• The 3rd Alternative

  • Solving Life's Most Difficult Problems
  • By: Stephen R. Covey
  • Narrated by: Dr. Breck England
  • Length: 16 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (326 ratings)

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The 3rd Alternative  By  cover art

The 3rd Alternative

By: Stephen R. Covey
Narrated by: Dr. Breck England
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Publisher's summary

A legacy work from the multimillion copy best-selling author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People -hailed as the #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century - The 3rd Alternative introduces a breakthrough approach to conflict resolution and creative problem solving. One of Time magazine’s 25 most influential Americans, Dr. Stephen R. Covey has helped millions transform their lives. In The 3rd Alternative Covey turns his formidable insight to creative problem solving, presenting a powerful new way to resolve professional and personal difficulties and create solutions to great challenges in organizations and society.

The 3rd Alternative transcends the traditional solutions to conflict - my way or your way - by forging a path toward a creative solution - a third option - that is far better than what either party proposes. Covey profiles in this work a wide range of innovative 3rd Alternative thinkers in fields including business, politics, law, education, policing, health, and family. Through stories and examples, Covey tells listeners how to build strong relationships with diverse individuals based on the notion of winning together and demonstrates how this can generate innovative solutions and growth.

Beyond compromise, beyond mediation, The 3rd Alternative represents a radical, creative new way of thinking. Dr. Covey considers this his legacy work - a groundbreaking, but practical work that demonstrates why 3rd Alternative thinking represents the supreme opportunity of our time.

©2011 Stephen R. Covey (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

What listeners say about The 3rd Alternative

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good So Far Except for the Narrator

Haven't finished listening to it yet, about half way through. So far it is okay, would recommend 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by S. R. Covey if you already haven't read it. Just a lot of examples of win win thinking. Main problem with this audiobook is the Narrator. I think he would be good for books of fiction, not with this book. He makes it hard to listen too. Slowly listening to the book despite him, but he makes it difficult. I can only listen to him in small chunks. I would avoid any book narrated by him in the future.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A clear message.

Not the best narration. A long book with some clear messages. As usual Covey really delivers deep insight into our lives. Could have been shorter, but worth listening to.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Hard to listen to.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator tried to sound like Stephen Covey but his lows were too low and I found myself adjusting the volume throughout.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The baby steps for a peace maker and world changer

Would you listen to The 3rd Alternative again? Why?

Yes. I like the narrators voice because its like I'm listing to a wise man pouring his life knowledge in to my head. It grabs my attention and motivates me -

What other book might you compare The 3rd Alternative to and why?

7 Habit of highly effective people

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

yes

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

This book will shatter your ideal of compromise being the best way to handle strong or minor differences.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Not worth the time to listen, really

Don't get me wrong. The message of the 3rd alternative is insightful and useful. It would have been a revelation in a 20-minute lecture. But this went on for 14 hours.
Similarly many of the stories used as illustrations were useful and contained some sage advice, however most had nothing to do with the point of the third alternative. The better stories were about thinking outside the square, not a 3rd alternative.
Save yourself the time and read a book summary.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great motivational and practical book.

I enjoyed listening to this book. I think i will lisyen to it a few times. There is do much for me to learn.

This book teaches you how to be a better person, a better coworker, a better manager, a better citizen, a better husband or wife, a better student. This book shows you how to proceed when you are not satisfied with the appearent dilemas.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Extremely useful book

Got a lot of ideas for both my life and career, highly recommended to every type of reader.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Breakthrough Manual to Build a Better World

Would you consider the audio edition of The 3rd Alternative to be better than the print version?

For me Yes, I do a lot of driving and that is a great time to listen to good books. I listened to this one several times now and each time it moves me to have great hope for overcoming the many difficulties we are creating for ourselves, on every level! It is also a great motivator for me because I recognize the weight and value of living responsible and godly lives: we can do it if we all start waking up to the gifts we have been given and develop them to make our own unique contributions.One problem with the reading of the book is that in the first part there is too much volume difference between soft spoken and louder spoken words. With the road noise it is often hard to hear the softer spoken sections. Later in the book that gets better. I was spoiled by Stephen Covey reading his own books; he has a very steady voice and is easy to hear.Another Seattle Covey Fan.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The 3rd Alternative?

The Richmond Story, The Palestinian and Jewish musicians, The new way to deal with legal disputes...

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

In the beginning too much of a loudness difference so some parts of the sentence are hard to understand with road noise. Later on that improved. A slight nuance shift from emotion to excitement might improve it as well.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Always look for the third Alternative

Any additional comments?

I will listen to it again...

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

By far, the best book I've ever read!

This book is so inspiring, practical, positive, thought provoking, important. It describes a life journey that if adapted - can make all the difference in world!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Life changing!

What made the experience of listening to The 3rd Alternative the most enjoyable?

This book opened my eyes and intro used me to the third alternative. Covey teaches us something that we have always known was there and wanted to live. His words of wisdom can bless families, businesses, and politicians.

What did you like best about this story?

The true principles taught.

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1 person found this helpful