Back To the Basics

by Milan Hollister, Milan LaBrey

Back to the Basics: 5 Values Revitalized is about a personal journey that led the author back to the basics. It presents a straightforward, user-friendly guide to help us get in touch with our five innate human values (love, peace, truth, right conduct, and nonviolence) to bring balance and joy back into our lives. In addition, it teaches the basic constructs of being a good global citizen. But more than that, it helps us remember that we are pure love. And it is this love that can heal, propagate, and move us to a space of heart-opening, blissful happiness. In 2005, Milan began a seven-year quest covering four continents and countless cities in an effort to sort out her own issues and find inner solace. She also wanted to learn about the world and find the answers to hard life questions we all have and find ourselves consciously or unconsciously asking. Milan cuts to the chase using humor, anecdotes, thought-provoking quotes, and personal stories. And along the way, she offers useful and insightful guidance. This is a book of the times, covering issues we all face on a daily basis, which are related to our egos, values, the impact of our choices, and the effect we have on our relationships and on the world. She shows us how life is a mirror of our choices, discussing matters linked with personal baggage, trust and surrender, forgiveness, integrity, our hearts being closed, and more. Back to the Basics shows us a simple way to apply the five values and live a life that is stress-free, loving, and meaningful.

Genres: Self Help

268 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2014

Reviews

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Milan Hollister's "Back to the Basics: Five Core Values Revitalized" is an easy to read, well-written, inspirational work. It was an interesting read and there is a lot to take away from it. It took me less than a day to read once I started, I barely put it down. Milan Hollister did an excellent job composing and organizing this book and it makes for an interesting read. I enjoyed it, because, sometimes, I just need reminders of what is truly important.

I won my copy from the Goodreads.com website and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book. I would recommend it for all ages, teen and up, and anyone interested in the genre.

[Sue Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Back to the Basics is the story of one woman who goes on a seven-year journey to explore the world and resolve some of her private issues. It was her quest to find what she calls the five innate values. Those values love, peace, truth, right conduct and nonviolence were what she used to grow as a woman and to begin to enjoy life.

When I first picked up the book and started to read, it just seemed too specific and not relevant to my life. I put it down and picked it up a few days later. That time is was much easier and proves what she says about people giving her helpful metaphors and advice but they didn't register until she was ready to hear it. She shares lot of personal stories and they sometimes seem redundant and unnecessary but overall they fit. She also includes quotes from others that fit with the topic and made me think.

She discusses many life situations and the importance of making good choices. Those include non-violence, forgiveness and integrity. Although I'm sure this book was cathartic for her to write, it seemed like a reminder of the core values of being a good person. This book is simple and ok to read. My though is that you'll enjoy it if you already live this way but won't get anything out of it if you just aren't there yet.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Though it's an easy read, it took me a long time to read it. Why? Because there's lots to absorb. I would have liked a bit more of Milan's life story. She skims over it without giving much detail. The pearls of wisdom she leaves from the lessons she's learned though, are priceless.
Most of the values she wrote about are well known, but not well practiced. I high-lighted and copied parts of this book into my own journal to reread on days I need them.
I would recommend this book and Milan's course be taught everywhere!

[Adina Balasu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of the author's stories, famous quotes, research, and spiritual insight. It is wonderful reminder and easy instructional tool for how to move back to basic core values. It has useful information to help navigate our lives toward being emotionally healthier and happier people. It has helped me embark on a journey to a better me and I feel it would do the same for anyone reading it.

[Sharon Heaverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads/First Reads giveaway in return for an honest review.

I wasn't sure I would like Back to the Basics at first but it proved to be a very thought-provoking book. Milan Hollister shares her life experiences to prove her Five Core Values: love, peace, truth, right conduct, and nonviolence. Back to Basics could be a fast read but I found much to be absorbed and took my time digesting all the wisdom. This is an easy read but the reader is given much to think about.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. I am paying it forward by passing this book along to a business organization that offers business skills, hope, and dreams to be used in their ministry.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book for free on Goodreads. My life has been very chaotic these past few months so this book was perfect for me. I not only read it but I reread parts of it. It was that good for me. Not many of the 'feel good' type of books hold my interest but I was able to draw insight from the author. The section about consuming food becoming an obsession as we wander through the day on our mindless way to the refrigerator hit home for me. The forgiveness section should be applied to more people than they realize. It stresses that positive change is always possible and I applaud that theory. I enjoyed the reading and thank you for sharing your work.

[Lisa Rostocki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great read. The author did a wonderful job bringing her own personal struggles into the writing. The only thing that I found a little strange was her continued use of parentheses when writing. There wasn't too many pages that did not contain parentheses.

I agree with some of the values that were listed. I was kind of a little lost with the non-violence part though. I didn't think that responding to someone with a "no" answer is violent.

There were a lot of good points in the book and it was well presented. Not your typical self-help read.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this positive uplifting book. This book is about the author and her journey to get back to the basics. It helps us to get in touch with five core values (love, peace, truth, right conduct, and nonviolence. I have personally found out in my own life it is hard to balance my life and still have joy. Her other theme is we have to have an open heart so we can have a more blissful life. I agree with that as I practice this myself. Also love well in life.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was given this book in exchange for my review. It was a good read. Made me think about how I can revitalize my life with these basic values. Back to the Basics is about revitalizing your life with 5 values love, peace, truth, right conduct, and nonviolence to bring balance and joy back into your life.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very approachable explanation of true values that you may have lost over time. We all need these reminders of what is important day to day. We all need love, support, and guidance throughout our personal journeys. This book helps define why we should revisit our morals and strive to be better people. Inspirational and enjoyable. I won this book in a Goodreads/Firstreads Giveaway.

[Kenneth Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reminded of many lessons long ago forgotten and feel that this book which I received for free from Goodreads is a book I will reread often. Well worth the time spent and read in one sitting. Our lives would all be better if we got back to basing our lives on love, peace, truth, right conduct and nonviolence.

[Jml · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back to the Basics is a compilation of the author's stories, famous quotes, research, and spiritual insight. It is an easy read with information that made me think. I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway.

[Nicholas]

Goodreads win. Will read and review once received.