Dare to Take Charge: How to Live Your Life on Purpose [Hardcover]

Glenda Hatchett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 20, 2010

For nearly ten years, Judge Glenda Hatchett has delighted TV audiences with a brand of justice that turns the everyday into something eminently watchable.

Her message can be distilled into the following two words: Dare Yourself. Whatever obstacles or fears one faces, Judge Hatchett's prescription implores readers to write their own story in this life. With care and conviction, Judge Hatchett uses real life stories from the courtroom and her personal life to counsel readers. Shows them how to find their true purpose and gifts, to be real about their reality and its potential outside of challenging circumstances, and to always be true to themselves.

Interactive as well as inspirational, DARE TO TAKE CHARGE challenges the reader to ask self-reflective questions that lead to moments of self-discovery and a defined pathway to healing. Daring her audience to study the positive with the same interest and intensity that they study the negative, Judge Hatchett uncovers the potential for grace and success in lives that are now punctuated with despair and unfaithfulness.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Judge Hatchett is an accomplished woman: in addition to her successful syndicated show, she has been a corporate litigator and manager of international media relations, as well as a chief presiding judge of Fulton County, Ga.'s juvenile court. Sharing her own story and the experiences of those who have appeared in her courtroom, Hatchett challenges readers to take charge of their lives, to define their dreams and dare to achieve them, to try new things, and to start every day with a clear idea of what they can accomplish to move toward their goal.But she simply strings together self-help clichés as she urges readers to spend more time doing what they're good at, to expect more of themselves, to keep a Joy Journal to reflect on what has brought them pleasure, and to pursue activities they feel passionate about. The self-help advice offered is generic, and while fans of Hatchett's TV show might enjoy the book, she won't be attracting many newcomers.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

On her nationally syndicated television show, juvenile court judge Hatchett hears a fair share of trouble and woe. In this book, she shares some of the troubles of her own life as well and offers strategies for overcoming the challenges in life. She grew up in segregated Georgia and faced restrictions of racism and sexism as she dared to imagine herself in a career in the law. Hatchett drew on encouragement offered by parents and teachers and shares much of their advice. From her court cases, she draws examples of families struggling at the worst moments of their lives and the lessons she imparted and learned from their stories. Hatchett encourages readers to take stock of their lives, detailing how their dreams stack up against reality. Interspersing her life story and those of others, she challenges readers to dare to bring their dreams into daily reality. She advises keeping a joy journal, setting priorities, realistically evaluating shortcomings, and taking advantage of opportunities. Readers and fans will appreciate her practical advice and inspiring life story. --Vanessa Bush

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Center Street; First Edition edition (September 20, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599953307
• ISBN-13: 978-1599953304
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #927,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars We Can Dream The Impossible Dream October 6, 2010

By Grapes

Format:Hardcover

This book, Dare To Take Charge is a special gift from Judge Glenda Hatchett. The writing style of the book is filled with a caring heart for her family, the young people and parents she met while on the bench in Fulton County, Georgia. This book also shows her intense interest for the community when she is not sitting on the bench. Judge Glenda Hatchett is one of those people who carries her heart on her shoulder for all to see. She has a heart of action that will reach out at any time to help a person out of a dark place and into a healthy, well lighted environment. If she needs extra help, she will call and ask for it. Believe me she knows lots of important people. These other people are capable of turning a person's world around too.

There are so many memorable anecdotes in DARE TO TAKE CHARGE. One true story is about a young boy who had been abandoned. He needed his mother so badly. He was like melting putty without his mother to guide him through life. Judge Hatchett saw the body trembling as he stood before her. He needed emotional care immediately, not a month, a year but as quickly as possible. Judge Hatchett told her staff to get his mother in court by the end of four hours. Of course, the staff didn't see how this task was possible in such a short time. However, they did find the mother in the given time. This is one of Judge Hatchett's beliefs. When people have a purpose, nothing is impossible.

There are many life stories in this book including Judge Hatchett's personal stories about becoming a lawyer, working as a CEO and as the one to face the media during Delta airlines trying time and working as a judge with hard core cases. While reading the book, I met Judge Hatchett's aunt, cousin and mother and friends. All of those people were there for her when the going got tough and the tough got person help other people help themselves to lead a better life. She sees too much that needs doing. One time it took a friend to make her go rest while the friend cooked a meal, cared for baby and tidied the house, etc. Of course, this does not happen often because the Judge knows how to live a fruitful life. It came as a surprise to me that she is also a parent. She uses her twenty four hours well.

In this book she freely gives many workable tools. There is not one page I would tear out of this book or not read in this book. Dare To Take Charge is a treasure chest filled with gleaming jewels of wisdom. At the end of each chapter, there are journal pages to help the reader remember what to do to make life eventful and exciting. These pages are there as further help after reading what she has written beforehand.

A couple of weeks ago I heard a young person say goodbye to a group of people. She added the words "it's been real." This is why I like this book. "It's been real." DARE TO TAKE CHARGE is not a thrown together book for an author to make money and get fame and attention. Judge Hatchett wants to make life one of purpose for everybody. Just think how much better adults and children can live life if they are told "It's not what you're called but what you answer to that will define who you are."

Judge Hatchett points out the importance of giving and sharing what we have with other people. She writes, "Our blessings are meant to be shared." This was my teachable moment in the book. Now all I have to do is DARE TO TAKE CHARGE.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking Charge... October 14, 2010

By L. Romich VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

DARE TO TAKE CHARGE: How to Live Your Life on Purpose by Judge Glenda Hatchett is a very inspirational read. I am sure you have all seen Judge Hatchett on the television and if you have not --you are missing a truly empowering judge. No matter who walks into her court room she is quick to tell them what she thinks and feels, Judge Hatchett points out how wrong they are and is determined to find a solution to whatever the problem may be. She will send young adults away for a wake-up call so they can get back on the right track and make something of themselves. In the beginning of the book, she says "Life is a stern teacher. If we get the message, life supports us. If we stay confused, we have to live through the chaos confusion causes."

Judge Hatchett writes this novel in the hopes of teaching life lessons and strategies, such as: daring to dream and keeping your dreams a high priority; expect more for yourself; make a habit of finding joy in things, even though you may feel like you have fallen, get up, learn your lesson and move on; focus on your progress and not your lack thereof; be honest with yourself; forgive yourself for all the things you have not done and keep it moving; move beyond your mistakes; "seize your future potential by not letting your past hold tomorrow hostage;" and to believe in yourself and dare to take charge of your life.

DARE TO TAKE CHARGE by Judge Glenda Hatchett is a motivational and inspirational book. With each personal story that Judge Hatchett tells, it only drives home the point she is trying to make even more. A very powerful read, one that you will not want to pass up if you are looking for a self-help book.

This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Reviewed by Leona
APOOO BookClub

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book March 2, 2013

By Feathers

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Judge Hatchett is the bomg, she really keeps it real in this books and makes you think. I have read this book over and over again.