cover image Choosing Easy World

Choosing Easy World

Julia Rogers Hamrick, St. Martin's, $19.99 (224p) ISBN 9780312623630

Choose to live "in Easy World, where everything is easy," cede controlling tendencies, and trust in a higher power and, Hamrick assures, the universe will do the rest. First, the author distinguishes between want and need; the universe will not provide you (to whom her book is dedicated) with a Porsche, for instance. While the roots of her advice are obvious, as is the metaphor behind her terminology (Eden), much of the author's analysis is wrapped up in pseudo-science, brand strategy, or creative interpretations of psychological principles. Nutritional advice is sound but uninspired (eat whole grains, lots of fruit and vegetables, avoid processed foods) and seems included only to help turn a one-sentence self-help aphorism into a book. While Hamrick's essential idea may prove of use to some, her attempts to dress it up with justifications are at best sloppy and at worst irresponsible. Readers may find her techniques useful, but most likely they'll choose another book down the shelf that promises a more realistic and applicable approach to our uneasy world. (Aug.)