The greater the number of books put out by a New Age or Self Help author, the less trustworthy (authentic) they are. I think this would apply to some other categories too, like Business and Health;/Diet. Any genre that's trying to help people.
Example 1:
McGraw, Phillip C. (1999). Life Strategies
McGraw, Phillip C. (2001). The Life Strategies Self-Discovery Journal
McGraw, Phillip C. (2000). Relationship Rescue.
McGraw, Phillip C. (2000). The Relationship Rescue Workbook
McGraw, Phillip C. (2001). Self Matters
McGraw, Phillip C. (2003). The Self Matters Companion
McGraw, Phillip C. (2002). Getting Real
McGraw, Phillip C. (2003). The Ultimate Weight Solution:
McGraw, Phillip C. (2003). The Ultimate Weight Solution Food Guide.
McGraw, Phillip C. (2004). The Ultimate Weight Solution Cookbook:
McGraw, Phillip C. (2005). Family First : Your Step-by-Step Plan
McGraw, Phillip C. (2005). The Family First Workbook
McGraw, Phillip C. (2006). Love Smart: Find the One You Want
Latest: Real Life
Son's spinoff books:
Life Strategies For Teens
Life Strategies For Teens Workbook
Daily Life Strategies for Teens
The Ultimate Weight Solution for Teens
His first three books are all good books. And you know, if a first time non-fiction author wants to put out a guidebook or journal to go with their book to make extra money, authoring is a crap pay job, so I say go for it. But this man makes all his money from his show. So putting out a journal or workbook every time... ease. And they were often in hard cover.
But where I think he really jumped the shark was when he went on his weight loss thing, and put out a CRAP cookbook, and a CALORIE COUNTER and SUPPLEMENTS. And his greed became reflected in his show, it's been garbage ever since.
#2 Example - I actually first noticed this phenomenon much earlier, with Deepak Chopra. Chopra was once this well-respected new agey kinda guy. And then I noticed all this crap creeping in to my store... now hold on to your socks... I'll highlight in bold the year I started my job at a bookstore (this is lifted from wiki):
- 1987 Creating Health ISBN 0-395-75515-8
- 1988 Return of the Rishi ISBN 0-395-57420-X
- 1989 Quantum Healing: Exploring the Frontiers of Mind/Body Medicine ISBN 0-553-34869-8
- 1991 Unconditional Life: Mastering the Forces That Shape Personal Reality
- 1991 Perfect Health: The Complete Mind/Body Guide ISBN 0-517-58421-2
- 1993 Ageless Body, Timeless Mind : The Quantum Alternative to Growing Old ISBN 0-517-59257-6
- 1993 Creating Affluence: Wealth Consciousness in the Field of All PossibilitiesISBN 1-880032-42-2
- 1994 The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfilment of Your Dreams
- 1995 The Way of the Wizard: Twenty Spiritual Lessons in Creating the Life You Want ISBN 0-517-70434-X
- 1995 The Return of Merlin: A Novel ISBN 0-449-91074-1
- 1995 Journey into Healing ISBN 1-4000-8069-X
- 1995 The Path to Love: Spiritual Strategies for Healing
- 1996 Perfect Weight ISBN 0-517-88458-5
- 1996 Restful Sleep ISBN 0-517-88457-7
- 1996 Raid on the Inarticulate ISBN 1-882971-16-7
- 1997 The Path to Love: Renewing the Power of Spirit in Your Life ISBN 0-517-70622-9
- 1997 The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents: Guiding Your Children to Success and Fulfillment
- 1997 Perfect Digestion ISBN 0-609-80076-0
- 1998 Overcoming Addictions ISBN 0-609-80195-3
- 1998 The Love Poems of RumiISBN 0-609-60243-8
- 1998 Healing the Heart ISBN 0-609-60035-4
- 1999 Everyday Immortality: A Concise Course in Spiritual Transformation ISBN 0-609-60484-8
- 1999 On the Shores of Eternity: Poems from Tagore on Immortality and Beyond ISBN 0-609-60564-X
- 1999 A Deepak Chopra Companion ISBN 0-609-80454-5
- 1999 Daughters of JoyISBN 0-451-20935-4
- 1999 Lords of Light: A Novel ISBN 0-312-96892-2
- 2000 The Angel is Near: A Novel ISBN 0-312-97024-2
- 2000 How to Know God : The Soul's Journey into the Mystery of Mysteries ISBN 0-609-60078-8
- 2001 The Deeper Wound: Recovering the Soul from Fear and Suffering, 100 Days of Healing
- 2001 Grow Younger, Live Longer: 10 Steps to Reverse Aging ISBN 0-609-60079-6
- 2001 The Soul in Love: Classic Poems of Ecstasy and Exaltation ISBN 0-609-60648-4
- 2002 Manifesting Good Luck Cards: Growth and Enlightenment
- 2003 Golf for Enlightenment: The Seven Lessons for the Game of Life
- 2003 The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence ISBN 0-609-60042-7
- 2003 Synchrodestiny: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence to Create Miracles ISBN 1-84413-221-8
- 2003 Manifesting Good Luck: Love and Relationships, 50 Card Deck
- 2003 The Chopra Center Cookbook ISBN 0-471-45404-4
- 2004 The Book of Secrets: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life ISBN 0-517-70624-5
- 2004 Fire in the Heart: A Spiritual Guide for Teens ISBN 0-689-86216-4
- 2005 Peace Is the Way : Bringing War and Violence to an End ISBN 0-307-23607-2
- 2005 The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga: A Practical Guide to Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit
- 2005 Magical Beginnings Enchanted lives: A Holistic Guide to Pregnancy ISBN 0-517-70220-7
- 2005 Teens Ask Deepak ISBN 0-689-86218-0
- 2006 Ask The Kabala: Oracle Cards/Kabala Guidebook ISBN 978-1-4019-1039-6
- 2006 Power Freedom and Grace: Living from the Source of Lasting Happiness ISBN 978-1-878424-81-5
- 2006 Life After Death: The Burden of Proof ISBN 0-307-34578-5
- 2006 Kama Sutra: Including the Seven Spiritual Laws of Love ISBN 978-1-85227-385-9
- 2007 Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment ISBN 978-0-06-087880-1
- 2007 Boundless Energy: The Complete Mind/Body Program for Overcoming Chronic Fatigue ISBN 0-609-80075-2
- 2007 Freedom From Addiction ISBN 0-7573-0578-4
- 2008 The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore ISBN 978-0-307-33831-0
- 2008 Why Is God Laughing? The Path to Joy and Spiritual Optimism
- 2008 Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment ISBN 978-0-06-144873-7
- 2009 Reinventing The Body, Resurrecting The Soul
- 2009 The Ultimate Happiness Prescription: 7 Keys to Joy and Enlightenment
- 2009 Chopra Center Herbal Handbook ISBN 0-307-45233-6
- 2010 The Shadow Effect ISBN 0-06-196265-1
- 2010 Muhammad: A Story of the Last Prophet ISBN 978-0-061-78242-8
- 2010 The Soul of Leadership: Unlocking Your Potential for Greatness ISBN 978-0-307-40806-8
- 2011 The War of the Worldviews with Leonard Mlodinow ISBN 978-0-30-788688-0 (October 2011 publication date)
[edit] Music CDs/audio books
- 1986 Total Health: The Rediscovery of Ayurveda ASIN B-000-K06QY-4
- 1994 Journey Into Healing ISBN 0-679-44089-5
- 1994 Power Talk!:The Power of the Human Paradox with Anthony Robbins ISBN 1-55927-267-8
- 1996 Crescent Moon: Prose Poems of Rabindranath Tagore ISBN 1-878424-20-3
- 1998 Synchrodestiny ISBN 1-905953-04-6
- 1997 Transformation of Mind: Deepak Chopra, Christopher Franke, ASIN: B000003KW4
- 1998 A Gift of Love: Love poems inspired by Rumi ASIN B-000-GRQX8-A
- 2000 All About God: A Dialogue Between Neale Donald Walsch and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-735-X
- 2000 Wisdom of the Sufi: A Dialogue Between Hidayat Inayat-Kahn and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-734-1
- 2000 The Spiritual Journey : A Dialogue Between Richard Moss, M.D., and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-739-2
- 2000 Spiritual Insights into the Genius of Leonardo da Vinci: A Dialogue Between Michael J. Gelb, M.D., and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-738-4
- 2000 The Art of Everyday Ecstasy: A Dialogue Between Margot Anand and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-737-6
- 2000 The Conscious Universe ISBN 1-56170-744-9
- 2000 Pathways to God: A Dialogue Between Joan Borysenko, Ph.D. and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-736-8
- 2000 Unleash Your Potential with Marianne Williamson and Sarah Ban Breathnach ISBN 0-671-77180-9
- 2000 The Path to Enlightenment: Insights into Buddhism / A Dialogue Between Robert Thurman, Ph.D., and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-732-5
- 2001 Healing the Planet: A Dialogue Between Marianne Williamson and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-743-0
- 2001 Self-Coaching Secrets for Success ISBN 1-56170-827-5
- 2001 Awakening the Goddesses Within: Deepak Chopra, M.D., Presents Agapi Stassinopoulos ISBN 1-56170-837-2
- 2001 Tell Me a Story: A Dialogue Between Lisa Suhay and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-874-7
- 2001 Sacred Sexuality: A Dialogue Between Felice Dunas and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-823-2
- 2001 Relationships As a Bridge to Divine Love : A Dialogue Between Barbara De Angelis, Ph.D., and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-742-2
- 2001 Training the Mind, Healing the Body ASIN B-000-BGT8K-6
- 2001 Soul of Healing Meditations – A Simple Approach to Growing Younger ASIN B-000-05TZS-K
- 2001 The Higher Self ISBN 0-7435-0921-8
- 2001 The New Physics of Healing ISBN 1-56455-919-X
- 2001 Science And Soul: The Survival of Consciousness After Death, A Dialogue Between Gary Schwartz and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-822-4
- 2002 The Yoga of Love and Devotion with Shree Ma ISBN 1-56170-838-0
- 2002 Integrating The Masculine And Feminine In The Spiritual Traditions Of Judaism and Vedanta: A Dialogue Between Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-824-0
- 2002 Quantum Physics of Quantum Healing: A Dialogue with Amit Goswami, Ph.D., and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-920-4
- 2002 The Evolving Human: A Dialogue Between Jean Houston, Ph.D., and Deepak Chopa ISBN 1-56170-916-6
- 2002 Rituals As a Path to the Divine: A Dialogue Between Stephen Huyler, Ph.D., and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-841-0
- 2002 Healing Your Relationships : A Dialogue Between Kenny and Julia Loggins and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-840-2
- 2002 The Soul and Relationship: A Dialogue Between Shakti Gawain and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-56170-917-4
- 2002 Yoga as a Form of Meditation with Yogi Amrit Desai ISBN 1-56170-839-9
- 2002 A Gift of Love II: A Musical Valentine to Tagore ASIN B-000-06IZP-E
- 2003 Magical Mind, Magical Body ISBN 0-7435-3013-6
- 2003 Journey to the Boundless ISBN 0-7435-3016-0
- 2004 Chakra Balancing: Body, Mind, and Soul ASIN B-000-667GN-W
- 2004 Sacred Verses, Healing Sounds, Volumes I and II: The Bhagavad Gita, Hymns of the Rig Veda ISBN 1-878-42478-5
- 2004 The Ultimate Deepak Chopra Collection 20 CDs ASIN B-000-BGV45-I
- 2004 Whispers with Eckhart Tolle, Jack Canfield and Don Miguel Ruiz ISBN 1-559-61722-5
- 2005 The Power of Intuition ISBN 1-401-90622-2
- 2005 Living Beyond Miracleswith Wayne Dyer ISBN 1-878-42479-3
- 2005 The Cosmic Mind and Submanifest Order of Being ISBN 1-401-90450-5
- 2005 Living Without Limits ISBN 1-878-42496-3
- 2005 An Ancient Magical Prayer ISBN 1-401-90447-5
- 2006 Escaping the Prison of the Intellect ISBN 1-878-42456-4
- 2007 Creating Your World the Way You Really Want It To Be with Wayne Dyer ISBN 1-602-52748-2
- 2007 Meditations for Healing: A Dialogue Between Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D. and Deepak Chopra ISBN 1-561-70922-0
- 2008 Whispers of Spirit & Happiness with Don Miguel Ruiz ISBN 1-559-61945-7
- 2008 The Soul of Healing Affirmations A-Z Guide to Reprogramming the Software of the Soul ASIN B-001-2SAT7-S
- 2008 Grow Younger Live Longer Dave Stewart and Deepak Chopra ASIN: B0012GMXFQ
- 2009 The Soul Of Healing Meditations ASIN B-000-05TZS-K
- 2011 Stress Free with Deepak Chopra (Meditations) ASIN: B004JU157O
- 2011 The Secret of Healing: Meditations for Transformation and Higher Consciousness ASIN: B004K35UWG
[edit] Videos
- 1995 Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
- 1995 The Way of the Wizard[67]
- 2003 God and Buddha - a dialog
- 2004 Soul of Healing - Body, Mind, and Soul Vol. 1
- 2008 The Love Guru
- 2010 1 a Minute
More than I can say for another publication specialist...
Example #3 - Sylvia Browne:
- Browne, Sylvia; & Antoinette May (1990). Adventures of a Psychic Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 0-7394-0178-5
- Browne, Sylvia; & Harrison Lindsay (1999). The Other Side and Back: A Psychic's Guide to Our World and Beyond New York, NY: Signet. ISBN 0-451-19863-8
- Browne, Sylvia; & Harrison Lindsay (2000). Life on the Other Side: A Psychic's Tour of the Afterlife Dutton Adult. ISBN 0-525-94539-3
- Browne, Sylvia; (2000). God, Creation, and Tools for Life Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-56170-722-8
- Browne, Sylvia; (2000). Astrology Through A Psychic's Eyes Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-56170-720-1
- Browne, Sylvia; (2000). Meditations Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-56170-719-8
- Browne, Sylvia; & Harrison, Lindsay (2000). Blessings From the Other Side New York, NY: New American Library. ISBN 0-525-94574-1
- Browne, Sylvia; (2000). Souls Perfection Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-56170-723-6
- Browne, Sylvia; & Harrison, Lindsay (2001). Past Lives, Future Healing New York, NY: New American Library. ISBN 0-451-20597-9
- Browne, Sylvia (2001). The Nature of Good and Evil Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-56170-724-4
- Browne, Sylvia (2002). Prayers Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-56170-902-6
- Browne, Sylvia (2002). Conversations With the Other Side Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-56170-718-X
- Browne, Sylvia; & Harrison, Lindsay (2003). Visits from the Afterlife New York, NY: New American Library. ISBN 0-525-94756-6
- Browne, Sylvia; & Harrison, Lindsay (2003). Book of Dreams New York, NY: Signet. ISBN 0-451-20828-5
- Browne, Sylvia; (2003). Book of Angels Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-4019-0193-X
- Browne, Sylvia; (2004). Mother God: The Feminine Principle to Our Creator Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-4019-0309-6
- Browne, Sylvia; (2004). Lessons For Life Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-4019-0087-9
- Browne, Sylvia; & Harrison Lindsay (2004). Prophecy: What the Future Holds for You New York, NY: Dutton. ISBN 0-525-94822-8
- Browne, Sylvia; (2005). Contacting Your Spirit Guide Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-4019-0532-3
- Browne, Sylvia; (2005). Secrets & Mysteries of the World Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-4019-0458-0
- Browne, Sylvia; (2005). Phenomenon: Everything You Need to Know About the Paranormal New York, NY: Dutton. ISBN 0-525-94911-9
- Browne, Sylvia; & Dufresne, Chris (2005). Animals on the Other Side Cincinnati, OH: Angel Bea Publishing. ISBN 0-9717843-4-5
- Browne, Sylvia; (2006). If You Could see What I See: The Tenets of Novus Spiritus Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-4019-0648-6
- Browne, Sylvia; (2006). Exploring the Levels of Creation Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 1-4019-0891-8
- Browne, Sylvia; (2006). Insight: Case Files from the Psychic World New York, NY: Dutton. ISBN 0-525-94955-0
- Browne, Sylvia; (2006). The Mystical Life of Jesus New York, NY: Dutton. ISBN 0-5259-5001-X
- Browne, Sylvia; (2006). Light A Candle Angel Bea Publishing. ISBN 0-9717843-6-1
- Browne, Sylvia; & Dufresne, Chris (2006). Christmas in Heaven Angel Bea Publishing. ISBN 0-9777790-0-9
- Browne, Sylvia; (2007). Father God Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4019-0533-0
- Browne, Sylvia; (2007). Spiritual Connections Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4019-0881-2
- Browne, Sylvia; & Harrison, Lindsay (2007). Psychic Children New York, NY: Dutton. ISBN 978-0-525-95013-4
- Browne, Sylvia; (2007). Secret Societies Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4019-1675-6
- Browne, Sylvia; & Dufresne, Chris (2007). Spirit of Animals Angel Bea Publishing. ISBN 0-9777790-1-7
- Browne, Sylvia; (2007). The Two Marys New York, NY: Dutton. ISBN 978-0-525-95043-1
- Browne, Sylvia; (2008). Temples on the Other Side Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc. ISBN 978-1-4019-1745-6
- Browne, Sylvia; & Harrison, Lindsay (2008). End of Days New York, NY: Dutton. ISBN 978-0-525-95067-7
- Browne, Sylvia; (2008). Mystical Traveler Carlsbad, CA: Hay House Inc. ISBN 978-1-4019-1861-3
- All Pets go to Heaven (2009)
- Psychic Healing (2009)
- Messages From the Spirit (2009)
- Accepting the Psychic Torch (2009)
- The Truth About Psychics (2009)
- Psychic: My Life In Two Worlds (2010)
- Afterlives of the Rich and Famous (2011)
I could probably think of more examples but I'm getting sleepy. So what should be the cut off number? I guess it should be a factor of time--one every three years? What do you think?
8 comments:
Looking at a list like that ... and I'm suspicious that such authors aren't writing anything themselves anymore, but hiring ghost writers to keep cranking out the BS ....??
Yes, I think the crossover from Helping Others to Cottage Industry is evident in these lists. It's like Capitalism Ate My Ethics.
I first say Sylvia Browne on Montel and my opinion of Montel slipped by about a billion points.
OOPS * I first SAW Sylvia Browne...
My eyes glazed over after the first ten in each example. I wonder if it's a case of once you're a guru you have to keep guru-ing in order to maintain your position at the forefront of peoples attention?
I love that line "you have to keep guru-ing" -widdershins, nice. Too true Mabel, well done. Still going with Sylvia though, no worries, didn't send her any money, and I only get the books at the library. ;)
Julie
(We wouldn't want John Edward to make fun of her!)
I truly LOVE Deepak Chopra. As a true admirer of his work I'd have to agree with the "Capitalism Ate My Ethics." comment. :-) I wasn't even aware that he HAD such an immense backlist and I worked for years in a bookstore as well. I'll admit that I saw a few on there that I will be rushing out to the library and bookstore to find, nonetheless.
BTW I think his 'jump the shark' moment was the book, "Why Is God Laughing? The Path to Joy and Spiritual Optimism". He became involved with Mike Meyers (from SNL) to write it and the next thing you know he's consulting in Hollywood and as we all know nothing corrupts like Hollywood. Next thing you know we have the movie Love Guru. The book I couldn't finish since it was horribly cynical and downhearted (about a guy from Hollywood!). I'm sure it got around to the message of hope and optimism eventually but I was lost.
My take on it is actually an agreement with you Mabel. After a certain point in an author's career, you've said what you have to say and like any other author (many fiction writers suffer from this - Looking at you Grisham), basically you're just re-hashing the same thing over and over and putting a different title on the front. I still like and admire Deepak Chopra because what he's rehashing is wonderful stuff and still resonates with me in a way that few (if any) other spiritual guru's or evangelists do.
Wow. Said a lot. lol
It does happen to fiction writers, you're right. Which is why I respect Crusie for pausing to evaluate her writing career and see if it's time to stop.
And then I think of PG Wodehouse who wrote right til he died, at 99 years of age. His latter writing's probably not as good, but I don't think he could have stopped if he'd tried. It wasn't the money, he was just... a writer. And maybe someone like Chopra is like that. (Pre Hollywood at least.lol)
But I'm afraid I'm still suspicious of the motives of people like Phil, Browne, and of course there are Christian authors etc who just want to make $ while trying to Soothe or Save your soul.
I guess business authors are the least suspicious... I mean, if they're trying to help you make a million dollars, you're a fool if you don't know THEY're trying to make a million dollars.
[A depressing book called Why is God Laughing?? lol lol lol]
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