Tobacco Books

I had been a smoker for over 20 years. I had even successfully quit before for up to 2.5 years using "willpower". But for some reason, as I got older, "willpower" no longer worked for me. I tried cold turkey, "weaning off", you name it.

But this book worked. Mr. Carr explains why tapering off never works, why willpower definitely doesn't work and he really helped me to understand why I was smoking in the first place.

It's been about 4 months now. And I don't smoke!!!! What freedom!

I no longer look at friends who smoke longing for a cigarette, rather, I look at them with empathy. I know they are only smoking because they are addicted!

This book really puts smoking in a new perspective, one that I believe to be the most reasonable one. I read this book with an open mind and it worked in a pinch. It has many revolutionary points, which are drilled into your head through repitition and real life examples. After the book, with no hesitaion, my Marlboro Lights pack went on a one-way trip to the trash can. I then just stopped, and for a long time reflected on the cigarette that started it all, how smoking has interfered with my life each day, and most of all, what a waste it was! Bought 3 more copies for co-workers and family.

As an ex-smoker, I read the book with increasing enthusiasm and found myself (as I used to be ..) in almost every line of the book.

The book really appeals to human intelligence, to all smokers that can quit this dependency without falling into that trap again.

It doesnt'have to be a shock happening to make you quit ... IT CAN JUST BE THIS BOOK!

Are you a long time, heavy smoker? Do you not even KNOW adult life without cigarettes, having begun puffing away in your teens? Is your every plan dominated by the burning question of whether (or when) you'll be able to light up? (e.g. Is there a smoking section? Does the room have a balcony? Will the seminar have breaks? Do people I'm going to visit smoke? How long is the flight/train ride/movie?).

Do you feel a mixture of envy and scorn for casual smokers; those who can go for days without a fag or only smoke when they drink, and who, when they quit entirely, brag about how easy it is and nag you to quit too? Do you feel that along with lifelong non-smokers, such 'pseudo-smokers' are a different breed and simply don't understand genuine nicotine addicts like you?

Do you find it virtually impossible to imagine being happy without cigarettes? While warding off friends' and family's pleas for you to quit with a rebellious, devil-may-care, live-hard-die-young persona, does worry, self-loathing and despair over your smoking keep you awake at night?

All of the above was me. From age 16 (aside from pregnancy with my daughter at 18) I'd worked up to a couple of packs or so a day and by 50 was convinced I was hopelessly addicted. The few times I had tried to stop (in 2001 while watching my father die from smoke-destroyed lungs and more recently in 2004 after I had a serious bout of pneumonia) had been agonizing failures and I no longer had any plans to try to quit.

I can't quite recall how I came to possess a copy of the book a couple of years ago. I do recall starting to read it but then stopping for two contradictory reasons: 1) with a major in psychology and studies in hypnosis I expected I would see through any mind-bending persuasion tactics the book might employ and so, despite the glowing reviews I'd read, it probably wouldn't work for ME and 2)I had an uneasy intuition that if I finished reading the book I actually WOULD quit smoking whether I wanted to or not!

To cut a long story short, I pulled the book from the shelf again in September '08; finished it and have not smoked since. It's still early days but what a revelation to discover my body's natural relaxation now that it is off the nicotine misery-go-round; the jumpy nervy feeling that I had mistakenly attributed to my own nervous system,(which made me feel I needed to smoke) has GONE. I'm actually almost glad to have been such a hopeless, heavy smoker because of the wonderful contrast I feel now that I've stopped.

How delightful to feel comfortable wherever I am instead of always obsessing over how to escape for my next fix! Had I known how great I would feel once free and how easy it could be to get there, perhaps I'd have done it sooner. Carrots always motivated me better than sticks.

My recommendation: Even if you're not sure you want to quit just yet (or ever) buy this book anyway and keep it in your bookshelf until you're ready. Don't even consider trying to quit before you read it.
Even after finishing the book I found it tremendously valuable to always keep my copy nearby; in the beginning I took it with me everywhere like a security blanket. If an old habit of thought came up (not surprising perhaps after 34 years!) just opening up the book and reading a sentence or two would dispel it like magic and later just knowing the book was there was sufficient. I've started buying copies for friends and family, but I'm keeping my own copy right here just in case!

I don't think I could have succeeded without the information in this book (they also have other books, seminars and an excellent webcast- check online, but this book was enough to get me smoke-free) and I feel immense gratitude at having had the good fortune to come across it. Highly recommended!

The Easy Way to Stop Smoking: Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method
I was a smoker for 19 years. I tried to quit many times (hypnosis, will power, "Smoke Away", gum, est.), but it kept hunt me!
But this time I know - it is the VERY LAST TIME! I will never start again! I am sure and confident! It is like I escaped from prison and there are no way back! Who wants to come back to prison?! I never felt like that before! Sometimes I even forget that I ever smoke, even though, my husband still smoking.

While reading this extraordinary and unique book it is obvious that Edwards put the time and effort into this project and Buchanan packaged it. Yet Buchanan seems to want all the credit. She alone is listed as the author, but what did she actually do? She wrote a distant and dry essay - well written no doubt, but what exactly is her relationship to this fascinating object called the Vietnam Zippo?

Judging from the lively discussion below on this page, Buchanan was, in fact, the publisher with the power to manipulate the crediting. It appears that Edwards' role was greatly diminished and he was relegated to the person who just provided the collection. Apparently another sad example of an artist being taken advantage of - there must be a back story here and it probably isn't pretty. What a shame this situation is considering what a finely crafted book it is.

The Vietnam War had many facets for those who served in that theatre of military combat from 1965 to 1973. One of the unique memorabilia associated with the conflict were the Zippo brand cigarette lighters that were ubiquitous among the American troops. Drawing from the collection of Bradford Edwards, Sherry Buchanan (an independent scholar, author, and expert on both Asian and Vietnamese contemporary art, history and culture) has created "Vietnam Zippos", a volume of images of Zippo brand lighters used and personalized by members of the American armed forces. Zippos lighters were visible associated with the burning of grass huts as part of search-and-destroy missions, they were used as engraved symbols of social protest, and often became a kind of talisman for American GIs during their hazardous tours of duty in that increasingly unpopular conflict. Beginning with a Timeline that begins in 1965 and ends in 1990 (when Vietnam Zippos were sold to tourists at Saigon Street Stalls), "Vietnam Zippos" is a fascinating and specialized military cultural history that is a unique and recommended contribution to the growing library of Vietnam War histories, biographies, and scholarly studies.

A touching compilation of soldiers who served in Vietnam and the history of Zippos in the Army. Full of color pictures: numerous Zippos dipictaing pictures, unit slogans, witty banter, and more. A must read for anyone who wants to connect with history.

It is a shame and a pity that such an impressive book should reflect such a travesty in crediting. What does Ms. Buchanan have to do with the Vietnam Zippo? There is ample evidnce that it was the focus of Mr. Edwards' attention for many years. Yet he is relegated to a minor participant in the book itself! Anyone who closely examines the book can see the truth - it is self-evident. Apparently, Ms. Buchanan's massive ego overshadowed her sense of justice - she, as the publisher in fact, decided to not even share the authorship with Mr. Edwards. Othewise, it a near perfect book - striking graphic design - highest quality photographs - excellent essays and thorough research. Life can be unfair.

My hippie Dad loved it! He is a history buff and had not heard of this practice!

Like any book in this genre this book will not actually help you unless your "motivated" to change your own behavior. It's simple, easy to read, and practical. It shows you the keys to changing your perspective on on how motivation actually works in yourself and others. I enjoyed it.

Being a cardiac rehab nurse and spending a lot of time each day trying to get people to change their lifestyles to create better health, this book caught my eye. After reading it, I found the principles instantly useful for me to use at work. They can help anyone get motivated to get past the barriers that keep them from making changes to improve their health. Additionally, the book is short and to the point which is good for a busy Mom like myself.

Along with helping to build my motivation, this little book was straight to the point and very easy to read. In this short story, the author combines his personal experience, and research to convey the importance of motivation through how ready the person is to change their daily habits for the better. The author tells about the patients he encountered during an internship opportunity and how change (no matter how big or small) helped them become motivated to do better. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels as if small change wouldn't be significant in their life. This book would dramatically change their opinion and make them want to strive for a better lifestyle. The Sixty-Second Motivator offers its readers simple steps (referred to as "secrets") to follow through with their improvement. It was enjoyable to read and very eye opening!

I read this short book within a space of an hour. It is straight to the point, and is written in the style of a story. The author is a Physical Therapist and tells the story of when he was a student and he visited a senior Physical Therapist in a hospital as part of his training. He learned how to motivate someone within 60 seconds to undertake therapy by increasing importance + confidence in the patient. Although this book was essentially about how someone was able to increase his patients' motivation, this can also be applied to other areas of your life - for any goal. It is an easily understandable read and if you are looking for a way to increase motivation quick then look no further than this book.

This is a great book for anyone to learn about how to motivate yourself or others. It's in a very simple story format without a lot of exercises like other self-help books. Very good book - I highly recommend it to anyone that needs to know more about motivation.

I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society, but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. - Thomas Jefferson.

_Operation Mind Control: The CIA's Plot Against America_, published in 1978, by Walter Bowart is a highly disturbing account of the use of mind control technology by a secret government (the cryptocracy) against the American people to further their own aims. Walter Bowart (1939 - 2007) was a journalist and a prominent figure in the counter-cultural movement that grew during the 1960s. He was influential in promoting mind freedom through his Freedom of Thought Foundation. Previous reviewers have alleged that when this book came out it was first suppressed by the CIA because they did not want their dabblings in mind control to be made available to the public. Perhaps this explains why the book is so rare today and remains an underground classic. This book makes reference to such other individuals as L. Fletcher Prouty, John Marks, and Alan Sheflin who also investigated the role of mind control technologies and their use by the CIA. The book includes an Foreword by Richard Condon author of the mind control classic novel _The Manchurian Candidate_ in which he explains the rise of America's secret police and their use of mind control against the American people. The book includes vast details outlining various schemes for mind control including the use of hypnosis and drugs (especially the hallucinogenic drug LSD-25) by the CIA and the use of behavior modification and the creation of mind control assassins.

Chapter One of this book is entitled "The Cryptorian Candidate" in which the author explains how headlines about the CIA's role in drug testing in 1977 showed that the CIA had been involved in massive drug testing experiments. The author explains the importance of Richard Condon's novel _The Manchurian Candidate_ which showed the role of brainwashing techniques in Korea on American POWs. The author also discusses what he terms "Operation Mind Control", the goal of controlling the minds of American citizens through mind control technology and explains what he terms the "cryptocracy" or the secret government and the involvement of the CIA. The author also discusses some of the other agencies involved and the role of the American military and the corporations. Chapter Two is entitled "Only One Mind For My Country" and tells the story of an American soldier named David who had joined the Air Force and suffered from amnesia following his tour of duty. Bowart claims that David's amnesia and some of his bizarre memories indicate that he may have been the victim of mind control. Chapter Three is entitled "The Mind Laundry Myth" and exposes the myth of brainwashing among the Communist nations. The author claims that many of those brainwashed were in fact brainwashed by their own country. The author notes the influence of the classic CIA study _Brainwashing in Red China_ by Edward Hunter and the possible role of brainwashing in Korea and Vietnam of American POWs. Chapter Four is entitled "Without Knowledge or Consent" and begins by explaining the role of hypnosis in mind control showing the influence of Dr. George Estabrooks. Indeed, Estabrooks was to brag sometime in the 1940s that "I can hypnotize a man - without his knowledge or consent - into committing treason against the United States." The author explains the role of the OSS (which became the CIA), Estabrooks and hypnosis, the role of the Army, and the Russian psychologist Luria. Chapter Five is entitled "Pain-Drug Hypnosis" and explains the role of pain drugs in aiding hypnosis and the creation of a mind-control race with the Soviets. The author also notes the role of LSD-25, the discovery of Dr. Hoffman of Sandoz Laboratories, and Timothy Leary as a proponent of LSD (and his involvement with Harvard University and the CIA). Chapter Six is entitled "The Guinea Pig Army" and explains how the CIA had given drugs to American citizens under its direction. The author notes the role of such individuals as Dr. Frank Olson (who allegedly jumped to his death after being unwittingly given the drug) and other LSD experiments in the Army and at psychiatric clinics. Chapter Seven is entitled "The MKULTRANS" and is devoted to a discussion of such projects as BLUEBIRD, ARTICHOKE, MKDELTA, and MKULTRA. This relies on the research of John Marks who investigated many of these drug projects through the Freedom of Information Act. Chapter Eight is entitled "The Mata Hari of Mind Control" and discusses the alleged mind control of Candy Jones (a pin-up girl from the World War II era). This shows how Jones was hypno-programmed and alternate personalities created which allowed her to become a CIA courier for twelve years. This chapter relies on the information made available by Candy Jones' husband Donald Bain and notes the nefarious role of the hypnotist William Bryan. Chapter Nine is entitled "The Slaves Who Buried the Pharaoh" and notes the creation of the CIA from the OSS following the Second World War, the craft of intelligence, behavior modification, and the role of such figures as William J. Donovan and John Foster Dulles. The author notes the role of the "mind-control race" and maintains that the cryptocracy has had to keep ahead of the Soviets and maintain absolute secrecy. The author also notes that for the Soviets who live in a totalitarian state there is nothing hypocritical about using the methods of mind control, while for the United States there certainly is. Chapter Ten is entitled "Brave New World in a Skinner Box" and explains the role of behavior modification through the science of behaviorism. The author notes the role of Pavlov who won the Nobel Prize for his conditioning experiments on salivating dogs, the role of Watson and "Little Albert", the various forms of conditioning, and the role of the famous behaviorist B. F. Skinner and the role of his "Skinner box" as well as his utopian plans for society. The author also provides an eerie example how through conditioning one could control the contraction of the pupil of an eye. Chapter Eleven is entitled "A School for Assassins" and notes the importance of the creation of assassins since classical times and explaining the role of a special Navy school for assassins. Chapter Twelve is entitled "The Four Faces of a Zombie" and explains the significance of an individual in the Philippines who claims to have been brainwashed and involved in the Kennedy assassination. Chapter Thirteen is entitled "The Lone Nuts" and discusses the role of various "lone nuts" in the assassinations of figures ranging from JFK and RFK to Martin Luther King, Jr. Chapter Fourteen is entitled "The Ignored Confessions" and discusses various aspects of the confessions of Jack Ruby and the Warren Commission. Chapter Fifteen is entitled "Another Hypno-Patsy?" and discusses the role of James Earl Ray (alleged killer of MLK) and his role as a probable patsy. Chapter Sixteen is entitled "Confession by Automatic Writing" and discusses the bizarre thinking of Sirhan Sirhan (alleged killer of RFK). Chapter Seventeen is entitled "The Patriotic Assassin" and discusses the ancient history of assassination (e.g. the "Old Man in the Mountain", etc.) and the role of mind control in training military men to be assassins by the agencies. Chapter Eighteen is entitled "Deep Probe" and discusses the experiments of Jose Delgado in electronic stimulation of the brain (ESB) and various uses for electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). This chapter also discusses the creation of cyborgs through ESB and Delgado's comments on a "psycho-civilized society". Chapter Nineteen is entitled "From Bionic Woman to Stimulated Cat" and discusses various projects of the CIA in mind control including that of stimulating a cat's brain and RHIC-EDOM (Radio Hypnotic Intra-Cerebral Control-Electronic Dissolution of Memory) in which memories can be erased. Chapter Twenty is entitled "The Engines of Security" and discusses various uses of the new technology, the continuing influence of the CIA in mind control despite their alleged shutting down of such experiments, mass control and other topics. This chapter ends by noting that the technology is being developed for the creation of a perfect slave state ruled by mind controllers. The book ends with two appendices including memos from the CIA and a list of drugs tested by the CIA.

At the time this book was written, it revealed the dark secrets of the CIA and the government cryptocracy in their efforts to control the minds of the American people through experiments in hypnosis, behavior modification, and drugs. This book shares many of the same themes which are to be found in another classic _The Mind Manipulators_ by Alan Sheflin and Edward Opton. The involvement in such experiments by the CIA has since become common knowledge. However, this book remains a classic testament to the fundamental freedom of the human being from thought control and coercion.

This is a book to be read, not to buy and put on a shelf to impress your friends. In a free society we all need to be informed. Read other reviews for more detail.

As one of the researchers mentioned in Operation Mind Control (Jim Moore - pp 262-264, orig. edition), I followed this book and its author with great interest. The book disappeared because, according to what I learned, the CIA did not want the public to know the extent and details of its mind control programs. I believe even Walter Bowart himself once described how the entire warehouse supply was bought up by the CIA. The book also began vanishing from libraries across the nation, and virtually every copy available in bookstores was suddenly bought up and disappeared into a black hole. Very few copies survived this draconian purge. Those that remain are quire rare and expensive and should be must-reading for all Americans concerned about the future of our country and how our thought processes are manipulated by the political-intelligence "experts". especially in the wake of what is being revealed about 9-11, Iraq and the NSA spying.
At one point, even photocopies were going for as much as $75-100. The book itself (1st edition) has sold for as high as $250. There was a second printing (with a different cover) that also quickly disappeared; whether it was an authorized printing or not, I don't know.
Walter Bowart reportedly wrote a follow-up, but suddenly stopped and virtually vanished. The rumor mill has it that he was threatened with "termination with extreme prejudice" - a phrase for assassination that is now outdated.
To my knowledge, he is still alive but living his life in a very low profile. From my own experiences over the years, I can't say I blame him.

The author of Operation Mind Control, Walter H. Bowart, died on December 18, 2007, according to his obituary in The New York Times and the reference page at Wikipedia.

In 1978, while living in New Hampshire, I had the opportunity of hearing a local radio interview with Bowart concerning his book. I immediately went out and purchased a copy at the cover price of one dollar and ninety-five cents.

Government censorship of the book has created a scarcity of available copies and has skyrocketed the market selling price.

Everything the other reviewers at Amazon have alluded to regarding its supression by the government is true, for Operation Mind Control is indeed a mind blower. The State could not permit anyone to disclose such damaging information.

The secrets revealed in this book openly describe a clandestine government at war with its own people, covert forces which Bowart describes as "the cryptocracy."

This is precisely the kind of dangerous information that governments fear.

Operation Mind Control is not conspiracy theory.

It is documented fact.

Governments live by lies, by bamboozling and hiding the truth from their subjects.

Accordingly, the primary task of opponents of modern tyranny, as libertarian Murray N. Rothbard pointed out, is an educational one: to awaken the public to this manipulation and propaganda, by demystifying and desanctifying the state apparatus upon which such lies are built upon.

Walter Bowart heroically accomplished this feat.

Operation Mind Control spoke truth to power as few books published in the past thirty years have done.

That is why the government tried to destroy it.

Years ago I had the opportunity to discuss these matters with John Marks, the brilliant author of The Search For The Manchurian Candidate: The CIA and Mind Control. Mark's volume somehow escaped the government's relentless campaign waged upon its predecessor.

I highly recommend his book in addition to Operation Mind Control.

Two excellent documentaries tell the sordid and shocking story discussed in these books. They are, Mind Control: America's Secret War, and Bad Trip To Edgewood. Both are available at Google Video for viewing.

This is a review of the scarce 2nd edition of Operation Mind Control, which appears for sale occasionally on Amazon, originally a subscribers only edition, with author's seal and name of the person it was prepared for on the first page. Limited to 500 copies.

I mostly found this to be a very interesting book about the so-called cryptocracy. There's a lot of startling stuff in the 686 pages of main text, and in the appendices. There do appear to be a few factual errors however. He states that B.F. Skinner's daughter committed suicide, but doesn't say where he got that information. According to the book "Opening Skinner's Box", Debbie Skinner is alive and well. He also declares that Skinner was a tool of the cryptocracy out to turn people into "obedient automatons", which is a contentious argument. All I will say is to recommend Lauren Slater's book to get both sides of the argument and also to read a balanced analysis of "false memory syndrome". Mr Bowart argues against that in the chapter "False Memory Spindrome". However, earlier in the book he mentions the case of Sirhan Sirhan, who apparently after hypnosis claimed he killed Robert Kennedy and who, according to a psychiatrist in 1973, had hypnosis used to plant ideas in his mind to make him accept that he killed Robert Kennedy. This psychiatrist is quoted as saying that a polygraph is more accurate than hypnosis. This suggests that memories can indeed be planted through hypnosis!

Most of the sheer volume of information appears to be well researched. In the interests of space I will just list some search terms that could be entered into a search engine to find out about some of the subject matter: "george estabrooks", "mary pinchot meyer", "sir william stephenson", "mark phillips mkultra", "triple dissociation", "mindwar", "dr colin ross", "franklin cover-up", "finders cia", "michael aquino", "luis angel castillo", "david ferrie", "george de mohrenschildt", "becker body electric", "consumertronics", "high power microwave technology", "gunther karl russbacher", "white phosphorus waco", "genie laborde", "col john alexander", "black hole of guyana", "dorothy burdick", "armen victorian", "mike-alpha-delta-3", "tesla generator", "alt.mindcontrol", "mkdraco", "fletcher prouty", "jacques vallee", "martin cannon controllers", "harlan girard", "p.a. lindstrom", "biotelemetry".

There's supposed to be a documentary based on this book too, according to Mr Bowart in this book.

Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for LIFE CHANGES
David L. Johnson, Ph.D. & Carole A. Johnson, I.D.
Infinity Publishing.com, Haverford, PA (Paperback)
Copyright December, 2000, 206 pages

LIFE CHANGES by David L. Johnson, Ph.D. & Carole A. Johnson is a book
anyone addicted to tobacco will wish they had found it years ago. As a motivational speaker that stresses results, I was happy to see that Life Changes had a similar orientation. The authors use a number of powerful techniques to help a person beat tobacco addiction. Techniques and strategies that have proven to help people make personal changes with affirmations, reasonable goals, daily plans to achieve them, visualization, relaxation, and appropriately stated aversive and positive suggestions.
All of the more than 120 techniques and strategies put together form a supportive, personal framework that empowers one to focus on short-term, then life-long results.
The key principles and skills provide more ways to use setbacks, when necessary,
to learn more about ourselves and enable us to use them to bounce back quickly
with less fear of relapse.

Life Changes uses a self-instructional, self-paced approach that anyone can use,
with an emphasis on taking personal responsibility to learn the skills you need.
You can start at any point in the book, and implement the steps in the order you
feel most confident with. I love how the book relies on the reader to be imaginative
and use their creativity to apply the program to daily life and adapt the skills to
their goal of beating tobacco for life.


Life Changes is a self-instructional, self-paced program that works in proportion
to the time and attention you give to learning how to use the program skills daily.
You may have tried to beat tobacco many times, but this time buy a book to use
that builds on what you know for life changes. I highly recommend it!

Edward W. Smith
Author, Sixty Seconds To Success
ISBN 0-9754164-0-5
www.brightmoment.com

In our modern-day addictive culture, it is no small wonder that the quick-fix approaches to stopping tobacco use are so often ineffective. Typically, these approaches are reflective of the instant gratification orientation of our society. People pay big money for patches, pills, programs and purges, while expecting an intractable addiction that may have taken a lifetime to develop to just suddenly go away. For those who have come to understand that ending tobacco addiction is not like having results served like fast-food, there is a powerful option that offers a high predictability of success.

Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for LIFE CHANGES, by David L. Johnson, Ph.D., and Carole A. Johnson, ID, is the definitive manual for those who truly wish to recover from their tobacco addictions. Written with candor, erudition and wit, the book takes the smoker (chewer, or dipper) by the hand and authoritatively walks him or her through a comprehensive but doable process that not only fleeces the person of a life-threatening habit - but builds in life enhancement skills that surpass any rewards they may have perceived in their tobacco use.

The 206 page quality paperback pursues a step-by-step process that begins with an orientation to the program, including a convincing review of current knowledge pertaining to the health and economic consequences of tobacco use that should strip away every last vestige of motivation for tobacco use in any sane person. We then find preparations for stopping use which cover every aspect of an individual's lifestyle that supports use and that might undermine the stopping process. Here, and throughout the book, the Johnsons have included worksheets that facilitate insight, individualized understanding of the process, and personalized application of the program to ensure success. The comprehensiveness of their approach is also found in their explanation of every strategic option that can be included in a person's individualized program, including the responsible and effective integration of nicotine-replacement products like patches, gums, inhalers, and other cessation pharmaceuticals that are less effective when used alone.

Once understanding, confidence and a sense of competence have been established in the reader, the book moves into program strategies involving exercises that include powerful hypnotic imagery to undermine attraction for tobacco products and replace destructive behaviors with life-enhancing ones. Indeed, just reading the exercises - without taping and playing them in a relaxation/induction process - is enough to sicken the reader against the use of tobacco products for life! However, it is recommended that the reader individualize the exercises, as specified, and follow through with the authors' expert instructions. Incidentally, without going into detail regarding current research, the design of the exercises - including content and strategies - reveals a sophisticated understanding on the part of the authors with regard to subconscious learning processes and the power such processes can have on behavior change.

Finally, knowledge, process, and competence are blended into a creative integration that serves to develop a lifestyle that leaves no openings for a return to tobacco-using behavior. This leaving-no-stone-unturned approach to tobacco cessation impresses me as the most comprehensive and reliable option available.

Throughout, self-defeating thinking patterns are broken down and replaced with positive, life-enhancing ones in a process that makes this book a hallmark in the annals of stop-smoking strategies: it takes a total lifestyle approach to the problem. This total lifestyle approach demonstrates the Johnsons' understanding of what is necessary to tackling tobacco addiction in the way a surgeon understands the approach to cutting away a cancer - every part of the threatening tumor (thinking/feeling/behavior) must be removed or the life-threatening condition will spring anew and attack with a vengeance.

Unlike the less predictable, quick-fix, approaches to tobacco cessation, the Johnsons' Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for LIFE CHANGES offers lifestyle-oriented strategies that address the unique needs of every user in a warm and readable format that offers the best of what's out there. Unlike other approaches that require a full commitment before purchase, this book has such powerful introductory content that I would recommend it to those who are only thinking of stopping their tobacco use. At a modest $19.95 retail (US), I cannot suggest a more economic, powerfully effective, approach to stopping nicotine addiction and saving lives.

Granville Angell, EdS, LPC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Author of The God-Shaped Hole

Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for Life Changes
By David & Carol Johnson
Reviewed by Billie A Williams
ISBN # 0-7414-0481-8
2001 (206 Pages)

Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for Life Changes is more than just a healthy read. It is an activity book that will take you step by step through some very positive life style changes that can help you cease to use tobacco products.
With the Johnson's help you identify the problem situations where you would use tobacco. Then you develop specific plans for each situation so that you can visualize yourself dealing positively with the situation. By mentally rehearsing the plan, success is more likely. They stress that you should reward yourself when you do well, but also to not be afraid to modify your plans when necessary.
Dr Johnson addresses the principles you need to adapt to focus on your plan for action; these include Confidence, competence, commitment and creativity which he calls "4-Cing the future". Key principles in Life Changes makes it a book of crucial strategies that provide effective cessation tools with skill-based exercises, scripts, options and resources while also outlining specific activities that can you can use to target issues you define, and strategies you design to cope with the issues. Johnson then provides reinforcement of those actions through his scripts and scripts you record to personalize the program.
Dr Johnson inspires and re-enforces with his poetry and quotes from other sources. Stress relief through laughing, re-focusing, relaxation and affirmations provide a failsafe for those wishing to cease the habits of tobacco use. Johnson also touches on the use of hypnosis as an aid in his program. He defines the use of hypnosis by first defining the term as he sees it: hypnosis spontaneously occurs when we relax, focus attention, and engage in imaginative activity.
Then he walks the reader through some guided imagery that helps to focus attention on positive images. The imaginative/creativity exercises that follow involves exercises with word association, squiggles and shapes you turn into "stuff", headlines that are laughable, and other humorous one-liners.
The Johnson's never say they are the only or the best solution. They say *you* are the only solution; *you* are the best solution to cessation of tobacco use.
The back of the book is a veritable tome of resource places to further your education and find additional help. There are even worksheets to develop a maintenance program for yourself and one in the event that you slip.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a way to end the habit of tobacco use. Other uses of the program's strategies Could include weight control, stress management, and any one going through any life stresses, losses, or who has needs for more stability, resolve, and confidence.

"I was very ready to quit smoking many times in my life. When I began to read Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for LIFE CHANGES, I realized I was reading something very new and different! This book appeals to anyone who needs a fresh approach to "just quitting" Through the use of LIFE CHANGES, I was able to really look at my motives and emotional needs surrounding smoking. The program put me on a path filled with information and humor which I could understand and build upon, using my own creativity. I was amazed at how enjoyable it was to participate in the planning and management of my own program. You will find everything in this book you need to know to finally end this "awful" dependency!"

I have been studying tobacco addiction and helping patients quit for over 25 years...Cessation has every thing to do with packing the brain with reasons to quit and techniques to help accomplish the goal. Each person has to decide which reasons apply personally. LIFE CHANGES is packed full of reasons to quit and exercises to help you take control of your life back from tobacco. It exposes tobacco not as a friend that settles you down and keeps weight off, but an enemy that robs you of over a decade of what should be golden years. I like this book and whole-heartedly recommend it to my patients. Congratulations to David and Carole Johnson! Through their book they will save and touch more lives than they will ever know. This book helps develop tools that, if achieved, will be far more powerful forces to combat tobacco addiction than any patch or gum could be.

I liked the book, but found some of it boring.

I got a note from an amazon customer, congratulating me on my quitting. For all the ones that will be cosidering this book now and feel it is impossible to quit, I strongly reccomend it and its methodology. I myself, after seeing my father quit smoking when he had his third heart surgery and my mother after her eye surgeries, thought I would not be able to do it. However, today is June 6 2007 and since Dec 20 1998 I have been smoke free. Should you know someone who needs help to quit smoking, I am willing to be part of the network support.

Very simple and easy to read guide. Up to date with lots of reccomendations that help. I was a pack and a half a day smoker. I smoked for 17 years. Feel free to contact me should you need support to help you quit. I am buying copies for my friends.

I found this book to be full of helpful ideas to keep you or a loved one off tabacco. It takes you through pre-quiting with great ideas to help you prepare, all the way through to staying smoke free forever. I have been very greatful for this book and recommend it to everyone!

This book helped me realize that I too can quit, and for good!!! It carefully explains statistics, effects and mortality rates, be it gender or age. Each step is very clear and very easy to follow. The Pack Track, notes and defense mechanisms that are given to you in this book will help anyone kick the butts for good!!! Very easy reading and easy on the eyes. Step by step until you are smoke free is the success that comes with this book. Mr. Fisher and Mr. Koop did an outstanding job on this book. The alternatives and attitude changing methods toward smoking are simply superb. Realizations are met on all sides of quitting in this book. From the ones who have quit numerous times to the struggle of relaspes. This book has it all covered. Hypnosis, gum, patches, fading, or whatever method exists, is clearly explained and can be tailored to suit anyone's need on any level!!!

Forget to smoke. Find true happiness. Enjoy the process. One of the very best books I've ever read, hands down. Fully recommended for all.

Full of fun facts and exercises and no pressure! Today is my 4th anniversary and NOPE - Not One Puff Ever in that time.

We've all seen them, the smokers huddled at the doorway of a smoke-free building. For the most part, they seem furtive and possibly embarassed - our society has decided to make smoking a shame-based activity. Enter Bear Gebhardt and his revolutionary approach that emphasizes the inherent dignity and essential worthiness of the smoker. Gebhardt doesn't point fingers, doesn't assign blame. Rather, he employs a message of self-worthiness and practical behavior patterns. If you're a smoker, or care about one, check out this helpful book.

Bear G. has written a book based on many years of clinical, and especially, personal experience. The best thing about this book is it embodies his upbeat view of the world, and optimistic but realistic approaches to the challenges our habits create. I can unreservedly recommend this book to anyone trying to overcome the very difficult and addictive lifestyle of smoking, or tobacco use in general. Bear was recently invited to speak on the subject at a conference at Oxford University; a well- deserved honor because of his ability to help people.

After you've tried everything else, try this. Like any true change, quitting is an "inside-out" job. When you stop beating yourself up and start supporting and understanding yourself, you will be empowered to walk away from smoking forever. My husband quit for good 1 1/2 years ago, cold turkey, after reading only part of the book! He had smoked for 25 years~ but once he truly understood why he'd started and realized that the reason no longer existed for him, that was all it took. Hopefully you'll find this book first, before trying all the other methods~ If you truly want to quit, this will work for you too.

I wish there were more stars to give this book! Its hilarious!... and I'm not even a smoker. Worth whatever money you pay for it (which isn't that much). Highly Recommended.

I smile every time I open this book. Max Brallier's wit paired with the great line drawings--priceless. I'm a nonsmoker...but there are some good arguments here, such as: "That new car smell." Who doesn't hate that?

Funny stuff! Great concept, perfectly executed. Brallier nails it. Perfect gift for smoker and ex-smokers, and should be enjoyed by anybody who knows, was, or is a smoker. Where's this book been all these years?!?!

saw this at barnes and noble yesterday, grabbed it on the way out. full disclosure: i'm not a smoker, but damn near all my friends are. gave it to one for his birthday, he cracked up - could completely identify. def. good gift for a smoker.

There's so much to this little book. No doubt the title will irk some people, but the more I think about it, the more I realize the author's surgical knife may be cutting both ways. The fact is, all smokers have "reasons to smoke," and many of these reasons stay sheltered deep inside their psyches. What Brallier does in 128 pages is expose them all. Well at least most of them. You can't stop flipping the pages because one reason makes you laugh, the next makes you think and the next annoys you. But eventually you'll hit a reason that stops you dead (sorry) in your tracks. Bonk - your secret reason to smoke has been knocked loose from its little hiding place and is lit up under the spotlight. This guy Brallier KNOWS why you smoke. And that's got to take some of the delicious allure out of your smelly habit. So all you priggish bloggers who are freaking out because there's a book out there called "Reasons to Smoke," well maybe Brallier is smarter than you! And by the way - two more "reasons" why this book is so cool: 1.) At $4.95 it's cheaper than a pack of smokes, and 2.) It's so small you can roll it up in your t-shirt sleeve and pretend you're Travolta in Grease.

Thanks goes to Steve Martin for bringing to light a significant, and nearly forgotten, history. Through artifacts (Steve's impressive and beautiful collection of opium paraphernalia, and period photographs) and down to earth story telling, I found myself transported to opium dens in the East and West, and imagined the lives and circumstances of those who were entranced and enveloped by the narcotic.

The pictures are gorgeous, the writing evocative, and the topic and the objects themselves provide a fascinating portal for history.

When the paraphernalia associated with opiates comes to mind what do you picture? Syringes? Drippy candles? Bent spoons? These are the gear of the heroin user but what about heroin's long dead uncle, opium? The paraphernalia of the two drugs couldn't be more different. This book will take you back in time when drug use was at least practised with style and flair. The opium pipes, lamps and other accouterments illustrated in this book are gem-like works or art made from rare and precious materials such as silver, ivory and jade. It's a world long lost but the author manages to bring it back to life for a brief moment and dazzle us with the promises of chemical bliss that tempted our ancestors. Getting addicted back then was no doubt as painful and ruinous as it is today, but they sure knew how to do it in style!

The Art of Opium Antiques is one of the most artfully illustrated and artistically written books on the subject. Throughout its pages Steven Martin traces the cultural use in China alongside the artistry and astounding craftmanship of the time, from the low and common to the truly decedent. Photos of amazingly ornate apparatus are peppered throughout alongside diagrams depicting the main components of a typical pipe or lamp. Historical photos help put one in the mind frame of the times, allowing one to contemplate how this blissful habit, aided by dedicated artisans progressed up until its zenith during the nineteenth century. Martin's vast collection and grasp of the subject are equally great, allowing one to walk away with a greater appreciation for opium related antiquities. There is no doubt this book will help spawn new collectors as well as reconfirm the addiction of the collector aficionado, for this book is a grand spring board for newbies and opium-porn for the serious collector.

Such a great book! Instead of just relating the well-known disastrous effects of opium, the author of this book brings new insight into the history of the drug by exploring Opium paraphernalia as an art form. It works!

We are brought into the mythical Opium dens of a not so distant past, with the rich illustrations of this text. A rare photo of an 1880 Butte, Montana bunkhouse "opium den" is particularly amusing. However, it is the lush photographs of the drug paraphernalia that make this work so worthwhile. The extensive captions that accompany each photograph have enabled the author to not only inform the reader about the use and artistic achievement of these artifacts, but entertain as well.

The result is a more humanizing view of the addiction itself. Knowing that these beautiful instruments were the tools in which to feed a deadly addiction gives us another vantage point to view this era of history.

Anyone with the an interest in the history of China, the Chinese Diaspora living in the USA in the late 18th/19th century or the history of Southeast Asia will find this book particularly fascinating. The Art of Opium Antiques will be an essential addition to your bookshelf.

This book is really helpful to identify antique opium art. I work for Asia Galleries in San Francisco where we sell a lot of antique opium artifacts. I had hard time to find a book that helps me to study about details of opium art, but in this book I see many dampers, pipes, lamps, and opium scrapers are similar to the ones Asia Galleries have; therefore, I was able to gain some knowledge through this book. Now, I am confident to explain details of our antique opium art to customers. I would like to say thank you to Steven Martin.

If you are looking for a Great Cigar book that is written with a touch of class then look no further here it is. I recommend this book to both Male and Female, (Yo!! My fellow men you can learn what women are thinking!! TIP TIP TIP). Author has put knowledge, humor, and class into this book. If you don't read it buy it for your Lady...

I really liked this book. It was funny and I bought a couple for all my girlfriends. Right on, Rhona!

This is a must have for every woman, and men as well. Rhona writes with humor, class, and intelligence like no other. Perhaps I am biased after meeting her. But this is one heck of a book written by a real Lady!!

Great book. Lots of fun. don't leave home without it

I got married last month and gave one to each of my bride's maids at my bachlorette party. They thought it was great.And yes, we did light one up!