Review of Overcoming Adversity ( Relaunched)
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Review of Overcoming Adversity ( Relaunched)
[Following is a volunteer review of "Overcoming Adversity ( Relaunched)" by Nelson J Fowlkes.]
It takes sheer determination to achieve goals despite constantly facing adversity, especially racism. Yet Nelson J. Fowlkes demonstrates how he did just that in his non-fictional book, Overcoming Adversity: Resetting Goals, a frank account of tenacity and perseverance in achieving goals despite racism.
Mr. Fowlkes has had a challenging life from the beginning. As an African American raised in poverty with divorced parents and forced to move around a lot, he faced obstacles early on that could have shaped him to live a life of resignation and underachievement. Nevertheless, the author had a sense of family and community that helped him develop faith, vision, and perseverance. And throughout his life, he met the right people at the right time with the right words that encouraged him to face obstacles undeterred and reach many pinnacles both professionally and personally. These things served him well in his formative and adult years as he constantly faced racism in many forms and many arenas, including the military. Many of us face or have seen such adversity every day. And many of us wonder how to have a successful, abundant life despite these hardships. Mr. Fowlkes answers this dilemma by sharing firsthand how he faced and overcame adversity, motivating us to do so as well.
This work has several positive aspects that will encourage readers to pursue their goals, even when faced with obstacles. Mr. Fowlkes has lived a rich life despite the racism he encountered – he has traveled the world, fulfilled many of his dreams, raised a wonderful family, and used his difficulties to infuse us with wisdom and motivation. It is difficult not to be motivated just by his accomplishments alone. His conversational and frank written approach helps us understand how racism has manifested itself and how to overcome it or adversity in general based on his experiences.
I do not have any negative aspects. Mr. Fowlkes writes Overcoming Adversity: Resetting Goals differently than expected in this genre. It reads more like a journal than a book, which gives it a more personal feel. I would have loved to have seen more insight throughout the book, such as his observations about the career titles accessible (and inaccessible) to African Americans in the health care industry. However, it does not make the book any less valuable in this approach.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars as a motivational work that exhibits perseverance in action. Having more insight and observations throughout the book would have been more beneficial, but Mr. Fowlkes still delivers an insightful and practical book. The road to success is not often a straight line – it is full of unexpected, unwarranted obstacles like racism. What makes this work motivational is the author's decision to make a way to achieve his goals, even when it is not what he anticipated. He credits his faith in God for his success and has used this book as a vehicle to motivate others to persist and to keep achieving their dreams. I also think his book is a beautiful gift for his family because it immortalizes his incredible life and encourages them to live life fully, despite adversity.
I recommend Overcoming Adversity: Resetting Goals for those who desire a firsthand account of how to persevere and overcome racism and, to a greater extent, adversity in general with faith and determination. Overcoming racism is not easy, delicate, benign, or straightforward. Mr. Fowlkes invites us on his journey to identify the many forms of racism, equipping us with the tools for overcoming obstacles and encouraging us with his enriching life. His book is aptly titled, as it is a roadmap for overcoming adversity while providing a living legacy for his family for generations to come.
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Overcoming Adversity ( Relaunched)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
It takes sheer determination to achieve goals despite constantly facing adversity, especially racism. Yet Nelson J. Fowlkes demonstrates how he did just that in his non-fictional book, Overcoming Adversity: Resetting Goals, a frank account of tenacity and perseverance in achieving goals despite racism.
Mr. Fowlkes has had a challenging life from the beginning. As an African American raised in poverty with divorced parents and forced to move around a lot, he faced obstacles early on that could have shaped him to live a life of resignation and underachievement. Nevertheless, the author had a sense of family and community that helped him develop faith, vision, and perseverance. And throughout his life, he met the right people at the right time with the right words that encouraged him to face obstacles undeterred and reach many pinnacles both professionally and personally. These things served him well in his formative and adult years as he constantly faced racism in many forms and many arenas, including the military. Many of us face or have seen such adversity every day. And many of us wonder how to have a successful, abundant life despite these hardships. Mr. Fowlkes answers this dilemma by sharing firsthand how he faced and overcame adversity, motivating us to do so as well.
This work has several positive aspects that will encourage readers to pursue their goals, even when faced with obstacles. Mr. Fowlkes has lived a rich life despite the racism he encountered – he has traveled the world, fulfilled many of his dreams, raised a wonderful family, and used his difficulties to infuse us with wisdom and motivation. It is difficult not to be motivated just by his accomplishments alone. His conversational and frank written approach helps us understand how racism has manifested itself and how to overcome it or adversity in general based on his experiences.
I do not have any negative aspects. Mr. Fowlkes writes Overcoming Adversity: Resetting Goals differently than expected in this genre. It reads more like a journal than a book, which gives it a more personal feel. I would have loved to have seen more insight throughout the book, such as his observations about the career titles accessible (and inaccessible) to African Americans in the health care industry. However, it does not make the book any less valuable in this approach.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars as a motivational work that exhibits perseverance in action. Having more insight and observations throughout the book would have been more beneficial, but Mr. Fowlkes still delivers an insightful and practical book. The road to success is not often a straight line – it is full of unexpected, unwarranted obstacles like racism. What makes this work motivational is the author's decision to make a way to achieve his goals, even when it is not what he anticipated. He credits his faith in God for his success and has used this book as a vehicle to motivate others to persist and to keep achieving their dreams. I also think his book is a beautiful gift for his family because it immortalizes his incredible life and encourages them to live life fully, despite adversity.
I recommend Overcoming Adversity: Resetting Goals for those who desire a firsthand account of how to persevere and overcome racism and, to a greater extent, adversity in general with faith and determination. Overcoming racism is not easy, delicate, benign, or straightforward. Mr. Fowlkes invites us on his journey to identify the many forms of racism, equipping us with the tools for overcoming obstacles and encouraging us with his enriching life. His book is aptly titled, as it is a roadmap for overcoming adversity while providing a living legacy for his family for generations to come.
******
Overcoming Adversity ( Relaunched)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Rough Way to the High Way by Kelly Mack McCoy
