Reviews written by Edward Dreyfus

Review by Sacramento Review: Following an outside- in mentality, we give up our freedom to choose, allowing others to define us by our possessions, jobs, or other externals. When we lose one, our self worth crashes.

Chapter one shows a balance wheel, a strong visual of the areas of our lives. These include: spirituality; community service; health and fitness; relationships; recreation; finances; career and job; and personal and intellectual growth, encircling a nucleus of values. "The eight sectors represent the areas of life, which, according to most psychological researchers, philosophers, theologians, and religious leaders, are essential for a well-balanced life. The center represents values and principles...the core self." Each chapter further helps us discover our core through redefined success, living consciously, integrity, forgiveness, courage, and love. We learn to improve gradually, choose our responses, and learn from disaster.

Many live a false self in order to fit in, but it serves to imprison us to the rules of others, causing stress. Living by our own rules is what leads to a life of integrity. When we live by our core values, we live from the inside out, and not only feel better about ourselves, but also make the world in which we live a little better. Before concluding with steps for change, Dreyfus presents a look at men and masculinity, followed by women and femininity, showing how the outside-in definition has given both a limiting view.

With examples, action plans, and stories throughout Living Life from the Inside Out offers a practical and important message to improve our lives. Dreyfus presents easily understood arguments supporting the premise that how we define who we are does matter. It is obvious that he has researched the subject matter well, but he does not bog down readers with jargon, giving them practical advice that is doable.--Sacramento Book Review

Review by Diane Dickey: Dr. Dreyfus de-mystifies the meaning of life. Thoughtful, practical chapters that instruct the reader on "how to" incorporate useful "hands on" tools to achieve contentment, happiness, well-being. Refreshing-ly simple read, yet profound & powerful. It's "stuff" we all know but don't always apply! If you haven't read a self-help book in awhile, this one will kick start your motivation for change.

Review by Miriam David: This is a wonderful gem of a book that has one foot in psychology and one foot in philosophy. Easy to read, it is a book for essentially healthy people who are struggling with anxieties or other emotional difficulties and who, according to the author, have their life priorities upside down (or inside out, as the title implies.) Dr. Dreyfus lays out a clearly humanistic, realistic approach to understanding the bases for many of our very human problems and follows that with a do-able, non-jargony or overly pathologized way of dealing with the difficulties life presents to many middle or uppper middle class individuals in our society.

The book does not delve into the realm of more serious mental disorders, nor does he discuss recent theories and treatments that have galvanzized the mental health community (i.e., "attachment theory", "neuro-psychological theories", etc.) Doing that might be enlightening to some readers but might also make it less accessible and readable to others. This is a straight talking, non-elitist conversation between an experienced clinician who speaks from the heart (and from his own professional and personal experiences)and his intelligent and hopeful readership. We can all learn something from this book...how and why we live the way we do, why we get stuck at times, how we might change ourselves and our life views and how we just might find more fulfilling paths to living more peaceful, mindful and joyous lives. Lots of food for thought and discussion. Definitely worth reading.

Review by Bert Radio: This wonderful book is a passionate plea for values-based living. In easy-to-read chapters, Dr. Dreyfus combines psychological wisdom with clear steps to a happier, more fulfilling life. There's so much in the book that I had to read a chapter, think about it for a couple of days, and only then go on to the next one. It's a book to read over and over again.

Review by: JJ Henry: I love the simplicity of this book. But don't be fooled by the simplicity. The messages and exercises are powerful. But the author keeps it simple, easy to understand and most importantly easy to put into action to get results. It feels real, down to earth and I could very much relate to the messages and lessons. I saw myself so much in the book and learned a lot about what I want to change. I love that it's a quick and easy read - I actually made time to read this book (which I don't always do). Thanks for making it so easy. Very timely with everything going on in the world and in my life.