The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People & The 8th Habit (Special 6-Hour Abridgement)

By: Stephen R. Covey

Narrated by: Stephen R. Covey

Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

This new audio set is a very special abridgement of two of Stephen R. Covey's best-selling business books, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8th Habit, read by Dr. Covey himself. We've condensed the content of two entire books into just six hours of audio, but you'll still enjoy Dr. Covey's lessons on powerful personal change and how to incorporate his ideas into your life to fulfill your ultimate potential.

©2005 Franklin Covey

Critic Reviews

" The 7 Habits have the gift of being simple without being simplistic." (M.Scott Peck)

Very good

I've been avoiding the "7 habits", since I tend to be an anti-joiner, and it got real popular, almost "cult" like. Also, I tried to tackle the book a long time ago, and got bogged down right away.

This is a great listen, as well as great content. I listened to the "6 hour" version, but now I'm thinking I should get the 12 hour version.

One warning about this version -- particularly near the beginning the adbridgement is really lame. A professional-sounding announcer (not a compliment, from me) introduces each snip, which can be amazingly short sometimes, "sound-bite" sized. It seemed like they quit this annoying habit (!) about a third or half the way through (or I just tuned it out).

Even so, if you want a bit more than a "taste" of the 7 habits, I recommend this book -- it has the potential to be life-changing. I'm wondering if I should go get a "7 habits" organizer. Not sure I ready for that, but it sure inspires me to do some kind of follow-through so that it's more than just a read.

53 of 53 people found this review helpful

Wish had it earlier - although we all know it!

Would you consider the audio edition of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People & The 8th Habit (Special 6-Hour Abridgement) to be better than the print version?

Yes...This book is a encyclopedia of the self help literature from the past centuries. The author has summarized the main teachings about the topic into seven basic tenats. The stress is on self improvement and principle change - supported by not just vague or ambigous, open to interpretation ways to improve one self, he teaches specific examples in daily life, touch points in our work/life where we can start making changes and see expected results. The best part of the book - this does not teach you to be pretentious, or one of the 'How to manage your perception' prescriptions, it states that to achieve harmony and as a result being effective, one needs to make fundamental changes to one's guiding principles and the rest follows. The author cites great examples and suggestions.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People & The 8th Habit (Special 6-Hour Abridgement)?

The discussion on going from perosnal level of effectiveness to greatness!

What does Stephen R. Covey bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The expressions of speech, first hand knowledge from the master and above all a great well paced peep into a great way to organise one's self and beyond.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Emotional bank Account

Any additional comments?

One thing missing was if there was some complementing material with the audio file, especially where they base the discussion on graphs and diagrams, it is better to have the visuals as well..Maybe in future, for books where they talk of conceptual models to explain something, the audio file could be accompanied with perhaps those few pages from the book, so user doesnt miss out on anything at all.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Very Good

The abridged version is very well compiled. The short introductions between the book excerpts are a good idea and very helpfull.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Starts with 8th. Then the 7 habits

Some overlap between the two books. 8th habit seems to focus on the impact of computers and information age. I enjoyed the insights into how 7 habits were developed during the end of industrial age.

I listened while doing work around the house & while driving back from work. A more careful reading /listening may be needed due to the content. I may have missed some of Covey points. I choose this abridged version since it was about the right length for me.

I was a little annoyed that 8th habit came first. The online description did not make that clear.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Changed my life

You have to be ready for this book but if you have the willingness and maturity to understand it, it will change your life :) timeless principles explained simply.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great Book, Narration and Order Could Be Improved

Would you listen to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People & The 8th Habit (Special 6-Hour Abridgement) again? Why?

Yes, this book offers you a lot to think about, so it would be great to review some of the information over and over!

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, the narration was well paced and it's always nice with an author narrates his/her own book. In this book, you get the full Covey experience. I personally found him a little silly at times, but he was at least animated. I did enjoy the parts in the narration when people gave their own testimonials or feedback based on the topic being discussed.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I really enjoyed the call to action in Habit 7. Covey basically tells you to get off your lazy rump and do something that matters in life.

Any additional comments?

I really didn't like how the 8th habit came before the 7th habit...my mind was not really prepared for going right into the 8th habit since I hadn't read the 7 habits book. It would be great if you could switch the order (7 habis first, 8th habit second) or somehow in the chapters tab- section out the two books so it's easy to know where one ends and the other begins.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Exactly what I expected

Nice book, I always wanted to read it, but I guess I wasn't very effective with my reading time, isn't that ironic? :-)
The only thing I didn't like about the audiobook version is that it refers to a "companion guide" that Audible.com didn't add to the Abridged version, so I was blind on those chapters. I contacted support but they were not very helpful.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Terrible narration; book content is fine

Covey's presentation of ideas and concepts in the book is fine and I believe there's utility and value at the core of his book. However, the narration is probably the worst of any audible audiobook I've listened to in recent memory. Covey shouldn't have been permitted to narrate - very boring and slow with pauses at the least appropriate junctures. His cadence makes for a truly awkward listening experience.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved it

Now that I've listened to the abridged version, I'm ready to listen to the whole version. No harm done and absorbing hours of good advice and principles.

I think The principles around listening, understanding, and respect all apply to our relationship with not only humans but other animals and the natural world.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

So practical!

In this book, the author presents 7 things that need to be mastered in order for the reader to become a highly effective and successful person. The 8th habit is a wonderful bonus to read!

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Not what it is advertised as

What disappointed you about The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People & The 8th Habit (Special 6-Hour Abridgement)?

This abridgement is not as stated. It is actually 'The 8th habit'. Do not buy this Audio Book.

14 of 15 people found this review helpful

Not as described

This should really be called the 8th Habit, plus some bits from the 7th. Beware before purchasing.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Not much about the 7 habits

This is not about the 7 habits at all, it is about the 8th, title is misleading and AUDIBLE *** needs to amend it ***. Mr Covey talks to you in a conversational style rather than being a standard book which some may like. I found the style a little slow and ponderous. Possibly good for those in business (I am not) but otherwise did not find it a personal development book as such.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Mislabeled/wrong book!

the audio is for 8th habit however the title says 7 habits of highly effective people!!!
please I need a refund or the right book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Very poor follow up to the original book

Self-indulgent with poor content.
I couldn't bring myself to finish and I am an avid listener of audiobooks.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Lots around the 8th habit but very brief on the 7

I enjoyed this; the 7 habits are an insightful way of looking at the world positively. As a stand alone read it provides some thought provocation and really made me rethink some things, primarily about how I engage with people around me.

To get the most out of it I recommend mind mapping or book marking this for follow up personal writing/reflection and of course just trying out some of the concepts; it is unfortunate that the listeners guide is not included in the Audible purchase.

There is also quite a lot of consultancy speak and references that seem to have been shoe horned into the context of the guide. I also did not enjoy the sharpen the saw section and felt it was too intangible and subjective to the author's personal faith/beliefs

Finally, what is with the Edwardian tunes to break the sections up?!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Expected both 7 habits ans 8th habit but it seems

Only has 8th habit? Expected both 7 habits and 8th unless am doing something wrong

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

The 8th Habit - A very readable book

Stephen Covey is an inspirational man who has a very grounded approach to all areas of life. His books are very easy to read and always give you a lot to think about. I would advise anyone already in or wanting to move into a leadership role whatever that might be to read this book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Learn effective hobits with audiobook effectively

This book will give you the clear ideas how you can organize your time and you mind in the most effective ways. I remember I read the book couple of years ago and it was very helpful for my personal life and my work, so I decide to read it again. This time I read the book with auiable and it was really great way to save my time and enjoy the book more with Stephen R. Covey's voice. You can listen the great lecuture of the book anytime anywhere. I'm very satisfied about the book and I'm highly recommned!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

great book

really insightful and enjoyable book to read and listen to. I would recommend again anytime