Overview: (see my personal review below the video)
In Find Your Strongest Life, Marcus Buckingham reveals the powerful key to bring fulfillment, peace, and control into a woman’s life.
In today’s world, can a woman truly “have it all”? A fulfilling career full of passion and performance? A belief that she is truly becoming the best, authentic version of herself? A happy, healthy life outside of work?
Countless women would roll their eyes at the possibility. Work is overwhelming. And for many of them, add the necessities of family and home. It all feels disconnected, out of control, and relentless.
In Find Your Strongest Life, Marcus Buckingham reveals the powerful key to help women draw enough strength from life to feel fulfilled, loved, successful, and in control. Even more, he helps women reconnect with their purpose and gives a starting point for change. A research-based message that applies to work and life, Find Your Strongest Life shows women how they really can have it all . . . the right kind of all.
My Review:
I will be honest I am struggling with this review. There is wisdom in this book that I believe every woman can glean from. I believe it is beneficial to take The Strong Life Test because it does give you a great idea where your strengths lie. Marcus Buckingham has been a Women of Faith guest speaker and you can find this book sold in Christians books stores.
But this is not a Christian book.
I am not a feminist, so when Buckingham began in the introduction talking about Gloria Steinem and how the phrase “You can have it all” was misunderstood, I admit I approached the rest of the book cautiously. This is not a feminist book, Marcus Buckingham tries to find out why since 1972 women’s overall level of happiness has dropped. He found through his extensive research “greater educational, political, and employment opportunities have corresponded to decreases in life happiness for women.”
Marcus tackles topics like:
How to Be True to Yourself
Find your Strong-Moments
Accepting What You Find
Strive for Imbalance
Throughout his book he quotes people like Anna Quindlen, Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, and Sarah Bernhardt. For me personally these would be the last people who I would seek advice from. I did not hear Marcus at the A Grand New Day Women of Faith’s conference, but after reading his book I feel like—I as a reader— am missing something.
Why is this book promoted by Women of Faith?
Why did Thomas Nelson publish this self-help book?
Where is God in all this?
These are questions I asked myself while reading Buckingham’s self-help book. It was an encouraging book, it did have some inspiring stories, and it did encourage women to find what they love. These are all good things, but I felt it missed the HUGE element of seeking God’s will for your life.
If this book was a regular book I picked up off the shelf I would tell you that it was encouraging, with great stories of women who were not happy where they were and found a way to turn things around to live a strong life.
But if you approach this book thinking it is biblically based because of being promoted by Women of Faith and published by Thomas Nelson, you will be sadly disappointed. I will let you be the judge, below you can click “Read” to read the first 35 pages.
About:
Marcus Buckingham, founder of The Marcus Buckingham Company, is a best-selling author with more than 3.7 million copies of his landmark bestsellers in print. He has been profiled in the New York Times, Fortune, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, and USA Today. Marcus spent nearly two decades at the Gallup Organization pioneering research into personal strengths and has developed strengths-based business solutions for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, such as Best Buy, Disney, and Toyota. A graduate of Cambridge University in 1987 with a master’s degree in Social and Political Science, Marcus is a member of the Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee on Leadership and Management. He lives with his wife and two children in Los Angeles.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Lori, I saw the trailer for this book a few weeks ago online. I picked up a copy of the book while at Barnes & Noble, sat down in their Cafe', and gave the book a good perusal. I admit I skimmed it, but I got a good enough feel for what Mr. Buckingham was writing ~ and decided not to buy it.
I agree with your review of this book. And I had the same questions ~ why would a Christian women's group be promoting this book when it has absolutely nothing to do with who we are as created beings in Him? There are always monetary considerations when a company publishes a book or promotes one. Could this be the reason? I shudder to think that Women of Faith and Thomas Nelson are supporting this book simply for the monetary aspect, when it's obvious that it's not based on Biblical principles.
Please understand, I'm not saying there's something WRONG with this book ~ in fact, I did find some of Buckingham's observations and suggestions worthwhile. But for this book to be promoted by Christian groups seems a bit out of line.
I agree. Thx for your thoughts.
Thanks for your candid review. As the CEO of Thomas Nelson, I appreciate you reading this book and reviewing it.
At Thomas Nelson, we are committed to publishing books that are written by those who (a) claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior, (b) are committed to biblical orthodoxy, and (c) seek to live a Christian lifestyle of discipleship. Having said this, some of our books are explicitly Christian (i.e., they mention God, Jesus and reference Scripture); some are implicitly Christian (i.e., they are written from a Christian worldview).
Find Your Strongest Life fits into the latter category. Personally, I believe the book to be profoundly biblical, based on God's unique design that is built into each person he creates. I know Marcus personally and can attest to his commitment to Christ. In fact, when he finished his talk at Women of Faith a few weeks ago, he led everyone in prayer in Jesus name—just as you or I would.
I don't believe that a book has to be explicit in it's Christian expression to be Christian. After all, the book of Esther, which is in the Bible, doesn't even mention the name of God. The beautiful thing is that Marcus moves and influences people in ways that you and I might never have the chance to do. I think we have to allow for the fact that Jesus calls people to follow Him in unique ways and, in the end, each will give an account for whether or not he or she has been faithful.
Thanks again for your review. We welcome this kind of honest exchange!
Thank you for taking the time to write this honest response to my review and offering your perspective. I pray my readers read this to get a more complete view of Marcus Buckingham as a person. Look forward to reading more books published by Thomas Nelson.
I wasn't expecting this type of book to be heavy on scripture, so that is why I loved the book. I often read books by people like John C Maxwell. General motivation like Zig Ziglar. I like general leadership type books written by Christians for the general market. I like straight practical reading for a change of pace from my knee high stack of Christian books. You are right though no real Bible based teaching. I even hand wrote in mine is a couple places “God-given” strengths. I saw God in there a couple times. I especially loved the Christ and Cross personal story.
I just checked my bar code on my copy and it's coded as “Business and Economics/General.” Thomas Nelson publishes a variety of books. I would have appreciated more Truth to support his book, but I still enjoyed it just like it was.
Appreciate you writing an honest review. It's always interesting to glean from others. Positive or negative, I like hearing what other readers think. We all see things through our unique lens. It's a good and beautiful thing.
In Christ's love,
Tiffany
I wasn't expecting this type of book to be heavy on scripture, so that is why I loved the book. I often read books by people like John C Maxwell. General motivation like Zig Ziglar. I like general leadership type books written by Christians for the general market. I like straight practical reading for a change of pace from my knee high stack of Christian books. You are right though no real Bible based teaching. I even hand wrote in mine is a couple places “God-given” strengths. I saw God in there a couple times. I especially loved the Christ and Cross personal story.
I just checked my bar code on my copy and it's coded as “Business and Economics/General.” Thomas Nelson publishes a variety of books. I would have appreciated more Truth to support his book, but I still enjoyed it just like it was.
Appreciate you writing an honest review. It's always interesting to glean from others. Positive or negative, I like hearing what other readers think. We all see things through our unique lens. It's a good and beautiful thing.
In Christ's love,
Tiffany
Thank you for your comment Tiffany always appreciate it!
Lori, I am always thankful reading your reviews. You are honest with your readers.
i added this to my article site.
respect
gibs
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Cheap Aion kinah | Cheap Aion kinah
You do book reviews? You go girl. And I remember taking this dude's online little quiz… and if I were a woman, i'd be all motivational and sh*t. Hell yeah! Wait… but I'm like that as a man. Err… so confused.
Ok I am laughing, I am sure the concepts in his book would motivate both men and women. Thanks for stopping by!!
I would have thought that living life guided by your strengths was very biblical. What about the parable of the talents?
I would have thought that living life guided by your strengths was very biblical. What about the parable of the talents?
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