Rating: 
Summary: Bravo Patti and Laura!!!!
Review: "Many a false step is made by standing still"..."You don't need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of"...and my personal favorite quote from "Patti's Pearls": "If you wait until your hands stop shaking you will never open the door. You can't steal second base with your foot on first. You have to go out on a limb..because that's where all the fruit is."Once again, Miss Patti demonstrates why she is in a class by herself. Simply put, this book is extraordinary. EXTRAORDINARY. On the heels of her two best selling books in recent years I wondered "what on earth has my girl left to say?" To my surprise, and delight, PLENTY. Miss Patti isn't done with us yet! After reading the 30 page sample on Amazon.com I purchased a copy for myself...after reading the book, in just a few hours, I purchased 20 additional copies for my family and closest friends. This is an essential read. A profound read..a book that matters. I promise, you will not be able to put it down. In a profession where the emphasis is on aesthetics and theatrics, "Patti's Pearls" only reinforces what thousands of fans have known for years; Patti Labelle is a woman of substance. If the truth be told, her true gift is that amazing ability, and willingness, to remind us that she is but one of the girls even though that amazing voice tells us she is a chosen one. Other so called Queens and Diva's have written fluff pieces that only further perpetuate their warped belief that they are "above" the rest of us. They erroneously believe that because they sing better, they are better. Patti's courage to bare it all, especially her failures, is awe inspiring and it elevates her above her peers. The chapter about refusing millions of dollars to perform in South Africa brought me to tears...as did the chapter about her father's infidelity and her mother's amazing reaction to it. If you think you have heard all that Patti has to say in concert or in her previous book 'Don't Block the Blessings' you are mistaken. I had not heard most of these stories before and I have been a Patti fan for over 20 years. This should be required reading for every high school in America. There is more wisdom contained within the pages of this book than many of us encounter in a lifetime. As much as I admire many of her contemporaries, nobody-and I mean NOBODY- can do me like Patti. She is the queen of my soul...the book is superb.
Rating:
Summary: PATTI IS AN INSPIRATION
Review: Dynamite. It's not just that it's by Patti LaBelle but the wisdom contained in so few pages sets one's heart aflame. In reading this book I began to realize what is meant by "an intellectual knowledge of the truth does not make it so" vs "knowledge of the heart." Inherently we know what's right yet because of our own feelings of inferiority we don't do them. We stay in jobs and relationships because of fear ("False Evidence Appearing Real"). What Ms. LaBelle and Ms. Lancaster bring forth is truth to oneself comes before truth to anyone else.
Another important lesson to be learned is outward appearances can be very deceiving. Many would look at Patti's career and marriage and would have thought she had it all. She didn't. So it shows comparing ourselves to someone else or wanting to be like someone else detracts from our own happiness. I think though the most important lesson to be learned from all she said is twofold. 1. make sure you take time everyday for those whom you love and 2. stop trying to clear up the problems of the world.
I would recommend this book highly to all who like to read and especially those on a path of spiritual development. The ideas espoused on these pages are simple truths yet as Patti says in the beginning sometimes we have to get older to get wiser. I'm sure all who read this will recognized themselves and words of wisdom that have been spoken to them yet they ignore. These words are pearls of wisdom and adopting any idea within will lead to a more fulfilling life. This book made me realized we may think of ourselves as coal but God, our Higher Power, The Sage or however you may see your Supreme Being sees us as polished diamonds. So think more of you and get this book and become more of who you should be. To Patti and Laura: I say thanks.
Rating:
Summary: Wisdom We Learn Late
Review: Dynamite. It's not just that it's by Patti LaBelle but the wisdom contained in so few pages sets one's heart aflame. In reading this book I began to realize what is meant by "an intellectual knowledge of the truth does not make it so" vs "knowledge of the heart." Inherently we know what's right yet because of our own feelings of inferiority we don't do them. We stay in jobs and relationships because of fear ("False Evidence Appearing Real"). What Ms. LaBelle and Ms. Lancaster bring forth is truth to oneself comes before truth to anyone else.
Another important lesson to be learned is outward appearances can be very deceiving. Many would look at Patti's career and marriage and would have thought she had it all. She didn't. So it shows comparing ourselves to someone else or wanting to be like someone else detracts from our own happiness. I think though the most important lesson to be learned from all she said is twofold. 1. make sure you take time everyday for those whom you love and 2. stop trying to clear up the problems of the world.
I would recommend this book highly to all who like to read and especially those on a path of spiritual development. The ideas espoused on these pages are simple truths yet as Patti says in the beginning sometimes we have to get older to get wiser. I'm sure all who read this will recognized themselves and words of wisdom that have been spoken to them yet they ignore. These words are pearls of wisdom and adopting any idea within will lead to a more fulfilling life. This book made me realized we may think of ourselves as coal but God, our Higher Power, The Sage or however you may see your Supreme Being sees us as polished diamonds. So think more of you and get this book and become more of who you should be. To Patti and Laura: I say thanks.
Rating: 
Summary: Real gems...Lessons to live by!
Review: For 40 years as a singer, Patti LaBelle has mesmerized us with a style that many imitate but rarely duplicate. The stylistic rendering of this diva of song from her third Literary effort, Patti's Pearls: Lessons In Living Genuinely, Joyfully, Generously, are self-help inspirational guidelines delivered in a believable idiom much like her singing -- with invigorating energy that implores one to sit up and listen. After listening, I couldn't help but bring to mind my own upbringing, remembering much of the same logic being dispensed here. Written in tandem with her longtime friend, Laura Randolph Lancaster, this offering is in audio form which adds a different, if not compelling. version in light of Patti's stage machinations. If the intent is to truly inspire, cajole, and motivate, one easily wonders whether these "pearls" are a direct result from personal tragedy, mayhem, or situations from being there. One thing that I feel listeners will agree with is her candor and down-to-earth voice capturing valuable lessons. If you're looking for something different, perhaps you must take a look at yourself before giving this audio-book a chance, especially if it's perceived that they all are one and the same. I feel that to each his own, and one must give a meaningful listen to get the gist of what this author is trying to say. I recommend it¡¦listen for what it's worth. This would be "the perfect anecdote for the ultimate secret of happiness; to grow wise before you grow old" as Patti opined in one of her pearly delights. Give it a shot!
Rating:
Summary: Have a big slice of wisdom pie!
Review: Here is a novel that anyone can pick up and learn something about Ms. LaBelle and themselves. With this book, Patti has given her story in 145 pages, including the life lessons that she's learned, from rectifing mistakes, forgiving past discretions, and moving on from tragedies and life's pitfalls. Not every bad time is to be mire with regret and left to stewed over, and every good moment to be taken for granted. With this offering, Patti's not just reciting her stories, but giving insight on how we can live day to day and see the possibilites that we have to offer ourselves and to the world at large. Very inspirational and extremely provoking, Patti LaBelle is a real testement to all of us with love in our hearts and hopes of a better tomorrow.
Rating:
Summary: Have a big slice of wisdom pie!
Review: Here is a novel that anyone can pick up and learn something about Ms. LaBelle and themselves. With this book, Patti has given her story in 145 pages, including the life lessons that she's learned, from rectifing mistakes, forgiving past discretions, and moving on from tragedies and life's pitfalls. Not every bad time is to be mire with regret and left to stewed over, and every good moment to be taken for granted. With this offering, Patti's not just reciting her stories, but giving insight on how we can live day to day and see the possibilites that we have to offer ourselves and to the world at large. Very inspirational and extremely provoking, Patti LaBelle is a real testement to all of us with love in our hearts and hopes of a better tomorrow.
Rating:
Summary: Get Wise Before You Get Old
Review: I awoke one Sunday morning intent on reading a few pages of this slender little book and did not put it down until I was done. There are few books that make my list of "Books to Buy For Others" but Patti's Pearls is one of them. From her dedication to son Zuri at the very beginning, to the precious "pearl" of wisdom at the end, the book held me to its pages. As Patti fully admits, these are not her Pearls but words of wisdom passed on to her from family, friends, and acquaintances throughout her lifetime. Precious passages that now influences the way she lives a life on the backside of 50. Whether you call these jewels, proverbs, cliches or just "sayins'", you will be moved and inspired to live life with greater honesty, compassion and enthusiasm.
Rating:
Summary: Get Wise Before You Get Old
Review: I awoke one Sunday morning intent on reading a few pages of this slender little book and did not put it down until I was done. There are few books that make my list of "Books to Buy For Others" but Patti's Pearls is one of them. From her dedication to son Zuri at the very beginning, to the precious "pearl" of wisdom at the end, the book held me to its pages. As Patti fully admits, these are not her Pearls but words of wisdom passed on to her from family, friends, and acquaintances throughout her lifetime. Precious passages that now influences the way she lives a life on the backside of 50. Whether you call these jewels, proverbs, cliches or just "sayins'", you will be moved and inspired to live life with greater honesty, compassion and enthusiasm.
Rating:
Summary: Get Wise Before You Get Old
Review: I awoke one Sunday morning intent on reading a few pages of this slender little book and did not put it down until I was done. There are few books that make my list of "Books to Buy For Others" but Patti's Pearls is one of them. From her dedication to son Zuri at the very beginning, to the precious "pearl" of wisdom at the end, the book held me to its pages. As Patti fully admits, these are not her Pearls but words of wisdom passed on to her from family, friends, and acquaintances throughout her lifetime. Precious passages that now influences the way she lives a life on the backside of 50. Whether you call these jewels, proverbs, cliches or just "sayins'", you will be moved and inspired to live life with greater honesty, compassion and enthusiasm.
Rating:
Summary: better than i expected
Review: I don't expect much out of a celebrity bio but darn this turned out to be much better than I ever imagined. Patti Labelle lays her wisdom on the line. I enjoyed the book, took inspiration from it and learned a few things. Even if you aren't a Patti fan (I'm not) you will enjoy this highly moving but slim book.
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