Disappointing Read: 'Emotional Intelligence' Falls Short

I've gotta say, I was really looking forward to reading 'Emotional Intelligence' by Daniel Goleman. As someone who's into psychology and self-improvement, I thought this book would be right up my alley.

But, let's just say my expectations were way off the mark. I mean, I'd heard great things about this book, but it didn't quite live up to the hype. Here's why.

First off, let's talk about the book itself. I've got the 12th revised edition, and it's a big one - 581 pages of theory and research. The cover is pretty cool, too - it's a soft cover that doubles as a bookmark. The design is super minimalist, and the back cover has some info about the book.

The pages are of medium density, and the table of contents is pretty extensive - 15 chapters, plus some extra appendices.

Now, let's get to the good stuff - the reading process. From the very beginning, Goleman warns readers that if they're not into theory or brain science, they can skip to the next chapter. I decided to start from the beginning and finish the book.

I was hoping to learn about the brain, how it works, and how we react to different situations, with some practical tools to help me improve myself. But, unfortunately, that's not what I got. The book is packed with theory and research, which is great, but there's just too much of it. I found myself thinking, 'Maybe the next chapter will wrap things up,' but nope - it just kept going.

The amount of information is overwhelming, and you'll need to remember a lot of it to keep up. I'd recommend reading this book at a leisurely pace, in a quiet environment.

The book is divided into two parts - one about the importance of emotional intelligence and how to manage it, and the other about real-life stories. I was expecting some practical advice on how to apply the information, but unfortunately, that's not what I got. I did learn a lot about the brain and emotions, but it felt like I was just scratching the surface.

The chapters are huge, with loads of research on the same topic. It's like Goleman is trying to convince us of the importance of emotional intelligence, but it feels like a never-ending sales pitch.

So, what's the verdict? I'd give this book two stars for the one thing I did learn - how emotions are formed. But for the average person, this book is a total letdown. Maybe it's worth reading for professionals in the field, but for the rest of us, it's a chore.