Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies

by Alison Cook, Kimberly June Miller

You can turn your shame to joy, your anger to advocacy, and your inner critic into your biggest champion. Do your emotions control you or do you control your emotions? Many people let guilt, anger, or self-criticism dominate their lives and negatively affect their relationships. Boundaries for Your Soul shows you how to calm the chaos within. This groundbreaking approach will help you:


know what to do when you feel overwhelmed,
understand your guilt, anxiety, sadness, and fear,
welcome God into the troubling parts of your soul,
and move from doubt and conflict to confidence and peace.
Boundaries for Your Soul includes relatable anecdotes, helpful exercises, an engaging quiz, and opportunities for personal reflection. Gathering the wisdom from the authors' twenty-five years of combined advanced education, biblical studies, and clinical practice, this book will set you on a journey to become the loving, authentic, joyful person you were created to be.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Christian, Self Help, Counselling, Mental Health, Faith

Audio CD

Published June 26, 2018

About the author

Hello!

I'm a psychologist, podcast host, and the author of three books, including my new book, I Shouldn't Feel This Way (Thomas Nelson 2024), The Best of You (Thomas Nelson 2022) and Boundaries for Your Soul (Thomas Nelson, 2018). For 20 years, I have helped women, ministry leaders, couples, and families:
—heal painful emotions,
—develop confidence from the inside out,
—set wise limits,
—forge healthy relationships, and
—fully live out their God-given potential.

I'm glad you're here!

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read many books on external boundaries and found them very beneficial. I was intrigued by the idea of establishing internal boundaries. It might offer help for runaway thoughts and feelings.

The authors present a Christian approach to the Internal Family Systems Model of Therapy, integrating it with boundaries concepts. The first third of the book concentrates of helping us understand the parts of our souls, how to identify the parts that need care, and how we can be Spirit-led. The authors write, “The focus of this book is to help you access the Spirit of God abiding in your soul and to encourage you to invite his Spirit to be near those parts of your soul needing care.” (722/4229)

The next part of the book outlines the five part strategy the authors prescribe to do a you-turn and bring the parts of the soul under the leadership of the Spirit-led self. They include focus on an overwhelming part of yourself, befriend this part you don't like, invite Jesus to draw near, unburden this weary part, and finally, integrate it into your internal team of rivals. Specific instructions are given as well as personal examples from their counseling experiences as to how the technique works.

The authors address specific issues in the last third of the book, such as anger, fear, perfectionism, etc. Readers are taken through the five steps for each issue, including an example from the authors' counseling experiences. The authors even point out good aspects of each of these emotions generally thought to be detrimental. Each can be put to good use. There is even a chapter for strategy when the other person has the challenging soul issues.

I think this book has great personal potential. It reminds me of the healing of memories technique that was popular in the Christian realm decades ago. Imagining Jesus coming into the situation is essential. The successful examples in the text are of people doing the imagining as they are directed by one of the authors. How well this process can work by reading a book may be very different. I tried to go through a few of their exercises but my scientifically trained mind had difficulty with the whole imagining Jesus idea.

I do recommend this book to readers who desire to deal with parts of their souls and establish soul integration. Just know there will be much work on the part of the reader required. Just reading the text will not create the healing. Reading this book and going through the suggested exercises might be quite a journey. It may be most helpful to read this book with a trusted friend who can help with the process.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Erin Straza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning to set boundaries between your person and others is a universally needed skill. Years ago, I read the best-selling classic Boundaries by Drs Cloud and Townsend. It was helpful but I’ve not read much more about it since. But when my spiritual director mentioned this book that explored boundaries for your inner world, I was intrigued! I’m glad I read this book and highly recommend it to all. Authors Cook and Miller provide a clear process for shepherding your emotions when they run amuck and bringing your whole self to Jesus for help and healing. I especially liked the explanation of the Internal Family Systems model for sorting out the complexity of our inner world. Boundaries for Your Soul is insightful, accessible, interesting, and—best of all—hopeful that growth and change are possible when we give all the pieces of our inner worlds to Jesus.
———
“God has given you agency. He invites you to participate in the work he is doing in your life. Your task is to trust neither your thoughts nor your feelings, but to lead them in step with God’s Spirit. As you do, you can turn the most challenging parts of your soul into your greatest allies.” (23)

[Camden Morgante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boundaries for Your Soul is THE resource for learning the integration of internal family systems (IFS) and Christianity. As an IFS newbie, I quickly became hooked on the concept of parts and resonated with the YOU-turn process the authors describe. I love how authors Cook and Miller integrate Schwartz's theory with Christian principles like the Spirit-led self. I highly recommend this book to readers who are curious about knowing their internal world more from a faith-focused perspective.

[Titus Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting but not a bad book to reference for the future. As someone who is emotional in all aspects it was beneficial to read the chapter on sadness and inviting the Holy Spirit into those moments to learn more about myself and my God.

[Anne Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend "Boundaries for Your Soul..." This book, aimed at Christians, encourages a deep level of self--or soul--awareness as a means to better fulfilling the two greatest commandments--love the Lord your God with all your heart....love your neighbor as yourself. Internal Family Systems (IFS) counseling (within the context of Christianity) is central to the book and its recommended practices. The book assumes that we are comprised of a mixed cast of internal "characters," and depending on "who's" in charge, we engage in compensatory, soothing, protective, managing, controlling, and numbing behaviors in order to overcome or override painful emotions, memories, or lies that we have believed about ourselves, others, or God. But what to do about it all? The typical advice--"don't trust your feelings!", "think better thoughts!" or "just change your behavior!"--doesn't always lead to long-term change. This book invites the reader to take non-judgmental stock of his/her internal cast of characters and prayerfully uncover what work/task these behaviors/emotions are trying to accomplish, however poorly or destructively, on his/her behalf...and bring them into submission to the Holy Spirit. This paragraph from chapter 2 sums it up well: "God has given you agency. He invites you to participate in the work he is doing in your life. Your task is to trust neither your thoughts nor your feelings, but to lead them in step with God's Spirit. As you do, you can turn the most challenging parts of your soul into your greatest allies." I also appreciated the stand-alone chapters in the latter half of the book devoted to common troubling emotions (anger, fear/anxiety, sadness, envy/desire, guilt/shame) and why/how these emotions can manifest themselves in both healthy and unhealthy ways. Finally, while this book offers helpful insights and information, I would describe it more as a guide or an invitation to a set of practices. It's one thing to mentally know, for example, that anger is a symptom of a deeper problem, but it takes time and effort to set aside condemnation in order to honestly contemplate, to become curious about one's controlling emotions, to pray, to seek Christ's will in the hard spots, and to recognize and work to unburden one's self of lies. Reading this book is a helpful place to start that kind of journey!

[Madison Bodell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and personally I really connect with Internal Family Systems therapy which is what a lot of this book discusses. It connects this way of thinking to how we can invite Jesus to be near and face the parts of ourselves that have been “exiled” and allow our Spirit-led self to lead.

I feel like it is a helpful book to read while also discussing it with a counselor or trusted friend because it is a lot to unpack. As the authors communicate, “The goal is to not eradicate parts of your soul carrying anger, fear, sadness, envy or shame, but to lead them with curiosity and compassion.” This book reflects how Jesus wants us to be whole and that healing is a process.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cook and Miller offer a new, evidence-based approach to caring for your soul. The authors skillfully blend the popular Internal Family Systems model of psychotherapy with familiar “boundaries” principles to show readers a new way to manage internal thoughts and feelings. The result is a groundbreaking, proven-effective model for pursuing personal potential, improving mental and emotional health, growing spiritually, and enriching relationships. There’s not another book like it!

[Create With Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us are familiar with the work of Henry Cloud and John Townsend, who taught us the principles of establishing healthy boundaries with others. Boundaries For Your Soul takes that concept one step further, becoming the first book to focus entirely on applying the concept of boundaries to our internal thoughts and feelings.

Cook and Miller’s approach is ground-breaking. By integrating Cloud and Townsend’s boundaries concepts with a therapeutic model called the Internal Family Systems model and interpreting it through a Christian lens, Cook and Miller have found a tangible way to help bring wholeness and healing to people’s lives.

Boundaries For The Soul can help us to:

* Know what to do when we feel overwhelmed.
* Befriend our internal enemies.
* Move from chaos to confidence.
* Transform our anxiety, anger, sadness, and shame.
* Discover the peace we’ve always wanted to have.

If you’re looking for a life-transforming book that can help you to change the way that you think, Boundaries For Your Soul is it!

This excerpt is part of an original review that is published on my blog. To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.

[Rachel | All the RAD Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is relatable and helpful, wise and gentle, convicting and calming, and a great tool for all (especially geared toward Christians) who don’t want to be controlled by their emotions. It’s a helpful companion for anyone on a journey toward personal growth, healing, and freedom (and echoed many things my counselor and I have been working on in my therapy sessions). I found it honest and not overbearing, purposeful but not overly preachy, and challenging but not condescending.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I follow Allison Cook on IG. I LOVE her stuff!
However, I just could not get into this book. I have tried reading it on three separate occasions. I just can't get through it. Having read numerous counseling/psychology and self-help books, I really wanted to like this book. The spiritual dimension intrigued me, but ultimately I just couldn't resonate with the model. The firefighter, manager, and exiles labels just seemed corny to me. The authors are qualified and educated psychologists, so I would rather them just use the regular scientific jargon and apply it to the spiritual life. For the typical evangelical for whom I assume this book is written, this probably would resonate. Having lived in this circle for my entire life, I can attest that discovering and feeling emotions is not something that is stressed or encouraged.

[Prairie Sky Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading a book that, upon completion, I promptly added to my personal list of most influential non-fiction books. “Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies” was published by Thomas Nelson and written by Alison Cook, PhD, and Kimberly Miller, MTh, LMFT. This book takes the complicated question of “Do your emotions control you or do you control your emotions?” and breaks it down into understandable, do-able, and ultimately life-changing practices that will truly transform you from the inside out.

“Boundaries for Your Soul” uses proven concepts involving techniques such as harnessing the power of our imaginations, guiding our inner feelings using imagery, praying for specific feelings while inviting Jesus near to them, and so much more. In addition, this is the only book that teaches the acclaimed Internal Family Systems model from a decidedly Christian viewpoint. All of this combines into an easy-to-understand five-step process we can use any time a feeling or emotion starts to overwhelm us. The five steps include: Focus, Befriend, Invite, Unburden and Integrate. Of course you’ll have to read the book to understand what each of these terms mean, but as the authors explain, “We’ll walk you through a process of establishing healthy boundaries with the various parts of your soul that are competing for control”.

While the concepts of this book might sound challenging and confusing, they truly aren’t - at least not when taught by Alison and Kimberly! “Boundaries for Your Soul” is a book that I found fascinating, helpful, and thoroughly Scripture-based. Honestly, I didn’t want to put it down because I was learning so much from it! I have begun using the five-step exercise in my daily life, and have felt and witnessed incredible results. If you are ready to “Turn your shame into joy, your anger into advocacy, and your inner critic into your biggest champion”, don’t hesitate to find a copy of “Boundaries for Your Soul” today!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Nathan Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of wisdom in this book. I did think the authors were redundant at times (perhaps that’s the point), but overall it was a good read.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game changer. Probably the best book on emotional health that I’ve read! I appreciated the balanced Christian perspective throughout. I recognize the book is probably not for everyone though (you have to buy in to Internal family systems to get anything out of it)

[Clare Visscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5-5 ⭐️ For sure dense and a slow read, but so helpful. I loved the perfect meeting of evidence-based psychology with Christian truths and wisdom.

[Aurelia Mast-glick · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to turn your overwhelming thoughts and feelings into your greatest allies.

I want to preface this whole book review by saying I am not a psychologist or a psychiatrist or a counselor or even that great of a listener, though I'm trying to learn to be a listener, so I am not necessarily a good one to comment on some of the aspects of this book. So just keep that in mind as you read my thoughts.

I am a little divided about this book. Some of it seemed strangely weird to me and some of it made sense. And some of those things were the same things. I think I could come across here as being very confused and there would be some truth there as well.

The big focus of the book is taking a You-turn when anger or shame or fear or anxiety or any other unhealthy attribute raises its head. There are five parts of this process: focus, befriend, invite Jesus, unburden and integrate. I can definitely see the value of this process. While reading the book, when things would come up that I would get disgruntled about, it was helpful for me to stop and think, Why? Why is this bothering me? Why am I upset by this? And I could often point to an insecurity or a fear that was making me want to lash out. So that was helpful for me and something I want to continue doing.

I talk to myself a lot in the form of pep talks, etc. but the idea of sitting down and asking parts of my soul how I feel about this and asking other parts to chime in or to be quiet can make me a little nervous. Now I give this book huge credit for bringing Jesus very actively into this exercise. One quote from early on in the book really helped me, "The best way to care for the overwhelming parts of your soul involves inviting God's Holy Spirit to be with them." And "God responds to human brokenness by transforming our souls from the inside out." "Paying attention to the state of your soul opens you up to receive the gifts God wants to give to the parts of you most in need of grace."

So, while I think this book has some very helpful things in it, it also made me nervous. That is not to say that what they had to say wasn't true, it's just a concept I'm not used to and therefore it feels uncomfortable to me. The other thing that I noticed and I think this likely has to do with keeping the book flowing is that the stories they told seem to have instantaneous results. They seemed to go through the five step process in about five minutes and then the client was good to go. I know that was likely not the case, but it did feel like that.

Before I would recommend this book to somebody, I would want a little further input on it from people I trust, but I do think that this book has some really helpful tips and tools in it either way. And like I already said, it has been good for me to look beyond my reaction to see the root of the problem.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers and was not required to write a positive review.

[Andrew Klob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having been introduced to Alison Cook through a webinar for one of my graduate counseling courses, I decided to read her book to better understand Internal Family Systems and its use in Christian counseling. While I enjoyed her webinar, I struggled with the full presentation of IFS as a tool for Christian counseling since I felt that it led to more problems than solutions. An example of this is seen in IFS's emphasis of splitting yourself, or your emotions, into "parts". In a sense, your "manager", "firefighter", or whichever part you choose is the one doing it and not you (to use IFS terminology). When these parts present overwhelming anxiety or out of control anger, Cook talks about inviting Jesus into these certain parts so as to redeem them. While I think this sounds good at first, I feel that it leads to a lot more theological issues. For instance, how does one account for indwelling sin? How do we know these parts aren't simply the flesh that we are Biblically commanded to put to death? How do we know this is not spiritual warfare? This leads to another major issue I had with the book which is the lack of emphasis on depravity and personal responsibility for sin. There is a very low view of sin in this book and sin is simply viewed as "mess up" or one of the parts of us acting in a way that is not in line with the Holy Spirit. If we act on our emotions (or our anxiety or our laziness or so on) and this leads to sin, do we need to only invite Jesus to redeem those parts or do we need to repent of our sin before the Lord? When is it sinning and when is it simply acting on the part of us that "needs to be heard and understood"? I can go on but the major struggle I have with this book is that, again, the combination of IFS and Biblical theology leads to more problems than answers. I think it can also lead to a very dangerous place for many Christians as they get lost in wondering whether they sinned, whether it is simply a part of them that needs to be heard, whether it it the flesh they need to reject, or whether it is the enemy tempting them. While Alison Cook does a great job at emphasizing the need to hear and understand your emotions, her overall presentation of IFS and Christianity leads to a low view of sin, God's holiness, and repentance and instead overemphasizes emotions or emotional intelligence.

[André Gorgenyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful journey of self reflection and learning how to be more intentional on placing Christ at the center of all we do. The distinction of our inner and outer life is a concrete way of overcoming obstacles by turning boundaries into assets. Enjoyed the read.

[Abigail Westbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and helpful book on dealing with emotions and internal conflict. Very scripture-centric and definitely one I plan to read again - and share with others!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A therapeutic approach to dealing with overwhelming emotions through a process of understanding them as parts of oneself, allowing one's Spirit-led self to befriend and care for these parts, and integrating the parts as a "team of rivals" within one's life.

Some feelings are so powerful that they overwhelm us--anger, fear and anxiety, sadness, envy, shame, and guilt. These unruly emotions break the boundaries that enable us to function in a healthy and productive way. How do we control these emotions?

Alison Cook and Kimberly Miller propose an approach drawing on the Internal Family Systems Model of Therapy that sees our inner selves, or souls as consisting of a family of parts that works to free unruly parts from controlling roles and our various parts working together harmoniously under our Spirit-led self.

This model works off a map of the soul centered around the Spirit-led self who leads with creativity, clarity, curiosity, compassion, and confidence. Around this Spirit-led self are two types of protectors and one vulnerable part. One of the protectors is the manager that manifests in worry, people-pleasing, striving, self-criticizing, controlling, and perfecting. This part tries to protect by keeping us emotionally safe and free of pain. The other protector is the firefighter, that jumps in after painful events to extinguish pain through actions like overeating, addictions, overspending, self-harm, daydreaming, and lashing out. The third vulnerable part represents the exile: shame, fear, insecurity, hurt, loneliness, sadness. Often, a person seems to be struggling with one of the two protectors in action, and a key is quieting them to hear what the exile is saying and needs.

The key to beginning to bring these emotions under the control of the Spirit-led self is taking what the authors call a "You-Turn." Instead of fighting or suppressing emotions, this approach assumes we can differentiate our self, particularly our Spirit-led self, from our unruly emotions. They commend five steps: 

1. Focus: Noting where we sense the feeling, thoughts or images that come to mind when we focus, early memories of feeling this way.
2. Befriend: Are we able to feel curiosity and compassion toward this part of our soul. If there is some other emotion, that may be a different part, perhaps self-criticism, that needs to be asked to step back. Then as we return to our emotion, we ask, is there more it wants us to know?
3. Invite: Would this part like to invite Jesus to be near? If not, what are its fears and concerns? Can it tell Jesus? Then ask Jesus if he wants to say or do anything, or give a specific gift.
4. Unburden: what has this part been carrying? What does it fear about giving up the burden? Does the part want to release the burden and is it asking anything in exchange?
5. Integrate: This involves checking in with other parts that might not have liked how a part was expressing itself. How can these parts work together as a harmonious family?

After outlining these steps, they apply the steps to specific emotions: anger, fear and anxiety, sadness, envy and desire, guilt and shame, and the challenging parts of others. Throughout the book, each step, each situation is illustrated with client stories (with details and identities changed to protect privacy.

What is attractive about this book is the clarity and simplicity with which it is written. In addition, for those who share the authors Christian assumptions, it addresses in one of the most tangible ways I've ever seen, how one lives a Spirit-led life, particularly as this applies to disabling emotions and defeating habits. Finally, this book is a refreshing alternative to the "try harder approaches" that seem to rely on human resolve in either suppressing or overcoming unruly emotions or habits. Instead, it builds on the idea that all of these might be focused on, befriended and listened to. These emotions point to places where we need the Spirit's care and healing. The authors hold out the hope that, in the words of the subtitle we may "turn...overwhelming thoughts and feelings into [our] greatest allies."

________________________________

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Daniela Benitez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful read in learning how to care for ourselves. How to be kind, curious and compassionate towards different hurting parts of ourselves that manifests in critical thoughts or perfectionistic tendencies. The first half of the book was quite helpful and the last part seemed to be stand alone chapters on how to deal with different emotions that arise. My biggest takeaway from the book is that inviting Jesus into the hard, difficult, dark and lonely emotions is not always easy. It doesn’t instruct us to invite Jesus to help us ignore or numb these emotions but rather to comfort a hurting part of our soul, to be curious as to why we are feeling what is arising and to speak truth to it, like a parent would help guide a child through difficult emotions. I loved the various examples of how to do this however when it is not natural language it is difficult to do this alone. I’m left with a desire to practice this with myself but also not necessarily feeling equipped for the engagement and curiosity necessary to bring peace to troubled parts of my soul. Nonetheless I do believe that overall it is a worthy read.

[Angela Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d give it a 4.5 if that were possible. It’s so practical and insightful, and the authors are able to integrate Christian values and framework into their therapeutic work. The concept of having different “parts” within that are working hard to protect or provide for you in some well-meaning (though possibly unhelpful) way, is a kinder way of dealing with unwanted emotions and, as a result, seems more productive in the end than simply shaming or ignoring those motivating, unwanted emotions.
I’m not sure it’s for everyone - may be too complicated or “out there” for some - but for those who are able to take it in, I think this method can be transformational.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

A great faith based self help book that explores as well as explains to the reader in easy to understand moments. Each section can be read in a short amount of time but you will continue to want to think more about them for a good part of the day. I feel like sometimes for me, if I read too much information it tends to flow through my mind and then I seem to forget most of it, so if you are like me, possibly take more time to really delve into the parts where the book will be most helpful you.

[katherine mccray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful breakdown of the IFS system. I love the process being simplified and layed out step by step. So helpful! Lots of stories to help you catch the feel of the process.

I get it that taking to yourself in "parts" can feel weird. But when you've had them around for such a long time, you might as well make peace with them. 😃 This method helps if you have a good imagination or are visual. I LOVE this method and will be practicing it regularly. I've already found it helpful in diffusing several recent situations.

Being able to use the tools to de-escalate my emotions + allowing my mind to think through the problem = worth it's weight in gold. This book is a game changer.

[Jackie DeWaters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like a really great counseling session. I'll refer back to this again and again.

"Ironically, ignoring unruly parts of yourself, such as anger and fear-- trying to make these frustrating feelings just go away-- causes them to escalate like kids throwing a tantrum. On the other hand, if you befriend them and ask them to give you a little space, they'll relax. The goal is not to eradicate parts of your soul carrying anger, fear, sadness, envy, or shame, but to lead them with curiosity and compassion."

[Jeff Colston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting. I’ll need to chew on this one for a while, I think. I walk away essentially encouraged to think of my life as a Christian version of the movie “Inside Out” haha

But I really did like it. Just the idea of recognizing that my overwhelming emotions (shame, criticism, envy, anger, sadness, etc) are not ALL I am but rather parts of me, then learning to befriend those different parts and be gentle with them. I think I could gain a lot from practicing being more gentle with myself.

I liked it! I would recommend!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Managers, Fighters, and Exiles; the mind's way of helping you cope through life. This book has extra diagrams in the back that are great for reference points and tools to take with you after reading the book. I have many dog-eared places and underlined helpful messages to remind me what I've learned about these helpful mind detectors. I find this book to be exceptionally helpful. I am distributing this book to friends and family members.

[Annie Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually almost quit reading this at about chapter 6, but I’m so glad I didn’t. The beginning was a necessary set up for understanding the final chapters, which were the most helpful to me. This book taught me ways to pray through and about emotions, that I hope to implement. I signed up for the free guide on their website 🎉

[Piper Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay yes. Boundaries for your soul is about how to set internal boundaries with different parts of yourself according to internal family systems therapy. This was incredibly validating and encouraging!!!!

[Caren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have have all the words to describe how helpful this is with dealing with our own emotions and others and conflict within ourselves and with others. It will be one to reread ever few years.

[Daunavan Buyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and Practical

This was a helpful book. I highlighted a lot of it and will need to go over it again as many of the concepts were presents in a way that requires more than a cursory reading. The language was a bit challenging at times but the concepts seem to be good.