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The Plus: Self-Help for People Who Hate Self-Help
New York Times bestselling author Greg Gutfeld wants to be your new guru, and he hates himself for it.
Before Greg Gutfeld was a Fox News star and a New York Times bestselling author, he was a self-help writer for health magazines who had no idea what he was talking about. But now, after years of experience, he finally feels qualified to guide people on the journey of life—call this book punishment for his sins, and a huge reward for you!
In The Plus, Greg teaches you how to brainwash yourself into better behavior, retaining the pluses in your life and eliminating the minuses. His approach to self-help is simple, and perfect for cynics; it’s not about positive thinking in the short term, it’s about positive being in the long term. With tough love and more than a little political incorrectness, he delivers sage wisdom such as:
-If you aren’t getting happier as you’re getting older, you’re doing it wrong.
-Resist the media’s command to expand destructive narratives.
-If you’re in the same place you were three years ago, wake up.
-Don’t tweet when drinking.
Modern life grows emptier and emptier as society becomes increasingly polarized, and even those who don’t subscribe to New Age beliefs are seeking comfort and meaning. In The Plus, Greg shows how skeptics too can advance themselves for the betterment of their lives and the healing of their communities.
Before Greg Gutfeld was a Fox News star and a New York Times bestselling author, he was a self-help writer for health magazines who had no idea what he was talking about. But now, after years of experience, he finally feels qualified to guide people on the journey of life—call this book punishment for his sins, and a huge reward for you!
In The Plus, Greg teaches you how to brainwash yourself into better behavior, retaining the pluses in your life and eliminating the minuses. His approach to self-help is simple, and perfect for cynics; it’s not about positive thinking in the short term, it’s about positive being in the long term. With tough love and more than a little political incorrectness, he delivers sage wisdom such as:
-If you aren’t getting happier as you’re getting older, you’re doing it wrong.
-Resist the media’s command to expand destructive narratives.
-If you’re in the same place you were three years ago, wake up.
-Don’t tweet when drinking.
Modern life grows emptier and emptier as society becomes increasingly polarized, and even those who don’t subscribe to New Age beliefs are seeking comfort and meaning. In The Plus, Greg shows how skeptics too can advance themselves for the betterment of their lives and the healing of their communities.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2020
852 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Greg Gutfeld
14 books319 followersGreg Gutfeld has been called "outrageous and outspoken," neither of which he denies. A libertarian political satirist, humorist, magazine editor and blogger, he is perhaps best known as the host of the Fox News Channel program "Red Eye With Greg Gutfeld." Airing at 3 a.m. ET Tuesday through Saturday, the show covers a variety of topics, including news, entertainment, sports, and gossip. Gutfeld is also a host of FNC's "The Five," a weekday program at 5 p.m. ET.
The Weekly Standard calls him "the most dangerous man on television." According to the magazine, unlike other media darlings, "Gutfeld's stuff actually is subversive, a stink bomb hurled into every faculty lounge, mainstream newsroom, movie studio, and nonprofit boardroom in America."
Prior to joining Fox, Gutfeld was a staff writer at Prevention and editor-in-chief of Men's Health magazine. He later became editor-in-chief of Stuff, where he increased circulation from 750,000 to 1.2 million and created controversy month after month. He helmed Maxim magazine in the U.K., and was a contributor to the Huffington Post, where he became legendary for his "inspired, lunatic ridicule of his leftwing fellow Huffers." He's been published in countless magazines, has appeared in too many profiles to mention, and was only fingerprinted once.
He currently blogs on his own site, The Daily Gut, as well as Big Hollywood.com, where he writes about the news and pop culture of the day, from a conservative libertarian humorous slant. He's appeared on dozens of TV shows, as a regular on "The O'Reilly Factor," while also stopping by on Dennis Miller's radio show and spots on "Opie and Anthony."
The Weekly Standard calls him "the most dangerous man on television." According to the magazine, unlike other media darlings, "Gutfeld's stuff actually is subversive, a stink bomb hurled into every faculty lounge, mainstream newsroom, movie studio, and nonprofit boardroom in America."
Prior to joining Fox, Gutfeld was a staff writer at Prevention and editor-in-chief of Men's Health magazine. He later became editor-in-chief of Stuff, where he increased circulation from 750,000 to 1.2 million and created controversy month after month. He helmed Maxim magazine in the U.K., and was a contributor to the Huffington Post, where he became legendary for his "inspired, lunatic ridicule of his leftwing fellow Huffers." He's been published in countless magazines, has appeared in too many profiles to mention, and was only fingerprinted once.
He currently blogs on his own site, The Daily Gut, as well as Big Hollywood.com, where he writes about the news and pop culture of the day, from a conservative libertarian humorous slant. He's appeared on dozens of TV shows, as a regular on "The O'Reilly Factor," while also stopping by on Dennis Miller's radio show and spots on "Opie and Anthony."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
March 18, 2023
"It's a strange coincidence that I decided to write a self-help book about becoming a better person before a massive, horrifying even that demands all of us become better people . . . The point is, there has never been a better time to become a better 'you' than now. To turn your minuses into pluses." -- from the intro
Penned just before the 2020 pandemic struck the U.S., Gutfeld's The Plus is ostensibly called and/or supposed to be a self-help tome but is really the TV host / political commentator - best known for his Fox News shows such as Red Eye and The Five - riffing on contemporary national issues with his signature libertarian cynical-but-smart-aleck humor along with several helpings of self-deprecation. While a couple of the middle chapters seemed to run on a little too long they were outnumbered by the excellent essays like 'The Giant Minus: Mob Rule,' 'We See Everything and Want to Be Seen by Everyone,' 'How to Cancel 'Cancel Culture',' and 'Destroy the Desire to Imitate' which all reflect some of the ridiculous or alarming behaviors of Americans, especially when related to social media activity.
Penned just before the 2020 pandemic struck the U.S., Gutfeld's The Plus is ostensibly called and/or supposed to be a self-help tome but is really the TV host / political commentator - best known for his Fox News shows such as Red Eye and The Five - riffing on contemporary national issues with his signature libertarian cynical-but-smart-aleck humor along with several helpings of self-deprecation. While a couple of the middle chapters seemed to run on a little too long they were outnumbered by the excellent essays like 'The Giant Minus: Mob Rule,' 'We See Everything and Want to Be Seen by Everyone,' 'How to Cancel 'Cancel Culture',' and 'Destroy the Desire to Imitate' which all reflect some of the ridiculous or alarming behaviors of Americans, especially when related to social media activity.
July 29, 2020
Let’s start with the end question. Who should read this book? The answer is very simple, everyone. In my opinion, it would be impossible to read Gutfeld’s book and not learn something about America in 2020.
As I read his book, I found myself on almost every page. I particularly loved his book because he writes about what I have been thinking for decades. I also very much like his style. He writes like he talks on television. It’s enjoyable to read but more importantly he has some extremely valuable life lessons. In that regard he and I learned very similar lessons.
Greg’s theory is very simple. Every morning we all have a choice to make. He has decided he will ask himself how he can make the day a Plus instead of a Minus. He reduces everything to these two terms. Avoid the Minuses and add to and enjoy the Pluses in life. Surround yourself with people who think like you do and who will encourage you instead of criticize you. One plus I totally agree with is everyone should create a self-education program and then work the program to become better at whatever you wish to do or become.
He has harsh words for Social Media and the ills created by everyone’s desire to want to be seen by everyone. I believe that the strongest message in the book occurs when he defines and explains “the two-prison idea” theory. The book is worth reading if just for this one Chapter. It’s outstanding and true and anyone who reads it KNOWS it is true.
He has very strong opinions regarding the cancel culture and how to change it. There is also a discussion on how people literally follow the leader and by leader he refers to things that are not so pleasant. People tend to do what other people do. They imitate other people in how they dress, how they act (mostly bad) and what they do for their own personal enjoyment; becoming the person, you were meant to become takes a back seat to just following the leader.
Back to the original question, who should read this book, I do mean everyone ought to not only read it, but they should take the lessons discussed and learn from them. If everyone did, America would be a better place to live, not many books could do that.
Who should read this book? EVERYONE, PERIOD!
Would I read it again? Maybe but probably not as once is sufficient to learn what I should be doing
Would I give it as a gift? ABSOLUTELY!
As I read his book, I found myself on almost every page. I particularly loved his book because he writes about what I have been thinking for decades. I also very much like his style. He writes like he talks on television. It’s enjoyable to read but more importantly he has some extremely valuable life lessons. In that regard he and I learned very similar lessons.
Greg’s theory is very simple. Every morning we all have a choice to make. He has decided he will ask himself how he can make the day a Plus instead of a Minus. He reduces everything to these two terms. Avoid the Minuses and add to and enjoy the Pluses in life. Surround yourself with people who think like you do and who will encourage you instead of criticize you. One plus I totally agree with is everyone should create a self-education program and then work the program to become better at whatever you wish to do or become.
He has harsh words for Social Media and the ills created by everyone’s desire to want to be seen by everyone. I believe that the strongest message in the book occurs when he defines and explains “the two-prison idea” theory. The book is worth reading if just for this one Chapter. It’s outstanding and true and anyone who reads it KNOWS it is true.
He has very strong opinions regarding the cancel culture and how to change it. There is also a discussion on how people literally follow the leader and by leader he refers to things that are not so pleasant. People tend to do what other people do. They imitate other people in how they dress, how they act (mostly bad) and what they do for their own personal enjoyment; becoming the person, you were meant to become takes a back seat to just following the leader.
Back to the original question, who should read this book, I do mean everyone ought to not only read it, but they should take the lessons discussed and learn from them. If everyone did, America would be a better place to live, not many books could do that.
Who should read this book? EVERYONE, PERIOD!
Would I read it again? Maybe but probably not as once is sufficient to learn what I should be doing
Would I give it as a gift? ABSOLUTELY!
December 10, 2020
Greg Gutfeld has some thoughts on how you can be a plus rather than a minus -- to yourself and to others. Though many may not appreciate his politics, much of what he shares in this book should make sense to a majority of us. It really is good common sense. Here is a sampling of the chapter titles: The Giant Minus: Mob Rule, The Prison of Two Ideas, What Doesn't Offend You Makes You Stronger, How to Finally end Polarization. Despite being written very early in the pandemic, the subject matter is still relevant. This year has been memorable and tended toward the infamous. Many say we are more polarized than ever. Gutfeld speculates that the contention between opposite poles in the country is inversely affected by the number of body bags coming home from foreign wars. Intriguing. Stuck at home and feeling overwhelmed? Check out this book for a mental reset.
September 14, 2020
There are three things I hate in life: self-help books, FOX News, and short people. By all rights, I should, therefore, hate Greg Gutfeld’s latest book “The Plus”. Strangely enough, I don’t.
Okay, so I don’t really hate short people (not to be confused with “little people”, which is the current pc term for people formerly referred to as “midgets” or “dwarves”. I definitely don’t hate little people, let me be clear on that. My “short people” comment was meant to be a joke; in point of fact, specifically, a Randy Newman reference, which I realize now is extremely outdated and will completely go over the heads of anyone who is not familiar with ‘70s pop music, which is probably a large percentage of people reading this review, assuming those people didn’t just stop reading after the whole “short people” comment), I merely dislike self-help books, and I don’t watch enough FOX News to formulate an opinion either way, although I’ve seen enough to know that it is a Republican propaganda tool, and for that reason alone I can’t stand it.
Anyway, getting back to Gutfeld’s “The Plus”: it bills itself as “Self Help for People Who Hate Self-Help”, which is me. In truth, the book is kind of a Trumpian apologetics disguised as an attempt to offer useful advice on bettering one’s self. It’s full of just enough self-deprecation by the author to be endearing, while still managing to be annoying to the average liberal reader (a demographic that I am fairly certain Gutfeld neither marketed toward nor even wanted).
My relationship with Gutfeld is a bit checkered. (Okay, that sentence just sounds really bad. Let me try that again.)
Gutfeld is one of those FOX News personalities with not one but two popular late-night shows—-The Greg Gutfeld Show and The Five—-that I have never really watched with any regularity. I think I caught an episode of The Five once, and thought it was mildly entertaining. The episode was about “toxic masculinity”—-an important topic to be sure—-but I recall that the discussion eventually devolved into a series of jokes making fun of Jonah Hill, which, let’s face it, is almost too easy of a target.
Gutfeld pissed me off years ago when he published a book called “The Joy of Hate”, which I refused to read simply on principle. (I was, to be fair, very testy and unhappy at the time.) I gave his book “Not Cool” a chance and was surprised to find that I liked it. It was essentially a vicious lambasting of the so-called “liberal elite”, and I found that I actually agreed with much of it.
I had, unfairly, written off Gutfeld as one of those whiny conservatives, like Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter, who like to start wildfires and then blame liberals for playing with matches. In fact, Gutfeld is a lot funnier, smarter, and far less grumpy and vitriolic than others of his ilk.
In “The Plus”, Gutfeld seems to have become even more laid-back and even-tempered. While he doesn’t go into detail, he mentions that he had a “health scare” and it just happened to coincide with the outbreak of Covid-19 in the U.S. There’s really nothing like a global pandemic to make one reevaluate one’s socio-political/spiritual footprint in the world.
While I don’t agree with Gutfled on a lot of things (he is a self-admitted conservative libertarian who didn’t like Trump at first but has grown to appreciate the many good things he has done as president. What those good things are, he never quite articulates, but that’s probably beside the point. Let’s just say I’ll agree to disagree on some of his political stances), I do happen to agree with his basic tenets, the major one being that it is an individual choice that one makes whether to add more vitriol, anger, and hatred into the world (a minus) via name-calling, playing the blame game, and writing people off without listening to what they have to say; or to add more useful positivity (a plus) into the world via shutting up occasionally and listening to what the other side has to say.
I also like his view on what he calls “the prison of two ideas”, which is, essentially, trying to reduce the world’s problems into just two sides. Just because one didn’t like Obama as president didn’t necessarily mean that one is automatically racist. Just because one is fearful of an economic disaster doesn’t mean one doesn’t care about people catching Covid-19. Things are never simply black and white or two-sided. It’s this kind of thinking, according to Gutfeld (and I agree with him), that doesn’t allow for nuance and has exacerbated the divisiveness in this country.
“The Plus” is a short book, and while Gutfeld doesn’t take himself too seriously, he does have a few good ideas. For a short person.
(Sorry, that was a below-the-belt dig, and a minus. I’ll try better next time, Gutfeld.)
Okay, so I don’t really hate short people (not to be confused with “little people”, which is the current pc term for people formerly referred to as “midgets” or “dwarves”. I definitely don’t hate little people, let me be clear on that. My “short people” comment was meant to be a joke; in point of fact, specifically, a Randy Newman reference, which I realize now is extremely outdated and will completely go over the heads of anyone who is not familiar with ‘70s pop music, which is probably a large percentage of people reading this review, assuming those people didn’t just stop reading after the whole “short people” comment), I merely dislike self-help books, and I don’t watch enough FOX News to formulate an opinion either way, although I’ve seen enough to know that it is a Republican propaganda tool, and for that reason alone I can’t stand it.
Anyway, getting back to Gutfeld’s “The Plus”: it bills itself as “Self Help for People Who Hate Self-Help”, which is me. In truth, the book is kind of a Trumpian apologetics disguised as an attempt to offer useful advice on bettering one’s self. It’s full of just enough self-deprecation by the author to be endearing, while still managing to be annoying to the average liberal reader (a demographic that I am fairly certain Gutfeld neither marketed toward nor even wanted).
My relationship with Gutfeld is a bit checkered. (Okay, that sentence just sounds really bad. Let me try that again.)
Gutfeld is one of those FOX News personalities with not one but two popular late-night shows—-The Greg Gutfeld Show and The Five—-that I have never really watched with any regularity. I think I caught an episode of The Five once, and thought it was mildly entertaining. The episode was about “toxic masculinity”—-an important topic to be sure—-but I recall that the discussion eventually devolved into a series of jokes making fun of Jonah Hill, which, let’s face it, is almost too easy of a target.
Gutfeld pissed me off years ago when he published a book called “The Joy of Hate”, which I refused to read simply on principle. (I was, to be fair, very testy and unhappy at the time.) I gave his book “Not Cool” a chance and was surprised to find that I liked it. It was essentially a vicious lambasting of the so-called “liberal elite”, and I found that I actually agreed with much of it.
I had, unfairly, written off Gutfeld as one of those whiny conservatives, like Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter, who like to start wildfires and then blame liberals for playing with matches. In fact, Gutfeld is a lot funnier, smarter, and far less grumpy and vitriolic than others of his ilk.
In “The Plus”, Gutfeld seems to have become even more laid-back and even-tempered. While he doesn’t go into detail, he mentions that he had a “health scare” and it just happened to coincide with the outbreak of Covid-19 in the U.S. There’s really nothing like a global pandemic to make one reevaluate one’s socio-political/spiritual footprint in the world.
While I don’t agree with Gutfled on a lot of things (he is a self-admitted conservative libertarian who didn’t like Trump at first but has grown to appreciate the many good things he has done as president. What those good things are, he never quite articulates, but that’s probably beside the point. Let’s just say I’ll agree to disagree on some of his political stances), I do happen to agree with his basic tenets, the major one being that it is an individual choice that one makes whether to add more vitriol, anger, and hatred into the world (a minus) via name-calling, playing the blame game, and writing people off without listening to what they have to say; or to add more useful positivity (a plus) into the world via shutting up occasionally and listening to what the other side has to say.
I also like his view on what he calls “the prison of two ideas”, which is, essentially, trying to reduce the world’s problems into just two sides. Just because one didn’t like Obama as president didn’t necessarily mean that one is automatically racist. Just because one is fearful of an economic disaster doesn’t mean one doesn’t care about people catching Covid-19. Things are never simply black and white or two-sided. It’s this kind of thinking, according to Gutfeld (and I agree with him), that doesn’t allow for nuance and has exacerbated the divisiveness in this country.
“The Plus” is a short book, and while Gutfeld doesn’t take himself too seriously, he does have a few good ideas. For a short person.
(Sorry, that was a below-the-belt dig, and a minus. I’ll try better next time, Gutfeld.)
October 5, 2023
Classic Greg Gutfeld. I listened to the audio version read by the author and it was entertaining, witty and importantly full of good advice.
January 1, 2023
Probably my favorite of all of Gutfeld's books. A quick read. Still writes with his trade-mark humor, but as stated more of a self-help approach. Lots of nuggets and good advice in here. Everyone should read this--even if you're a liberal or a Democrat.
July 31, 2020
I enjoyed reading this "self help" book...it was written in the same format that the author Greg Gutfeld speaks...I felt that he was speaking with me, not at me. As for the content...it is what we need to do...we are allowing "cancel culture" to overshadow the good in people. He explains the impact of social media but does not blame it for all our issues...he demonstrates how there are more than two sides to every debate, at least there should be. Not just right/wrong but what about something or somethings in the middle or a little bit of both. Just because you did something years ago, does not make you a bad person today...forgiveness is a need in today's...ruining peoples lives over a photo and or a statement made in the past must be evaluated in today's life of the person.
Excellent read!
Excellent read!
August 4, 2020
Very good book. I always enjoy Greg Gutfeld. Always make your actions or reactions a plus instead of a minus. Greg is short and I was already laughing on page four : "...what to spend the advance on (creating an amusement park for people of my height). My favorite thing he talks about is the prison of two ideas. Everything has to be black or white. That is not true for anything! There is always a gray area but in this current society you have to pick a side. He talks a lot about cancel culture as well. It is so dumb. I wear my Nike shirt while eating Chick-Fil-A. The worst part is how we are now spies on each other with what we post to social media. Big Brother is now us, not the government. I also like how he said follow the people who are a plus to your life. I have started cleaning up my facebook feed. I only got on Facebook to keep in a touch with family and friends who live far away. I don't want all of the garbage that comes with it. Lastly, he talks about leaving a mark, but make it a plus, not a minus. "You can be remembered for both, but only one, fondly."
"It's not about the power of positive thinking. It's about being positive. Every choice is a coin flip: plus or minus? Command yourself every morning to choose a positive path and avoid or eliminate anything that can be seen as a minus."
"Will I be a plus, or a minus?"
"All relationships can be boiled down to one scary question. Is this person a plus or a minus in your life?"
"Remind yourself that the impact of national politics is small compared to everything else in life. More people watch your average NFL playoff game than any debate."
"Sadly, current politics forces us into one of two positions, against the betterment of society."
"Yet, what do you see these days on cable and social media? Orchestrated polarizations. Men vs. women. Blacks vs. whites. Rich vs. poor. You don't see community anymore."
"When you don't know which way to go, try straight ahead and down the middle. Commit to compromise. Allow for exceptions."
"It's not about the power of positive thinking. It's about being positive. Every choice is a coin flip: plus or minus? Command yourself every morning to choose a positive path and avoid or eliminate anything that can be seen as a minus."
"Will I be a plus, or a minus?"
"All relationships can be boiled down to one scary question. Is this person a plus or a minus in your life?"
"Remind yourself that the impact of national politics is small compared to everything else in life. More people watch your average NFL playoff game than any debate."
"Sadly, current politics forces us into one of two positions, against the betterment of society."
"Yet, what do you see these days on cable and social media? Orchestrated polarizations. Men vs. women. Blacks vs. whites. Rich vs. poor. You don't see community anymore."
"When you don't know which way to go, try straight ahead and down the middle. Commit to compromise. Allow for exceptions."
August 5, 2020
The only self help book I ever liked was "Who Moved My Cheese" Since then I've never finished another one. I did this one because it was short ..... I like The Five. I like Greg Gutfeld. But the only reason he could be writing books is to garner money. It doesn't help his fame or humor. I will continue to watch The Five and decline to read any more self help books. That will be a Plus for me.
February 5, 2022
"You are here on this planet to add your own positive attributes--your pluses--to the places that really need them. They need you more than you need them. Joining a group, for example, isn't to make your life better. It's for you to make the others in that group better by absorbing the goodness in you....That's all you have to do in this world, is leave a mark. Just make it a plus, not a minus. You can be remembered for both, but only one, fondly."
What's ironic, and I mean very ironic, is that I really do hate self-help books so I guess this book was a perfect book for me with not only being it called THE PLUS but also adding, SELF-HELP FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE SELF-HELP and yet, I actually loved this one. Especially listening to it with Greg reading it (for some reason I was about to type "singing it" which would've been a disaster for anyone to read their book unless they have a good singing voice) but seriously, I enjoyed this more than I thought. I actually am a Greg fan and love his show when I would get to watch bits and pieces of his show at my uncle's some nights I'd go over to watch a movie at his house with one of my cousin's; and now that we're on my uncle's YOUTUBE TV, I actually get to fully watch Greg's show and here's why I love his show.
I do lean to the Right and I do have friends and family members who are both sides, and yet, I can still tolerate both sides with respect. Politics depress me most of the time and yet Greg uses the one thing we all need to have and be reminded of back in the "good old days".....
Today is a time of the humorless tyranny: in which a small band of rage merchants are exterminating all possibilities for the one thing that hold us together: jokes, conversation, teasing. In the (once again, mythical) good old days (of, say, ten years ago) one could break the tension with a wisecrack. Two men at a bar can alleviate conflict over who gets served first by joking about it.... Humor served as some sort of evolutionary survival mechanism: if you had the joke gene in you, you were shielded from the rocks thrown by the other tribe....Today, it seems we want to remove the tool that makes things run smoothly, that brings people together, that reduces differences into things we can laugh about."
Like seriously!? We need humor more than ever and not be offended over the tiniest thing and just be actual human beings but most especially learn forgiveness and choosing not to be offended. In fact, Greg has one of his chapters entitled with, "WHAT DOESN'T OFFEND YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER" and that is what we need now! I learned some things from what Greg himself learned in life and him sharing his own wisdom and what's worked for him to not only stay positive, but to have an impact on people by looking at "Pluses and Minuses" in life in general, conversation, deeds, etc. I wish many people can and will read his book with a non-biased mind because of his political views and read it with an open mind and common sense basically! He had some great points about so much division on what's going on and how the "mythical good old days" before we were basically jumping down one another's throats and getting over riled with our views if one's narrative or opinions don't match with someone else's and that one person is a bigot, transphobe, racist or any other word; he has great ideas on how we don't have to think like that and to overcome those mindsets of division.
Okay, now I'm just rambling. I say if you're going to read this book, read it with an open unbiased mind and actually listen in a way of what he's saying. Greg Gutfeld really is a great guy, hilarious, this book had me laughing half the time, and him reading this just made it even better. I loved it. And I hope someday we can go back to the old days with no division, still with different views, but a time where this dumb "cancel culture" condemns and never forgives someone for PAST things that was how long ago?.... And yet this book about whether you'll be a plus or a minus is a very pondering question to have.
What's ironic, and I mean very ironic, is that I really do hate self-help books so I guess this book was a perfect book for me with not only being it called THE PLUS but also adding, SELF-HELP FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE SELF-HELP and yet, I actually loved this one. Especially listening to it with Greg reading it (for some reason I was about to type "singing it" which would've been a disaster for anyone to read their book unless they have a good singing voice) but seriously, I enjoyed this more than I thought. I actually am a Greg fan and love his show when I would get to watch bits and pieces of his show at my uncle's some nights I'd go over to watch a movie at his house with one of my cousin's; and now that we're on my uncle's YOUTUBE TV, I actually get to fully watch Greg's show and here's why I love his show.
I do lean to the Right and I do have friends and family members who are both sides, and yet, I can still tolerate both sides with respect. Politics depress me most of the time and yet Greg uses the one thing we all need to have and be reminded of back in the "good old days".....
Today is a time of the humorless tyranny: in which a small band of rage merchants are exterminating all possibilities for the one thing that hold us together: jokes, conversation, teasing. In the (once again, mythical) good old days (of, say, ten years ago) one could break the tension with a wisecrack. Two men at a bar can alleviate conflict over who gets served first by joking about it.... Humor served as some sort of evolutionary survival mechanism: if you had the joke gene in you, you were shielded from the rocks thrown by the other tribe....Today, it seems we want to remove the tool that makes things run smoothly, that brings people together, that reduces differences into things we can laugh about."
Like seriously!? We need humor more than ever and not be offended over the tiniest thing and just be actual human beings but most especially learn forgiveness and choosing not to be offended. In fact, Greg has one of his chapters entitled with, "WHAT DOESN'T OFFEND YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER" and that is what we need now! I learned some things from what Greg himself learned in life and him sharing his own wisdom and what's worked for him to not only stay positive, but to have an impact on people by looking at "Pluses and Minuses" in life in general, conversation, deeds, etc. I wish many people can and will read his book with a non-biased mind because of his political views and read it with an open mind and common sense basically! He had some great points about so much division on what's going on and how the "mythical good old days" before we were basically jumping down one another's throats and getting over riled with our views if one's narrative or opinions don't match with someone else's and that one person is a bigot, transphobe, racist or any other word; he has great ideas on how we don't have to think like that and to overcome those mindsets of division.
Okay, now I'm just rambling. I say if you're going to read this book, read it with an open unbiased mind and actually listen in a way of what he's saying. Greg Gutfeld really is a great guy, hilarious, this book had me laughing half the time, and him reading this just made it even better. I loved it. And I hope someday we can go back to the old days with no division, still with different views, but a time where this dumb "cancel culture" condemns and never forgives someone for PAST things that was how long ago?.... And yet this book about whether you'll be a plus or a minus is a very pondering question to have.
August 4, 2020
A quick read, Greg Gutfeld's new book gives practical advice about how we can make our lives, and the lives of those around us, more positive and productive. With his signature wit and honesty, he gets right to the point and uses entertaining anecdotes and personal memories to highlight what he believes are the most important aspects of creating a world where we can have conversations instead of fights. By choosing to have more pluses than minuses each day, Gutfeld explains, we can take charge of our actions and mindsets.
Here are a few of his points that struck me:
•The prison of two ideas: Don't "cling to a misguided belief that only two opposite positions exist on an issue, leading us into a constant dead-end face-off, when in fact there's an infinite number of stances existing between two oppositional beliefs."
•Social media impulsivity: "The bigger the dustup, the longer you must stay away" and "replace the instinct to reply with physical action."
•Virtue signaling: "Nothing you say will convince anyone of anything."
•Apologizing: "Admitting being wrong is like getting a hit of a free, harmless, but fun drug."
•Compromise and empathy: "Stand in somebody else's place and see how it feels."
• Humor: "Take a joke" and "realize the awfulness of something is the actual joke."
Though Gutfeld does discuss politics at times, his book focuses more on how we, as a society, can stop the divisiveness and create more opportunities for communication and open-mindedness. He writes the same way he speaks so the book is filled with hilarious, intelligent one liners. There are parts of the book that less conservative readers might not agree with, but Gutfeld is respectful of people's opinions and no matter what your political beliefs, The Plus has great insights into the current national mood.
Here are a few of his points that struck me:
•The prison of two ideas: Don't "cling to a misguided belief that only two opposite positions exist on an issue, leading us into a constant dead-end face-off, when in fact there's an infinite number of stances existing between two oppositional beliefs."
•Social media impulsivity: "The bigger the dustup, the longer you must stay away" and "replace the instinct to reply with physical action."
•Virtue signaling: "Nothing you say will convince anyone of anything."
•Apologizing: "Admitting being wrong is like getting a hit of a free, harmless, but fun drug."
•Compromise and empathy: "Stand in somebody else's place and see how it feels."
• Humor: "Take a joke" and "realize the awfulness of something is the actual joke."
Though Gutfeld does discuss politics at times, his book focuses more on how we, as a society, can stop the divisiveness and create more opportunities for communication and open-mindedness. He writes the same way he speaks so the book is filled with hilarious, intelligent one liners. There are parts of the book that less conservative readers might not agree with, but Gutfeld is respectful of people's opinions and no matter what your political beliefs, The Plus has great insights into the current national mood.
August 24, 2020
Greg Gutfield writes a thought provoking book. It is a must read for anyone dealing with the stress of COVID-19, which I guess is everyone. His positive mental solutions for our current troubling times are a breath of fresh air in our current social media toxic environment. I'm committed to making each decision with The Plus in mind.
August 26, 2020
Great sense of humor that Greg has. Plus some great advice thrown in. A great read!
August 1, 2020
Great read
He makes you laugh out loud. He is great, it's like having him in the room with you. I have read all his books
He makes you laugh out loud. He is great, it's like having him in the room with you. I have read all his books
November 1, 2020
This book is filled with Greg's typical humor and considering he's one of the only reasons I watch The Five made it very fun to read. Some of the self-help ideas were very helpful, such as easiest one of "would doing or saying this be a plus or minus". It's along the principle of treat others the way you want to be treated, but phrased in a different way. If you enjoy watching Greg's shows or his other books, I think you'd love this book.
March 15, 2021
4.5. I'd give it five stars but I'm not sure how well it will age.
Almost exactly a year ago I read Hate, Inc, which has similar themes to this book but came from the left. Gutfeld is far more optimistic than Taibbi is, but there's some chilling stuff here. Gutfeld had written this manuscript prior to the covid-19 pandemic but his foreword was written in April 2020, when we were all (in some cases, reluctantly but gamely) hunkered down for weeks 3-6 of "two weeks to flatten the curve" and Gutfeld was feeling the unity.
How things have reverted to the norm, even in the midst of continued social distancing. I had to put on a sweater to get through Chapter 5, the one about cancel culture, because parts of it were positively chilling. (As I write this, the Dems have sharply turned on Emmy Winner and Time Magazine's 2020 "Person of the Year" nominee Andrew Cuomo, because you can sexually assault women or you can kill old people, but apparently doing both is a bridge too far. --Sorry, channeling Gutfeld there. I'm a method reader.)
Anyway, the main theme of the book is to contribute to the world in a positive way (the plus), and don't be a minus. Suggestions include things like avoid the mob, avoid social media (same thing), avoid the fallacy that every issue must have exactly two positions (Taibbi says the same thing in his book) and don't put yourself into one ideological camp, and don't get offended. He points out that Trump was iconoclastic in that he broke the stereotype of the Republican politician who never fights back, and also that Trump presided over a period of peace, which has allowed our current wild discourse.
Gutfeld recommends humor as a cure, and avoiding mimesis (don't do what everyone else does!). Also to avoid becoming part of a group or ideology that will inevitably turn on you and destroy you (hey there, Cuomo).
Almost exactly a year ago I read Hate, Inc, which has similar themes to this book but came from the left. Gutfeld is far more optimistic than Taibbi is, but there's some chilling stuff here. Gutfeld had written this manuscript prior to the covid-19 pandemic but his foreword was written in April 2020, when we were all (in some cases, reluctantly but gamely) hunkered down for weeks 3-6 of "two weeks to flatten the curve" and Gutfeld was feeling the unity.
How things have reverted to the norm, even in the midst of continued social distancing. I had to put on a sweater to get through Chapter 5, the one about cancel culture, because parts of it were positively chilling. (As I write this, the Dems have sharply turned on Emmy Winner and Time Magazine's 2020 "Person of the Year" nominee Andrew Cuomo, because you can sexually assault women or you can kill old people, but apparently doing both is a bridge too far. --Sorry, channeling Gutfeld there. I'm a method reader.)
Anyway, the main theme of the book is to contribute to the world in a positive way (the plus), and don't be a minus. Suggestions include things like avoid the mob, avoid social media (same thing), avoid the fallacy that every issue must have exactly two positions (Taibbi says the same thing in his book) and don't put yourself into one ideological camp, and don't get offended. He points out that Trump was iconoclastic in that he broke the stereotype of the Republican politician who never fights back, and also that Trump presided over a period of peace, which has allowed our current wild discourse.
Gutfeld recommends humor as a cure, and avoiding mimesis (don't do what everyone else does!). Also to avoid becoming part of a group or ideology that will inevitably turn on you and destroy you (hey there, Cuomo).
October 14, 2020
This was my first exposure to Greg Gutfeld. I do not watch his television show and have not read any of his previous books.
While interesting this did not grab me. It had the feel of a series of extended blog posts although obviously more went into it than that.
I like his sense of humor but it sometimes got in the way of his message. In particular, with each serious point the author seemed to make the descent into a joke or anecdote had me wondering if he was adding "Just kidding!". The message certainly seems serious.
That message is that we should strive to be more of a positive (a Plus) rather than a negative in our interactions in life. Great point but it could have been developed a little more. Or perhaps not, in addition to being serious it is also quite simple.
For a more serious take on a similar topic, especially the "cancel culture" out there right now, I would recommend Dana Loesch's "Grace Canceled." As I read "The Plus" my mind kept going back to Ms. Loesch's more personal and serious take on it.
I do think this book is worthwhile. We can use as many reminders as we can get to treat each other better.
While interesting this did not grab me. It had the feel of a series of extended blog posts although obviously more went into it than that.
I like his sense of humor but it sometimes got in the way of his message. In particular, with each serious point the author seemed to make the descent into a joke or anecdote had me wondering if he was adding "Just kidding!". The message certainly seems serious.
That message is that we should strive to be more of a positive (a Plus) rather than a negative in our interactions in life. Great point but it could have been developed a little more. Or perhaps not, in addition to being serious it is also quite simple.
For a more serious take on a similar topic, especially the "cancel culture" out there right now, I would recommend Dana Loesch's "Grace Canceled." As I read "The Plus" my mind kept going back to Ms. Loesch's more personal and serious take on it.
I do think this book is worthwhile. We can use as many reminders as we can get to treat each other better.
October 18, 2020
Uplifting quick read (or listen).
Book summary: “Greg teaches you how to brainwash yourself into better behavior, retaining the pluses in your life and eliminating the minuses. His approach to self-help is simple, and perfect for cynics; it’s not about positive thinking in the short term, it’s about positive being in the long term. With tough love and more than a little political incorrectness, he delivers sage wisdom such as:
-If you aren’t getting happier as you’re getting older, you’re doing it wrong.
-Resist the media’s command to expand destructive narratives.
-If you’re in the same place you were three years ago, wake up.”
Book summary: “Greg teaches you how to brainwash yourself into better behavior, retaining the pluses in your life and eliminating the minuses. His approach to self-help is simple, and perfect for cynics; it’s not about positive thinking in the short term, it’s about positive being in the long term. With tough love and more than a little political incorrectness, he delivers sage wisdom such as:
-If you aren’t getting happier as you’re getting older, you’re doing it wrong.
-Resist the media’s command to expand destructive narratives.
-If you’re in the same place you were three years ago, wake up.”
August 24, 2020
Greg Gutfeld is the adorable class clown I so wish I could have gone with to my high school prom. However be advised, while he evidently enjoys playing the court jester, beneath that lovable smirk lies a sly philosopher and insightful social commentator. The Plus offers a simple, but successful formula for emotionally navigating this No Good, Very Bad Year Called 2020. I recommend listening to Gutfeld narrate the audio version of his book to get the full benefit of his comedic timing. He peppers his sober advice with jolly anecdotes, slapstick self-deprecation and quick wit.
August 27, 2020
Glad I bought it
I got the sample and didn't get enough of what the book was about so I purchased it. I really enjoyed the humor, the personal stories and anecdotes. I recently started watching the Five with my hubby and am always disappointed when Greg is not on. Oh and we especially love those music segments he talks about. I listened to Dead Kennedy s as well. A great book!
I got the sample and didn't get enough of what the book was about so I purchased it. I really enjoyed the humor, the personal stories and anecdotes. I recently started watching the Five with my hubby and am always disappointed when Greg is not on. Oh and we especially love those music segments he talks about. I listened to Dead Kennedy s as well. A great book!
August 7, 2020
Very fun and enjoyable. I actually did this book on audio because I knew I'd like it more listening to it in Gutfeld's voice. I have always agreed a lot with his way off thinking minus the porn, drugs and agnostic POV. For an agnostic he really does share many of the same spiritual beliefs but that's beside the point. The book has some great insights and some repetition of thought from other places hence the 4 stars. Overall I think everyone could benefit from it.
August 2, 2020
Timely read for these times!
Quite simple but very profound. This will help both sides get through these unbelievable times. Be a plus not a minus and you and everyone around you will be better. 1 point for liberals, if you can’t laugh at some of this then as they say might be the problem.
Quite simple but very profound. This will help both sides get through these unbelievable times. Be a plus not a minus and you and everyone around you will be better. 1 point for liberals, if you can’t laugh at some of this then as they say might be the problem.
January 23, 2024
2.5 stars. I'm not a fan of self help books (which is why the title caught my eye) but I wouldn't really call this a self help book. It's mostly a rant about how awful social media, mainstream media and politics are. Which I already knew and therefore avoid as much as possible. The book is sprinkled with funny stories and jokes throughout which were entertaining (when I knew who the people were).
Basically, be a plus not a minus. Don't be a social media troll. Try to have an open mind about the "other side." Or as my dad always said, be part of the solution not part of the problem!
Basically, be a plus not a minus. Don't be a social media troll. Try to have an open mind about the "other side." Or as my dad always said, be part of the solution not part of the problem!
August 3, 2020
Greg Gutfeld is one of my favorites and I enjoyed getting more of his thoughts in this book! I hope to apply some of his insights into my life.
August 21, 2020
The best self-help book I never wanted to read. (JK I wanted to read it because, hey, Greg Gutfeld...but I didn't expect to actually get "help" from it.) My fav GG book to date.
February 11, 2021
Typical Gutfeld - funny, witty, and yet driven by common sense. A nice change of pace from my typically serious (and often dry) fare.
August 25, 2020
How to make your life--and the world--better by being a Plus, not a Minus
August 24, 2020
Loved it!
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