Surrendering to Yourself [Hardcover]

Iris Krasnow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2003

Best-selling author Iris Krasnow presents a powerful, exhilarating book about living from truth, about uncovering who you are, beyond marriage, children, and career. With passionate narrative and insightful interviews, Krasnow helps readers muster up the courage to discard old selves that are false, and to live their dreams. She pushes people to sever unhealthy relationships, to resurrect childhood hobbies, to consider a new career, and to face their own mortality. Krasnow stresses that Surrendering to Yourself is not a selsh pursuit, that developing clarity and strength from within means opening up to the world and to love. 'My goal is for midlifers to think life-lifts, not facelifts; for people with crevices in their faces to realize that Botox cannot x their souls,' writes Krasnow. 'It is only when we plug into the passion of our souls can we nd happiness.' With humor and grace, Krasnow propels us to identify our true selves and live the lives we were meant to lead, with purpose, exuberance, and direction.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Iris Krasnow is back with her third tribute to the art of personal commitment, Surrendering to Yourself, a book that focuses on the importance of making life choices that lead to greater fulfillment. Those familiar with Krasnow's work will by now understand that her concept of "surrender" is slightly different than the norm; what she urges repeatedly with this book is for people to return to the activities that have brought them the most joy in the past. Previous titles (Surrendering to Motherhood and Surrendering to Marriage) were aimed specifically at women, and while this is written from the same perspective, it is broader in scope, with a central message that appeals equally to both genders. Inspirational interviews range from a CEOs with a passion for flying to the Yom Kippur sermon of Krasnow's rabbi, and while the topic at hand is often the author's personal search, it is no less meaningful to those who have not been stay-at-home moms. Gently different from more directly instructional manuals, Krasnow reminds us that, "However compelling these texts are and insightful the scribes are, in the end it is you, and it is I, who must figure out things for ourselves—our values, aspirations, the meaning of integrity". She's not about to provide a precise list leading to these discoveries—instead, she'll inspire you to get started on your own list. --Jill Lightner

From Publishers Weekly

The third in journalist Krasnow's series, following Surrendering to Marriage and Surrendering to Motherhood, examines the need for women to have their own identity, apart from their roles as wife and mother. Using her own experiences as well as those of women she interviewed for the book, Krasnow believes that women will be happier and more fulfilled when they are in touch with their own identity. Krasnow readily admits that she loves being a parent and dreads the day her children become independent and no longer rely on her on a daily basis, but she also believes that "we can't allow our power to be gotten from the adoration of someone else-real power stems from the beams in our soul, a soul we own and no one else gets to claim." Krasnow examines several important issues for women-work vs. family responsibilities; relationships with elderly parents; time to oneself; etc. Her writing is appealing; the transitions between the anecdotes from other people and her own experiences are seamless. It is hard to dispute her thesis-that women need to pursue work or hobbies or something that is their own-but Krasnow is sometimes so optimistic that readers may be put off. As a freelance journalist and part-time writing instructor, Krasnow was able to move out of the city and raise her kids in a small community. Not all readers will have these options. Still, her message is likely to hit home with many overstressed and overworked women.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Miramax (April 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786869135
• ISBN-13: 978-0786869138
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #58,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Parenting & Families > Family Relationships > General
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Self-Esteem
  • #32 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Success

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, August 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Surrendering to Yourself (Hardcover)

I enjoyed Krasnow's first book, "Surrendering to Motherhood," but can't say this one is worth reading. It goes on and on about....nothing.

Here are some of the things that make Krasnow happy and help her to rediscover who she is: Working out with her trainer, getting away to the beach without her husband or kids, drinking coffee in her peaceful riverfront kitchen and feeling sorry for the poor souls who have to fight traffic to get to work at dawn, going away to an expensive sleepaway camp with her sons, and driving her shiny, sporty Ford Escape that reminds of her being young, carefree and childfree (she uses an additional car to tote the boys around town).

For those of us without the luxury of time, a third personal car, a personal trainer, a rich husband, etc, it will be a little more difficult to re-discover our souls. We're too busy paying bills, working, trying to find the time to spend with our children, friends and husbands.

37 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book, May 6, 2003

By 

John Grabowski (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Surrendering to Yourself (Hardcover)

I am awestruck...not because the book is terrific but because some people have figured out (or found agents who've figured out) how to write books about incredibly obvious things -- and make a handsome living at it. Furthermore, I love it when rich people tell me to put my feet up and savor the "good life," a life they probably wouldn't be able to savor themselves if they didn't get handsome checks for writing dreck like this. I haven't learned this much from a book since Suze Orman told me to look behind the sofa cushions for spare change.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surrender to yourself and live your best life, March 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Surrendering to Yourself (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this book, particularly the real-life examples of people who found themselves when they stopped trying to get approval from others. This book is worthwhile for anyone who is off purpose and is ready to find themselves. ... You deserve to live your best life!