cover image Life in Action: The 12 Voy Principles of True Happiness and Success

Life in Action: The 12 Voy Principles of True Happiness and Success

Fernando Espuelas. Jeremy P. Tarcher, $23.95 (236pp) ISBN 978-1-58542-338-5

Opening with a forceful epigraph from Winston Churchill,""Never, never, never, quit,"" this volume seeks to spur readers on toward success and happiness. Espuelas begins his book with a lengthy description of his experiences in life and business: his immigration to the U.S., his rapid rise on the corporate ladder, his creation of""several innovative, wildly successful business ventures,"" his devastating financial losses and his subsequent return to the top as the CEO of VOY media company. He then launches into a discourse on the 12 doctrines that he believes can guide readers to self-actualization. From""Define Success and Happiness"" to""Do Your Duty to the Community,"" his program resembles that of many other self help books, but it seems to place a great value on developing character traits like persistence, courage, honor and humility. At times, however, his tone can be quite forceful, as when he declares that""those who are so driven to succeed that they'll sacrifice their friendships and their family life to achieve their goals are misguided and will never know true happiness."" Readers who can get past the author's boastful attitude will find some nuggets of inspiration here.