Review by Fazzier -- Toward Happier Choices

[Fazzier]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Toward Happier Choices" by Michael Oborn.]

---

4 out of 4 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Toward Happier Choices by Michael Oborn is the author’s memoir of how he battled his way out of pre-conditioned thinking. Born in a family devoted to the Mormon Church doctrines, the author was programmed to think in a certain way. Rarely did he make choices regarding his life on his own. If not his father or mother imposing on him what to do, then the church or cultural values. However, light dawned on him and he decided to take a new course of action, no matter how belligerent it seemed to his parents.

Michael Oborn uses this book to create awareness that institutions (family, religion, and government, among others) may sometimes brainwash children with retrogressive set of values. Through this book, he offers those who who are blinded by cultural oppression, a spectacle through which they can see the world in a different perspective. He condemns the choices that were made on his behalf before becoming bold enough to let his voice count. Besides, he explores practices of bibliolatry and institutional misogyny which leave their victims mentally ‘raped’ and debilitated. That way, this book has saved me from the author’s twenty-seven-years experience of living in fear; the fear of one becoming the captain of his or her destiny.

The author has divided this book into three parts. Through these sections, he narrates a couple of short stories on his journey torwards making happier choices, analysis of types of practices which oppress people, and some of the exceptional people in his life. All these parts marry perfectly in telling the author’s story.

There is nothing I disliked about this book. One of my favorite parts was when the author likened a child's mind at birth to a computer hardware. After interacting with his or her environment, the child acquires a new set of values (cultural software) which defines his or her life. I found this an eye-opener as it made me reevaluate the set of values I hold, and to start working towards extricating myself from the retrogressive ones.

Overall, this book was well edited, only for two minor typos I identified. I’m, therefore, glad to rate Toward Happier Choices by Michael Oborn 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend this book to parents, teachers, human rights activists, and any other person who would like to take control over their lives.

******
Toward Happier Choices
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like Fazzier's review? Post a comment saying so!

[mmm17]

I believe it is really important for us to seek making happier choices, as well as to recognise and avoid practices which oppress people. I just loved your review. It's so well written. Thanks.

[Letora]

This sounds like an emotionally difficult, but interesting read.

[IamShing]

Although I didnt like the genre so much, I loved your review. I want to read this book.Thanks for sharing.

[BuzzingQuill]

Fantastic review of what seems to be a fantastic book! Words cannot explain my respect for those who overcome institutionalized thinking in favour of a more open-minded understanding of the world.

[YL_Eytka]

Thank you for the review, the book sounds very emotionally charged and a worth-while read

[Connie Otwani]

Cultural values is not necessarily a synonym of cultural oppression. It is the right thing for parents to guide their children into embracing good values. That being said, there truly are retrogressive beliefs out there.I hope the author has a fine balance. Great review!

[Fazzier]

I believe it is really important for us to seek making happier choices, as well as to recognise and avoid practices which oppress people. I just loved your review. It's so well written. Thanks.

I'm so glad you stopped by and read my review. Thank you for your kind words!

[Fazzier]

This sounds like an emotionally difficult, but interesting read.

Yes it is and there are also many lessons to be learnt from the author's story. Thank you for commenting!

[Fazzier]

Although I didnt like the genre so much, I loved your review. I want to read this book.Thanks for sharing.

I'm so glad my review has piqued your interest in this book. Thank you so much for stopping by, reading my review, and commenting!

[Fazzier]

Fantastic review of what seems to be a fantastic book! Words cannot explain my respect for those who overcome institutionalized thinking in favour of a more open-minded understanding of the world.

I found it fantastic as it rejuvenated my thoughts. Thank you for having spared some of your time to leave a comment!

[Fazzier]

Thank you for the review, the book sounds very emotionally charged and a worth-while read

And thank you for your comment!

[Fazzier]

Cultural values is not necessarily a synonym of cultural oppression. It is the right thing for parents to guide their children into embracing good values. That being said, there truly are retrogressive beliefs out there.I hope the author has a fine balance. Great review!

I agree with you that cultural values and cultural oppression are not necessarily synonyms. I noticed that that the author also believes. He summed everything up by advising readers to question traditions and chun out retrogressive ones from good ones. From this comes the fundamental truth. Thank you for the comment!

[unamilagra]

This is a great review! It seems everyone could benefit from reading this book, as it helps you to look more critically at how you've been conditioned so you can move forward in a way that's more true to yourself.

[Fazzier]

This is a great review! It seems everyone could benefit from reading this book, as it helps you to look more critically at how you've been conditioned so you can move forward in a way that's more true to yourself.

I agree that everyone can benefit from this book since each person in a way or the other holds to some pre-set values. By looking at them critically, retrogressive ones can be scrapped off. Thank you so much for your comment!