cover image Secrets about Life Every Woman Should Know: Ten Principles for Total Spiritual and Emotional Fulfillment

Secrets about Life Every Woman Should Know: Ten Principles for Total Spiritual and Emotional Fulfillment

Barbara De Angelis. Hyperion Books, $22.95 (304pp) ISBN 978-0-7868-6468-3

In a muddled though earnest attempt at philosophy based on her 30 years of meditating and spiritual study, De Angelis shifts further away from her core area of expertise: love and sex. (After many bestsellers, De Angelis first moved in this direction with Real Moments.) Playing on the title of one of her most popular books (Secrets About Men Every Woman Should Know), this latest effort offers a watered-down version of Eastern philosophy aimed at teaching her readers about the purpose of life. Ranging from the teachings of Rumi and the Buddhist nun Pema Ch dr n to Dan Millman and Alan Cohen, the text offers worthwhile points to contemplate, but too often they lack originality: the purpose of life is growth; change is inevitable; obstacles are lessons in disguise; everything you need to be happy is inside you; fear suppresses the feeling of being alive. Most fervent on the subject of love, De Angelis propounds loving one's self abundantly, illustrating her points with examples of mating and dating. This material, as well as De Angelis's highly personal tone and candid revelations about dramatic events in her life (a flood, disappointing relationships, business problems), will likely draw her usual fans, though perhaps not new ones. Agent, Harvey Klinger. 5-city author tour; radio satellite tour. (Sept.)