Help Yourself

No man is an island that centuries-old adage goes. The problem is sometimes there is no one left to talk to and you can not afford a psychiatrist. What you can afford though is a book.

There are millions of self-help books are available for anyone who needs an enlightened word. It handles a variety of topics so if you need something, you have to do is flip through the self-help and chances are, you will find what you're looking for.

There are some titles that are out there such as, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Atkins Diet Revolution and Overcoming Angers. There are people who are not immediate, but they at least give you a preview of what you'll read if you buy the book. This is chicken soup for the Soul, Do not sweat the small stuff and Awaken the Giant Within.

Then there are those who promise the reader too much like it, Achieve Your Dreams, Make Yourself Happy and Life Without Limits: Conquer Your Fear.

There are so many titles to choose from and we just talked about here in the United States. Some of them have managed to reach other parts of the world and even translated it to accommodate the country. Despite the differences of our race, this self-help books have so much in common. They are optimistic, they speak directly and clearly to the reader and they give the reader the steps he needs to live a fuller life.

Each year, one million Americans buy books so that they become smarter, leaner, more calm, more interesting and richer. In fact, self-help writers get the most popular celebrity status similar to actors and athletes. Take for example Phil McGraw, a self-help books including Self Matters, is a writer-turned-TV talk show host. Then there is Laura Schlesinger is driven to popularity because of his job right Care and feeding of husbands', Anthony Robbins Unlimited Power and Awaken the Giant Within has sparked an international following.

The books have become part of American culture. In fact, some popular TV shows have called them. Take for example, Sex and the City. There is an episode where Kristin Davis wants to get self-help book, but he was too embarrassed to buy it personally, so he bought it online instead.

If you think about it, there are the books way before we even realize it. Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richards Almanac will make the New York Times Bestseller List with her a penny saved is a penny earned, and early to bed and early rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. It is a sentiment most of the books contain in their pages today.

American individualism is best reflected by withdrawing by your bootstraps. Just because no one is around to pick you up, it does not mean that you will give in eventually. Just go to the bookstore and grab a copy of self-help books. Sooner or later, you'll find yourself back up and on your feet again.

Historians say that the books began in the late 1940s when it came out with Dale Carnegie How to Win Friends and Influence People. Others claim that it began in the late 60s and early 70s with the Games People Play which serves as a social and political manual for Political Scientists.

Skeptic and satirist denies the main purpose of the books that say that this is only repeating what our parents taught us and that the author is only banking on the desperation of the reader. Yet there are optimists who believe that words that they read from the book to give them personal empowerment they need to survive the daily battle they face.

Several books discuss ways to challenge the loneliness, depression or obesity. Others advise families how to cope with divorce or death. The teachers are taught how to be more productive in the classroom. Girls are guided during their transition to womanhood. Boys are advised how to handle the class bully. There is so much more. You will be amazed at the unlimited choices you can get when searching for self-help book you need.