From Library Journal
Vanzant's good will is infectious. Her ability to mock herself makes it easier for the rest of us to admit our own foibles. Back to Basics opens with a wonderful homily about why women have to try harder than men. The author jokes that when men try to get into heaven, they are only asked one question while women are required to answer four. God is truly in the details of her stories. Faith, she argues, is humanity's purpose on earth, and the only way to live a fully realized life is to get back to basics. She acknowledges that even people with faith get knocked down, yet Vanzant (The Value in the Valley) hopes to give her listeners the tools to get back up again. She is an empowerment specialist, spiritual life counselor, and minister. In Transformation, Vanzant is willing to admit to a time in her life when she stole and double-dipped from the welfare department in order to make ends meet. She makes her audiences believe that they can transform their lives because she did. Vanzant also confesses that she, on occasion, is not immune to the allure of her old life. On the day that she recorded this book in New York, the author traveled by plane with a grandchild in tow, who did not understand why pizza and French fries were unavailable on the flight from their hometown. Upon arrival, their day did not improve. No one met their plane or helped with luggage. Adding insult to injury, Vanzant needed handouts photocopied, and no one was available to help her with her grandchild, luggage, or unscheduled stops. She jokes about how hard it is to keep a good attitude when life doesn't go as planned. Having written seven books in five years, she has to be one of the hardest working ministers in America. Vanzant is on the best sellers lists because she is willing to tell hard truths (discipline is everything) with dignity and wry amusement. Both tapes are recommended for all libraries. Pam Kingsbury, Alabama Humanities Fdn., Florence
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
Iyanla Vanzant is the award-winning and bestselling author of
Acts of Faith, The Value in the Valley, Faith in the Valley, One Day My Soul Just Opened Up, and
In The Meantime. As an empowerment specialist, Spiritual Life Counselor, and ordained minister, she lectures and facilitates workshops nationally with a mission to assist in the empowerment of women and men everywhere.
