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Seven: The Number for Happiness, Love, and Success
What is it about the number seven that has such a hold on us? Why are there seven deadly sins? Seven days of the week? Seven wonders of the world, seven colors of the spectrum, seven ages of man, and seven sister colleges? Why can we hold seven numbers or words in our working memory--but no more? Author Jackie Leo explores everything about this mystical, magical, useful, and fun number in her new book.
SEVEN REASONS YOU NEED THIS BOOK
1. SEVEN is a tool to improve the quality of your life. It is a way to define time, synthesize ideas, and keep your mind performing at top speed in an era of distractions.
2. SEVEN is culturally significant. It pops up everywhere, structuring our world in ways so fundamental, we notice them only when we pause to look. Across the ages and across cultures, the number has acquired a huge scientific, psychological, and religious significance.
3. SEVEN is intriguing. Why, out of hundreds of recipes in a cookbook, do people return to the same seven, over and over? Why, when asked to choose a number between one and ten, does such a large majority of people choose seven? Why does it take seven rounds of shuffling to obtain a fully mixed deck of cards?
4. SEVEN is influential. You'll learn how the number seven shapes our thinking, our choices, and even our relationships.
5. SEVEN is practical. Throughout this book are Top Seven lists covering the best ways to get someone's attention, to build your personal brand, and to put yourself in the path of prosperity and good luck.
6. SEVEN is fun. You'll encounter surprising facts, intriguing puzzles, and hilarious anecdotes.
7. SEVEN is wise. You'll hear stories about the meaning of seven from Mehmet Oz, Sally Quinn, Liz Smith, Christina Ricci, and many others.
Artfully designed and full of enough insights to keep you engaged in conversation at the water cooler for years, SEVEN will provoke, enlighten, and amuse.
SEVEN REASONS YOU NEED THIS BOOK
1. SEVEN is a tool to improve the quality of your life. It is a way to define time, synthesize ideas, and keep your mind performing at top speed in an era of distractions.
2. SEVEN is culturally significant. It pops up everywhere, structuring our world in ways so fundamental, we notice them only when we pause to look. Across the ages and across cultures, the number has acquired a huge scientific, psychological, and religious significance.
3. SEVEN is intriguing. Why, out of hundreds of recipes in a cookbook, do people return to the same seven, over and over? Why, when asked to choose a number between one and ten, does such a large majority of people choose seven? Why does it take seven rounds of shuffling to obtain a fully mixed deck of cards?
4. SEVEN is influential. You'll learn how the number seven shapes our thinking, our choices, and even our relationships.
5. SEVEN is practical. Throughout this book are Top Seven lists covering the best ways to get someone's attention, to build your personal brand, and to put yourself in the path of prosperity and good luck.
6. SEVEN is fun. You'll encounter surprising facts, intriguing puzzles, and hilarious anecdotes.
7. SEVEN is wise. You'll hear stories about the meaning of seven from Mehmet Oz, Sally Quinn, Liz Smith, Christina Ricci, and many others.
Artfully designed and full of enough insights to keep you engaged in conversation at the water cooler for years, SEVEN will provoke, enlighten, and amuse.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 18, 2010
This is a clever and whimsical exploration of the role that the number 7 plays in our lives. As the dust jacket says, it is full of anecdotes and odd bits of information about 7 that will stand one in good stead for water cooler discussion.
I found this wonderful book to be far more than a collage of information relating to 7. It is an optimistic, engrossing exploration of life, set forth in an interesting step-by-step order. The chapters denote the critical elements of happiness – simplicity, happiness, love, learning, winning, life, and wonder.
7 begins, simply, by advising that our lives are the results of the choices that we make (actually, we are “prisoners” of those choices, for better or worse). We then learn that there are 7 character traits that define positiveness: optimism, kindness, curiosity, strong work ethic, empathy, self-awareness, and integrity. If we choose to be these things, the choice will define our life, as will the choice to not be any of these things (achieving negativeness).
The remaining chapters contain similar types of information, anecdotes, homilies, and a continuously happy and optimistic view of life. Indeed, the whimsy of focusing on a number and centering a book around the role that it plays in our lives is a curiously cheerful way to communicate life skill advice.
7 provides a veritable buffet of food for thought about life and happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and thinking. This excellent book would make an ideal basis for discussing life in book club, church circle, or other group, male or female. The discussion would be every bit as entertaining and inspiring as is 7.
I found this wonderful book to be far more than a collage of information relating to 7. It is an optimistic, engrossing exploration of life, set forth in an interesting step-by-step order. The chapters denote the critical elements of happiness – simplicity, happiness, love, learning, winning, life, and wonder.
7 begins, simply, by advising that our lives are the results of the choices that we make (actually, we are “prisoners” of those choices, for better or worse). We then learn that there are 7 character traits that define positiveness: optimism, kindness, curiosity, strong work ethic, empathy, self-awareness, and integrity. If we choose to be these things, the choice will define our life, as will the choice to not be any of these things (achieving negativeness).
The remaining chapters contain similar types of information, anecdotes, homilies, and a continuously happy and optimistic view of life. Indeed, the whimsy of focusing on a number and centering a book around the role that it plays in our lives is a curiously cheerful way to communicate life skill advice.
7 provides a veritable buffet of food for thought about life and happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and thinking. This excellent book would make an ideal basis for discussing life in book club, church circle, or other group, male or female. The discussion would be every bit as entertaining and inspiring as is 7.
November 11, 2009
My thoughts...I have always been intrigued by things that have more significance than what is shown on the surface. The pyramids, the dollar bill, artwork and other things often have deeper meanings or secrets waiting to be discovered. Seven describes how the number 7 falls into that category. The author provides numerous examples where 7 occurs and influences our daily lives. She goes further by telling us how to use 7 to improve our lives. I was a very interesting read.
Seven is filled with fascinating facts and examples of how frequently 7 occurs in our daily lives. Here are just a few examples: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Seven-Years War, 7 days of the week, 7-up pop, the list goes on and on. Now once you realize how 7 seems to rule your world, she provides 7 ways to improve your life in areas of happiness, love, learning, winning, and 3 more for a grand total of...yes 7.
This is a clever book. It was fun to read and if you are not a believer, you will be once you finish the story. I would recommend it for someone who enjoys a non-fiction book with a self-help flavor.
The book says to ask people to choose a number between 1-10 and the most popular number will be 7. Well I goofed and asked for 1-9, but here were the results:
#1 (2 people), #2 (2 people), #3 (6 people) #4 (3 people), #5 (3 people), #6 (2 people), #7 (5 people), #8 (5 people), #9 (2 people) TOTAL 30 responses
So cleary I am no scientist because I botched the starting variables, but 7 was a popular answer. Hmmmm, I wonder.
Seven is filled with fascinating facts and examples of how frequently 7 occurs in our daily lives. Here are just a few examples: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Seven-Years War, 7 days of the week, 7-up pop, the list goes on and on. Now once you realize how 7 seems to rule your world, she provides 7 ways to improve your life in areas of happiness, love, learning, winning, and 3 more for a grand total of...yes 7.
This is a clever book. It was fun to read and if you are not a believer, you will be once you finish the story. I would recommend it for someone who enjoys a non-fiction book with a self-help flavor.
The book says to ask people to choose a number between 1-10 and the most popular number will be 7. Well I goofed and asked for 1-9, but here were the results:
#1 (2 people), #2 (2 people), #3 (6 people) #4 (3 people), #5 (3 people), #6 (2 people), #7 (5 people), #8 (5 people), #9 (2 people) TOTAL 30 responses
So cleary I am no scientist because I botched the starting variables, but 7 was a popular answer. Hmmmm, I wonder.
December 6, 2009
Seven by Jacqueline Leo
Rating: 3/5
Seven is an intriguing book about the phenomenon of the number seven, the appeal we feel for it, the psychology behind the appeal, and so on. Unlike some non-fiction, Seven is very readable and interesting, and is written in a way that doesn’t make it funny or witty, but doesn’t make it dry either. There is the perfect balance of information and interest to make it quite enjoyable.
Seven is filled with interesting stories, ranging from Tiger Woods’ religion to Josh Waitzkin’s martial arts experience to robot’s facial expressions. Seven has many lists of sevens that make a lot of sense—seven reasons why people still smoke, seven strategies for a successful start-up in a company, comparing the seven media items in 1956 to the thirty-five (at least) in 2008, and so on.
Seven is a thought provoking book that will hopefully give its readers insight into the psychological attraction to numbers, and also some valuable advice for day to day life.
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would recommend reading a chapter here and there on a lonely boring rainy day (hey, it worked for me!) with a cup of hot tea at your side. Leave plenty of time for musing and meditation while you read this one, and be prepared to entertained by this read!
**Thank you to Anna from Hachette for providing my review copy!**
Rating: 3/5
Seven is an intriguing book about the phenomenon of the number seven, the appeal we feel for it, the psychology behind the appeal, and so on. Unlike some non-fiction, Seven is very readable and interesting, and is written in a way that doesn’t make it funny or witty, but doesn’t make it dry either. There is the perfect balance of information and interest to make it quite enjoyable.
Seven is filled with interesting stories, ranging from Tiger Woods’ religion to Josh Waitzkin’s martial arts experience to robot’s facial expressions. Seven has many lists of sevens that make a lot of sense—seven reasons why people still smoke, seven strategies for a successful start-up in a company, comparing the seven media items in 1956 to the thirty-five (at least) in 2008, and so on.
Seven is a thought provoking book that will hopefully give its readers insight into the psychological attraction to numbers, and also some valuable advice for day to day life.
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would recommend reading a chapter here and there on a lonely boring rainy day (hey, it worked for me!) with a cup of hot tea at your side. Leave plenty of time for musing and meditation while you read this one, and be prepared to entertained by this read!
**Thank you to Anna from Hachette for providing my review copy!**
Read
October 1, 2013From Publishers Weekly
A better, more enriching life is as easy as 1, 2, 3... 4, 5, 6, 7, according to Leo's first foray into authorhood after a long career as editor-in-chief and editorial director of such publications as Child magazine and Reader's Digest. Leo presents a laundry list of arguments, expert opinions and historical factoids for her theory that the number seven is an organizing principle because, as research shows, the brain can only handle seven pieces of information (such as digits) at one time. Seven, she says, can improve productivity, memory, love, learning and life in general by simplifying the overwhelming modern world. She lists seven behaviors for emotional intelligence, education expert Howard Gardner's seven types of intelligence, the seven things that made her friend Ed happy and so on, ad nauseam. Leo's background in short-feature editorial is tightly woven into her narrative structure, and the invasion of mindless tidbits, graphics and number seven sidebars busy up the pages, creating the kind of overstimulation it vows to cure. Advice seekers ought to consider the classic 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for a recipe for success. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
A better, more enriching life is as easy as 1, 2, 3... 4, 5, 6, 7, according to Leo's first foray into authorhood after a long career as editor-in-chief and editorial director of such publications as Child magazine and Reader's Digest. Leo presents a laundry list of arguments, expert opinions and historical factoids for her theory that the number seven is an organizing principle because, as research shows, the brain can only handle seven pieces of information (such as digits) at one time. Seven, she says, can improve productivity, memory, love, learning and life in general by simplifying the overwhelming modern world. She lists seven behaviors for emotional intelligence, education expert Howard Gardner's seven types of intelligence, the seven things that made her friend Ed happy and so on, ad nauseam. Leo's background in short-feature editorial is tightly woven into her narrative structure, and the invasion of mindless tidbits, graphics and number seven sidebars busy up the pages, creating the kind of overstimulation it vows to cure. Advice seekers ought to consider the classic 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for a recipe for success. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
December 28, 2009
I've been reading this book for a few days... Thank you Goodreads and Jacqueline Leo for the giveaway!
I'm finding (so far) that this book is incredibly difficult to follow! At first the author talks about how we as a society today have too much information coming in and it affects our attention span and memory - then I find that the author jumps to a different subject completely and then back to the original. It's jumbled and confusing - with little facts about the number seven at the bottom of every other page - I find it over stimulating and incohesive (SO FAR!!!).
Okay, I finally finished the book and I hate to take away from all the hard work that Leo put in, but the book really did read more like a magazine. I didn't get any of the "flow" that I normally do from reading a book - it felt "choppier" like a magazine that you can pick up and put down easily. It's not exactly like a coffee table book either, you have to read complete sections.
All in all, the book did contain some interesting facts, recipies, stories about people and even some useful self-help steps. I really liked the content of the book, it was just the way it was put together.
I'm finding (so far) that this book is incredibly difficult to follow! At first the author talks about how we as a society today have too much information coming in and it affects our attention span and memory - then I find that the author jumps to a different subject completely and then back to the original. It's jumbled and confusing - with little facts about the number seven at the bottom of every other page - I find it over stimulating and incohesive (SO FAR!!!).
Okay, I finally finished the book and I hate to take away from all the hard work that Leo put in, but the book really did read more like a magazine. I didn't get any of the "flow" that I normally do from reading a book - it felt "choppier" like a magazine that you can pick up and put down easily. It's not exactly like a coffee table book either, you have to read complete sections.
All in all, the book did contain some interesting facts, recipies, stories about people and even some useful self-help steps. I really liked the content of the book, it was just the way it was put together.
February 9, 2010
Before I begin my review, I just want to say that I entered to win this particular book because my best friend's favorite number is 7, so I figured I'd give it to her. It's not a book I would have chosen to read myself. That being said, I'm finding this book incredibly boring. I'm on page 35 and I honestly don't think I can bring myself to read further. It statred off on a good note, talking about how hectic our lives have become and the need to simplify. I just wish the author had followed her own advise. 35 pages later I feel like I've read the same thing over and over and over. It could have been simplified into a few paragraphs! So, I give up on Seven:The Number for Happiness, Love, and Success. And I don't think I'll be giving the book to my friend after all.
February 28, 2010
Seven:The Number for Happiness, Love, and Success by Jacqueline Leo, Edward Burger is one of the MOST fascinating books I have ever read! I have always been a fan of numerology and it has always captured my interest. Just a really fun concept! But when I read this book, it put such an intriguing spin on the scientific, psychological and religious significance of the number seven. It really blew me away because frankly I never thought about it. Why do you have 7 wonders of the world, 7 Cherokee Nations, 7 seas, 7 levels of Hell... and it goes on. Truly amazing! You have to check out this book!
November 6, 2009
The number seven has always fascinated me and I was excited when I received an advanced readers copy from Hatchette Book Club.
This book is filled with little anecdotes, lists of sevens, and stories.
The beginning of the book focuses on how we are riddled with too much information as a society and then the book throws more and more at us. At times it seemed a bit hypocritical and I didn't feel the title had anything to do with the book itself, but an interesting read none-the-less.
A good coffee table and water cooler conversation book.
This book is filled with little anecdotes, lists of sevens, and stories.
The beginning of the book focuses on how we are riddled with too much information as a society and then the book throws more and more at us. At times it seemed a bit hypocritical and I didn't feel the title had anything to do with the book itself, but an interesting read none-the-less.
A good coffee table and water cooler conversation book.
December 2, 2009
What a fun and informative read! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as it really made me think about the logic behind the number seven. A lot of what the author conveyed in the book, I found to be believable, and that challenged a lot of what I previously knew. Not to mention all the new and interesting information I have learned.
I loved all the side depictions and little tidbits of information, all involving "7" somehow. It is a really great book to sit down and get lost into!
I do recommend you read this book, and maybe it will enlighten you as it did to me.
I loved all the side depictions and little tidbits of information, all involving "7" somehow. It is a really great book to sit down and get lost into!
I do recommend you read this book, and maybe it will enlighten you as it did to me.
November 20, 2009
This is the type of book someone buys for a white elephant gift and comments 'Isn't that neat?' regardless of the reception it gets. If you want to know numerology or any theories behind the popular number seven, get another book.
Leo did throw in some interesting facts but 99% of the book is feel good crap like lists of '7 ways to...' love better, be happier, ect. Google self indulgent bull shit and save yourself some money.
Leo did throw in some interesting facts but 99% of the book is feel good crap like lists of '7 ways to...' love better, be happier, ect. Google self indulgent bull shit and save yourself some money.
August 17, 2011
I was really excited to win this book (GR giveaway). It took me a while to get through, though. I was hoping for a book of quirky facts and stories, but it wasn't like that at all. The book just felt random and aimless. It certainly didn't help me understand things like "Happiness, Love and Success" as the title boasts.
April 3, 2013
Very interesting. This book has a lot of fun information, theories that are believable or debatable, and adventurous and fascinating facts... all revolving around the number 7. Although I may not entirely feel convinced with everything in this book, I enjoyed reading it and finding out things about the world that I never knew! I can say I learned quite a bit from this book.
Want to Read
December 8, 2009I'm very interested in reading this book. For as long as I can remember the #7 has been my favorite number. I have no clue as to way I chose it.
December 9, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. I never realized how much the number 7 is actually used. It was neat to read about all of the random facts and everything!
March 29, 2013
A disjointed read with a few cool thoughts and ideas thrown in. Poorly laid out in its electronic format. Overall, I give it a big "meh"
November 19, 2009
This was just not for me. This book was very repeatitive at most.
December 30, 2009
Interesting. Sorta.
January 27, 2010
The book was very insightful.It causes one to pause and think.I would recommend it to my friends.
April 8, 2017
Some parts interesting. Some of her 7 stories appear coincidental and nothing more. Its an easy plane ride or at-the-beach read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews