The 10 Best Anger Management Books
Editor's Notes
November 05, 2019:
You don't have to have serious rage issues for anger to infiltrate and negatively affect the wellbeing of yourself and those around you. Irritation, frustration, passive-aggressiveness, the silent treatment, and more are all insidious forms of anger that many of us don't even realize we're engaging in. One of the volumes on this list can help anyone who feels they're getting in the way of their happiness, or who has a loved one whose anger is affecting their quality of life. And like with any other self-help book, understand that there is no one size fits all approach, so don't get discouraged if the first one you pick up doesn't solve all your problems.
With all that being said, these selections are not meant to be a substitute for psychiatric help or medication, so if you are truly struggling, consider seeking out a licensed professional as well. While an anger management book is a great start, if you find that it is not helping you make the changes you want, it may be time to seek further guidance.
People who want to begin incorporating mindfulness techniques and principles into their lives will benefit from Wisdom for Cooling the Flames, which uses a humble writing style to bring ancient advice to modern lives. If you'd like something a little more balanced with Western thought, then The Anger Trap and The Cow in the Parking Lot are both good options. The Cow in the Parking Lot is also very interactive, so if you're looking for a selection that allows you to get your thoughts on paper, that's the one to choose.
On its face, Anger Management For Dummies might seem like it's been watered-down, but it's an in-depth, comprehensive book written by PhD-holding psychologists that's helpful for adults and teens. And if you're looking for something for a youngster specifically then The Explosive Child is worth considering. Written by a distinguished clinician, this insightful and compassionate read provides plenty of evidence-based, actionable guidance.
Joining the ranks today is Unoffendable: Just One Change, an extremely easy-to-read volume that targets Christians specifically but is an entertaining and enlightening tome for anyone who wants to eliminate righteous anger to pave the way for more forgiveness, humility, and joy. It's especially helpful if you're feeling inundated with (and angered by) headlines meant to infuriate and polarizing discussions at home and in the workplace.