Phillip Calvin McGraw, best known as Dr. Phil, is an American television personality, psychologist and author who is the host of the psychology themed television show Dr. Phil. He gained celebrity status following appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
After I read this I made a list (like it suggests in the book) about what I wanted in a lifelong partner. I started dating David shortly thereafter and realized that he had more than the suggested 80% of qualities that I was looking for in a mate. We got engaged 8 months later.
Yes, I have this book. And yes, it's on audio tape. Whilst taking a leisurely drive home from Maryland to New York a few months ago, I stopped off at this depressing little outlet mall in Delaware. They had one of those cheap bookshops and outside, a rack with $1 audio books. Audio books, NPR, Prairie Home Companion, I love it all while driving so I thought I'd take a look. The best thing there was this Dr. Phil book and since hey, I'm a fool when it comes to love I thought why not?
Well, after spending 3 hours listening, I'm still a fool but at least one who has had drilled into her head by a screaming Texan that I shouldn't date drunks, emotional retards, drug addicts and homeless people. Thanks Dr. Phil.
There was one part at the end though that I enjoyed, where he made you write out a list of all the attributes you would want your ideal mate to have- from the physical to the emotional. A list that goes beyond dark hair and likes kids. It has choices on there that make you really think about who you would want to be with, "someone who plans parties, goes to parties, hates parties," "adventurous, likes to stay home, never know what he will come up with next," etc etc. It may sound silly, but I thought it helped.
This was an OK read. I couldn't help noticing the similarity between some of the things Dr. Phil mentioned and some of the things Dr. Barbara De Angelis mentioned in her book "Are you the one for me?" (which I highly recommend by the way) which was published in the 90's. Also, Love Smart reminded me of "Why Men Love Bitches" (published in 2002), at least in parts. The book didn't feel original; I felt like I'd read it before (and I hadn't). There's really no wonderful advice and Dr. Phil mostly focuses on the fact that women must develop their self-esteem. He makes you come up with several lists (the best part about the book) involving you and the one you dream of...etc. Also the 80/20 rule part was good.
I'd say this book is good for those who want to settle down and want to start somewhere. It's not really of benefit to anyone in a relationship.
I prefer books with more depth and insight into human nature; this was a rather "superficial" read (if you know what I mean).
I went to the library to get 鈥淢en are From Mars, Women are From Venus鈥� on the recommendation of a friend. However, it was gone. This book was next to the empty spot. I鈥檝e never seen Dr. Phil on TV or read any of his books, so I thought, 鈥渉ey, why not?鈥�
Overall, the book was pretty good. I liked how he stressed that you have to be happy with yourself and realize that you don鈥檛 have to have a partner to complete you. I think too many women don鈥檛 recognize this. They feel incomplete without a husband or children. If you don鈥檛 like who you are, how can you expect someone else to like you? This was a common theme throughout the book, and I鈥檓 glad that鈥檚 the message he鈥檚 conveying.
The insight into how guys think was interesting. I鈥檓 not sure that I鈥檇 read any of his other books, but this one wasn鈥檛 too bad.
I've gotta say - I do like Dr. Phil but I didn't think much of this book. Maybe I'm just too old and jaded and have read enough relationship books to recognize when one is surprisingly good - or not. It was OK. It was basic.
The cover would have you believe the book was written for 'people' when in fact it's specifically directed at women (of course), and young ones at that.
It contains a lot of good, entry level, information on how to attract the right man, "bag 'em and tag 'em and take him home". Or, 'fix' the one you already have. I didn't really like the impression of men that came across in this book. Again, Dr. Phil is siding with the female reader - because that's the market.
If this book helps even one woman find happiness and love (and the man she's with too!)- then that makes me happy and the writing and reading of the book was worth it.
Of course everytime I watch Dr. Phil or read one of his books, everything looks so easy. The book does have some very valid points, good suggestions and seems to make a whole lot of sense when looking at the big picture. It's just putting it all together that is difficult. Of course that is why we are reading it in the first place. It's not as simple as going to the local coffee shop, meeting the guy and finding out he's great and living out our happy little lives. Sometimes we don't meet the guy and we keep searching and sometimes find the wrong one in the wrong place. The book doesn't really address that part. So in a simplified way, the book is good but in a real life existence, it's hard to pen your every move in order to find Mr. Right. So keep reading but keep living, too!
this doesn't speak to everyday women, women that have it together but still wants to find love...this book is for those that doesn't know how to take care of themselves- that needs the hand holding to get out of bed and take a shower, put on a little gloss and self worth. Dr. Phil is preying on the fat, the ugly, and the low-esteemed people in America. I know- I sound cruel and insensitive- but those are my thoughts.
I enjoyed this well written book. Felt it was nicely laid out and enjoyed Dr. Phil's humor, analogies and personal stories as he relayed some insights into the male mind. He even went into the dreaded "dark zone."
This should be a MUST READ for all looking for or in a relationship, in my opinion.
There are some great questions Dr. Phil shows you how to present and read between the lines. Nicely done. Highly recommended.
I think he has some insightful things to say and ways to change it up if you struggle with meeting love interests. Some of his advice seemed like it would be unrealistic for many people and I often felt he was writing to us as if we were stupid. If you can get past his "tough love" tone and need a new perspective on dating, I would recommend this one.
Thanks Mom for giving me this book on Valentines day when I was single! Looks like the reading might have helped me out though.....interesting read just because I am in love with psychology and the human mind/manners. Although I am not sure I would highly recommend it but I do feel it is enlightening...
'Love Smart' is down-to-earth and helpful. McGraw advises women how to develop and strengthen their niches (maneater, girl next door, etc.,) and gives insight on how men think and feel. He also teaches readers how to increase their self-esteem, be excellent conversationalists and provides insight on what to look for when meeting potential suitors.
If you want to get married and are ready for that next step in your life, this is the book that will take you there. Dr Phil assists you with redefining realistic goals for the right type of man when searching for the one to marry. He helps to prepare you if you for real life and what a marriage should be. I read this book and met and married my husband within a year and a half!
I enjoyed this book by Dr. Phil. It was engaging, clever and funny. However, I do wonder about some of the techniques he mentioned that do not sound right to me. (Read the book for details... No spoiler alerts); I read it pretty quickly and it was a page-turner. I felt like Dr. Phil was talking to me and wading me through the sometimes confusing and muddy world of relationships!
I was given this book as a gift-not my usual reading material-but very practical. Some excellent suggestions on how to maintain a healthy relationship, or how to begin a relationship on the right foot.
Well written, but a LAME, LAME, book. When I say lame, I mean, who in the world would ever take this advice? It was basically a book written about how women should behave for men. I kept on reading it because I couldn't believe how ludicrous it was!
Gooed ideas for looking at a relationship from a man's point of view. It's one of those books that you need to reread in order to get all the info out of it; it's too much to absorb the first time around.
I lied. I didn't read this whole book, but I skipped over to the parts I felt I would benefit from. Love Smart was more of a "don't forget to do this" type of book, than it was a learning process for me.
I am not in the right place in my life to read this book. My mistake.
This is obviously a self help book. So as far as entertaining, it wasn't. But there was a lot of good stuff in it. I think it would be very helpful for a lot of people, just not me. But I think I would recommend it if you're struggling with your marriage or something.