Drive Without Fear: The Insecure Driver's Guide to Independence

by Norman Klein

Book Overview

Drive Without Fear is the culmination of thirty-six years of helping insecure people overcome their fear of driving. It demonstrates conclusively that fear and anxiety will not prevent them from... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1587215004
• ISBN13: 9781587215001
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: 1st Book Library
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Easy to read, informative

I really liked this book. I'm in my 20's and have been avoiding the task of getting my driver's license. I think I was mostly scared of it out of lack of knowledge. I never knew how I was supposed to steer or turn. Noone ever explained it to me either. My state's driving manual wasn't much help. It's as if it is assumed that everyone knows this to begin with. On the road I would panic because I really didn't know what I was supposed to do. Then I found this book, and the author explains quite a few things! Not only does he go through driving rules in more detail than there would be in a manual, but he also gives instructions for how to steer, whether it be when you are going straight, turning left or right, parking (angular, parallel), or making a k-turn. There is also a diagram to help you identify the parts under your hood, and even a whole chapter about driving stick shift. Even though reading is different from actually driving, just being given that knowledge makes me feel more confident about learning to drive. This author repeats information alot, but I think it is a good way for the reader to really remember the points that he makes. One of those points he stresses is that no matter how scared you are, the only way to get over it is to just do what you are scared of. He says that as scared as you are, he has taught many people who were also scared how to drive, and even the worst drivers were able to get their licenses because of their determination. They may not feel able to use highways, but they are still able to get around locally. There were some people he taught who had more potential but never got their licenses because they gave up. He actually gives several case examples of people he taught. Though the author identifies his audience as being predominantly older females, this book is really for anyone with a fear of driving. So I say, good luck to you and please wish me good luck, because I am going to get some driving lessons soon!

useful for treatment of driving phobias

i am a practicing psychiatrist and this book clearly presents what is needed in the treatment of phobias--that is clear cut cognitive upgrade of skills that then serve to enhance one's confidence, and thus lower's ones fears around the vexing issue of driving panic. i think this book should be attendant to every local anxiety/stress clinic that focuses on in vivo treatments for panic.

I wish I read it ten years ago

I am 40, and I finally got my driver's license last year. I am still a very nervous driver after a year on the road, and I was hoping for some advice with the problems that I am still having. I was disappointed to realize that I'm not really the book's target audience. I gave it five stars in spite of this because I think if I had found this book when I was struggling to learn, it could have made a big difference to me. This is a book for that person who has tried to learn and thinks they never will. It is less useful for the anxious driver who can get around the neighborhood but is looking to improve skills and confidence to go to the next level. One great thing that I did get out of it is a better knowledge of what I was doing wrong all those years when I couldn't keep a car on the road.

Very helpful

I am 48. I got a license when I was young but never drove because I was just too afraid. I recently moved and driving is a necessity. I bought this book and have read it through 4xs now. It's extremely helpful and reassuring. It's explained so many things that must just be second nature to others but I had to have someone tell me plainly. For example, N. Klein explains how to steer the car and how to make a turn in plain, easy to remember ways. I am driving distances of 100 miles by myself now, and although I am still cautious and nervous, I am driving! I've never written a review but I had to for this book. Thank you, Mr. Klein.