Who's Pulling Your Strings?: How to Break the Cycle of Manipulation and Regain Control of Your Life: How to Break the Cycle of Manipulation and Regain

by Harriet B. Braiker

Book Overview

A powerful program to stop manipulators in their tracks

In Who's Pulling Your Strings?, Dr. Harriet B. Braiker, New York Times bestselling author of The Disease to Please, explains how depression, low self-esteem, anger, and feelings of helplessness can be caused by relationships with manipulative people. She exposes the most common methods of manipulators, and with the help of selfassessment quizzes, action plans,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071446729
• ISBN13: 9780071446723
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Break free!

This book was soooo helpful and I really felt empowered by the practical help that she offers. It's an easy read and very comforting. The best parts are: the insights she offers that explain what goes on in the dynamic between manipulator and "target"; what a manipulator thinks; why the "target" always gets stuck with people like manipulators; you can't reason with a manipulator beause of their insecurities but you can reason with your own insecurities; and best of all are the practical ways you can change your behavior to take back the power. I like that the author addresses your own behavior and actions, the easiest thing to manage in situations like these.

Educational insight

I found this book extremely helpful in explaining the syndrome of manipulation, and more importantly, it gave me some practical advice for responding and feeling less like a victim. I learned two stark realities from reading it. First of all, do not attempt to reason with a manipulator, as their feelings and needs are all that matter to them and you are wasting your time. These personalities seldom change. Coming to terms with this helped trememdously in releasing frustration. Secondly, manipulation continues because it works - period. One must break the cycle of success, and this book gives some solid tools to facilitate just that.

An excellent read

This is a very helpful book with lots of good suggestions on how to protect yourself from being a target. Very easy to read.

Highly Recommended

Although I purchased this book in order to better cope with the inevitable interactions with my daughter's father, I discovered much more. Those little problems I was having at work...I was convinced that my high stress levels (with said ex) where causing me to forget things become easily confused & constantly find myself with too much work to do. She was a stealth manipulator hiding behind a sweet, pious facade. I brought some of these indications to my boss's attention & we instantly realized that we, both were her victims!! To be able to spot 'em a mile away: An invaluable skill.

Excellent Insight!

This book is a must read if you've been in any sort of manipulative relationship weather it be romantic, friendships, or family related. Not only are the hints helpful in recognizing WHEN you're being manipulated, but it provides the tools necessary to combat manipulative situations. Every aspect of this book applied in my life somewhere and in multiple areas such as work, home, love, family, and friends. A MUST read for everyone as we've all been prey to manipulators at one time or another. On an alternate note, there are also scenarios in this book that might make you think of a time or times that you have manipulated others. It's helpful to have these pointed out and be conscious of your own manipulative tactics even if you weren't aware of them previously.