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On the Other Hand: The Little Anthology of Big Questions
A straight from the shoulder look at life in which I ask some awkward questions; such as, ‘Who am I?’, ‘Where did I come from?’, ‘What am I doing here?’ and ‘Why do we resist change?’ If at this point you’re tempted to flick through this book looking for the answers, save yourself the trouble - you won’t find any. This isn’t a book of answers - it’s a book of self-reflective questions that have fascinated me all of my life. Reflecting on them has given new meaning and purpose to my life and changed not only the way I see the world, but the way I see you too. When we change our mind … we also change our world.
216 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2013
About the author
Renée Paule
9 books265 followers'Self-reflection', 'Know Thyself' and 'Semi-autobiography'
'Top of the morning' from Ireland.
Many years ago I wrote my autobiography - probably more as therapy than anything else - but life continued happening to me and I got to thinking, what good will this story do, isn’t there enough misery in the world without me adding to it? I subsequently burnt the manuscript. It was around that time that I began searching for meaning in my life and had a profound experience - a realisation that we’re all connected; we’re One. In my books, I take an honest look at our quirky and often bizarre behaviour in society and challenge the status-quo we accept as unchangeable - questioning and pushing the boundaries we set ourselves, and those that have been set for us. I’m convinced that if we want to change our lives and change our world then we must first change ourselves. I invite you to join me on my journey, questioning the society we call ours and the role we play within it.
My Reviews
I rate/review books that have given me pause for thought. 5 stars = something resonated with me.
Author Interviews, Articles and Questionnaires are at:
Pebble in the Still Waters
Smashwords
Two Girls and a Blog
Read, Rant and Rock and Roll - Just Around the Bend
Books, Teacup and Reviews
BookWorks
Read, Rant and Rock and Roll - The Frightened Little Flower Bud
Show good will to each other - every day.
'Top of the morning' from Ireland.
Many years ago I wrote my autobiography - probably more as therapy than anything else - but life continued happening to me and I got to thinking, what good will this story do, isn’t there enough misery in the world without me adding to it? I subsequently burnt the manuscript. It was around that time that I began searching for meaning in my life and had a profound experience - a realisation that we’re all connected; we’re One. In my books, I take an honest look at our quirky and often bizarre behaviour in society and challenge the status-quo we accept as unchangeable - questioning and pushing the boundaries we set ourselves, and those that have been set for us. I’m convinced that if we want to change our lives and change our world then we must first change ourselves. I invite you to join me on my journey, questioning the society we call ours and the role we play within it.
My Reviews
I rate/review books that have given me pause for thought. 5 stars = something resonated with me.
Author Interviews, Articles and Questionnaires are at:
Pebble in the Still Waters
Smashwords
Two Girls and a Blog
Read, Rant and Rock and Roll - Just Around the Bend
Books, Teacup and Reviews
BookWorks
Read, Rant and Rock and Roll - The Frightened Little Flower Bud
Show good will to each other - every day.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 15, 2018
I gave this book five stars due to the fact that, with it's help, I have finally been enlightened to change my life for the better and, I am in the process of doing so. Definitely not a book to read quickly. This book requires a great amount of thought from the reader. Took me awhile to finish and actually digest it. I am ecstatic that I took the necessary time to do so.
Coming into this world with no physical possessions and passing out of this world with no physical possessions has to make one think that our true purpose, in this life, should be more from a higher level of consciousness than what the majority of mankind are capable of expressing, through their actions, in their lifetimes.
I highly recommend taking the time to read On the Other Hand. I thank Renee Paule for the opportunity to read this book and I look forward to reading her other books.
Coming into this world with no physical possessions and passing out of this world with no physical possessions has to make one think that our true purpose, in this life, should be more from a higher level of consciousness than what the majority of mankind are capable of expressing, through their actions, in their lifetimes.
I highly recommend taking the time to read On the Other Hand. I thank Renee Paule for the opportunity to read this book and I look forward to reading her other books.
November 17, 2022
Renée Paule has the rare gift of letting you see yourself more clearly by reflecting on the big questions. She is never preachy or righteous as she lays before you a banquet of her life experiences; letting you sample what you like, but never forcing you to put anything on your plate that you do not want. Many readers will appreciate the Socratic methodology that Renée uses to help you look at (your) life - telescope or microscope - your choice as to which lens you wish to focus on. Excellent summer read that will help you put your life in perspective just in time for the new year.
February 16, 2020
Q: ?
A: !
A: !
April 30, 2017
We can’t change the reflection without changing what is reflecting it.On the Other Hand is written in a very deep manner. It provokes the thoughts. Makes us to see the world from a different point of view. It makes us to question everything we know. Why they exist? What are their purposes? You can say the whole message of this book is: "Think outside the box."
This book raises many questions which we are probably aware of but hesitate to answer. Because we don't wanna know the answers. We criticise the things which we still use. We want them removed but they still exist because we don't really want them removed. Like we criticise media that mostly it shows negative news and sometimes we want it removed. But still it exists and we watch it almost daily. So why they will remove it if we still watch it?
This book is full of this type of examples.
I really appreciate what this book was trying to convey. And I think the same that we must be curious. We must question things. But I also think there are some areas in which we can't really question things. We have to accept what we are told on the basis of written facts. Like I don't know exactly that the earth is a planet or not. It's ovel-shaped or not. Then how I will get to know these things? Of course from books and school. I can't go to space to see if it's really true or not, can I? It is just a general example. There are many more.
Regardless, this book is great. Excellently written in a thought-provoking way. I can recommend it.
MY FAVOURITE LINES FROM THE BOOK
Technology has surpassed us and we carry it around as though it were an additional organ.April 29, 2017
Books can guide us but we must ask our own questions.
We’re so involved, with television serials, the internet, the media, gossip, celebrities and the latest technology that we’ve no time left to recognise the magical world we live in.
We’re given a blank sheet of paperto create our world on and we’ve scribbled all over it in the most horrible way; now we can’t read our own writing.
We ignore the miracles that surround us; and then hope that one will drop into our laps.
The parts of our nature we’re most uncomfortable with
is what we see and criticise in others.
This is what we’ve become; competitive and ambitious for money; we stifle talent, curiosity and creativity because they’re not profitable pastimes. We’re encouraged to develop abilities that will prove to be commercial successes; this is a sad - and robotic - state of affairs.
Human beings are diligent when it comes to searching for something they don’t really want to know or see; we know where not to look.
July 9, 2017
(Note: I received review copy of this book from author, in exchange for an honest review. I am glad I got a chance to read this book.)
Throughout the books few things author has said repeatedly and very clearly- First, you need to question everything. Questions are more important than answers. If you keep questioning, you understand the depth and value of questions. I found this very reasonable thing to do. I loved one example author gave in the book which I found very agreeable, the teaching system. We never question anything we are taught by teachers or parents who were taught by their teachers and so on. We just accept it without questioning. And if we do we are labelled “odd”. This reminded me of the movie, ‘Mr. Peabody & Sherman’ in which father and son time travels to learn actual history which turned out quite different than we are taught in school.
Second, you need to change if you want to change everything around you. Start with yourself. This was not something new that author has said, we are listening this quite often but no one stick to it. I liked author’s style of making us realize why we need to do it. The question and thought provoking topic she covered this point throughout the book like, interaction, open-mindedness, cluttered mind, Comfort & security, fear, and many more.
Another thing was TV/Radio/Social Medias confuses everything more. Now I’m neutral for this. You can’t blame everything on government as the government is formed by humans only. This I liked and I do agree with author here. Author encourages to view the world from another perspective, don’t be hypocrite and stereotype, and question everything.
And as for the answers, that you have to find yourself. The books will lead you though the different points and questions of that point to make it easier to find and understand questions. Book is not claiming to have all answers and also as author said it’s impossible to have all answers in this life time but this can change your view point towards the world and more toward yourself.
I felt this book need open, clear and adapting mind to understand very plain unveiled truth. As it is said in the blurb “it brings you face to face with yourself … but not the one you see when you look in the mirror.” So whoever is ready to face the questions, this book is for them. This is definitely heavy read, not a quick read and it does have thought changing effect. This is a kind of book I will reopen again and will read again. The more you re-read the more you understand.
I would say take your own time to read this book. It’s not one sitting book. On the Other Hand brought me back from fantasy, YA world to the reality.
Read full Review on my blog here
Throughout the books few things author has said repeatedly and very clearly- First, you need to question everything. Questions are more important than answers. If you keep questioning, you understand the depth and value of questions. I found this very reasonable thing to do. I loved one example author gave in the book which I found very agreeable, the teaching system. We never question anything we are taught by teachers or parents who were taught by their teachers and so on. We just accept it without questioning. And if we do we are labelled “odd”. This reminded me of the movie, ‘Mr. Peabody & Sherman’ in which father and son time travels to learn actual history which turned out quite different than we are taught in school.
Second, you need to change if you want to change everything around you. Start with yourself. This was not something new that author has said, we are listening this quite often but no one stick to it. I liked author’s style of making us realize why we need to do it. The question and thought provoking topic she covered this point throughout the book like, interaction, open-mindedness, cluttered mind, Comfort & security, fear, and many more.
Another thing was TV/Radio/Social Medias confuses everything more. Now I’m neutral for this. You can’t blame everything on government as the government is formed by humans only. This I liked and I do agree with author here. Author encourages to view the world from another perspective, don’t be hypocrite and stereotype, and question everything.
And as for the answers, that you have to find yourself. The books will lead you though the different points and questions of that point to make it easier to find and understand questions. Book is not claiming to have all answers and also as author said it’s impossible to have all answers in this life time but this can change your view point towards the world and more toward yourself.
I felt this book need open, clear and adapting mind to understand very plain unveiled truth. As it is said in the blurb “it brings you face to face with yourself … but not the one you see when you look in the mirror.” So whoever is ready to face the questions, this book is for them. This is definitely heavy read, not a quick read and it does have thought changing effect. This is a kind of book I will reopen again and will read again. The more you re-read the more you understand.
I would say take your own time to read this book. It’s not one sitting book. On the Other Hand brought me back from fantasy, YA world to the reality.
Read full Review on my blog here
February 23, 2015
This is a book you should definitely buy, if you are interested in finding more about yourself as a person and about the world around you, if you are interested in raising questions, given the fact that sometimes you will not find answers or you will find many answers for the same question.It is a heart to heart talk between author and reader.I found out so much about myself from this book, i found so many of my thoughts here, thoughts i was not completely aware of.I love the author,s style of writing, the way she talks to the reader, sharing her personal life experience, her ideas, her soul.This book is about life, about questions, about who we are, about our actions.Despite the fact that this book has only 136 pages, it covers many topics completely:the world, society, rules, open-mindedness, interaction, what is truly important and what is not, different views on things, time, right, wrong, light, shadow, visible, invisible, awareness, where we truly are, curiosity and confusion, our mind, change, information, evolution of technology and how it affects us all, comfort, security, absurdities, fears, actions, freedom, definition of ourselves.This book is a completely different view on things, it is about re-thinking on everything that we are, that society is.I enjoyed this book so much, i say it again, it is so easy to read but read it carefully, so you can truly understand what the author has to say.I read it quickly but i forgot to change my status here in goodreads, after i finished it reading.I give it 5 stars, because i found myself in this book, it gave light to my eyes, i received answers, also i realized there are so many more questions to be raised.Life is a rollercoaster.This review is entirely objective, but thank you Renee Paule again for allowing me to have this book, now i understand everything.
September 19, 2019
First of all, I must declare an interest in this book as I know the author very well and I edited the book for her. I have not and will not be paid for my services in any way. This book stands on its own merit and needs no props or bias. It is from this standpoint that I am pleased to write my review.
*****
If you are looking for answers to the questions in this book you will be disappointed; there are no `answer pages' at the back. Rather, the author invites you to think about life by taking another look at it. This is not an easy-street-read pandering to the masses. The overriding theme of this book is that we are responsible for ourselves and the things that happen to us; not a popular concept in this `there, there' placating world where we point the finger everywhere but at ourselves.
This book points no fingers but looks at the human race, as a whole. With that thought in mind the book asks:
"Why do we do these things?" The book "... explores these facets with some bold and frank questions that can make for uncomfortable reading."
and states:
"Be prepared ... old beliefs are hard to eliminate and to let go of. I write nothing you have to believe. I ask you to believe nothing. I do try to show you that Humanity created this world and only Humanity can dismantle it".
If you are prepared or want to make changes to your life then I recommend this work. By the time you are done reading it you may have a whole new perspective on the world we all have to live in.
*****
If you are looking for answers to the questions in this book you will be disappointed; there are no `answer pages' at the back. Rather, the author invites you to think about life by taking another look at it. This is not an easy-street-read pandering to the masses. The overriding theme of this book is that we are responsible for ourselves and the things that happen to us; not a popular concept in this `there, there' placating world where we point the finger everywhere but at ourselves.
This book points no fingers but looks at the human race, as a whole. With that thought in mind the book asks:
"Why do we do these things?" The book "... explores these facets with some bold and frank questions that can make for uncomfortable reading."
and states:
"Be prepared ... old beliefs are hard to eliminate and to let go of. I write nothing you have to believe. I ask you to believe nothing. I do try to show you that Humanity created this world and only Humanity can dismantle it".
If you are prepared or want to make changes to your life then I recommend this work. By the time you are done reading it you may have a whole new perspective on the world we all have to live in.
June 7, 2014
I am going to post this review in informal language :
Hi Renee ,
Oh my god, My Goodness, this book is just awesome... Really, I have been smiling for the past four nights due to your book. I have been having the most vivid dreams. I have been.......well, it is quite hard for me to explain how I have felt. I think I can't just say everything, it will take me much more to write in words what I feel.
I don't know any British Slangs are, but your books is really sky rocketing...xD!
Really, I am really happy I read this book.......
You are really a strong character, you are. I am not praising your writing style or choice of words, it is just what you have written. I felt as if a play is being run before me of which I am an integral part. Many questions, unanswered are still zooming in my mind......
This is not a self help book, by my foot, it isn't. It is a self realisation book... I believe so.....
The way you own up for you life, the self confrontation , it is just awesome.... The best chapters are - Open-mindedness, Interaction and Right & Wrong.
Especially the Realisation of Page 26 - 27 is quite interesting.
And I will wind up saying, I look forward to reading all of your books.
Note to other buyers : You will get a lot out of this book, just make sure you pass it on to others :)
Hi Renee ,
Oh my god, My Goodness, this book is just awesome... Really, I have been smiling for the past four nights due to your book. I have been having the most vivid dreams. I have been.......well, it is quite hard for me to explain how I have felt. I think I can't just say everything, it will take me much more to write in words what I feel.
I don't know any British Slangs are, but your books is really sky rocketing...xD!
Really, I am really happy I read this book.......
You are really a strong character, you are. I am not praising your writing style or choice of words, it is just what you have written. I felt as if a play is being run before me of which I am an integral part. Many questions, unanswered are still zooming in my mind......
This is not a self help book, by my foot, it isn't. It is a self realisation book... I believe so.....
The way you own up for you life, the self confrontation , it is just awesome.... The best chapters are - Open-mindedness, Interaction and Right & Wrong.
Especially the Realisation of Page 26 - 27 is quite interesting.
And I will wind up saying, I look forward to reading all of your books.
Note to other buyers : You will get a lot out of this book, just make sure you pass it on to others :)
November 10, 2013
An interesting read that may challenge many cherished beliefs. Candid in her approach, the author pulls no punches as she invites you to think about life. Exposing her vulnerability with her frank openness about her past experiences that led her to the questions raised in this book. Like the blurb says … it's not for the faint hearted.
June 13, 2014
: On The Other Hand: The Little Anthology of Big Questions (Paperback)
I have struggled to write this review.
First, I found the book difficult to digest... I chewed over it, slowly.
The author rather sternly points to the importance of 'being prepared to be brutally honest'...
My core-beliefs are not in alignment with some of her assertions and I struggled at times with the seemingly, to me, relentless questions. (As a beloved friend of mine will atest, erotemes are not my favourite punctuation!)
So, I would say if you enjoy analytical and 'why' exploration, you are in for a treat, however you may need to push yourself to wade in deeper if you prefer a gentler and sweeter approach to your 'wake-up calls' :)
The actual body of work Renee has created makes sense, and much is in complete alignment with my own realisations. With personal courage she challenges so many of Society's sacred cows, and I would happily stand shoulder to shoulder with her in this.
'Culture' is part of the inheritance we are 'passing on' to the next generation. Before that, Renee would like us to question what exactly is IN that parcel; What if it's just a junk box full of 'Rules and Regulations'?
I love the original art work of the quirky young Miss seated on her books, cosy in a sweater decorated with a reflected question mark.
Another delight is the "Who am I" poem ; ".....go IN, and find, the greatest prize"
Wise words indeed! A beautifully shared insight on practically everything you could think of, why not try it, and see if you agree too?
I have struggled to write this review.
First, I found the book difficult to digest... I chewed over it, slowly.
The author rather sternly points to the importance of 'being prepared to be brutally honest'...
My core-beliefs are not in alignment with some of her assertions and I struggled at times with the seemingly, to me, relentless questions. (As a beloved friend of mine will atest, erotemes are not my favourite punctuation!)
So, I would say if you enjoy analytical and 'why' exploration, you are in for a treat, however you may need to push yourself to wade in deeper if you prefer a gentler and sweeter approach to your 'wake-up calls' :)
The actual body of work Renee has created makes sense, and much is in complete alignment with my own realisations. With personal courage she challenges so many of Society's sacred cows, and I would happily stand shoulder to shoulder with her in this.
'Culture' is part of the inheritance we are 'passing on' to the next generation. Before that, Renee would like us to question what exactly is IN that parcel; What if it's just a junk box full of 'Rules and Regulations'?
I love the original art work of the quirky young Miss seated on her books, cosy in a sweater decorated with a reflected question mark.
Another delight is the "Who am I" poem ; ".....go IN, and find, the greatest prize"
Wise words indeed! A beautifully shared insight on practically everything you could think of, why not try it, and see if you agree too?
June 14, 2014
Exploring difficult concepts in a simple way can be a hard task. But this book puts things simply and clearly. Easy to understand, yet interesting, this book made me think about my life. It challenges 'conditioned' perceptions and encourages you to question your own reason for existence; not always easy to face. Every chapter explores significant life topics about things we prefer not to think about. I keep slipping back and I’m going to read it again. Love it.
August 20, 2014
on the other hand: the little
it's my first english book review. well, i got this book cause i win book giveaway from renee. thanks before :*
ok timw to review, i think it's amazing book. i love to read this book, this book will make you understand yourself. sometime you was confuse who are you, and what you really want. many thing you think when you wanna do something. you should read this book. i rate this book 5 stars cause it's really great book :D. thanks renee :*
it's my first english book review. well, i got this book cause i win book giveaway from renee. thanks before :*
ok timw to review, i think it's amazing book. i love to read this book, this book will make you understand yourself. sometime you was confuse who are you, and what you really want. many thing you think when you wanna do something. you should read this book. i rate this book 5 stars cause it's really great book :D. thanks renee :*
August 3, 2016
This book encourages you to look deep into yourself for answers to some thought provoking questions raised by the author.
Advocating neither science nor religion this book makes you stop and actually think about things, in a way that may never have occurred to you before. It doesn't preach or condemn but asks you to think independently , prodding you to come up with answers to previously never thought of questions.
A compulsive and stimulating read that grabs your attention and simply refuses to let go! A must read.
Advocating neither science nor religion this book makes you stop and actually think about things, in a way that may never have occurred to you before. It doesn't preach or condemn but asks you to think independently , prodding you to come up with answers to previously never thought of questions.
A compulsive and stimulating read that grabs your attention and simply refuses to let go! A must read.
May 12, 2021
Throughout the book, the author invites us to think sceptically, to doubt the hegemony we experience, to practice open-mindedness, and to seek and charter our own purpose in life. While all of these are salient points, and things we should strive for, the poor reasons and arguments that she provides for these practices, leaves them as empty concepts, mere buzz words. Thus, I find these points alone to be insufficiently redeeming.
I did try to be charitable to the author. Despite the book’s weird style, stream of consciousness like structure, and overall poor arguments, I thought I would be able to distil something useful out of the mess that was this book. However, I cannot, in good faith, say that this is a good book.
One of the arguments she gives early on in the book, in the chapter titled “Something’s Not Quite Right with the World” illustrates this poor argumentation. She makes the claim that we have been conditioned from young to place ourselves in boxes, leading to the standardization of mankind. To argue for this she claims that, MCQ which is a format for many examinations, does not allow room for independent thought. She then compares MCQ in an exam to the MCQ in magazine questionnaires which tries to “type” you or tell you who your ideal partner is.
“Multiple choice questions are often the format for exams and this doesn’t leave room for independent thought. Have you ever filled in one of those questionnaires in a magazine that tries to ‘type’ you or tell you who your ideal partner is? They ask you questions such as ‘If a man asks you if you want to dance with him at a disco and you don’t like the look of him would you:-“
• Bluntly say ‘No thanks!’ and walk away?’
• Dance with him even if you don’t want to?’
• Say you’re waiting for someone who’s the jealous type?’
Here, the author is making a faulty analogy. An MCQ in an exam usually has a correct option. For example, if a question asks how do plants make their food, one of the answers would be, “through the process of photosynthesis”. But all the choices in magazine questionnaires are subjective statements or opinions, which are unlikely to be a good fit for a complex concept like a person’s personality. As such, there is too much of a difference between the two examples given to conclude that the MCQ format does not allow room for independent thought. For the rest of the book, the author will constantly use these poor arguments to form deceptive patterns in efforts hoodwink the reader.
To defend herself from criticism she will maintain that, I quote, “It is not the purpose of this book to convince you of anything and I shan’t even try to as I know it isn’t possible.” The author is making these remarks in bad faith, especially since she considers the work to be philosophical in nature. Throughout her book she purports to provide universal and totalizing claims, such as, there is no objective right or wrong, or that we are all eternal beings connected under one consciousness. By using this defence, she is not only contradicting herself but is attempting to absolve responsibility for making these claims.
One might then ask, what’s wrong with making universal claims such as there is no objective right or wrong? This allows the author make outlandish claims and give outright bad advice, suggesting that, I quote:
“Whatever a person does in their life must be right for them, or they wouldn’t do it. Even in the case where a battered wife may stay with her husband, it’s right for her. We always choose what’s right for us at the time. It’s hard to see these things from another perspective and it would be harder still for us to walk in their shoes.”
In an abusive relationship the battered wife might stay with the husband out of necessity, fear, or even love. However, by making the relativist claim that what she is doing is right for her, given her current circumstance is an apologist view for domestic violence, and encourages inaction when dealing with abuse.
Everyone has their own unique opinions and beliefs, and we should keep an open mind when it comes to differing opinions and ideas. While finding objective truth on certain matters might be unfeasible, there are still different truth values to any claim that we make, where some statements are more true than others. To think sceptically and to practice open-mindedness constructively, we have to constantly test our beliefs, formulate quality arguments, and contest them with ourselves and others. With this, I believe that, quantitatively, our opinions and beliefs will become more refined.
Good ideas alone are not sufficient. Anyone can make claims, but without adequate support they remain merely opinion. Poorly supported claims can lead to false or dangerous conclusions. It is therefore important that we conduct quality research and careful argumentation to support our ideas.
I did try to be charitable to the author. Despite the book’s weird style, stream of consciousness like structure, and overall poor arguments, I thought I would be able to distil something useful out of the mess that was this book. However, I cannot, in good faith, say that this is a good book.
One of the arguments she gives early on in the book, in the chapter titled “Something’s Not Quite Right with the World” illustrates this poor argumentation. She makes the claim that we have been conditioned from young to place ourselves in boxes, leading to the standardization of mankind. To argue for this she claims that, MCQ which is a format for many examinations, does not allow room for independent thought. She then compares MCQ in an exam to the MCQ in magazine questionnaires which tries to “type” you or tell you who your ideal partner is.
“Multiple choice questions are often the format for exams and this doesn’t leave room for independent thought. Have you ever filled in one of those questionnaires in a magazine that tries to ‘type’ you or tell you who your ideal partner is? They ask you questions such as ‘If a man asks you if you want to dance with him at a disco and you don’t like the look of him would you:-“
• Bluntly say ‘No thanks!’ and walk away?’
• Dance with him even if you don’t want to?’
• Say you’re waiting for someone who’s the jealous type?’
Here, the author is making a faulty analogy. An MCQ in an exam usually has a correct option. For example, if a question asks how do plants make their food, one of the answers would be, “through the process of photosynthesis”. But all the choices in magazine questionnaires are subjective statements or opinions, which are unlikely to be a good fit for a complex concept like a person’s personality. As such, there is too much of a difference between the two examples given to conclude that the MCQ format does not allow room for independent thought. For the rest of the book, the author will constantly use these poor arguments to form deceptive patterns in efforts hoodwink the reader.
To defend herself from criticism she will maintain that, I quote, “It is not the purpose of this book to convince you of anything and I shan’t even try to as I know it isn’t possible.” The author is making these remarks in bad faith, especially since she considers the work to be philosophical in nature. Throughout her book she purports to provide universal and totalizing claims, such as, there is no objective right or wrong, or that we are all eternal beings connected under one consciousness. By using this defence, she is not only contradicting herself but is attempting to absolve responsibility for making these claims.
One might then ask, what’s wrong with making universal claims such as there is no objective right or wrong? This allows the author make outlandish claims and give outright bad advice, suggesting that, I quote:
“Whatever a person does in their life must be right for them, or they wouldn’t do it. Even in the case where a battered wife may stay with her husband, it’s right for her. We always choose what’s right for us at the time. It’s hard to see these things from another perspective and it would be harder still for us to walk in their shoes.”
In an abusive relationship the battered wife might stay with the husband out of necessity, fear, or even love. However, by making the relativist claim that what she is doing is right for her, given her current circumstance is an apologist view for domestic violence, and encourages inaction when dealing with abuse.
Everyone has their own unique opinions and beliefs, and we should keep an open mind when it comes to differing opinions and ideas. While finding objective truth on certain matters might be unfeasible, there are still different truth values to any claim that we make, where some statements are more true than others. To think sceptically and to practice open-mindedness constructively, we have to constantly test our beliefs, formulate quality arguments, and contest them with ourselves and others. With this, I believe that, quantitatively, our opinions and beliefs will become more refined.
Good ideas alone are not sufficient. Anyone can make claims, but without adequate support they remain merely opinion. Poorly supported claims can lead to false or dangerous conclusions. It is therefore important that we conduct quality research and careful argumentation to support our ideas.
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May 12, 2018I'm sorry but I could not finish this book. I am thankful to the author and GoodReads for the giveaway but it made me dreadful depressed and I just found it pointless. I ended up in a reading slump that has been lasting for several months now so I have officially given up on it.
Thank you again for the opportunity. I am sure other folks will find it thought provoking but it's just not for me.
Thank you again for the opportunity. I am sure other folks will find it thought provoking but it's just not for me.
November 19, 2015
Check out the complete review at Views She Writes - WordPress Reviews
Books which give something to think are always something which I enjoy reading. After reading “Just around the bend”, although it was the second book, I was sure “On the other hand” would be amazing. And the book not only kept up with the expectations, but it also surpassed it.
Renee challenges the way you think about daily activities. It is a fresh outlook to various things happening around us which we ignore most of the times. Right from the catchy titles of the chapters to the absorbing matter written in all the chapters, The book goes from very light subjects like Open mindedness and interaction to very heavy topics like Fear of Dying and Who am I? in a very smooth flow.
The language is kept very simple for anyone to understand. The words touch your mind in a spark kind of way. The struggles
Renee has yet again created a brilliant book filled with creative thoughts about our lives. I hope for everyone to read it and enjoy the thought process that happen with the book. 5 stars for the complete package
Books which give something to think are always something which I enjoy reading. After reading “Just around the bend”, although it was the second book, I was sure “On the other hand” would be amazing. And the book not only kept up with the expectations, but it also surpassed it.
Renee challenges the way you think about daily activities. It is a fresh outlook to various things happening around us which we ignore most of the times. Right from the catchy titles of the chapters to the absorbing matter written in all the chapters, The book goes from very light subjects like Open mindedness and interaction to very heavy topics like Fear of Dying and Who am I? in a very smooth flow.
The language is kept very simple for anyone to understand. The words touch your mind in a spark kind of way. The struggles
Renee has yet again created a brilliant book filled with creative thoughts about our lives. I hope for everyone to read it and enjoy the thought process that happen with the book. 5 stars for the complete package
December 2, 2014
This book is simply different It's not like any other philosophical book which usually contain difficult words and definitions or any other self help book in which the author gives his own answers to readers. Miss Renée "Here"
asks questions and assists in their revival and answering these questions is up to you. If I have a T-shirt and I have a double and you want a t shirt so bad
I can give you one but
Is it going to fit your size? It may be yes or no the answer to this question
The same goes with self help books as the answers of the author don't always suit you. That's why miss Renée leave us to find our own answers by posing the appropriate questions
I highly recommend this book as it's really efficient and interesting
Check out my review of this book if you want:
https://boookuniverse.wordpress.com/?...
asks questions and assists in their revival and answering these questions is up to you. If I have a T-shirt and I have a double and you want a t shirt so bad
I can give you one but
Is it going to fit your size? It may be yes or no the answer to this question
The same goes with self help books as the answers of the author don't always suit you. That's why miss Renée leave us to find our own answers by posing the appropriate questions
I highly recommend this book as it's really efficient and interesting
Check out my review of this book if you want:
https://boookuniverse.wordpress.com/?...
February 24, 2017
I got this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. First I would like say thanks to the author Renée Paule who kindly sent it to me. To be sincere it took me a time to read it. Sometimes to read so strong truths can be a hard, but as you are reading you realize that really we all need to confront them, if indeed we want to be better as persons, as human beings. As I was reading the book I start feeling a certain clarity, an awareness. I admire the author sincerity on her past and how she was capable of recovering from her difficulties to be a better person. This book encourage me to judge less the others and to focus in being a better person every day.
August 25, 2014
Not your run of the mill self help book, 'On The Other Hand' challenges your thought process and encourages you take a look at the world from a different perspective.
This is Renee Paule's first book in which she shows an uncanny mastery of this challenging subject.
This is Renee Paule's first book in which she shows an uncanny mastery of this challenging subject.
December 29, 2014
On the Other Hand: The Little Anthology of Big Questions
This book is like a slow incubator, fiercely honest. Why we do what we do and why do we feel comfortable doing it? Rules, traditions?
On the Other Hand raises more questions than it answers. Recommended to teenagers and young adult.
This book is like a slow incubator, fiercely honest. Why we do what we do and why do we feel comfortable doing it? Rules, traditions?
On the Other Hand raises more questions than it answers. Recommended to teenagers and young adult.
August 8, 2014
This is a book I could just not put down! The author encourages us to think outside the box and not just accept the way things are just because of our circumstances. The book asks us probing questions we would rather not think about, questions about who we are and where we are going. Asking ourselves these questions and really pondering upon them is the only way that meaningful change can take place within us. In short, there is a better way of looking at life and the universe and I would encourage anyone to read this book if they truly want answers.
August 8, 2018
I read this book a few years ago and came across it again recently and decided to re-read it. And enjoyed it as much as the first one I'd read, and found it to have been ahead of the curve on the subjects that seem to be the focus of some publishing houses. The big questions - who am I, why am I here, how do we think and why does it matter that we think for OURSELVES. I don't always see Renee's point of view but that's exactly what she aims for - to prod you to think for yourself, face yourself, be yourself. If you are curious about philosophy, this is a great book to read
March 10, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book because I got the chance to really analyze my thoughts. Reading this confirmed that I am not the only one who questions life. Although I caught myself disagreeing with some of the content, I found myself asking myself questions why I did. It's quite fun and I'm sure anyone who reads this will have an "aha" moment .
January 4, 2015
A compelling and thought provoking read.
Renee Paule serves up a range of insightful thoughts that offer the reader
the chance to challenge their preconceptions, and look at life from a
different perspective.
Most definitely not your run of the mill self help book.
Renee Paule serves up a range of insightful thoughts that offer the reader
the chance to challenge their preconceptions, and look at life from a
different perspective.
Most definitely not your run of the mill self help book.
June 17, 2025
I found it hard to get into at first, stuck in the stressful every day life that I am. i actually tried a few times over the years before this and was not ready to read it through.
This book requires peace and calm and time for thought and reflection. But the thoughts and reflections it opens your mind to are well worth it. So many things get new meanings and several I find myself stopping to think about now in a way I did not before.
This book requires peace and calm and time for thought and reflection. But the thoughts and reflections it opens your mind to are well worth it. So many things get new meanings and several I find myself stopping to think about now in a way I did not before.
October 5, 2014
'On the other hand' is a book unlike most I have read for a long time. In the Socratic tradition of asking questions, this book is sort of a series of questions to ask yourself to understand your true self.
At the face of it, the book may seem like a difficult read as the relentless and unending series of questions and no obvious answers seems to be coming from the author herself. The questions also zoom in and zoom out in a bit of unstructured way.
But what is most remarkable for me about this book is actually Renee's own background and how she has managed to stay so positive, curious, and open-minded despite that. In essence, that's the true testament to the power of this book.
At the face of it, the book may seem like a difficult read as the relentless and unending series of questions and no obvious answers seems to be coming from the author herself. The questions also zoom in and zoom out in a bit of unstructured way.
But what is most remarkable for me about this book is actually Renee's own background and how she has managed to stay so positive, curious, and open-minded despite that. In essence, that's the true testament to the power of this book.
February 11, 2017
I received a free copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway
This turned out to be a rather different book to what I had expected and was not quite as easy a read as I had imagined. Challenging and thought-provoking, I found it needed a higher level of focus and concentration than I had anticipated.
It took me a while to get through it and found it easier to digest and understand when I read it during the day without distractions. On the whole a good read, although it won’t suit everyone, especially if you don’t like thinking.
This turned out to be a rather different book to what I had expected and was not quite as easy a read as I had imagined. Challenging and thought-provoking, I found it needed a higher level of focus and concentration than I had anticipated.
It took me a while to get through it and found it easier to digest and understand when I read it during the day without distractions. On the whole a good read, although it won’t suit everyone, especially if you don’t like thinking.
February 19, 2019
In our modern day world, self-help books and philosophical novels have become something most people have sitting on their book shelves. Sometimes read, sometimes just sitting there. A lot of people write books about their personal struggles, ideas and journeys on the path of life. Some claim to have found the road to enlightenment, some claim they can point in the somewhat right direction, at least. There's ten books to every possible problem or issue you might have. Some good, some less so.
So why does this world need another one? Is there anything left unsaid?
Well, there was. Renée Paule has written a true eye-opener. Starting off with her own personal story, the issues that formed her childhood and left her struggling blindly in a cold world, form the base of the book. From there, she takes us up, level by level, showing how we can truly start embracing our world and start thinking. What is it I really want in my life? How is it I really want my world to be?
Provoking, startling and impossible to run from, she unfolds her way of seeing the world and connecting with what is true. She challenges your way of life, your way of thinking and asks the question that needs to be asked: Are you thinking?
Have you honestly thought about your way of life, of being, of interacting with the world? Have you questioned yourself, your thoughts and your habits? Once you start thinking, there's no going back.
This one is different. It's different because it's brutally honest and completely free of ego. So many books in this genre is more about the author wanting recognition for his or her brilliancy on seeing their point of view than it is about a deep-felt wish to help. This one isn't. Renée Paule has managed to get her message through as an honest, deep-felt invitation to have a closer look at your mind and life.
So why does this world need another one? Is there anything left unsaid?
Well, there was. Renée Paule has written a true eye-opener. Starting off with her own personal story, the issues that formed her childhood and left her struggling blindly in a cold world, form the base of the book. From there, she takes us up, level by level, showing how we can truly start embracing our world and start thinking. What is it I really want in my life? How is it I really want my world to be?
Provoking, startling and impossible to run from, she unfolds her way of seeing the world and connecting with what is true. She challenges your way of life, your way of thinking and asks the question that needs to be asked: Are you thinking?
Have you honestly thought about your way of life, of being, of interacting with the world? Have you questioned yourself, your thoughts and your habits? Once you start thinking, there's no going back.
This one is different. It's different because it's brutally honest and completely free of ego. So many books in this genre is more about the author wanting recognition for his or her brilliancy on seeing their point of view than it is about a deep-felt wish to help. This one isn't. Renée Paule has managed to get her message through as an honest, deep-felt invitation to have a closer look at your mind and life.
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