I am reviewing "Unlimited Power: A Black Choice" by Anthony Robbins & Joseph McClendon III at the same time that I submitted my review for Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins.
I will start this review by stating that I am a 49-year-old African-American male. I will also preface this review by outlining that I am highly successful and believe that excellence will always transcend.
At the same time, I will acknowledge that my path has been filled with trials that are unique to African-Americans. I was raised by a mother and father that told me never to view my race as a disadvantage, but that it would make me unique…A trailblazer. I was fortunate that my college-educated father forced me to read books on the mind, on faith, and on success. When I became a teenager, I sought these books out of my own doing. I know they are the foundation and a powerful reason for why I am where I am today.
I also understand that not everyone (no matter the race!) gets the advantages I had as a Black child growing up in the 60s to a proud but struggling lower middle-class family. I am even more aware of how fortunate I am to have been part of a family that taught me how to fight - through excellence.
All of that said, I understand the historical need to "segregate" the success message. As a sales trainer, and author, I teach a lesson called The Message and The Messenger - it is not a lesson on race but a lesson on building rapport and chemistry (regardless of the clients background) - the foundation of sales.
I applaud Anthony Robbins for trying to address the specific needs of an audience with a specific messenger.
Few people know that Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich) had also begun a transcript of a message to Black America back in the 70s. That mantle was then picked up by Dennis Kimbro with the book "Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice".
Both works are essentially a redo of the original works with a specific audience in mind, and I believe well intended.
Even now with a two-term Black president (more specifically bi-racial) we still see great disparity, but it is no longer simply defined by race but other components of socio-economics.
As an author of success books, books on sales and other works on achievement, I see myself today as just that - an author. I want those works to affect and impact the world, regardless of race color creed or national origin. Pollyanna perhaps, but I can only control my intent.
Soapbox aside, this book is powerful not because of who it was written for but because of who wrote it. I believe that the creator gave us all what we need, and in spite of what others may think, or do, we can express that gift if we engage the principles outlined in both of these works.
Not to be controversial, I would recommend this book to anyone...