Abstract: A collection of interviews illustrates how successful people have coped with basic human problems such as guilt, the need for a perfect world, making decisions, etc. The people interviewed range from Norman Vincent Peale to Abbie Hoffman. Each person describes the challenges imposed upon him by life. The author discusses each subject's actions and personality in terms of a fundamental wisdom which the reader can apply to his own life. These 13 chapters demonstrate that the people live in a way that reflects their beliefs and helps them deal openly with adversity. This self-help book, written for the layperson by a psychologist, discusses how to polish coping skills; each of the 13 interviewees is described as the master of a particular skill. For example, Muhammad Ali relates how he achieved self realization and Xaviera Hollander discusses in frank, earthy langauge how she deals with guilt. The format for each chapter includes a brief description of the fundamental problem, an interview with the "great inspiring teachers", and suggestions for the reader to incorporate into his personal philosophy. (kbc).