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

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 life--including how he withstood a major legal investigation--as 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)