You Have the Power Comments

"Thank you for writing such a useful book"

Hi there,

I wanted to share with you both how much I personally enjoyed this book. I've been on a path of self-awareness and self mastery for the last 2 years and have had to deal with the consequences of being true to myself -- notably losing some dear friends who could not understand I was working to make choices in my life that worked for me, rather than against me, but for them. Does that make sense? It's not easy, and I still feel bad when I think about the loss. And yet, reading your book validated the importance of being true to yourself, and also reminded me that people who support my personal path, and support their own journey of self-mastery and self awareness have also started to come into my life. I guess we have to release the old sometimes to accept the new.

My journey continues, but there are many lessons that I took from this book and even wrote some notes that I will refer to in times of adversity.

Thank you for writing such a useful book.

Sincerely,

L. Sharma

"the potential to change thousands of minds"

I am writing you from Guatemala, where my wife and I are presently to study Spanish and to get a better perspective on life in the United States. I have read your book once, while in Mexico last month, and am now going through it again. I believe it is beautifully composed, and has the potential to change thousands of minds. I have been blocked pretty substantially in pursuing this path for most of my adult life, since serving in the Peace Corps in the late '60s at age 19, and it is definitely in part due to your book that I may work successfully with those fears and truly move myself forward.

--Steve Goodale, Amherst, MA

"I feel empowered and validated by your book"

I just finished reading your book. I feel empowered and validated by your book. It was not only inspirational but very motivating. I recently lost a mayor's race. I was an independent. The endorsed Democrat won. He had a ton of money and no experience or credentials for the job. I had 14 years experience in municipal government, a master's degree in public administration and a great plan for the town. I participated in the televised debates and went door to door with my literature, etc. Even the newspapers had me down as the "best qualified candidate." I maximized all my resources and was relentless, but the predictable electorate voted for him. Even though I did not win the election, I am even more determined in my resolve to implement my plan for the town. Your book was so on target and it was just what I needed to know. I no longer feel insignificant or foolish! Thank you very much.

--Theresa L.

"full of inspiring stories...turning fear into constructive power"

This is a review published in Ode magazine in April 2005:

"All of us are afraid sometimes and many are regularly fearful when we think about the current state of the world. The question is: what do you do with that fear? In You Have the Power: Choosing Courage in a Culture of Fear, Frances Moore Lappe and Jeffrey Perkins assert that fear doesn't have to be a negative force but can be a source of energy. Fear won't paralyze you if you can let go of the ideas you have about fear. The authors examine our classical assumptions about fear and offer new, liberating ideas. They say that one of the biggest fears that keep us from taking action is anxiety about looking like a fool. This prevents us from sticking up for ourselves and not rocking the boat, no matter how detrimental the effect. The opposite of courage is not fear so much as conformity. Overcoming fear is mainly a question of taking a look at the fear. Frances Moore Lappe travelled around the world to talk to people about their big and small fears and discovered, again and again, that naming the fear is a liberating experience for which people are intensely grateful. You can interpret your fears in various ways. For Jeffrey Perkins, fear has become a signal to take action: fear means go! The book is full of inspiring stories about people who were able to turn their fear into constructive power and who moved mountains as a result. Fear touches us more deeply than any other emotion, right in our heart. But the roots of the word courage also refer to the heart (the French word coeur)."--TT

"Congrats from Bangladesh!"

Congratulations for your excellent efforts! We are a Dhaka based research and action oriented organization working for a equality based, free and just society.

In solidarity,

Arup Rahee
LOKOJ Bangladesh

"so much of the book rang true for me"

Dear Friends,

I want to thank you for You Have the Power. So much of the book rang true for me. I have long noticed how what we are told about the "world" spills over into our personal lives. Especially now that the question "Who is going to keep you safe?" is being asked in an almost assaulting, definitely insulting, way.

I care about the work I do and the materials I create, but I am ready for more. Going back and forth between "I should be happy - I have a job, a comfortable home, a five minute commute" to "I need more, I am more."

I felt the most alive working in Africa and long to go back. But as scary as it was for me to travel to and live in Tanzania not long after Sept. 11, I am more frightened of moving to Boston in the summer. Another reason your book was such a inspiration!

I fear the harsh winters, the well-educated and wealthy, fierce competition for jobs and housing. I was born there and spent many summers with family in East Boston and the North End. During a trip there last year I experienced a different place. I wondered if I would find my niche in this transforming city. I will be looking out for you up there. Thank you. I plan to share your book with many.

--J.S.

"accessible and very moving"

I would like to have the chance to tell you how much I appreciated reading your latest book. I think you and Jeffrey Perkins struck a perfect balance and the examples you used throughout were accessible and very moving... I'm always interested in this subject and have read several books on your recommend list... I try to keep in mind daily that courage is not the absence of fear, but allowing oneself to acknowledge and feel it  - and make the choice to go beyond it nevertheless...

Annette Handley
Sag Harbor, NY

"We are third graders from East L.A. ..."

We are From Mr. Stepanian`s class and we are third graders from East L.A. We been listening to KPFK because we want to build our vocabulary. We enjoyed the book that you wrote. Also your story relates to our theme of Open Court Reading which was Courage.

Sincerely,
Our Class

As an artist telling truth to a culture that wants decoration...

I started reading You Have the Power last night and found the argument about how we need to act inversely in relation to fear - for our own survival - that we are wired to, fascinating. (How's that for a convoluted sentence!) As an artist who has always tried to tell one kind of truth or another to a culture that wants reassurance and decoration from its artists, many of the points you make hit home.

Robert Shetterly,
Brooksville, ME

***** Truly useful and inspiring

This book is unbelievably timely and written in such a way that its inspiration easily translates into personal understanding and action. We truly are living in a culture of fear, and though the recognition of that is an important first step, "You Have the Power" explains the necessary subsequent steps we need to break out of that culture and live our lives in a powerful, authentic way. The authors' personal stories are deeply honest, allowing the reader to truly connect to the concepts laid out in the book. Like so much of Ms. Lappe's recent work, the underlying sensation that change IS happening further inspires the reader to re-view the way he/she looks at fear. A society changes when individuals change, this book is a guide to making that individual change.

Trish Boyles
Barnardsville, NC
(Originally posted on Amazon)

Excerpt from "Publishers Weekly" Book Review

"a fine collection of engrossing and inspiring anecdotes rather than a how-to manual, by two people who obviously care about the world and its people."

Publishers Weekly
June 2004
(c) Reed Business Information

Excerpt from "Book List" Book Review

"In this unique and uplifting examination of an elemental human condition, the authors offer concrete methods for conquering those demons that threaten to rob us of a joyful existence and a peaceful coexistence."

Carol Haggas
Chicago, IL
Book List, May 1, 2004

Excerpt from "Library Journal" Book Review

"In today's heightened sense of pending doom, readers will likely embrace this sagacious, soundly explained philosophy. ... Highly recommended for academic libraries supporting philosophy curriculum and all public libraries."

Dale Farris, TX
Book Review
Library Journal, May/June 2004

Thoughts on Fear

I just wanted to thank you for your article on fear that ran in the latest Utne. I work every day on facing my fears head-on and channeling that energy toward a positive outcome. Fear can be crippling and rob you of the joy of life, and it is the enemy of life. I'm continually trying to re-frame events and obstacles in my mind in order to be excited about challenges rather than fearing them. It's an ongoing struggle - but it's not something you need Paxil or Prozac to overcome. Rather, you need continual awareness, a beginner's mind, and a healthy connection to your spirit.

Thanks again,

Sean Doles
Austin, TX

	Share Your Comments about You Have The Power