The Half Lived Life: Overcoming Passivity and Rediscovering Your Authentic Self

Lee (The Flying Boy) has written several books on well-being, self-actualization, and emotional development for men. Here he hopes to help individuals assert themselves over the full course of their lives, particularly in the latter stages. His major recommendations are to stop engaging in self-sabotage or denial, cease self-blame when others are at fault, start articulating exactly what you want and, above all, to end passivity. Lee wants readers to understand healthy anger as opposed to unproductive rage, channel their energies towards pursing their dreams and build healthier, more rewarding relationships. While a great deal of this advice is undeniably worthwhile, Lee makes some spurious claims that will have readers questioning their overall value, for example, that a couple experiencing trouble having children would be able to do so once the man got over fears of being like his father. Formative childhood experiences and abandonment issues are another focal point, and though Lee has some good points, none are particularly unique. Perhaps readers of his other books will find this enlightening, but those familiar with self-help texts will find little new to inspire them. Agency: Manus & Assoc. (Dec.)