Furry Logic...say what?

Jane Seabrook's Furry Logic: A Guide to Life's Little Challenges  has now been released in its 10th anniversary edition.  It is a small, coffee-table style book that is "cute."  The value of the book is in the artistry of the animals matched with the short sayings throughout the book. Clearly, the author has an eye for the perfect animal to fully convey the meaning of the short statements.  For instance, if you get the book, wait till you reach this statement:  "I never made who's who, but I'm featured in what's that!"  The animal picture is perfect. 

My personal favorite is this -- "No one is listening until you make a mistake."  That one perfectly resonates with my professional life.  A couple of others are laugh-out-loud funny or have wonderful advice -- "When you're in it up to your ears...it pays to keep your mouth shut."  Again, the animal picture fits perfectly here.

My biggest gripe is that many of the statements really do not offer significant guidance for challenges.  For instance, look at the dichotomy of this included saying:  "All power corrupts.  Absolute power is kinda neat."  I am a discerning and serious reader (so that may be part of my problem), but where is the guidance in those two statements?  If power corrupts, then absolute power is the most corrupt of all.  Yes, the lion pictured fits the comment but where's the guidance for the challenge of power?  As more proof, look at these:  "You don't have to agree with me, but it's quicker" or "If you don't agree with me, it means...you haven't been listening."  Those ideas do not offer guidance for challenges but are more apt to create greater issues.  In my opinion, the book did not live up to its "tag line" behind the colon.

As a reader, if you want true guidance to life's challenges, then avoid this book.  It does not offer great guidance.  In fact, I can think of many other books -- particularly the Bible -- that would be a much better source of information regarding the challenges of our lives.  If, as a reader, you seek something as a potential and inexpensive gift for friends or colleagues at work, then get copies to distribute freely.


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book for free from the Blogging for Books Publishing Group for this review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 25:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.