Twist of Faith: The Story of Anne Beiler, Founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels

At first glance, this spiritual autobiography might appear to be another of those rags-to-riches memoirs that retired business owners love to write. Happily, Beiler puts an unusual “twist” on her story, interweaving the chronicle of her business's startup and phenomenal growth (farmer's market stand in 1988, 700 domestic and 119 foreign locations 15 years later) with a candid personal account of bereavement, abuse and adultery; family and workplace struggles; and extended periods of grief and depression. Sometimes the chronological leapfrogging can be confusing—are we in Texas now, or Pennsylvania? and what year is it again?—but often insights from one time period illuminate struggles from another as Beiler alternates between incredible naïveté, especially about predatory males, and sharp-eyed business savvy. Money does play an important role: “I see God giving you things you wouldn't believe,” a friend predicts. “I see houses, I see land, I see cars....” Yet Beiler's first priority is philanthropy, not accumulation. Religious readers will appreciate not only her generosity but also her inspirational accounts of prophecies, answered prayers and, above all, forgiveness. (Mar.)