Passion [Hardcover]

Barbara De Angelis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 1998

Barbara De Angelis explores passion and its essential place in our lives in a compact tour-de-force for all seasons. A primary motive force that invests life with color, purpose and ultimate meaning, our passion defines how we approach each day and is at the heart of our closest relationships and our most profound achievements. Now, drawing upon her years of experience as one of the world's most renowned relationship and personal growth experts, Barbara De Angelis provides the perfect antidote to a hectic world in which we all too often lose sight of our innermost goals and most important bonds. Passion is an irresistible little primer for summer contemplation, an ideal gift, and a celebration of life for inspiration throughout the year.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Passion is a wake-up call for anyone who's not feeling fully alive, and that's just about everyone, according to relationship guru Barbara De Angelis. She defines passion as a benevolent energy that infuses life with meaning and magic; it's not just about sex and lust, although they do play a role. Peppered throughout with poetic aphorisms, Passion explains how to cultivate passion in yourself, and subsequently at work and in relationships. De Angelis writes, "It's your passion that, throughout your life, will be your saving grace, for it will keep you going after your dreams when everyone advises you to give up, keep you searching for the right partner even when you're afraid he or she isn't out there, keep you traveling on the path of self-discovery even when you aren't sure where the road is taking you." The road is ultimately one of soul renewal, she says. While she occasionally waxes so spiritual as to get a bit drippy, much of her advice here is right on target.

From Publishers Weekly

De Angelis is a virtual one-woman industry of relationship advice, including books (Real Moments), lectures and seminars, video and audio tapes. In this meager effort, she delivers a brief pep talk, encouraging readers to "live passionately" in work, intimate relationships and life in general. In several short essays punctuated by full-page quotes and paraphrases from the text, the author offers enthusiasm but little depth or breadth. The directive to "open yourself fully to each moment and to each situation," for instance, assumes that readers know how to do this and that there are no real problems or obstacles to doing so. Instead of helping readers to find their bliss, De Angelis too often seems to be telling them to simply act blissful. The advice here is too often general and vague, lacking inspiration or insight and ignoring real problems many people must face and resolve in order to discover their passion. De Angelis's topic is simply too large for her little Hallmark card of a book. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections; first serial to Glamour; second serial to Family Circle.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press (June 8, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385314353
• ISBN-13: 978-0385314350
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,792,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When you read a pure truth, it touches your heart profoundly, September 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Passion (Hardcover)

My husband of two years and I have wrangled endlessly about how to make our marriage healthy. We were at the point of divorce for the twentieth time when this book was recommended by a friend. The one hour it took to read was the most powerful I've experienced in ages! My sweetheart agreed to read it as well. We sat down and discussed several of the chapters (none more than 3-4 pages long) which were especially pertinent to us. The book opened dialog we've failed to have before and led to a reconciliation of true strength. We were clearly able to see the simple principles we'd managed to miss in creating our lives together. The book is very readable, very quotable, and very, very powerful. We dare you to live your lives with the full passion Barbara suggests.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DeAngelis is right on the money with this book, October 1, 2002

By 

Bryan N. Griffin Jr. (Westlake {formerly from Brooklyn}, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Passion (Hardcover)

She could not be anymore truthful with this book. A few years back, I borrowed this book from the local library. I read it from cover to cover within a day and a half. I love it. It is very readable, right to the point, and hits you where it should: right to the heart. I have other books by her, but PASSION is my all-time favorite. I found it used for a very good price on this site, and I purchased it. Get the book; you'll thank me for it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Small book, powerful message, January 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Passion (Paperback)

I picked up this little red book knowing nothing about DeAnglelis and too little about some of my own confusing emotions and experiences. Perhaps its brevity and simple truths are part of its power and charm. Don't expect an intellectual masterpiece but it's well worth the hour it will take to read. If you are passionate, you will love it and laugh with DeAngelis. If you lack passion, it could open your eyes to a new truth.