In the crowded field of self-help literature, it takes an exceptional book to stand out from the rest. Master Yourself by Claudio Vargas Silva is just such a book, in more ways than one. What sets this well-written and expertly organized guide apart is the comprehensive self-care approach that Silva-a prolific author and lecturer and himself a survivor of self-defeating depression and low self-esteem-has developed, which practically ensures that anyone can improve his or her self-image and enjoy greater success in life.

The effectiveness of Master Yourself lies in Silva's unique ability to help readers identify and then reverse the negative assessments they have made about themselves. At the core of every human problem is the difficulty of valuing oneself, Silva writes, and of allowing guilt and a victim mentality to define who we are. Nobody, he wisely points out, can humiliate us unless we agree with them.

Learning to value, love and take genuine pride in ourselves is the first important step toward empowerment, Silva states, just as learning to forgive and then believe in ourselves underscores the basis of self-acceptance-one of the most vital aspects of human existence. Once we begin to love ourselves, to see ourselves as important and special, we can begin to overcome feelings of fear, guilt and anger and effectively change the way we deal with ourselves and others.

Short on platitudes and long on practical techniques, Master Yourself presents a straightforward and powerful approach to changing one's life for the better. Taking on the role of a wise and encouraging teacher, Silva, a minister and former chaplain, shows you how to avoid the pitfalls of negative thinking, overcome selfishness and damaging pride, and break the cycles of anger, blame and abuse so that you can master the ability to turn passivity into action and failure into success. Feeling good-about yourself and others-feels wonderful, and Claudio Vargas Silva's Master Yourself will literally guide you along the path of this most rewarding journey.

Review by New York Times best-selling author Ellen Tanner Marsh