Thrive!: Catching the Spirit of Personal Economics
Finally a Readable Book for Personal Finances, September 30, 2006 By  W. H. McDonald Jr. "The American Author Assoc... (Elk Grove, CA USA)     UC Davis professor of economics and international finances, Emanuel A. Frenkel, Ph.D., has finally written a book that is aimed at the common everyday person and does not come off reading like a college text book. His book, "Thrive! Catching the Spirit of Personal Economics" but it could have been titled "Personal Wealth and Economics 101 for Dummies!". The author it takes you through the very fundamentals of personal economics; however, he treats his readers with the greatest of respect and educates them in the process of making economics entertaining. Yes, you read that right! There is actually a book on this subject that people will have fun reading. I know that if most people had a choice of either having their gums worked on in the dentist office, or attending a class of economics that it would be a hard choice. This book is for all of us regular folks. Frenkel makes some huge promises at the beginning of his book in the Foreword that set up some very huge expectations: * Find greater satisfaction in who you are. * Develop a positive mental attitude about your role in the economy. * Strengthen your desire to improve your economic well-being--not only the growth of your material wealth, but also your physical, spiritual, and emotional wealth. The list of promises about what reading his book will give you is a much longer list. I was most intrigued by his promise to not only improve material wealth but to also help the reader with their spiritual and emotional wealth as well. That is a huge undertaking for any book let alone a book on finances, money and basic economics. The good news is that the book actually delivers on the promises and then some. This simple looking 140 page book is like a personal training guide for how you handle not just money but all things of value. It even has a chapter in the book about the power that comes from the synergy of cooperation. Frenkel points out that acting to serve others actually helps you in more ways then you realize. It also fosters a true sense of community. This book deals with concepts that will free you from your own ignorance of those basic economic principles that hold you back from finding financial independence. There are many illustrative examples through his book that makes this an easily understood educational experience that is actually fun. I fully recommend that all households get a copy of his book. It would be a great graduation gift for any high school or college student about to go out into the cruel world unprepared for the realities of money and personal finances. This truly is one of the best books on this subject; but the only one I know of that combines over-all personal wealth with emotional and spiritual success too. Written for The Elk Grove Citizen Newspaper 2006 - Shared on Amazon --Amazon.comThe Key to Success Begins with Thrive!, April 8, 2005 By  Catherine Dean (Davis, CA) This book is an absolute must. If you're looking for inspiration to help you live up to your economic potential, to help you set goals and work toward investing in yourself and the community, you will love this easy-to-read, amazing book. I was just beginning to discover the power of positive thinking, perseverance, and determination when I discovered Thrive! What better affirmation than an economic doctorate telling me that these simple self-help ideas will lead to my economic success and contentment! I learned that it is only through helping the community-through my usefulness to the community and the world-that will allow me to succeed economically. Before I only thought of what I had to gain. Now I realize that the question I should be asking is what can I offer that will allow everyone to gain? As a business owner, I'm always interested in learning how to better myself and how to improve my business. I feel lucky that I stumbled upon Dr. Frenkel's book and now will be able to take the Spirit philosophy with me wherever I go. It has already helped me and my business tremendously. I am much happier with my economic success, now that I know what I must do to earn more money and to be content in the world. I would recommend this book to anyone hoping to thrive in the economic world. All they need is Thrive! and a little bit of determination, and the economic world will open up to them --Amazon.comA descriptive path to personal economic well-being, May 6, 2005 By  Midwest Book Review (Oregon, Wisconsin USA) In Thrive!: Catching The Spirit Of Personal Economics, author Emanuel A. Frenkel draws upon his expertise as a teacher of economic theory and international finance at the University of California to provide non-specialist general readers with a descriptive path to personal economic well-being that will prove greater than they could otherwise imagine or expect. Offering a complete "self-help" course in the personal management of money and finance, Thrive is presented with an informed and informative text that is easily accessible. Individual chapters are devoted to "The Economy at Work"; "Catching the Spirit of Personal Economics"; "Enjoying the Spirit of Personal Economics"; "Invest in Yourself"; "Sell Your Talents in the Market of Opportunity"; and "Thriving with the Spirit of Personal Economics". Strongly recommended reading for anyone seeking to make the most of their own economic potential, possibilities, behavior, and planning, Thrive takes the cold and complicated concepts of capitalism and deftly presents them with an enthusiastically personal application for ordinary men and women. --Midwest Book Review/Amazon.com