Book Review – A Guide to Rational Living
Image: A Guide to Rational Living by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Synopsis: Len's Star Rating: 8 out of 10. A good book on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), an effective approach to dealing with negative thoughts and emotions.
BY LEN LANTZ, MD / 2.1.2020; No. 8
Disclaimer: Yes, I am a physician, but I’m not your doctor and this article does not create a doctor-patient relationship. This article is for educational purposes and should not be seen as medical advice. You should consult with your physician before you rely on this information. This post also contains affiliate links. Please click this LINK for the full disclaimer.
Star Rating – 8 out of 10
Rating guide: 1 = horrible, 5 = average and 10 = wow
Authors
Albert Ellis and Robert Harper
About the authors
Dr. Albert Ellis (1913 – 2007) was a psychologist, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) and originator of modern Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Dr. Robert Harper (1916 – 2004) was an author, prominent leader in the field of psychology and clinical psychologist in marriage and family counseling in the Washington DC area.
General description
A Guide to Rational Living is a bestselling book that introduced the concepts of REBT to the general public. The book describes strategies for thought balancing, also known as cognitive reframing, which helps people who find that their thoughts and emotions are holding them back in their life. The authors explain how to become emotionally stronger through REBT, which “can teach any intelligent person how to stop feeling miserable about practically anything.”
Unique and most important aspects
Dr. Albert Ellis was the first researcher who really looked at cause-and-effect with thoughts and emotions in his therapeutic approach called Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). His approach promises to help people become more objective, reduce self-defeating behaviors, improve self-acceptance, follow higher priorities and break habits that place them at risk. Many people would likely find the chapter “Rewriting Your Personal History” to be very helpful.
Important ideas from this book:
Describes approaches for thought balancing
Encourages the reader to own their emotional reactions rather than blaming others
Explains neurotic behavior and how to identify it in yourself and others
Outlines the ABC model or mechanism of emotional disturbance as a stimulus-belief-response or Action-Belief-Consequence (ABC)
Actions: life events
Beliefs: “ our shoulds, oughts and musts”
Consequences: unpleasant emotional reactions
Includes the REBT Self-Help Form for identifying irrational beliefs, disputing irrational beliefs and replacing those beliefs with rational ones.
Best quotes
“REBT helps you discriminate between rational and irrational thinking. It holds rational thinking normally leads to healthy and irrational thinking leads to unhealthy emoting. What do we call rational thinking? That kind that assists you (1) to survive and (2) to achieve the goals or values you select to make your survival pleasurable, enjoyable, or worthwhile.”
“Emotional disturbance, in sum, usually stems from your Irrational Beliefs. You can uncover the basic unrealistic ideas with which you disturb yourself; see clearly how misleading these ideas are; and, on the basis of better information and clearer thinking, change the Beliefs behind your disturbance.”
Who would enjoy this book?
Anyone who wants to master their emotional reactions by balancing or replacing unbalanced thoughts is likely to enjoy A Guide to Rational Living. People who want to learn more about the evolution of modern-day Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) could find this book enlightening.
Who would not enjoy this book?
People who struggle to be honest with themselves and/or believe that emotions are uncontrollable likely would not enjoy A Guide to Rational Living.
Conclusion
A Guide to Rational Living is an excellent book for people who want to go back to the source of one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy and learn strategies for balanced thinking and healthy living.