I've just finished reading Chin-Ning Chu's Secrets of the Rainmaker - Success Without Stress.

Personally, I thought it was an absolute piece of crap - in fact, I didn't even read right to the end. There was nothing in the book of any real substance or value.... it was just the author preaching her own religious beliefs and not really giving any insight into ways of achieving success.

Has anyone else read this book? If so, what was your thoughts?

Amazon doesn't even have it. I was hoping to read some reviews. Can you tell us what crux of the philosophy is?

Amazon doesn't even have it. I was hoping to read some reviews. Can you tell us what crux of the philosophy is?

Tom,

I just discovered that the title is different in the USA... over there it is called Do Less, Achieve More.

Here is a link to Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060392703/104-6370134-6049547?v=glance

I couldn't find any reviews though.

The main message is to submit to God, and everything will be fine. There is also some stress relief techniques discussed such as meditation, but I found it lacking in quality information on achieving success. :)

If you go down to the bottom of that page you can see the customer reviews...there are 19 of them.

They are mostly good, but there are a couple bad ones and one sounded much like yours. :)


"Glib - a disappointing book written to a formula., December 27, 1998
Reviewer: An Amazon.com Customer
Published in 1997 in Australia as "The Secrets of the Rainmaker - Success without Stress" this book is simply not "incredible", "inspirational" nor "remarkable" as claimed by the publishers. Although I generally appreciate books of this genre, which blend Eastern and Western thinking, and apply it to life and business, this book provided me no added insights or value. Why? Because for me it was a glib set of true-isms, which came across as a well-organised set of lecture notes for the motivational speaking circuit. They were positive thoughts, but when you close the book there is nothing left. The author has a formula for success and to me this book was a mechanical exercise in cranking the handle of her successful efforts of the past. Of no lasting value, unless you know nothing of this style of Asian thinking, in which case it might be of 2-star value to you. "

I agree with the review above, though I'm sure their are plenty of people who did like the book. I felt as though the author was describing her religious views as absolutes... and that was what turned me off the book.

Each to his own I guess...

I do agree with some of the Taoist concepts though. It does often seem to me that the more I let go and relax, the more I do attract positive things.

edited to add...

But it has to be balanced with the right type of positive thought. If one has a negative vibration, relaxing might only increase the results of that vibration, thus attracting more negative things.

I have read quite a bit about Buddhism and Zen and a little about Taoism. Their philosophies seem to carry a similar message... to unclutter the mind, relax and let go of negative thoughts (among other things).

I agree that using these philosophies does significantly reduce stress levels and improve overall happiness. I guess with this book I was looking for specific techniques for achieving success.

Maybe this book is more suitable for people looking for ways to reduce stress and increase happiness, rather than achieving goals etc.