I Walk the Line - Rated 
This book makes me think of the Johnny Cash song, "I Walk the Line" and Arlo Guthrie's "Walking the Line." I walk the line in that I feel there are parts of this book that are very helpful to other parts that I feel are far from being helpful.
The parts I didn't feel were helpful were Dr. Dyer's tone of seemingly "just getting over" problems. I have heard Dr. Dyer and on one occasion he tells an audience member who had suffered profound losses to "get over it" and maybe that person could "write a book about those losses." That did not sound very helpful and not everybody is in a position or has the ability level to become an author. However, the rest of the book has good, practical tools of empowerment.
The parts I most related to were the passages on not nodding one's head and pretending to agree with something contrary to one's integrity, beliefs or values. If there is one thing I absolutely detest, it is sycophantic behavior and faux agreement. I don't even pretend to laugh at jokes that I don't find funny!
To its credit, this book can be seen as a tool of empowerment. It outlines a list of self defeating behaviors and some ways of counteracting them. It is not a nostrum nor is it a panacea for all personal ills. It is simply a check list of areas in people's lives where challenges are likely to occur and alternate ways of meeting those challenges.
I think of John Lennon, who introduced himself on the Beatles' 1963 Christmas album, "John here, speaking with his voice!" There is more truth than humor to the Chief Beatle's quip. John never lost his own voice or integrity. He, as Dr. Dyer points out "didn't need their [world at large] approval" to recognize his own worth as a good individual. He did not have to sacrifice or compromise his identity and core values and beliefs for anyone. Dr. Dyer goes into this advanced stage of esteem development in the chapter entitled "You Don't Need Their Approval."
The title of this chapter can be misleading. It is best not to read into this the fallacy that you can bluff and pretend that you neither want nor need approval. That is not true. Everybody wants, needs and deserves approval. The main thrust of that chapter is that one need not do things ONLY for approval - let approval be the byproduct and not the impetus. It is about acceptance of one's self and decisions without making approval be the motivator and by keeping it the byproduct.
Nobody can respect a sycophant and it is doubtful that sycophants respect themselves. Sacrificing one's voice to appease those in charge or those whom the sycophant wants to win over is a price that I feel is not worth paying. The Apple Polisher, as is described in this book waits around for others to voice their opinions, only to chime in as an echo. One does not need permission to have their own opinion and I think it is very sad whenever people feel they have to take this approach to survive socially. Dr. Dyer gives an example of a person who does just that. Readers come away with no respect for the person acting as an echo and that serves as a wake up call to everyone to follow John Lennon's example by speaking in their OWN voices.
I think of people like Lech Walesa, Robert Kennedy, Pope John XXIII who did what they believed was right and in turn changed the world for the better. Many disagreed and even opposed them and what they wanted to do. They stayed true to their core values and beliefs regardless of anyone else's approval and effected great changes in the world. I think that helps to clarify the approval question.
All in all, a decent book. No doubt many readers will come away stepping over many erronenous zones.
Simplicity is best - Rated 
Having read a number of self-help books it was refreshing to stumble upon Dr Wayne Dyer and read something which is so simple yet so profound. If one can not just read this book, but live this book, then your life will become limitless and you´ll be filled with a new sense of optimism and enthusiasm. All i can say is that Dr Dyer struck with brilliantly enlightening effect on the mind of this reviewer. Read the book and you´ll see what i mean....
Good Foundations - Rated
If you have ever wanted to be happier in your life then read thisbook.
This book unlike many others is universal, you don't need abackground in psychology or a believe in God to fully follow it. You justneed to be able to think.
It dosn't even ask you to do anything - just read it.
It may provoke strong reactions - along the lines of trying desperately toprove this book wrong rather than agree that those 'eroneous zones' thatyou possess really are that stupid.
Four years since I read this book I would say that this book contains someof the most important information about living that I have ever beentaught. It's like finding the owners manual for your life - I would haveloved to have read it while I was a child instead of waiting until Ieventually found it.
So, don't buy this book if you -
a) have decided you are not going to read it.
b) want to be unhappy or
c) deliberately do the opposite of what anyone suggests.
otherwise ...
A Definite read for anyone who is 'Growing' in their life... - Rated
If you are living, you are 'growing'...
To eliminate your erroneous zones is not easy, but with the help of this book, I can work at improving my self-love (If you do not love yourself, how are you supposed to love others?) My love relationship and friendship relationships mean the world to me and this book has made them so much more meaningful. Thank you Dyer, you have changed my life!!
Taking control of your life - Rated
There are numerous books which profess to be able to change your life, or at least your perception of life. Over the past fifteen years I must have read at least sixty self improvement books but there are only a small number that I can recall reading. Most never really made an impact, they gave good advice but nothing memorable. 'Your Erroneous Zones' IS one of the ones I can remember reading. It is more than just a book of advice, it has become a reference book for when I feel I am losing control of my life to other people. It acts as a wake up call, like splashing cold water on your face in the morning. It brings you to your senses and makes you realise that you have the power and ability to control your life. I sometimes feel a little embarassed when reading the book, because it makes me realise how weak I am and how much I need to toughen up mentally. As I say, there are only a few self help books which have really made an impact in my life. THIS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THEM !! I would highly recommend this book to you. Good luck in your future.
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