The Squeaky Wheel: Complaining the Right Way to Get Results, Improve Your Relationships, Enhance Self-Esteem

Psychotherapist and amateur stand-up comic Winch tackles a pervasive problem with modern society: whining. We have become a "nation of squeakers," he claims, contending that "ineffective complaining can damage self-esteem, lead to depression and anxiety, and hinder our careers." In eight sections, ranging from "The Ineffective Squeaker Doesn't Get the Grease" to "Squeaking as Social Activism," Winch reviews the past, present, and future of complaining, noting its evolution from rare occurrence to modern habit; we constantly vent about our emotions. He illustrates the psychological functions and social benefits of complaining, and supports observations with research effectively woven together with examples from his personal life, private practice, and the world beyond in a way that makes his suggestions easy to implement. Not only does Winch provide the recipe for "a complaint sandwich," (a novel, step-by-step process for complaining, using the parts of a sandwich that correspond to the components of a complaint), but he also focus on effectively interacting with loved ones, customer service reps, and our communities. His conversational tone is infused with humor, making his first book a thoroughly enjoyable read. (Jan.)