Didn't like what I read

I merely skimmed this book for about 20 minutes, but I didn't like it. I'll admit I had a preconcieved notion because I've seen Jay McGraw on the Dr. Phil show (Dr. Phil is his father)and I didn't like him at all. He grew up wealthy and knows zero about real problems (not meaning to imply the wealthy don't have problems). He's been presented as a voice for the average teen and he's not. At all.

Anyway back to the book. Here are the main problems-
1. It's paifully, painfully obvious he's trying to use teenage slang and come of as your average high schooler. It doesn't work.
2. He's pretty much a poor writer.
3. This book got published, quite simply, because he is the son of Phil McGraw. And it shows.
4. He makes examples of ridiculous cliched stereotypes and there is, as someone already said, an example of sexist thinking.
5. Come on, this book isn't going to change your life like he claims in the introduction. Maybe I'm just too cynical, but when a book starts out like that I automatically roll my eyes.
6. He didn't come up with an idependant idea for a book, he just dumbed down his daddy's version. If you look at the life laws about a half of them are things Dr. Phil says on his show pretty frequently.

Direction for a lost teenager

This book really got me on track for success in high school and life. I received it as a Christmas present in my freshman year and it is one of the reasons that I am still in one piece.
Coasting in high school is a common ailment of my class and this book helps you see what the problems with coasting are, why you do it and what you can do about it.
The format was well thought out. The beginning of each chapter starts with why you need to read that chapter and the end finishes with a lightbulb box that highlights the important parts you should remember. It is concise and really addresses what you need as a teen and not what your parents want you to do. But, it also steers you towards the "right" decisions, highlighting the payoffs of your harmful behavior and making you realize the error of your ways.
All in all, this book is excellent for teens who know they can do more and do better but really don't know how to go about changing themselves.

He could poop in a cover and this would sell

Look, the kids Dad is Dr. Phil. And good ol Dad constantly promotes his son's book on the TV show. By the way, this kid would never get published if it weren't for his Father's pull. Now this pampered rich kid is going to tell us how to make it in life? How did he make it? Daddy? This kid could take a poop and slap a cover on it and it would still sell like hotcakes. Why? Regardless of the fact that it's trash, his Daddy is a best selling author with his own TV show and nepotism is alive and well.