REVIEWS

Don’t be Afraid to Read this Book

On Becoming Fearless by: Arianna Huffington Little, Brown and Company, 2006 ISBN#: 0316166812

If fear makes your palms sweat, your heart race, and your head ache, maybe Arianna Huffington's book, "On Becoming Fearless" might offer you a glimmer of hope.

Ms. Huffington writes clearly and concisely about the fear that sometimes grips our very existence. This is a strong book and Ms. Huffington has chosen strong, fearless women to write the afterwords to the chapters. My favorite afterwords were by Diane Keaton (actress) and Sherry Lansing (Hollywood movie giant). Ms. Huffington and these various women express the essence of fearlessness. This book then becomes a very positive motivator for us all.

In the chapter, "Fearless in Love," Ms. Huffington speaks to every woman who has ever been in love! She says, "the fear of being alone underlies all other love related fears." This thought is key to the psychology of male/female relationships. It is also why some women involve themselves with men who are violent and destructive. Many women are "pleasers" and afraid of rejection as well. I agree with Ms. Huffington that as women we must make the choice to love ourselves unconditionally. As an apt summation, Ms. Huffington says, "the most important thing is to approach our lives not out of lack and need but with fearlessness and trust."

Diane Keaton's afterword focuses on fearlessness in love at an older age. She speaks of her life at age 60 and how free she feels especially about men and love. She says "it is the upside of sticking around this long."

This is a good segue to Ms. Huffington's chapter on fearlessness about aging and illness. Her essay concentrates on society's marginalization of older women. But, as with every other subject in her upbeat book, Ms. Huffington turns around to talk about how aging has a definite upside! Sherry Lansing wrote the afterword to this essay. It is very sharp and to the point.

This book is meant to be informative, entertaining, and inspirational. Make it an imperative for your 2007 reading list.

Sandra Pianin is a freelance writer and reviewer who lives in New York City. She is a frequent contributor to ladies-room.net and a new book reviewer for newsblaze.com.