All Customer Reviews, Amazon.com

Customer Review:

There isn't ANYONE who won't benefit from this book! , November 9, 1999

Every single line in this marvelous book contains wisdom, good sense, and simple yet profoundly logical advice that we should apply to every day of our lives. You'll find yourself reading lines over several times to better remember what they say about the importance of laughter, how it can be misused, and how it can add immeasurably to our quality of life. Written with intelligence and humor in easy-to-read, conversational style, the author shows us that laughter should not be "laughed off" as unnecessary, unproductive or frivolous. I found myself repeatedly saying "what a great thought" or "what a fabulous idea." For those with problems, illnesses or aspects of their lives that are not really funny, this book offers rock-solid solutions for using laughter therapy to help you deal and cope in dramatically better ways. Few, if any, of us don't have stress or problems that drain our physical and emotional reservoirs -- and so, this book has inspiring, universal appeal. Light bulbs will go on for you when you read this unique book that will help you communicate more deeply, directly and enjoyably with others -- and with yourself. Life is often tragic and very real, and this book proves that it is also enormously funny. I would buy this book as a gift for everyone you know! There won't be anyone who won't thank you a thousand times over for it!

Professional Raves

Kathie McWilliams, Executive Director of Joyful Child
Dr. Annette Goodheart is a real pioneer in helping people throughout the world realize the healing power of laughter. She has developed techniques that have allowed her clients to heal deep emotional wounds and then move on to healthier and happier living. In her book, Laughter Therapy, she explains that her goal in writing it is to empower one to bring more healing laughter into one's life and to become "laughter independent." She outlines three myths about laughter that keep us from laughing. The first myth is that we must have a reason to laugh; the second is that we laugh because we are happy; and the third is that a sense of humor is the same thing as laughter. She dispels these myths and reveals what she believes to be the reality of laughter.

This book is a must for those who want to learn more about the effects of laughter on our well-being. It has practical suggestions on how to begin your own laughter therapy, a much needed commodity in today's world.

Violet Oaklander, Ph.D., Gestalt Therapist; Author, Windows to Our Children
"I am thrilled that Dr. Goodheart's work is finally in print! Her work is indeed unique and wonderful!"

Charles T. Tart, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, University of California , Berkeley ; Author, Waking-Up!
Goodheart's book shows us that "life is terribly real and sad. It's too easy to believe that's all the story. Life is also very, very funny."

Janet Roach, Screenwriter Prizzi's Honor
"Annette Goodheart's book can open your life to the vital, spacious dimension of laughter. The possibilities become endless. Goodheart knows the healing power of hilarity, and nothing -- not the most profound sadness or the most tormenting trouble -- can long withstand the light she brings with her to light the darkness with our lives."

Regular Folk Raves

"You touched the lives of every student and helped them to reveal themselves in a sympathetic surrounding. I particularly like the patience you have with the reticent, bashful, or highly sensitive individual."
    ~ Student

"Your class has changed my life.looking forward to being an advanced laughter groupie."
    ~ Sandy

"Annette is a wonderful instructor with a wealth of wisdom on laughter"
    ~ Student

"I can't imagine the course being given by anyone but Annette. She has a magnetism that is difficult to describe. I feel so fortunate that I'm here."
    ~ Student

"I came up on stage (in full leather) and bared my soul about feeling guilty that my lover had died of AIDS and blamed me. You hugged me and pointed-out that it couldn't have been my fault-then you got me to laugh about it in front of 500 people! Your "Cosmic Juice" healed me, and I've been well and guilt-free ever since."
    ~ Tom Booth, Laughter participant who volunteered for a demonstration at an AIDS conference in Manasota , Florida.

"I keep your book under the pillow and call it the laughter bible-everything marked in yellow and little green slips in the book-I probably know it almost by heart now.

I have read many books about laughter in both languages, but there is only one which I keep under my pillow and has affected me as much as yours has.
    ~ Ellen Muller, Vienna , Austria

"For me it was astonishing reading."
    ~ John Lansner , Denmark

"I am, like you, the product of a laughing family. I'd love to be able to say my familial group is therefore free of dysfunction, but that wouldn't be true. After reading your book, I now realize that laughter is a large part communicating and muddling through our dysfunction.

Of the many wonderful insights, revelations, and understandings I gained from your book (such as why I sometimes tend to laugh at the most inappropriate times), there was a century old mystery you solved. I'll bet you never expected to solve a genealogical mystery when you wrote the book.

My paternal grandmother, who lived to the ripe age of 99 ½, often reminisced about her life and family. Grandma frequently mentioned that her father never allowed any laughter in the household when she was growing up. The punishments were severe should this 19th Century "King of his Household" hear anyone laugh in his castle. Laughter in that household did occur, but the laughter of that family was more clandestine act of defiance than the expression of childhood joy it should have been.

When I read 'Some Thoughts on Ridicule and Conformity" on pages 28 and 29, I had an epiphany. I realized that great-grandpa Zafe's violent reaction to laughter undoubtedly resulted from a childhood full of ridicule, taunting, and teasing. I even have some theories on that ridicule, taunting and teasing. Circumstantial evidence points to Zafe being the child of a mulatto slave. During the family's move from Georgia to Alabama in the 1850's I think he became a member of the "white" family. I can imagine the ridicule and taunting Zafe might have encountered in his early years that led to his later hatred of laughter.

Interestingly, there was one person who Zafe allowed to freely laugh in his household, and that person was the ex-slave woman (Epsey) who occasionally came for long visits that had raised and nurtured him. When my grandmother was in her 90's she still spoke with awe how this old woman could laugh without infuriating her father.

It makes me "laugh" at the irony that my family line that is most Nordic in appearance (all fair, blond, and blue eyed), as well as the most racist, very well be the one line that has an African bloodline.

Your book is a gem. It has given me a wake up call to return to my roots of laughter. Sometimes in life events lead one down paths that make one forget the importance of laughter; that is when it is important to have a copy of your book handy."

    ~ Bill Goss