Changes That Heal

Publisher's Summary

This program focuses on four developmental tasks: bonding to others, separating from others, integrating good and bad in our lives, and taking charge of our lives. We must all accomplish these goals in order to heal our inner pain, to enable us to function, and to grow emotionally.

©2002 Henry Cloud (P)2008 Zondervan

Changes that Heal

The content of the book was very good. However, the reader's style was awkward and his cadence seemed unnatural which served to distract me from the listening. There were several misreads in the second half of the book and that was very distracting. The editing process somehow was missed and made the audio less than desirable.

26 of 27 people found this review helpful

Terrible production, excellent book

I have to explain that I only give this 2 stars because the production isn't even fully edited. There are flubs, re-reads, etc. by the narrator. Most occur in the last 1/4 of the book. I guess they figured you might get bored of listening to a self-help type book by then, but I didn't. Dr. Henry Cloud has written another excellent book addressing relationships from his unique perspective of psychology and spirituality. The content gets 4 stars, the production gets a 2 stars.

38 of 40 people found this review helpful

A different way to approach relationship

This book is an excellent self improvement tool based upon christian values. I have read the book, watched the video, and listened to the audiobook. Each time I learn something different. The message of this book is that we are the only people we can change. Heard that before? Sure, but Dr. Cloud then offers tools with which to accomplish this while we relate to others in our lives. Great book.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Life-Changing material!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended this book to several people, who like me, were living in a perpetual cycle that would always lead us back to the same miserable spot of not quite achieving the contentment we had always longed for. When I decided to take my life off of what I call "auto-pilot," I first read Drs. Cloud and Townsend's book "Boundaries," which I had on my shelf for years. After reading it from cover to cover I realized I needed help to figure out WHY I had such a hard time with boundaries. Because I liked the style in which "Boundaries" was written, I looked Cloud and Townsend up on Audible and found this book. It was exactly what I needed to figure out where I have gone off track in my life and how to get back on track. "Changes That Heal" indeed continues to heal me, as I listen to it repeatedly, as well as a few other books that help me stay in a healthy mindset, reminding me of who I REALLY am, and how to express myself to those around with whom I struggle communicating. The narrator can over-dramatize the material at times, but don't let that deter you from the message that is being conveyed. I have since bought other Audible books by Dr. Cloud and have completely enjoyed the ones he has narrated himself.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Changes That Heal?

It never ceases to amaze me how I can listen to a chapter and get something new out of it each time.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Dick Fredricks?

He is not the worst narrator, though I feel he would occasionally over-dramatize the content of the book.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. Ultimately it helped me to really evaluate the things in my life that I felt were not working, and gave me solutions on how to change those things.

Any additional comments?

I would pretty much buy any book that Dr. Cloud writes. He has a firm grasp of the human psyche and how it relates to those around us.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Am going to buy a case and give one to everyone.

The content of this book is eye opening, engaging, thought provoking and helpful in making the transition from twisted thinking to Godly thinking. It is "How to win friends and influence people" for those who would like to live out an authentic Christian life not the hypocritical judgmental one.
The only down side is the editing. It sounds like the part 2 was not edited well with several of the readers comments like, "Let me do that again." and, "oops, thats not right." Still in the recording. Part 2 2:04:07, 2:06:40, 2:15:24, 2:17:30.
They get a little distracting from the content but other then this, a phenomenal book and listen!

12 of 13 people found this review helpful

Changes That Heal

This audible book was terrible at the end! There were portions left on the recording that should have been edited out!

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Hard copy is great - audio is hard to listen to.

If you could sum up Changes That Heal in three words, what would they be?

Life changing book.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I will need to keep this as a reference and will likely read it again and again.

How could the performance have been better?

Very dry and computer sounding, making it difficult to listen to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Boundaries are necessary to be truly happy.

Any additional comments?

Really hope they record this one again - maybe with Henry doing the narrating. I would definitely buy it again!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Priceless information. Narration poor.

Where does Changes That Heal rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Outstanding information written by an author who provides extremely valuable professional information about how the human personality developes and what to do to fill in the gaps of the human maturation process. This should be a primer in all psychology classes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Changes That Heal?

Explaining the roots of co-dependency and bonding.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Dick Fredricks?

Henry Cloud, the author, has a "easy" matter-of-fact way about him. When he reads, he sounds informative without sounding "preachy."

Any additional comments?

I wish I had read this book before having children. I would have been a much more effective parent.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The narrator wrecks it.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I am honestly surprised that the authors allowed this audiobook to be released (though they may not have had much say in the matter), because it really is compromised by the narrator. There is high quality, thought-provoking information here, but it was almost impossible to "hear" it due to the narrator's overbearing performance. His voice sounds harsh, angry, even drunk/bellering at times, and he is utterly unable to portray a female voice (many male narrators are very good at this, so I think this is a fair criticism). I really wanted to hear the message here, but after a few hours of listening, I just couldn't bear to go back to that crushing voice. It was giving me heartburn.

What did you like best about this story?

There is insightful and spiritually-based, but non-prudish information here.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Dick Fredricks?

I think that one of the authors should have narrated this book. They are both very talented AND obviously they understand the significance of the material.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

NO.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good stuff

What did you love best about Changes That Heal?

This book has set me on a course to right the wrong thinking that has contributed to my depression for so long. I am seeing a glimmer of hope that I can defeat some of the emotional pitfalls that have ensnared me in the past. Great book. Enjoyed the reader's voice and inflection. I have recommended this book numerous times to friends who are having a difficult time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Changes That Heal?

When he was describing a woman who continued to blame others for her emotional/mental state and said that she continues to remain stuck as an embittered woman not taking ownership of where she found herself. I don't want to be that person!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

If you are willing to look at yourself with brutal honesty and accept the advice being offered in this film, it can be life-changing.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful