Reviews
Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life: A Kick-Butt Approach to a Better Life by Larry Winget
caroledford's review against another edition
1.0
I found this book an absolute chore to read. I was reading this for a class, otherwise I never would’ve picked it up. There is absolutely nothing new about his “tough love” approach. He spends entirely too much of this book trying to convince us he’s different. If he was actually different, would he really have to work so hard to convince us? At the same time, he’s shamelessly plugging his other books, which I assume are equally awful. At the end of the day, he seems to be just as much of a scam as the other self help “gurus” he claims to dislike so much.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
4.0
2005 was a pretty good year for reading, since I read a lot on the commute when I lived in Houston (about the only good thing out of that hideous commute to the city). Anyhow, here is my impression of this book from my journal back then:
>>This is a good, smart, straight forward self-help advice book. I think my director selected it for the business section, but the author addresses all walks of life. Basically, the idea is to take responsibility for your life. Don't like it, change it, but it has to come from you. Also, reminds me of little things like "a deal is a deal" and treat others better than you would yourself. A lot of it actually boils down to love and happiness. If you love what you do, and you are happy, success will come. Things happen, that is life. But get over it, learn and grow, and move on. Winget even does a bit of advocating for reading. He even talks a bit about sex, which is the coolest thing, and a right thing (as in good, not right wing). Teach children this with respect, responsibility, and safety, and the kids will be fine.<<
Definitely a book with something for everyone.
>>This is a good, smart, straight forward self-help advice book. I think my director selected it for the business section, but the author addresses all walks of life. Basically, the idea is to take responsibility for your life. Don't like it, change it, but it has to come from you. Also, reminds me of little things like "a deal is a deal" and treat others better than you would yourself. A lot of it actually boils down to love and happiness. If you love what you do, and you are happy, success will come. Things happen, that is life. But get over it, learn and grow, and move on. Winget even does a bit of advocating for reading. He even talks a bit about sex, which is the coolest thing, and a right thing (as in good, not right wing). Teach children this with respect, responsibility, and safety, and the kids will be fine.<<
Definitely a book with something for everyone.
wilczynska's review against another edition
3.0
Tough love in the beginning. Personal life philosophy (emphasis on the *personal*) for about the last 1/3 or 1/2 of the book. It's applicable, but less about the reader than the first part. I don't agree with everything he says, but he sticks to his convictions, and that's something.
williamsdebbied's review against another edition
4.0
Nothing earth-shattering here, but I enjoyed the book. Winget's message is simple--quit complaining about how bad your life is and get up and do something about it. I recommend the audiobook version.
marrije's review
3.0
Annoying, but mostly useful. Though I really really resent him telling people it is OK to write in books!
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