The Rules of Life by Richard Templar Book Review
Posted: Monday, August 03, 2009
by Connor Davidson
While I was flying to Australia I decided to take a look around the in-flight entertainment system. I then decided that since it was 10:00 at night, I could not be bothered to watch a film and did not want to read the article on catastrophic failure (for reasons too obvious to explain) in New Scientist. Thus, I decided to try an audio book. I had a flick through what was there and decided I would listen to the Rules of Life by Richard Templar. This, I must admit was unusual for me as I never read self-help or life coaching books as I think I do quite a good job of living. Anyway, there was only three to chose from so I just shoved the thing on and was done with it.
The book was simple. A set of numbered rules, from 1 -100, read out in order with an explanation of why and how they will improve your life. Many were common sense but some, admittedly, I could do with paying attention to. Here is a few examples that stood out to me (the bits in brackets are me):
2 You'll get older but not necessarily wiser
11 Be the last to raise your voice
17 Aim to be the very best at everything you do not second best
22 Dress like today is important (oops)
26 Have a sense of humour
34 You'll never understand everything (I'll give it a dam good shot though)
38 Maintain good manners in all things
42 Shop for quality, not price (I'm sure, like me, you've flicked through a catalogue and think something is the best because its expensive)
44 Stay young
45 Throwing money at a problem doesn't always work
60 Make sure your love making is making love
72 Never lend money unless you are prepared to write it off (bankers?)
73 There are no bad children
96 Check what history would say about you
98 Not everything can be green
The thing I like about this book is that it is stating what may seam obvious, yet, there is something in the way he explains it and puts it to you that makes you forget you know this already. So I was not sitting in that chair think "yes, I know". I was thinking something more like: "Yes, I know that but I also know I fail at that". So, I'd say it's unfair to label this book as states the obvious and then the end.
The only problem I can find with the book is it is too short. It's only...err... 52 minuets long. I was having so much fun listening to it I was highly disappointed when it ended. I want more.
The flip side is that there is more. Richard Templar has written the rules of parenting, management, wealth and work. So there is plenty more where that came from.
Well, that's about all I can say about the book. I hope you will consider reading, as it is a wonderful read and even if - like me - you would not consider reading a life coaching book you could still give it a shot; that's reading: you have to try all the genres to find the best books.
Finally, I would like to leave you with my favourite and the funniest quote from the book:
"They [your kids] want to grow up, have sex and use adult swear words."
Connor Davidson is a UK based writer. He writes on wide variety of topics with his main interest being science, maths and engineering.
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Feel free to reprint these articles on your website by using the reprint button. If you have any questions or comments please post them below - I read all comments.
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More commentsThe last line made me laugh out loud!It IS the simple things that make the difference,and are the easiest to forget.Great job, Connor.So very true... here is a funny story. One day I was out and about. Being the UK I was wearing a jumper as usual. At night what I do is I'll take my T-shirt and jumper off at the same time then put them on again together in the morning – probably just laziness. Except this day I did it differently.
Thus, I left the house wearing a jumper only with no t-$%&*@$%& underneath. I then had to go the whole day hoping no-one would notice.
So, for me at least it is the simple things we forget.
Anyway, thanks for the comment.
I like it, but some of it is too, much too adult for youth earsI fail to see why. Anyway, most people on SW are adults and there is noting dirty or illicit in here.The only thing I can see is that I used the word "sex".Anyway, thanks for the comment.
Connor, great review. I'm with you in not really having an interest in self help books, but you've made this one sounds interesting!Well, I guess my review must be true to the book then.Thanks for the comment.
after reading this I might actually take a look myself. I gave you a slightly lower rating in the spelling area, as I found a couple typos that actually bounced me from the material, but overall, very much enjoyed your reviewI've had another look over and have corrected the what I found.Thanks for the comment.
Connor, good take on the book, and you shared some good points from it as well. I like the funniest quote; although it really isn't that funny because it's the truth (wink).Thanks for sharing very interesting information, Connor.Thanks for the comment.
I enjoyed the reading and comments. Reading does keep your mind up to date on thinking. ThanksIndeed it does.Thanks for the comment.
Hi Connor.Well done. Very interesting and well written review. Thanks for sharing this information.Best regards,NenitaThanks for the comment.
Love your take and listing the ones you liked - makes me want to read the book!Thanks! Good Fortune, CherylThanks for the comment.
Connor -- Wonderful!!!Yes, I intend to read it because it is exactly what the world needs right now. Some common sense! A good laugh for me for my first read of the day.Great job!NancyThanks for the comment.
Sounds like an interesting read. I enjoy reading life tips, even if they seem common sense. We often need to be reminded of the most common sense things that we are not doing.I agree.Thanks for the comment.
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