rwaringcrane's review against another edition
4.0
Engaging wisdom for navigating the inevitable in life -- change. I read this book as background for writing The Small Guide to Life's Big Changes. My focus is the practices that healthy people to use in times of change, so I found William's work with individuals in transition very helpful. Happily, I own a copy and underlined with abandon.
No coincidence I'm sure, but as I read, I realized that I am processing my own transitions -- as a writer completing a project, as well as a human revisiting some unfinished business from previous transitions. The three phases Williams outlines 1) death 2) the neutral zone and 3) new beginning gave me a framework for what I face and insight into some of the feelings that well up as I do the work of the messy neutral zone.
Along with varied stories of people Williams worked with in his first Transition Seminar, references to mythic stories enlivened the text and made for an interesting as well as instructive read.
No coincidence I'm sure, but as I read, I realized that I am processing my own transitions -- as a writer completing a project, as well as a human revisiting some unfinished business from previous transitions. The three phases Williams outlines 1) death 2) the neutral zone and 3) new beginning gave me a framework for what I face and insight into some of the feelings that well up as I do the work of the messy neutral zone.
Along with varied stories of people Williams worked with in his first Transition Seminar, references to mythic stories enlivened the text and made for an interesting as well as instructive read.
loomistj's review against another edition
3.0
3/5 - Ala the kbook your dad gifts you for Christmas after being fired from your job.
I thought the main point of the three steps to transitions in self and life (The ending, neutral zone, and beginning) to be insightful. I actually found the discussions regarding relationships the most beneficial versus work. But for a book that is so short, it really felt like points could have been made in half the duration. It felt very redundant.
Also, he constantly discussed how old rituals were helpful for these stages in life and how we don't have them any more. But he also discussed how we can't benefit from these types of traditions anyways, so I found the contents return to discussion on this topic a bit tiring.
I thought the main point of the three steps to transitions in self and life (The ending, neutral zone, and beginning) to be insightful. I actually found the discussions regarding relationships the most beneficial versus work. But for a book that is so short, it really felt like points could have been made in half the duration. It felt very redundant.
Also, he constantly discussed how old rituals were helpful for these stages in life and how we don't have them any more. But he also discussed how we can't benefit from these types of traditions anyways, so I found the contents return to discussion on this topic a bit tiring.
sethjames's review against another edition
4.0
I connect with this book a lot as someone in what seems like an unending state of transition. Very helpful insights into the process of ending, navigating the neutral zone of the transition, and identifying the new beginnings that emerge. The writing is a little choppy, but the content will be helpful in my future work and future life transitions.
inthecommonhours's review against another edition
3.0
Another random pick at the library. I had never heard of it, but liked several of his points. I especially appreciated his point about how often people will create change, make big decisions or changes, just to avoid the real work of transition.
mhewza's review against another edition
2.0
There are useful nuggets in this, but this book seemed to be quite heavily targeted at those who are going through the retirement or unemployment process. A lot of the explanations hinge on analysis of Greek mythology - Odysseus, Oedipus, Psyche - which makes it feel a bit like a student’s essay rather than an authoritative text.
The most insightful section focused on the ‘neutral zone’ - the period between an end and adjusting to a new beginning - and the advice for coping with the neutral zone (if you’re lucky enough to have one; again, it seems to apply more to retirement or unemployment).
To give a flavour of the language of this book, before reaching the neutral zone, the following steps will take place: disengagement, dismantling, disidentification, disenchantment and disorientation. After which, there’s a new beginning.
I’d recommend reading the first chapter and the last chapter and skipping the middle.
The most insightful section focused on the ‘neutral zone’ - the period between an end and adjusting to a new beginning - and the advice for coping with the neutral zone (if you’re lucky enough to have one; again, it seems to apply more to retirement or unemployment).
To give a flavour of the language of this book, before reaching the neutral zone, the following steps will take place: disengagement, dismantling, disidentification, disenchantment and disorientation. After which, there’s a new beginning.
I’d recommend reading the first chapter and the last chapter and skipping the middle.
jknee54's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting points about translation vs. change. Definitely a book that could be reread frequently at different times throughout a person’s life.
ajsdf's review against another edition
5.0
I read, and then immediately began rereading this book. I love his tone and style. I have much to ponder. I recommended it to a friend, and she said she's sure she recommended it to me several years ago, and either loaned me her copy, or got it from the library. There's next to nothing I remember, but I am so glad to be reading it now.