The Way of the Bootstrapper: Nine Action Steps for Achieving Your Dreams [Paperback]

Floyd H. Flake (Author), Donna Marie Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2000

Former Democratic congressman and pastor of one of America's largest, most prosperous churches, Floyd Flake inspires us to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps, turn obstacles into springboards, build stronger families and communities, and make our dreams come true.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Reverend Floyd Flake, a former U.S. congressman from Queens, New York, is an African American hero in the tradition of great black leaders who worked with all that was available to them--surpassing both racism and low expectations. Flake describes bootstrapping as "a process of achieving success by making it against the odds, through self-directed action. It is a mindset that allows you to rise over and above the ordinary and become an extraordinary person by taking responsibility for your thoughts.... It is a value system that directs your relationship with yourself, your neighbors and the environment." By means of his own experiences, Flake identifies the nine steps of bootstrapping, from "Know Yourself" to "Create a Lasting Legacy." His principles may sound like common sense to some and marching orders to others, but given the sociological and political psychobabble about the imagined intellectual and moral shortcomings of African Americans, Flake's timeless words of wisdom are potent antidotes to the often-lax attitudes that pervade our times. --Eugene Holley Jr. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Reverend and former Democratic congressman Flake, an influential New York City figure and nationally known churchman, challenges readers to succeed materially and spiritually by "pulling themselves up by the bootstraps." Demanding relentless commitment, he espouses traditional values of hard work, discipline, faith and self-determination. Flake gives specific action steps and intriguing questions for self-analysis, illustrating them with stories from his own lifeAincluding how he withstood a major legal investigationAas well as from the lives of Michael Jordan, Lee Iacocca, Oprah Winfrey and others. Flake exemplifies his belief that human beings can overcome "almost any odds" with "vision, courage and will." Born to a strong but impoverished Texas family, his "bootstrapping" philosophy, along with tremendous faith, led to his success in college, graduate school and the ministry, and ultimately to 12 years in the U.S. Congress. Under the entrepreneurial Flake's guidance, the Allen A.M.E. Church in Queens, N.Y., grew in size and, more significantly, in mission. Through its many social and economic programs, including a well-regarded private school and restored housing, community and work initiatives, Allen A.M.E. is credited with renewing its neighborhood. Said to be a powerful speaker, Flake's presence on the page can be stern and rather intimidating. However, his national prominence and his fundamental appeal to Christian readers and to others across the political spectrum should insure wide reading and discussion. Major ad/promo; 12-city author tour; 25-city radio campaign. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Amistad (May 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062515969
• ISBN-13: 978-0062515964
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #899,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love It!!, September 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Way of the Bootstrapper: Nine Action Steps for Achieving Your Dreams (Hardcover)

I loved the section where he advocates going off by yourself and do some self-knowledge. Great book. A bit slow moving at first, but gets going.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical Advice and Memorable Stories, June 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Way of the Bootstrapper: Nine Action Steps for Achieving Your Dreams (Hardcover)

I was wary of the book when I saw a preface by William Bennett, but found it to be an inspired book of practical advice. As a Senior Paster of a 10,000 member church, and leader of a church that is the second largest African American led employer of NYC, the former U.S. Congressman Flake from Queens, NY knows something about organization and leadership. I was most inspired by his stories of growing up one of 13 children in Texas, his arrival at Allen AME Church in 1976, when it had 1400 members (800 active), the start of his ministry, and his confrontation with his Board in 1985, which precipitated a power struggle so great that he was layed low with chest pains. The greatest lessons... knowing yourself, taking responsibility, siezing opportunities, and overcoming challenges.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars PICK YOURSELF UP!, April 24, 2001

By 

Dorothy Weiss (ORLANDO, FLORIDA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of the Bootstrapper: Nine Action Steps for Achieving Your Dreams (Paperback)

Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and make it - against all odds is the success formula shared by the authors of this book through the remarkable journey of Floyd Flake. His committment to his dream of self-sufficient people galvanized a community, and the "impossible" became possible. The book details his nine steps to success which can be equated to being responsible for our every thought, word, action and deed. Whether in the pulpit of his church, or in the political arena, or in the community helping to build adequate housing for senior citizens or spear-heading youth programs, or motivating more legions of people to rise to the level of proficiency and achievement, this gentleman's life is an astounding example. He motivates us to try- and try- and try again; just don't give up. Welcome back ethics and values. With more leaders of this calibre, America has a chance to fulfill its destiny as a land of the free and home of the brave. After reading this book, you will never again be afraid to pick yourself up, and start all over again. Time to begin bootstrapping your way to actualizing your dream. Floyd Flake says and demonstrates all things are possible, - if you only just believe, and make the committment. An inspirational and courageous book.