7: The Number for Happiness, Love, and Success

A better, more enriching life is as easy as 1, 2, 3... 4, 5, 6, 7, according to Leo's first foray into authorhood after a long career as editor-in-chief and editorial director of such publications as Child magazine and Reader's Digest . Leo presents a laundry list of arguments, expert opinions and historical factoids for her theory that the number seven is an organizing principle because, as research shows, the brain can only handle seven pieces of information (such as digits) at one time. Seven, she says, can improve productivity, memory, love, learning and life in general by simplifying the overwhelming modern world. She lists seven behaviors for emotional intelligence, education expert Howard Gardner's seven types of intelligence, the seven things that made her friend Ed happy and so on, ad nauseam. Leo's background in short-feature editorial is tightly woven into her narrative structure, and the invasion of mindless tidbits, graphics and number seven sidebars busy up the pages, creating the kind of overstimulation it vows to cure. Advice seekers ought to consider the classic 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for a recipe for success. (Dec.)