The New Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are

"I bought this book because I wanted to learn about why my sisters and I are so different. I found the book very informative and easy to read. I still wanted to learn more so bought another book but found it too technical and less helpful than this book. I definitely recommend this book for someone who is just starting to get informed on birth order."
~ Written on 2008-02-19

"There has been a lot written on birth order dynamics by many different authors. It is a fascinating subject and every book or magazine article I find on it is compelling. This book, like others on the subject, is a fun read with insights that will blow you away. You take the theories with a grain of salt though, because there are so many variables in life, so many different facets of personality development that must be considered--birth order effect is just one facet and certainly does not tell the whole story.

I think some of the best information on the subject of birth order, possibly more specific, more reasonable, more practical, is in the 2002 book: "The Birth Order Effect: How to Better Understand Yourself and Others" by Clifford E. Isaacson and Kris Radish. I don't meant to disrepect Dr. Leman's writing on the subject, but feel a need to direct people toward Isaacson as a little more down to earth and more practical. JMHO. He is very specific about the five birth order personality traits, but also realistic about serious limitations in application of them. Because I read Isaacson first, it could be an effect of primacy that I favor his theories and presentation, but take a look at Isaacson's book and read reviews to decide between the two, or I guess buying both, as I did, would be another solution."
~ Written on 2007-12-18

"I had high hopes for this book. From everyone's reviews, it seemed like a fun and interesting read. It wasn't. Sure, there are interesting facts and funny stories about birth order, but it seems like every other paragraph is either about God (which, at times, can start to sound preachy), or about the author himself (how smart he is) and his flawless family (wife, kids, sisters, brothers). I wish the author spent more time talking about actual facts and statistics regarding birth order instead of constantly talking about how, as little kids, his older sister would invite him to tea parties, how selfless she is, or how his son will one day design futuristic rides for Disney World. You get the feeling the author thinks really highly of himself and his family. It gets annoying and gets in the way of any factual information he might be trying to convey."
~ Written on 2007-08-02

"Many of the birth order relational dynamics Dr. Leman proposes are eye-opening (see reviews below), but this book should come with a warning label: If you are married, this book could cause you to regret your choice of mate. For example, he seems to say a first-born should never marry another first-born or a last-born another last-born predicting trouble in both cases. Obviously, the author probably never intended to sow discontent, but a young impressionable person could become convinced of 'irreconcilable' differences since Dr. Leman makes birth order characteristics seem carved in stone. Just take all of it with a grain of salt (including this review)."
~ Written on 2007-06-10

"If you like to analyze people, things; if you think too much; if your family just totally baffles you sometimes, or makes you want to rip their heads off, then this book is for you. It explains EVERYTHING. Almost everything. Really. Our birth order defines us. Scary. Revealing. Illuminating. Just read it!"
~ Written on 2006-12-20