Allen, R. L. (2001). The Concept of Self: A Study of Black Identity and Self-esteem. (African American Life Series). Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press. Allen, a professor in the department of communication at the University of Michigan, examines past scholarship on African-American identity and explores a wide range of issues leading to the formation of an individual and collective sense of self. Using results of the National Study of Black Americans, he develops a model of African self. The three parts of his book illustrate his approach: 1) The Black Self, Trends, Influences, and Effects, 2) Theoretical and Empirical Examination of the Black Self, and 3) Theory Construction. A book designed for the serious student.

Canfield, J., with J. Switzer. (2005). The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. New York: Harper Resource Book (An imprint of Harper Collins Publishers). You never know what trigger will fire the bullet that will change your life forever; this book, however, has that kind of potential. Canfield is the co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and in that spirit includes 64 brief chapters in this 461-page book. He begins with 24 chapters on "The Fundamentals of Success," 14 on "Transforming Yourself for Success," then 9 on "Building Your Success Team," 8 on "Creating Successful Relationships," 7 on "Success and Money," and 2 on "Success Starts Now." This is an easy-to-read, practical, and inspiring guide to increasing your self-confidence, tackling daily challenges, living with passion and purpose, and realizing your ambitions. No matter what your goals are, the principles and strategies for gaining success are the same. This book will both inspire and empower you to lead a more fulfilling life.

Dalrymple, T. (2001). Life at the Bottom: The Worldview that Makes the Underclass. Chicago, IL: Ivan R. Dee, Publisher. Dalrymple, a British psychiatrist, who treats the poor in a slum hospital and a prison in England, offers a searing account of life in the underclass and why it persists as it does. Of 22 chapters in this 263-page book, by far the most relevant for this chapter on self-concept, is "Choosing to Fail" in which Dalrymple offers realistic views of the nonverbal illustrations of failure, the self-fulfilling prophecies of doom, and the pernicious negative filters through which those who choose to fail, see the world. Dalrymple draws the conclusion for all members of our society: "for while we ascribe our conduct to pressures from without, we obey the whims that well up from within, thereby awarding ourselves carte blanche to behave as we choose. Thus we feel good about behaving badly" (p. 122). This is an excellent, readable, eye-opening book.

Eakin, P. J. (2001), How our Lives Become Stories: Making Selves. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Using life writings from works by Christa Wolf, Oliver Sacks, Henry Louis Gates, Melanie Thernstrom, and Philip Roth, Eakin draws on the latest research in neurology, cognitive science, memory studies, and developmental psychology to re-think the nature of self-representation. He shows how living in one's body shapes one's self-identity. He clearly demonstrates that the self and the story of self are constantly evolving in relation to others.

Glickman, R. (2002). Optimal thinking: How to be Your Best Self. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. This 246-page paperback is full of useful and interesting information. Her chapters on "Achieve Optimal Self-Esteem," "Maximize Your Communications," and "Optimal Thinking at Work," are the most directly related to those in this book, but she has chapters on discovering your ultimate direction in life, planning your best life, and optimizing your feelings, too, that may appeal to those at this juncture of their lives. This is definitely a hands-on, workbook that includes specific suggestions, rating forms, and self-assessment lists to aid in an overall approach to limit self-sabotaging activities, master disturbing emotions, and maximize your enjoyment of everyday activities. Basically, it's about being the best self you can be.

Harris, E. L. (2003). What Becomes of the Brokenhearted: A Memoir. New York: Doubleday (A division of Random House, Inc.). This is a well-written, well-documented, and very intricate look at the culture of a gay black man in U.S. society. Harris, a bestselling author, writes an incredibly touching memoir that not only details his loneliness and depression but, too, his successes and triumphs. One of the unique aspects of his book is his examples of how fragile a self-concept can be, and how a person who was unsure of who he was, and unsure, too, whether he would ever be comfortable with who he was, could not just dream big, but could actualize his dreams through his writing, and write himself into the very life he wanted.

McGraw, P. C. (2001). Self Matters: Creating your Life from the Inside Out. New York: Simon & Schuster. Look at some of McGraw's early chapter titles: Defining the Authentic Self, Your Self-Concept, Locus of Control, and Internal Dialogue. Although the information appears to be correct, although the book is well written with a large number of useful and interesting examples, and although McGraw (Dr. Phil) covers the topics thoroughly, he includes no references, footnotes, nor bibliography, and even when he writes, "In an experiment some years ago," he gives readers no source and the experimenters no credit. That doesn't deny the value of the information, but readers have to rely on McGraw's credibility for the validity of what he writes. This is a great motivational book for those whose self-concept is in need of repair or for those who use excuses and fears to run their lives.

Nam, V. (2001). YELL-Oh girls! Emerging voices: Explore Culture, Identity, and Growing Up Asian American. Hillsboro, NH: Quill Publishers. Nam's main focus is on the tough work of establishing identity, and it is relevant for young women of all ethnic backgrounds. The 80 brief essays in this 336-page book cover such things as body image, interracial friendship, dating, adoption, "model minority" stereotypes, Asian-American feminist activism, sexuality, language and white boy's "Asian fetish." It is useful especially for young females who are trying to understand their cultural identity. A well-written book that is totally relevant for today's society.

Ryan, M. J. (2004). Training Yourself How to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed and Live More Happily with Less Effort. New York: Broadway Books (A division of Random House, Inc.). In this 204-page book, Ryan talks about the power of self-trust, the gifts of trusting yourself, the practices of self-trust, and fifteen simple ways to increase your trust in yourself. In more than 50, three-through-four page chapters, Ryan offers stories, anecdotes, examples, engaging personal narrative, and practical suggestions filled with clarity and compassion that gently guide and offer confidence. This is a surprisingly compelling book that will help you live every day to the fullest.

Shields, V. R., & D. Heinecken. (2002). Measuring up: How Advertising Affects Self-Image. State College, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press. Bringing together the literature of feminist media studies, feminist film theory, critical social theory, cultural studies, and critical ethnography, the authors examine the complex relationship between the idealized images of gender seen in advertising and one's own thoughts, feelings, and behavior in relation to these images. "They are techno enhanced labyrinths of unattainable appearances that leave women and men feeling horrified, estranged, and restricted by unrealistic, silent mandates," say the authors.

Wallis, V. (2002). Raising Ourselves: A Gwich 'in Coming of Age Story from the Yukon River. Kenmore, WA: Epicenter Press. In this engaging narrative, Wallis—born in 1960, the sixth of thirteen children—reveals a deep understanding of the traditional cultures of Alaska. She comes of age in a two-room cabin in remote Fort Yukon, Alaska. It is a story of renewal, reconciliation, and strength as Wallis and her people must come to grips with both alcoholism and cultural loss. But it is a story, too, of how a young woman's self-concept is shaped and molded by a culture replete with alcoholism, child abused, domestic violence, murder, rape, fetal alcohol syndrome, drug abuse, ignorance, and dependency. She immerses you in her culture with examples, details, and a journalist's precision.

Whyte, D. (2001). Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity. New York, NY: Riverhead Books (A division of Penguin Putnam, Inc.). Whyte views work not only as a means of support, but as a means for interacting with the world and developing self-expression and identity. He draws upon the philosophical underpinnings of the self-help movement aimed at finding one's "inner compass," but there is no step-by-step format to follow here, rather an interesting and provocative look at the subject of work and its effect on individuals. This is a fascinating, insightful tour of the human psyche.