Review of “How to Stand up to Bullying” by M.C. Ryder

 Score: 94/100 (9.4 out of 10)

How to Stand Up to Bullying is a spirited, inspirational, and empowering self-help/non-fiction book by M.C. Ryder.

How to Stand Up to Bullying surprised us with the elegance, eloquence, and sheer quality of the writing!

We were genuinely (and pleasantly) surprised by this, especially since earlier works by M.C. Ryder left a lot to be desired in terms of grammar and writing quality.

M.C. Ryder has definitely come into her own, weaving together brilliant passages like:

- “They swim in a sea of bitterness”

- “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

(Note that this beautifully puts forward the idea that hate is learned and that no one is born hateful or evil)

- “An act of kindness can make a difference and save lives. Why? It provides hope. Provides a light when someone might be drowning in a dark tunnel of despair. If we all claim to want world peace, it starts with kindness.”

(Note the alliteration in “dark tunnel of despair” and the contrast between light and dark)

- “They are the thunder; you are the lightning. You are more powerful than you think you are and they don’t want you to recognize it because once you do, you become a threat.”

(Note the force and ferocity of this empowering passage!)

- “Stand tall, even if you’re afraid. Don’t let them see your fear. They are counting on it. To twist your fear and use it against you when, in reality, their fear outweighs yours.”

- “By suppressing emotions, you are allowing yourself to live in the dark when we are all meant to live in the light. Dark is hate. Hate is Satan. Light is love. Love is God.”

(This passage juxtaposes light and dark, love and hate, in a way that feels lyrical, connecting deeper emotions to spiritual concepts.)

How to Stand Up to Bullying by M.C. Ryder explores various aspects of bullying, including its psychological roots, the motivations behind bullies, and the impact on both the victims and the bullies themselves. It covers topics such as the psychology of a bully, mental bullying, bullying in the workplace, and even more nuanced forms of manipulation and narcissism. Each chapter delves into understanding the behavior of bullies and offers practical strategies for standing up to them, empowering readers to assert themselves and break the cycle of bullying.

The book’s tone is both informative and personal, blending insights from the author’s personal experiences with broader societal reflections. It also includes advice on handling bullies in different contexts—school, workplace, and personal relationships—emphasizing the importance of self-worth, assertiveness, and resilience.

It's a book about standing up to evil and hate while also being comfortable, confident, and content in your own skin.

It also reveals the roots of these feelings and the fact that EVERYONE is susceptible to them, from the neighborhood miscreant to the local pastor. People who feel insecure, uncertain, vulnerable, and weak will often pick on others to compensate for their own ill feelings and egos.

This book also provides great information for those who've been bullied or parents of children who are being bullied.

We were pleasantly surprised by the emotional depth, insights, and writing quality of this book—arguably M.C. Ryder's best yet!

Check it out on Amazon!