportunity to evolve and realize it." -- Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, p. 124
"In Zion, people really care about one another. It's not socialism; it's the exact opposite. No heart is forced to do anything. Every single heart chooses to help others because of their own free will." -- Glenn Beck p. 151
"You will not be punished for your anger. You will be punished by your anger." -- Buddha p. 164
"That which we do not bring to consciousness appears in our lives as fate." -- Carl Jung p. 265
"You were born with a barometer of truth inside you. You have the ability to process data faster than any computer ever created. Everything you have learned from books and all the common wisdom to which you have been exposed in life is no match for your God-given intuition." -- Keith Ablow p. 279
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -- Martin Luther King jr. p. 286
"It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it." -- George Washington p. 287
I hope that wasn't too many quotes to handle. There was much more wisdom that I didn't write down. This was just the greatest hits. For the rest you'll have to read the book.
March 2, 2012
LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Ed and I listened to it on Audible while we were moving our Son and his family from Williamsburg, Virginia to Utah this past month. Ed had purchased it on our Audible account over a year ago, and just happened to start it on this trip. Perfect timing! Neither of us had heard anything about it...but now we are highly recommending this as one of the best self-help books we've come across in a long time. Glen is brutally honest in sharing his life experience, addiction recovery, and conversion to the LDS church. Dr. Ablow then follows a section of Glen's story with a chapter outlining one of the Principles that changed Glen, and can change your life too. Alternating the story and the "wonders" is an excellent format to show the application in real life. If you are a truth-seeker, this is great stuff!! I'm going to buy a copy of the book so we can mark it up. I took lots of notes, and I want the full quotes on the written page.
Thanks Glen...we owe you one :-)
Thanks Glen...we owe you one :-)
May 30, 2012
If you have read the Christmas Sweater this book expands in more detail what kind of life Glen Beck has lived and what helped him realize and change his life. The Dr. that accompanied him and his thoughts in every other chapter in the book was insightful too.
It was a pretty short, quick read, and kept you going. (large print, short chapters less than 300 pages)
It really discusses a variety of times the importance of listening to your inner thoughts or "3rd ear".
I enjoyed the vareity of examples of other patients and their sitations and how they were able through questioning their past could realize decisions, and errors in their present life. Forgiveness and understanding were also part of this!
Overall I enjoyed it and kept thinking, my husband needs to read this, my friends, my family. It is wonderful to help heal some generational differences and help heal current friendships, and relationships especially with oneself and God.
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!
It was a pretty short, quick read, and kept you going. (large print, short chapters less than 300 pages)
It really discusses a variety of times the importance of listening to your inner thoughts or "3rd ear".
I enjoyed the vareity of examples of other patients and their sitations and how they were able through questioning their past could realize decisions, and errors in their present life. Forgiveness and understanding were also part of this!
Overall I enjoyed it and kept thinking, my husband needs to read this, my friends, my family. It is wonderful to help heal some generational differences and help heal current friendships, and relationships especially with oneself and God.
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!
January 27, 2014
Overall the book was marginal, but I have really been seeking out information on what obligations we owe to our loved ones, especially extended family and close friends. Those that may have a negative impact on our self esteem and/or on our families. It gave some great clarification and insight on this.
February 7, 2011
If I could five this a 4.5 stars, I would. I liked it well enough as I read it, but I suppose a book has impacted you more than you think if you find yourself referencing it and talking about it to anyone who will listen. I really liked this book!
October 23, 2011
This is a wonderful book. Very thought provoking.
The wonders are courage, faith, truth, compassion, friendship, family, and common sense.
Listened to it twice, just because it was so good.
Just as good 2 years later.
The wonders are courage, faith, truth, compassion, friendship, family, and common sense.
Listened to it twice, just because it was so good.
Just as good 2 years later.
January 1, 2013
Very helpful and thought-provoking book about how to manage and improve areas of your personal life.
January 18, 2018
I listened to this on audio-book which I believe helped me finish it. I picked it up on random at my library on a new year, new you display. I don't know too much about Glenn Beck, only a little screaming angry voice I've heard in passing. It was interesting to hear his heart on his life journey. I am starting to read/listen to books by authors who are different than me...I am learning more than I ever thought. I want to be a more understanding & empathetic person which I feel is blooming in my life by staying the course with learning/knowing other points of view. Okay done, this is no longer a review of the book..it never was. This review is for me, no one else.
July 11, 2019
Much good here, and much poison.
Eloquent and earnest exposition of humanist/existential psychology, with a fundamentally flawed theological foundation. Much like Jordan Peterson, the worldview is enough like the Gospel to have a resounding force in a hollow age, but not enough like the Gospel to allow the hearer to lay their deadly doing down.
This book was "Isolated bits of silliness linked together by common grace on fire", to borrow a phrase from Doug Wilson.
Eloquent and earnest exposition of humanist/existential psychology, with a fundamentally flawed theological foundation. Much like Jordan Peterson, the worldview is enough like the Gospel to have a resounding force in a hollow age, but not enough like the Gospel to allow the hearer to lay their deadly doing down.
This book was "Isolated bits of silliness linked together by common grace on fire", to borrow a phrase from Doug Wilson.
May 13, 2017
I enjoyed reading this book and while reading it examining who I am and the events in my life that made me who I am today. Both the positive events and negative. It also helped me acquire some new tools to help me overcome some of my fears. I would recommend this book to both family and friends who want an inspirational book to help them better themselves.
May 23, 2017
This is NOT a book on politics. Not even close. It's an inspiring story of a humble man who was once living in the worst circumstances and who now has changed his life completely. This book shows how important relationships and truth are in our lives and it has helped me take a second look at the things I value in my life and be grateful for the good, and be motivated to rid what is not.
December 21, 2020
RATING 2.22 STARS
There are some good concepts here - and I do enjoy a good Glenn Beck rant now and again - but this book felt more like an Oprah monologue than what I expected. Not that I fault Beck for his conclusions - it's just that I have a better idea of what topics I can really trust his input on.
There are some good concepts here - and I do enjoy a good Glenn Beck rant now and again - but this book felt more like an Oprah monologue than what I expected. Not that I fault Beck for his conclusions - it's just that I have a better idea of what topics I can really trust his input on.
July 9, 2022
Read first in 2015, revisited my Kindle version and found myself pondering the nuggets found here in a lazy Saturday morning.
It’s more self discovery rather than self help and is written alternating life points of Beck by a real stable psychological view by Ablow. And it works.
Lots of valuable thought provocation that ultimately is summed by: “Know Thyself”.
It’s more self discovery rather than self help and is written alternating life points of Beck by a real stable psychological view by Ablow. And it works.
Lots of valuable thought provocation that ultimately is summed by: “Know Thyself”.
July 4, 2018
An inspiring must read. Beck shares his own triumphs and more importantly his failures in an effort for us to see that we can have a better life through finding our truth, living the life that we want.
August 25, 2018
I am not a Glenn Beck fan. I was reluctant to read this book, but wanted to participate in my "old lady" book club discussion. I was pleasantly surprised with the truths I related to. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good self-help book.
July 9, 2017
Interesting insights into how people can change their lives from both one who has changed (Beck) and one who facilitates change (Dr. Keith Ablow).
March 29, 2018
A powerful guide to personal fulfillment. Soooo meaningful.
Read it 5 years ago. Loved it even more the second time.
Read it 5 years ago. Loved it even more the second time.
December 6, 2020
very commercial in a bad way
Listen to ourselves listening - what do we react to and how we do react
Question what is behind gut reactions What is your truth whispering.
Listen to ourselves listening - what do we react to and how we do react
Question what is behind gut reactions What is your truth whispering.
December 18, 2020
Absolutely loved. Great life lessons. Pay attention to the breadcrumbs.
December 28, 2021
Some excellent advice can be found here. Much more spiritual than expected but still very good for anyone struggling with and addiction, depression or any other burden they feel they can't escape.
June 16, 2023
Listened to the audiobook. A good "listen".
January 30, 2024
Don't care for Glenn Beck, but I promise this book is a life changer. Definitely recommend to everyone regardless of your views.
April 24, 2011
I read this book almost solely for the purpose of more thoroughly refuting an anti-Mormon video which took this as occasion to go after the church. I'm fairly disinterested as far as Beck's show goes; like football, whether I see anything wrong with it or not, I can never watch it with any sustained interest. Incidentally, this review is not my rebuttal. ;-) (As an aside in summary to those who might be worried about the video: it plays a game of deliberate limited context. Some passages can be refuted successfully by others internally, or by showing who was speaking, and/or what it was actually about. That regarding original sin and Beck's study of dubious sources--conducted BEFORE he joined the church--is the most patently flimsy. Still more require a fair leap in logic, easy to those bringing their own malice into it, to draw a doctrinal conclusion, but even those can't bear comparison against official LDS doctrine.)
What the critics have wrong first and foremost is insisting that he speaks for Mormons. Of those prominent in the world, I wouldn't trust him or Reid or Romney to accurately "teach" our beliefs, and I cringe at the thought of their every action being taken as representative of the doctrine. Perhaps the closest to a truly trustworthy source in the world's public sector--to my mind--is Jon Huntsman, Sr., and he actually was called as a general authority. His book, which I do recommend to others, walked a wiser line than Beck's.
The fundamentalists are upset that Beck didn't outright name Jesus Christ as THE wonder that will change your life. I'm not sure who ever does in the political world, by that token. This book is half Keith Ablow's, and he comes across as much less overtly Christian than Beck, by the way (in my opinion, being the true author of confusion here, but blame will attach to one's collaborator); critics appear to overlook Beck's central testimony of the Atonement as "the most powerful thing," on 155.
This wasn't intended to delve deeply into religiosity, though it remains an assumption to the theme. Perhaps Beck's anxiety to not come across as peddling Mormonism backfired, as so many were going to assume that's where he's coming from, anyway. Now we're all suffering from the repercussions. His downfall was in seeking a one size fits all flavor. To do so, one must unabashedly state truly correct LDS principle and break down how it applies to the audience, or at least refrain from borrowing constant snippets from the philosophies of men to buttress confusing ideas. He gave them decidedly too much leverage as appearing in full concord with New Age notions. On that, I agree.
It's not all valueless, but there are some oddly phrased ideas herein. Beck's real crime was burying his genuine and powerful conversion story under Ablow's psychobabble. Thus, it allows slightly stirred but mostly complacent individuals to accept that they can feel good and all roads will lead to heaven. His emphasis on agency was actually bold, and should have been pressed more consistently and correctly. I think the LDS and Beck himself would agree with some Christians' outcry that it's more important that we accept Christ than that we simply accept ourselves, but he failed to convey that very well at all.
What the critics have wrong first and foremost is insisting that he speaks for Mormons. Of those prominent in the world, I wouldn't trust him or Reid or Romney to accurately "teach" our beliefs, and I cringe at the thought of their every action being taken as representative of the doctrine. Perhaps the closest to a truly trustworthy source in the world's public sector--to my mind--is Jon Huntsman, Sr., and he actually was called as a general authority. His book, which I do recommend to others, walked a wiser line than Beck's.
The fundamentalists are upset that Beck didn't outright name Jesus Christ as THE wonder that will change your life. I'm not sure who ever does in the political world, by that token. This book is half Keith Ablow's, and he comes across as much less overtly Christian than Beck, by the way (in my opinion, being the true author of confusion here, but blame will attach to one's collaborator); critics appear to overlook Beck's central testimony of the Atonement as "the most powerful thing," on 155.
This wasn't intended to delve deeply into religiosity, though it remains an assumption to the theme. Perhaps Beck's anxiety to not come across as peddling Mormonism backfired, as so many were going to assume that's where he's coming from, anyway. Now we're all suffering from the repercussions. His downfall was in seeking a one size fits all flavor. To do so, one must unabashedly state truly correct LDS principle and break down how it applies to the audience, or at least refrain from borrowing constant snippets from the philosophies of men to buttress confusing ideas. He gave them decidedly too much leverage as appearing in full concord with New Age notions. On that, I agree.
It's not all valueless, but there are some oddly phrased ideas herein. Beck's real crime was burying his genuine and powerful conversion story under Ablow's psychobabble. Thus, it allows slightly stirred but mostly complacent individuals to accept that they can feel good and all roads will lead to heaven. His emphasis on agency was actually bold, and should have been pressed more consistently and correctly. I think the LDS and Beck himself would agree with some Christians' outcry that it's more important that we accept Christ than that we simply accept ourselves, but he failed to convey that very well at all.
October 21, 2015
Woah. Made me think.
This book takes incidents from life story of Glenn Beck - who was clearly completely broken in a million pieces by a childhood tragedy and who let it ruin his life and the lives of those around him for many years - and intersperses it with material from the perspective of his friend, psychiatrist Keith Ablow. Beck's chapters range from heart-wrending to hopeful - but Ablow's chapters frankly blindsided me. I began making connections between things in my life experiences that I had never connected before, things from my childhood and adulthood and last month. Things that never seemed linked before now seemed to have a bond that was so inevitable that I marvel that I never saw it before. I imagine it is similar to the kind of experience a person has in the office of a good psychiatrist... I was getting it for free! It gave me a lot to process and work through.
And I think it has that possibility for you as well. You'll need to take the time to digest each chapter pair (Beck and Ablow alternate chapters, with Beck writing about his life first and then Ablow providing a deeper perspective of Beck's story) - don't rush through this book. If you take plenty of time to carefully read and reflect, you may be surprised what things start to come into focus for you!
I will mention one thing: when the authors touch on things of a religious nature - quoting from the Bible or interpreting things through the lens of religious belief - although their approach basically squares with my own religious beliefs, it's clear there is a little variance on the specifics. This book is not a religious treatise, so I chose to live-and-let-live on those parts, but if you are sensitive to that sort of thing, your mileage may vary.
That said, I would recommend this book to anyone who needs to take a deeper look at themselves, and maybe make a few changes. A fresh focus on even one of these seven wonders can make a dramatic difference in a person's life.
This book takes incidents from life story of Glenn Beck - who was clearly completely broken in a million pieces by a childhood tragedy and who let it ruin his life and the lives of those around him for many years - and intersperses it with material from the perspective of his friend, psychiatrist Keith Ablow. Beck's chapters range from heart-wrending to hopeful - but Ablow's chapters frankly blindsided me. I began making connections between things in my life experiences that I had never connected before, things from my childhood and adulthood and last month. Things that never seemed linked before now seemed to have a bond that was so inevitable that I marvel that I never saw it before. I imagine it is similar to the kind of experience a person has in the office of a good psychiatrist... I was getting it for free! It gave me a lot to process and work through.
And I think it has that possibility for you as well. You'll need to take the time to digest each chapter pair (Beck and Ablow alternate chapters, with Beck writing about his life first and then Ablow providing a deeper perspective of Beck's story) - don't rush through this book. If you take plenty of time to carefully read and reflect, you may be surprised what things start to come into focus for you!
I will mention one thing: when the authors touch on things of a religious nature - quoting from the Bible or interpreting things through the lens of religious belief - although their approach basically squares with my own religious beliefs, it's clear there is a little variance on the specifics. This book is not a religious treatise, so I chose to live-and-let-live on those parts, but if you are sensitive to that sort of thing, your mileage may vary.
That said, I would recommend this book to anyone who needs to take a deeper look at themselves, and maybe make a few changes. A fresh focus on even one of these seven wonders can make a dramatic difference in a person's life.
January 20, 2011
The 7: Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life
The 7: Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life
I’m usually am skeptical of any books that claim they will “change my life”, let alone one that has a handful of “steps”. Enter Glenn Beck and Keith Ablow, M.D. and their new collaboration, The 7: Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life. I knew much of Glenn Beck’s story before reading the book…his alcoholism and drug abuse, his significant rise and fall in broadcasting, his marriages, children, his faith. There wasn’t much “news” in the book, but I found that the format (a chapter by Glenn and then a chapter by Dr. Ablow on the same “wonder”) very effective at presenting a psychological premise (Dr. Ablow’s chapter) along with an illustration (Glenn’s chapter about his life).
“…one human being’s intensely personal tests and triumphs can be harnessed to the good of countless others” writes Keith Ablow. He is correct, and that’s what this book attempts to do.
The 7 “Wonders” are:
Courage
Faith
Truth
Compassion
Friendship
Family
Common Sense
If you’re in a struggle in your life…if you’re facing illness, substance abuse, broken relationships, low self-esteem or just want to know if your life has a purpose…this book might just help. It isn’t rocket science, but it spoke to me. Dr. Ablow says “there are no coincidences”. As a Christian, I believe that and I believe that this book was something that came along at the appointed time for an appointed reason. You might find that too.
April 7, 2015
I have always admired Glenn Beck. I love listening to him on talk radio because of his common-sense, conservative views, and he does it in such a humorous way that I find myself laughing out loud. This is a book about a miserable person (Glenn) because of the suicide of his mother and grieving father, he turned to alcohol and drugs in order to cope. This book is written by two authors alternating chapters, Glenn Beck and Doctor Keith Alblow, they share a formula of seven factors that are important for a happy/healthy life.
Most of us struggle with trials or challenges in our lives. I have had my share of my own, and have found that the first step toward healing is honesty--first with yourself, then others. I found this book such a comfort to know that someone with all of Glenn's problems overcame them with the help of God. He has been such an example of how to cope with loss with dignity and humility.
One of my favorite quotes is on the last page:
"We don't know how God puts them together to create momentum and motivation and miracles that change families and communities and companies and countries, but we know He does. And that's okay with us. Because we don't have to know HOW it's done, we just have to know that it is. We just have to pray for it, witness it, believe it, and dedicate ourselves to being the vessels for it."
I really studied and highlighted most of the pages. I will refer to it often and recommend it to those who want something better. It's all about choices and how we handle what God has given us.
Most of us struggle with trials or challenges in our lives. I have had my share of my own, and have found that the first step toward healing is honesty--first with yourself, then others. I found this book such a comfort to know that someone with all of Glenn's problems overcame them with the help of God. He has been such an example of how to cope with loss with dignity and humility.
One of my favorite quotes is on the last page:
"We don't know how God puts them together to create momentum and motivation and miracles that change families and communities and companies and countries, but we know He does. And that's okay with us. Because we don't have to know HOW it's done, we just have to know that it is. We just have to pray for it, witness it, believe it, and dedicate ourselves to being the vessels for it."
I really studied and highlighted most of the pages. I will refer to it often and recommend it to those who want something better. It's all about choices and how we handle what God has given us.
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