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The Value in the Valley: A Black Woman's Guide Through Life's Dilemmas
“The most powerful spiritual healer, fixer, teacher on the planet.” —Oprah Winfrey
Is it the job you hate but need in order to pay the rent? Is it that relationship that you gave your all to only to end up with a broken heart...again? Perhaps it's your children, a family member, or a life-long friend doing you in, dragging you down, pushing you to the brink. If you are an honorary member of the Black Woman's Suffering Society, you have probably been told that it's all your fault. Or that struggling and suffering is your lot in life. Iyanla Vanzant says, No! Life is an Act of Faith and suffering is optional! Those everyday challenges, obstacles, and dilemmas are what Iyanla calls "valleys." As bad as they may seem, there is a purpose or, as Iyanla says, "There is so much value in the valley."
If you've ever been disappointed, betrayed, rejected, abandoned, or just plain old scared to let go, then you've been or may still be in a valley. Iyanla knows—she's been there and on a bad day she's still there, but now she shares the way out with you.
Is it the job you hate but need in order to pay the rent? Is it that relationship that you gave your all to only to end up with a broken heart...again? Perhaps it's your children, a family member, or a life-long friend doing you in, dragging you down, pushing you to the brink. If you are an honorary member of the Black Woman's Suffering Society, you have probably been told that it's all your fault. Or that struggling and suffering is your lot in life. Iyanla Vanzant says, No! Life is an Act of Faith and suffering is optional! Those everyday challenges, obstacles, and dilemmas are what Iyanla calls "valleys." As bad as they may seem, there is a purpose or, as Iyanla says, "There is so much value in the valley."
If you've ever been disappointed, betrayed, rejected, abandoned, or just plain old scared to let go, then you've been or may still be in a valley. Iyanla knows—she's been there and on a bad day she's still there, but now she shares the way out with you.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
131 people are currently reading
1560 people want to read
About the author
Iyanla Vanzant
141 books1,304 followersIn Peace From Broken Pieces New York Times best-selling author Iyanla Vanzant she recounts the last decade of her life and the spiritual lessons learnedfrom the price of success during her meteoric rise as a TV celebrity on Oprah, the Iyanla TV show (produced by Barbara Walters), to the dissolution of her marriage and her daughters 15 months of illness and death on Christmas day. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Iyanla shares why everything we need to learn is reflected in our relationships and the strength and wisdom she has gained by supporting others in their journeys to make sense out of the puzzle pieces of their lives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
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August 25, 2008This is a book to read and re-read. As a Black woman, I found that many of the issues that are worked on through the pages of this book were familiar to me.
I appreciate Iyanla's spiritual approach to anyone's Higher Power. I have my belief system and other people's differ. It does not make any of us more or less in seach of answers. We each have a right to decide what 'religion' what description of God, fits for us. Mine is Christianity, and this book works for me. It would work for a Muslim woman, a Taoist, whomever is willing to make it work and to find the help in self-awareness that is available in this book.
Loved it!
I appreciate Iyanla's spiritual approach to anyone's Higher Power. I have my belief system and other people's differ. It does not make any of us more or less in seach of answers. We each have a right to decide what 'religion' what description of God, fits for us. Mine is Christianity, and this book works for me. It would work for a Muslim woman, a Taoist, whomever is willing to make it work and to find the help in self-awareness that is available in this book.
Loved it!
April 12, 2011
This book is so extraodinary!! I find myself referring back to it as if it was my personal bible... Reading this book has changed my out look on life and the people Im surounded by... YES! Every women should read this book. It does not matter if your white, black or purple. It really doesn't matter if your single, married, or whatever. You will walk away with tones of valuable information, that will allow you to live a health life.. TEN STARS!!!
November 30, 2008
You don't have to be a black woman to appreciate the wonder of this book. I reference it all the time! Thanks to my friend Tara who originally told me about it.
October 29, 2014
This book gave me exactly what I needed at the time I needed it. I don't usually review self help books but I was moved by so much of it that I will probably read this again. I'm reminded of When Things Fall Apart, in that it might take time to absorb all the beauty in here. I'd recommend this to any woman, black/white/otherwise, to read this work at least once.
May 18, 2013
I love this book and have been reading it for several years but have not finished it. The reason is that as I read, I get "stuck" in a chapter--usually the chapter discussing the valley I am in. Often, it's the valley of other people's problems! But until I am able to recognize the signs--same situation w/ new faces--I cannot move on. I find the presentation of the material to be very humble and applicable to my life and the journey I am on. Unlike another reviewer, I don't find the information or the"valley" metaphor to be generic or confusing; instead it reflects those ups and downs we experience when we focus on everything except the source of our discontent and what the individual can do to reset the balance.
October 10, 2014
I was in a state of depression that no one was sure I would recover from after a necessary, but devastating breakup with my drug addict boyfriend. My therapist was not helping but then I found this book. I used a highlighter, I cried, I talked to some of the passages as though the women telling their stories were with me, sharing our hurt and hopes for the future. I came clawing out of my depression because of this book. One of the best I have ever read in my life.
September 23, 2018
The Value in the Valley is one of those books you have to read or re-read, especially when you are going a "valley". I love how practical the writing is in this book and how encouraging the writer is.
Life is hard, but there is always a lesson to be learned and that is what I love about it.
This is definitely a book I will revisit again and again.
Life is hard, but there is always a lesson to be learned and that is what I love about it.
This is definitely a book I will revisit again and again.
March 29, 2019
GoodRead.....She Too Funny At Times, this read Vanzant offers definitions of points we may find ourselves in at moments in life and offers ways to keep ourselves out of Spiritual Special Ed....lol
May 28, 2017
A perennial read. Less preachy and more thoughtful than her "Fix My Life" TV show, I think.
Every time I read this book I have a warm chuckle. You see, my late aunt, Diana, was a classmate of Ms. Vanzant's at Medgar Evers college in Brooklyn, NY. I don't know what happened between the two of them, but Aunt Diana couldn't STAND Iyanla Vanzant! She would cuss and carry-on at the mere mention of Ms. Vanzant's name!
I find THE VALUE IN THE VALLEY now, not only my favorite book in Ms Vanzant's collection because of the candid, yet inspiring messages she reflects in the book; but also a way to look back at my beloved and sorely missed auntie, from time to time.
Every time I read this book I have a warm chuckle. You see, my late aunt, Diana, was a classmate of Ms. Vanzant's at Medgar Evers college in Brooklyn, NY. I don't know what happened between the two of them, but Aunt Diana couldn't STAND Iyanla Vanzant! She would cuss and carry-on at the mere mention of Ms. Vanzant's name!
I find THE VALUE IN THE VALLEY now, not only my favorite book in Ms Vanzant's collection because of the candid, yet inspiring messages she reflects in the book; but also a way to look back at my beloved and sorely missed auntie, from time to time.
August 5, 2012
horribly written. I couldn't stomach finishing, not my style at all which is unfortunate because I was excited to read it. Maybe someone else will like it, the book certainly had answers and explanations to live's questions however the colloguial style wasn't for me. The sista homegirl-ness of it coupled with the esoteric "divine" explanations, which were just vague ramblings in my opinion, turned me off.
September 3, 2008
In life you go through ups in downs, just like high and low valleys. This book made me cry and laugh. I learned to persevere in life and be strong.
July 6, 2009
"Amazing"
March 15, 2010
Every woman needs to read this book. I am getting around to reading it twice. Because I placed myself in some valleys and I want to get out....I'm outta here!
May 7, 2010
A must read. It change my view on life and myself.
August 31, 2010
This is a phenomenal book. I recently re-read this book and it was better then when I read it the first time. It is easy to understand and the scenarios are realistic. I love it.
June 21, 2016
I truly loved this book...
July 29, 2022
A couple of chapters were throwaways. Overall, solid advice and relatable examples.
January 2, 2015
Why I read this book:
I’ve been supportive of Iyanla Vanzant’s work for years and she is one of my favorite inspirational people.
Content: 1/1
The book is a guide that documents common life dilemmas and advice on how to deal with the storms or, as Iyanla refers to them, valleys. The book is a hefty documentation of ways to embrace your current situation and to work through the challenges. This is one of the few things I did like about the book and also a big reason I continue to support Iyanla. She is a good motivator to encourage us to do our work.
Delivery: 1/1
The book was laid out like a guide, which I appreciated since it goes in the name of being one. So many authors write advice books and call them guides only for the book to fall short of being one. I appreciated the separations in the chapters and the breakdowns and definitions of the valleys. I also like Iyanla’s writing style.
Relevance: 0/1
Here’s where the book failed me. I keep saying that Iyanla needs to stop tacking “for black women” and “for people of color” onto the subtitles of her books. The act of doing so is false advertisement and misleading. This book can benefit anyone who has lived life, not just black women. The journey of the black woman is quite complex and unique and I don’t think this book serviced the said journey well at all.
Iyanla is a metaphysic and much of her guidance and advice is centered on this discipline. If black women who are going through the typical black woman journey are her targeted audience, the idea of going heavy on the metaphysic advice is not effective, especially when black women typically exhibit strong and unwavering faith in God, alone, rather than in physics. I appreciate the alternative way to look at problems and I am not saying that we all need to follow the same journey to problem resolution. What I am saying is that her approach to guiding black women through life’s dilemmas will probably only impact a small population.
Impact: 0/1
I was unmoved by this book as I felt the metaphysic approach was far too heavy and not applicable to my journey. It took me over a year to complete this book because I found myself bored and disengaged throughout the read.
My rating distribution for book reviews in general:
Content: 0-1 star
Delivery: 0-1 star
Relevance: 0-1 star
Impact: 0-1 star
Bonus (if warranted by additional components of the book that enhanced my experience with the read): 0-1 star
I’ve been supportive of Iyanla Vanzant’s work for years and she is one of my favorite inspirational people.
Content: 1/1
The book is a guide that documents common life dilemmas and advice on how to deal with the storms or, as Iyanla refers to them, valleys. The book is a hefty documentation of ways to embrace your current situation and to work through the challenges. This is one of the few things I did like about the book and also a big reason I continue to support Iyanla. She is a good motivator to encourage us to do our work.
Delivery: 1/1
The book was laid out like a guide, which I appreciated since it goes in the name of being one. So many authors write advice books and call them guides only for the book to fall short of being one. I appreciated the separations in the chapters and the breakdowns and definitions of the valleys. I also like Iyanla’s writing style.
Relevance: 0/1
Here’s where the book failed me. I keep saying that Iyanla needs to stop tacking “for black women” and “for people of color” onto the subtitles of her books. The act of doing so is false advertisement and misleading. This book can benefit anyone who has lived life, not just black women. The journey of the black woman is quite complex and unique and I don’t think this book serviced the said journey well at all.
Iyanla is a metaphysic and much of her guidance and advice is centered on this discipline. If black women who are going through the typical black woman journey are her targeted audience, the idea of going heavy on the metaphysic advice is not effective, especially when black women typically exhibit strong and unwavering faith in God, alone, rather than in physics. I appreciate the alternative way to look at problems and I am not saying that we all need to follow the same journey to problem resolution. What I am saying is that her approach to guiding black women through life’s dilemmas will probably only impact a small population.
Impact: 0/1
I was unmoved by this book as I felt the metaphysic approach was far too heavy and not applicable to my journey. It took me over a year to complete this book because I found myself bored and disengaged throughout the read.
My rating distribution for book reviews in general:
Content: 0-1 star
Delivery: 0-1 star
Relevance: 0-1 star
Impact: 0-1 star
Bonus (if warranted by additional components of the book that enhanced my experience with the read): 0-1 star
July 10, 2016
This book is filled with wisdom & valuable insight. It took nearly six months for me to finish reading; not because of the material, but because I wasn't ready to receive the information. I definitely agree with anyone who has stated this is a must read. At the core for any of us (especially Black women), we must learn to love self & that can be one of the hardest things to do.
June 16, 2012
Change comes with pain, if you're not willing & ready.. Be Warned. The stories leapt of the page and became my life story, what I was amazed was how strongly synchronized the writings & lessons matched the events that followed. Almost adding truth to the quotes "What you think on grows"
April 28, 2013
Sharing stories of struggle and encouragement to carry on through long sojourns in challenges, through spiritual growth and self-discovery, Vanzant writes in a confidence-boosting, wise friend, easily accessible way.
June 13, 2014
This book was dxcellent. I have gone back a second time to read and discovered key points in which I did not acknowledge my first time around. I have referred back to certain points from time to time to bring me through my valley at moment in time. Great read.
June 13, 2008
Life and Love can be challenging but we must learn from our experiences and everything will workout in duetime once we persevere.
Currently reading
October 2, 2008I am currently reading this novel, but I can't quite get into it as quickly as I have the other novels that I read by her.
March 12, 2011
Love it!! It was my first book read by the author!
May 15, 2011
Absolutely love this book. I read it constantly... Whenever I need to be reminded of who I am, my blessings, how to recover from one of my valley's I open up this book. This book is my inspiration!
September 14, 2011
Change comes with pain, if you're not willing & ready.. Be Warned.
July 16, 2012
this book is for every woman. another Iyanla slam dunk
December 10, 2012
A must read for any women who has ever felt pain!
December 23, 2012
This is a must read so you can stay on track when you are in the valleys of life. This is a reminder that there's a blessing in every valley. It's up to you to get the lessons and blessings!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews