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2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Proofreading: What a Bore... Jun 11, 2004
Mr. Goodner's tone and voice are strong and enjoyable, and his logic is excellent. The book covers a considerably narrower set of definitions for "co-dependent" than I had hoped. I had wanted to read a refutal or new perspective on co-dependent relationship dynamics as described by Robert Burney and Melanie Beattie; instead, Mr. Goodner uses most of the book to support his case for refusing to accept the term "co-dependent." He points out the illogical origins of the term and emphasizes that mental health workers have a professional duty to stick to the DSM when making their diagnoses. I agree. Just, caveat emptor if you're looking to read about "love versus toxic love" as I was. And caveat emptor anyway for verbosity and shoddiness - Mr. Goodner has probably never read Strunk & White, and he is an inconsistent speller. Co-dependant or co-dependent? Got editor?P.S. - My favorite thing in the book was an aside in which Mr. Goodner asserted that committing rape is not about being in control, but about using aggression to get what you want (in that case, sex), much as a mugger uses aggression to get money. That got me started thinking about the whole range of methods people use to manipulate others into giving them what they want - aggression, charm, negotiations, lawyers. I suppose if there's a level of mutual agreeability to the outcome of such manipulation, then it's no longer manipulation, just negotiation, or maybe just social interaction. I would imagine there's a mutual agreeability threshold below which the initiator of the interaction qualifies as "antisocial." P.P.S. - I wish you the best, Mr. Goodner, and thanks for the cute raccoon picture.
5 of 10 found the following review helpful:
 Instead of trashing Mar 24, 2004
Instead of just trashing someone else's work (that has helped many, many people) does this author actually have anything of use to say? Why write a book tearing down other people's work instead of adding your own original work? Any therapy can be abused to a silly extreme... that doesn't negate the proper use of the therapy itself. And what's with the automatic belittling of "affluent white women"? Is one's affluence (...)and race a buffer to all psychological problems and pain? I think jealousy has reared it's ugly head with this author- not only in envying the success of someone else's work but in the personal vendetta against "affluent white women". I bet you anything this author's mother was an "affluent white woman"!
5 of 9 found the following review helpful:
Wish I could say, "What a bore...." Jan 21, 2004
What can I say? I agree with Rick that the whole codependency thing is a joke, always was and always will be. I confess too that I give him only four stars as he's part of the profession that has been somewhat responsible for perpetuating the codependency scare. In reality, codependency is a way of white largely women from relatively affluent backgrounds to make themselves into victims. Then they can go to meetings and "help each other out." Fortunately, I think the "condition's" heyday is long gone. Like the "men's movement," it's now surviving on it's long term "victims." Anyway, this is fun. Read it and don't bother with the Beattie screeds.
3 of 5 found the following review helpful:
 Wow! Dec 08, 2003
I love this book! It's got everything! Humor, Psychology, Co-dependent-bashing, Politics, Wit, Humor, Lore, Wisdom, Humor, Sarcasm, Not-so-common sense, and on and on. What a gem is Rick Goodner and his book, Co-dependent...What a Bore...
6 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Co-dependent...What a Bore and Other Clinical Observations Aug 09, 2003
Even if you don't subscribe to Mr. Goodner's doctrine, which is so uncommonly sensitive, this book is a GREAT READ! (You will laugh aloud, even hysterically at one point.) Full of daring witticism and intellectual perceptions, this book will jar the senses, especially in the professional world, I think. Thank you for caring, Mr. Goodner. Will you be my personal spiritual guru?
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