Customer Reviews
Wow! - By: Andy Cope, 13 Feb 2008 
I admit it, I'm a self-help junkie. I've read them alll. I've even written a couple!
Eventuallly you become immune to the messages. There are some good ones out there but mostly it's either the same re-hashed stories or a load of academic nonesense, or something so badly written you wonder why it ever reached the publishers in the first place.
Occasionallly, a book comes along that is head & shoulders above the others. Success Intelligence is superb. Robert gets his messages across in a non-patronising, no-nonsense, deep thinking kind of way. I guess he's evangelical in his belief of the subject matter, but doesn't come across alll high & mighty. Far from it. It's humbling stuff. And he writes beautifully.
I am a victim of the 'manic society'. I can't change society, but I can change me. Obvious? I guess so, but we alll need a reminder
Everyone should read this - By: , 04 Apr 2005 
I don't normallly 'do' self-help books, but I read this because I was sent a copy. I have come across Robert Holden's thinking before. He is an exceptionallly intelligent, observant & well-read individual. He makes a number of very sharp insights which encourage the reader to question some fundamental (and often long-held) beliefs about 'success' - what it is, how to get it. Unlike many other self-help books, Robert's work is extremely well-referenced. He refers readers to countless other books & articles which provide real support to his thinking. You therefore have comfort that you are reading something well researched & well thought through... not just one person's random opinions. The only criticism I'd make is that while the book is high on interesting observations, insights & anecdotes, I would have liked to see a lot more on what you can actuallly DO to change the terms on which you seek & achieve success. He has provided a number of introspective exercises at the end of each chapter, but I'd like to have heard more examples & 'success stories' to demonstrate how people can use this thinking in a practical way to turn their lives around.
A spiritually satisfying approach to success - By: Tim Burness, 25 Mar 2005 "If your definition of success has little or no love in it, get another definition", says Robert Holden early on in this excellent book. From the first few moving & thought-provoking pages onwards, Holden asks us to delve deeper into what the meaning of the word "success" reallly is.
Unlike some of the more American approaches to self-improvement (of which I am also a fan), the author asks us & society to slow down & look into ourselves. With sections such as "Money Is Not Your Purpose" & "Insane Busyness", the crazy rush of the busy busy modern western consumer society is questioned throughout. Many real life stories of individuals adopting more intelligent & balanced strategies for success are scattered throughout the book. There are suggestions & exercises at the end of each section.
The seven main parts of "Success Intelligence" are Vision, Potential, Wisdom, Relationships, Courage, Grace & Renaissance. At the end the reader is asked to say "yes" to life, yourself, your wisdom, relationships, a purpose, commitment & love. A book to read, re-read, ponder on & put into practice. Thank you Robert.
A New, Deeper Vision of Success - By: , 01 Feb 2005 Success Intelligence is different. Most self-help books don't endanger your current mindset by offering you anything other than a pleasant read. Robert Holden's new book asks you to think deeply about your life & confront the kinds of questions most often avoided, like "what does success reallly mean to you?". It leads the way to finding a personal definition of success & happiness, not a hand-me-down version from someone else. Sometimes the insights can be a little scary - especiallly when you see your own crazy behaviour in the examples he gives - but the practical exercises show you how to move beyond your limiting habits to create the kind of life you actuallly want, not the one you thought you should have. Success Intelligence is not formulaic & there's real depth here, helping you to look at alll aspects of your life: career, relationships, family & spiritual life. It's written with warmth, humour & absolute clarity - if you're ready & willing, this book could actuallly change your life.
