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| The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Unabridged Audio Program) | 
 enlarge | Author: Stephen R. Covey
Publisher: Covey
Category: Book
List Price: $49.95
Buy New: $26.50
You Save: $23.45 (47%)
New (30) Used (11) from $24.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  19 reviews
Sales Rank: 9761
Format: Audiobook, Unabridged
Media: Audio CD
Edition: 15th Anniversary
Number Of Items: 15
Pages: 13
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 5.1 x 1.7
ISBN: 1929494750
Dewey Decimal Number: 158
EAN: 9781929494750
ASIN: 1929494750
Publication Date: September 27, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 14 more reviews...
 Which audio version of "The 7 Habits" is best for me? October 31, 2006
97 out of 101 found this review helpful
This review is for people who already know that the book is valuable and who are now trying to choose which audio version of the "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" would be most useful for themselves or for people they know. I recently bought three different audio CD versions (plus a few copies of the book) as gifts for people with different personalities and learning styles. I am also familiar with some older products.
The product on this page is an UNABRIDGED AUDIO CD VERSION of the 15th anniversary edition of the book.
It would be ideal for people who are ready for a personal plan to study and apply the principles in the book to their own lives, but who need a little extra "push". I would suggest listening to the CDs before or while studying corresponding segments of the book, either alone or with someone else. The encouraging, calm and authentic voice of the author gives an extra dimension to the text - keeps you focused. Regularly scheduled study or discussion sessions could be short, as each CD is divided into several tracks which basically follow the headings and sub-headings in the book. This CD product demonstrates how well the book was written, as the text flows so naturally when read by the author.
This could be a 5-star product for people who plan to use it along with the book or after having read the book. It is probably not the best "stand-alone" learning tool for most people - the book is. It may be good for those who have more time for listening (about 14 hours on 13 disks) than for reading and who are good at learning by hearing. The discs come with a little "study guide" booklet, which I think was created for an earlier audio product. The booklet is good for review, but seeing the diagrams in the printed book is more useful if you are reading along with the audio version. I find the occasional introductory music in the audio program a little distracting, but the author's reading is engaging.
The unabridged book is also available for audio download (suitable for iPod, etc) with a slightly shorter running time (less than 13 hours) listed. I don't know how it would compare in usefulness to the CDs discussed here.
Of the audio products I have listened to, the one I would consider to be "5 star" as a stand-alone learning tool (either for individual or small-group listening) is the 3-DISC "AUDIOBOOK ON CD" (circa 2001-2002) which says, "Taught by the Author" on the cover rather than "Unabridged, read by the author". However, it is not really an "Audiobook". This product presents information partly in a seminar or classroom lecture format, with comments by people on how they have applied some of the principles in their own lives. The importance of trust in interpersonal and business relationships seem to get extra emphasis in this audio product. Running time is about 3 hours, 20 minutes.
This is probably the most useful audio product for people who don't like to read much, but it also complements the book without following it too closely. It comes with a useful little study guide summarizing the "7 habits", which includes some of the diagrams found in the book. The booklet is handy as an overview, even if you have the book. I believe that this product is more suitable for non-optimal listening situations (in the car, etc.) than is the 13-disc unabridged audio book, which, like the printed book, seems to call for a quiet setting where you can devote your full attention.
Each CD in the 3-disc set is divided into short one or two minute tracks (sometimes with several tracks in a single topic segment) so you can pause easily for reflection or discussion. Divisions between the short tracks are not evident as you are listening. Some reviewers have noted troublesome differences in volume between the text and short musical "bumpers" between topics. This bothered me a little on one of the CD players I listened with. You might try turning down the treble or turning the volume up and moving further from the machine if the relative loudness of the music bothers you.
The SIMON & SCHUSTER CD version (copyright 1999) of the old, original Simon and Schuster audiocassette product also should not really be classified as an "audiobook". In its day, the audiocassette version was a very well-produced, lucid overview of the original book with introductory statements by a female narrator, then explanations and examples by Dr. Covey from his professional seminars. The tape version was more useful as motivation to read or think more deeply about the book than as an independent learning tool. It was a big seller when the book was making a big splash. Simon & Schuster dropped the ball when they put the CD version onto a single track of about 72 minutes. Since multiple tracks are lacking on this CD, the older cassette version may be more useful for people who want a short audio overview. Otherwise, be prepared to listen to the whole CD in one sitting. I now cannot find this product on Amazon, but I do see a new, more expensive 1-CD product called a "15th anniversary edition", publishing date 2005. The product information states that the publisher is Simon & Schuster, but the image says FranklinCovey. It may be a new release of the original audiocasette. I would check to see if multiple tracks have been added before buying it.
I notice that FranklinCovey is now coming out with a new "SIGNATURE SERIES" of CDs in which one CD is devoted to each of the "7 habits". I am not familiar with this product. The CDs are sold as a set or individually. Some other audio versions and "spin-off" products have been introduced over the years. I much prefer the products which present information in an organized manner to those which present seemingly random motivational thoughts (like "reflections" on the 7 habits, cards, calendars, etc.). Many of the "spin-off" products would be far less valuable than the original book for most people.
 Audio Version Less Effective Than Print Form October 5, 2005
25 out of 32 found this review helpful
Why is this book read in business schools, seminaries and even by high school students? Why "Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People"?
In some cases, what Covey says the rest all say. The biggest difference is the process, not the method.
In audio form, it lacks. The listener, who may be commuting, is not able to process the ideas. What works as a book is less effective as audio. This is by no means a criticism of Covey's challenges, but of the device he uses to impart them.
Covey's "Seven Habits" are like eating properly during the gestation of your baby. The short-term results are hard to realize, but the foundation for good health are laid. Follow what Covey says, and in the long-term, you will be highly effective.
Covey starts with explaining that the first step isn't external, but internal. It isn't just that Covey is trying to get you to feel good about your abilities. Instead, he wants you prepared for the hard work the seven habits will require. In fact, Covey deplores the cheap 'character ethic' method, noting it evolved away from character, and more into quick-fix influence techniques.
He separates influence and character, and wants the reader to know influence without character is not good. "Only basic goodness gives life to technique." The book is not a lesson in technique.
The Seven Habits are divided into chapters:
1- Be Proactive
2- Begin with the End in Mind
3- Put First Things First
4- Think Win/Win
5- Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
6- Synergize
7- Sharpen the Saw
Covey, despite how it is a management and professional growth book, has also written a personal growth book. It is not a relationship book, as in the sense John Gray writes, or a weight loss book, like Dr. Phil writes. Fans of "Who Moved My Cheese" by Johnson will connect.
Though Covey won't charge at the reader by asking him to repeat a mantra of "I think I can. I think I can," he does show the reader the ways of realigning their perspective, their goals and their strengths for the greater good of both the listener, and those he interacts with.
Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com
 A classic life enhancer September 20, 2007
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Covey's book is a classic that I frequently pull off my shelf to review. This CD set is a convenient way to review the timeless principles Covey teaches and to trigger thoughts about new applications in my own life while I'm on the road.
I'm a big supporter of listening to self development and training material while you drive/ride. Currently in my car's CD player: Dave Lakhani's "Making Marketing Work" (a guide for successful sales/marketing in today's world), Kevin Hogan's "Time for Love, Time for Money" (rock solid set on time, energy and financial creation) . . . and High School Musical 2 soundtrack (for my girls, not me - really!).
Your life will be richer - way beyond finances - for reading Covey's book and frequently reinforcing with this set of CDs. Even if you have not read the book and don't intend to, you will still benefit from these CDs.
Mollie Marti
Author, Selling: Powerful New Strategies for Sales Success
Inspiring piece of literature February 13, 2007
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Stephen's audiobook is to say the least one of the most beneficial pieces of "literature" I have ever listened to.
His focus on principles over feelings, on the character over the personality, rings true in a very deep sense. The concepts of proactivity, win-win thinking, sharpening the saw, and others is very beneficial to living an ethically honest and emotionally practical existence.
It takes the modern fascination with feelings and in Stephen's very deep, thorough way, successfully refutes this philosophy and replaces it effectively with principles using logic and practicality to live an inspired existence.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone looking for clarity and desiring principle-centered strength. A person desiring this result will live an effective existence in a confusing world where the expression "to thine own self be true" has been replaced by the expression "to thine own feelings be true".
It is better to take time to read this material instead August 10, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The author just seems to be reading the book at his pace. It is lacking artistic touch. Although he understands the material very well, he has not taken time to illustrate the material using extra examples. A role playing of several people could be more effective to make it more interesting. The material is too intense to just hear and go to the next step without thinking through. On the other hand, it works out much better just reading the book and understanding the material, making notes and see how I can relate to the material.
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