The Anger Trap: Free Yourself from the Frustrations That Sabotage Your Life

by Les Carter

Book Overview

It's easy to identify rage in people who lose their temper at traffic jams, unruly children, unresponsive coworkers, and unrealistic bosses. But we may not recognize more subtle manifestations of anger, such as being uncomfortable with loose ends, acting impatiently, or being overly critical. That is anger, too. And, as is so often the case, angry folks don't seem to realize that the behavior causing them problems at home or at work actually stems...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787968803
• ISBN13: 9780787968809
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 199 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Second best book I have ever read!

Dr Carter combines clear explanations with powerful real life examples. This book was used by God to work powerfully in my life!

The Best Book on Anger out There

I've dealt with anger issues for years and have heard plenty of advice and couselling, but this is by far the most practical guide I've encountered. Les's writing style makes his concepts easy to understand, even though the concepts themselves are not simplistic. Les has distilled his 30 years of counseling experience into very useable advice on how to overcome the negative consequences of mishandled anger. While many other authors and counselors major primarily on the causes of anger, they mostly grow frustratingly silent on how to change the negative behavior that stems from anger. While Les doesn't offer a promise that you'll never be angry again if you apply his suggestions, his insights are very helpful in minimizing the harm to others and yourself when that inevitable angry moment comes. This book has been life-changing for me. I heartily recommend it to anyone trying to come to grips with their destructive anger-related behaviors.

Life Changing - Huge Advances

I was first attracted to this book after realizing I am frustrated or angry most of the time. After 5 chapters, I can say that this is what no one ever tells you. Read this book even if you do not consider yourself an angry person. And order one for everyone you care about. A+++++ Many thanks to the authors for this easy to read epiphany. I have been in the dark tooo long. It is time to live to my full potential. With this information I can end the cycle of generation after generation of poor emotional/coping skills.

Dr. Les Carter is an expert on issues of anger

Dr. Les Carter definitely knows his subject and he is an excellent writer. As I read The Anger Trap I felt he was talking directly to me. Instead of giving superficial tips on communicating anger differently, the book prompts the reader to examine patterns of thinking that lay beneath the emotion. I found the chapters on control and pride to be especially enlightening. I strongly recommend this book to anyone trying to get a handle on long-standing problems with anger.

Finally ... hope for a way out!

Dr. Les Carter has done it again! No wonder he is called "America's Anger Expert." With The Anger Trap he has put together his years of experience and wisdom on this important subject to provide us with a way out of this insidious trap called anger. Years ago I read his first book on the subject, Good 'N Angry (now out of print, I believe), and more recently completed his very practical best-seller, The Anger Workbook. Both exercises helped me deal with issues that subtly yet surely were negatively affecting my life and relationships.Now comes, I believe, Dr. Carter's "magnum opus." One of the values of The Anger Trap is that Carter not only identifies anger and it's nature, but deals with the root causes (such as fear, loneliness, rejection, insecurity, and especially pain.) "Angry people are hurting, fragile people," Carter points out. And, "At the heart of anger is a cry for respect." But, to me, one of the most insightful observations Carter makes is, "As illogical as it may be, it can seem to outside observers that chronically angry people have a strong commitment to keeping distasteful emotions alive." Carter encourages us to deal with these underlying causes if we are to have any kind of meaningful victory over anger.The chapter on dependency and hidden insecurity (Chapter 6: "Insecurity's Hold on Angry People") is especially interesting and illuminating. In this chapter Carter discusses how angry people are so busy trying to make others take responsibility for their own emotional stability that they stay stuck in the anger they want to be free of. But, my favorite chapter is called "Higher Priorities," (Chapter 14) where Carter leads us down the path to deliverance from the destructive aspects of anger. He points out the need to make a commitment to traits like kindness, patience, and forgiveness. It shows what life can be like outside the anger trap.Over the years I have found Dr. Carter's books to be right on target--insightful, easy-to-read, and filled with practical wisdom and application. The Anger Trap is no exception ... and a welcome addition to his valuable contributions. Everyone with any kind of anger issues should buy this book and digest it deliberately and carefully. As Dr. Carter reminds us, we all have choices. We can choose to face the ugly dimensions of our anger and be freed from this trap forever!