Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper

Jan 31 – Feb 2 Issue 2002

‘How To Succeed Against All Odds’

By Ammanuel Moore

With all the Chicken Soup hoopla, it's easy to see that self-help books come a dime a dozen. The difference between this motivational self-help book and all others on the shelf is that Mrs. Dureke helps the reader define what success is to him or her, and uses practical and common-sense wisdom from popular songs, Biblical scripture and African proverbs to illustrate the journey toward success.

She also uses herself as a testimony, as she too, hurdled many obstacles accomplishing her many goals, including opening her own business, earning several degrees, serving as a certified aerobics instructor and motivational speaker and is a lead dancer for a popular African dance group.

How To Succeed Against All Odds is in 13 parts, representative of life's many areas, including business and finance, marriage and family, health, stress and several other topics.

It is written in almost a textbook fashion. Readers should find the index and section headings useful for easy reference. Some of the specific topics the book covers are: Why Some People May Not Realize their Talents; The Big Magic of Thinking Big; How and When Do You Know If You Made the Right Decision; Dealing with Hard Times; and more.

Many self-help book go out of their way to protect their credibility by not claiming to be a source for all cures, a clever way to not admit to shortcomings and faults that their strategies and plans may have.

How To Succeed Against All Odds, however, continually supports its strategies for success, which gives the reader more confidence that this is the right book.
(Margaret Dureke, 221 p.)

How To Succeed against All Odds is…"a very insightful book."
-- Steven Gray, Washington Post

"Margaret Dureke inspires women of all ages and faith to trust in whatever Supreme Being they worship- be it Jesus, Allah, Buddha, etc. to accept the challenge of pursuing their own dreams and aspirations. So many motivational books are based on theory as opposed to real life experiences. Many times, people are not sure how to identify the steps they need to take to reach the next level. In her book, How to Succeed Against All Odds, Margaret reveals many of the battles she overcame to become the successful mother and entrepreneur. Margaret truly inspires everyone to be the best they can be. Once you pick up her book, you will not want to put it down. This is not a book full of fluff! This is not a book that sits on a shelf. It will become your second Bible."

"Margaret's words are truly inspirational. I liken her message to this- 'People don't plan to fail. They just fail to plan'. We must have the courage and belief in ourselves to take the first step. Our support network of faith, family and friends will make the journey less treacherous."
-- Rita Cheng Personal Financial Advisor
American Express Financial Advisors

Date: 11/19/00 10:56:11 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: yevans@erols.com (Yvonne Evans)
To: oprah@aol.com
CC: Margaret@jahsfitness.com

Dear Oprah:
The book, How to Succeed Against All Odds, by Margaret Dureke is one that I would recommend for inclusion in any future program you may consider on the topic of "Survival of the Human Spirit." Ms. Dureke, a native of Nigeria, offers her readers a road map to success. By using her life experiences as an example, she offers a step-by-step approach to overcoming obstacles, no matter how big or how small. This book is very refreshing and is a "must read" for anyone having to make difficult life decisions. Please consider it for a future program on how one can survive even when one's back is against the wall. Thank you.
-- Yvonne Evans

Good Morning Margaret,
I was going through a very tough financial and house hunting time. Everything and anything was trying to deter me from purchasing my second home in DC after a bankruptcy, foreclosure, divorce and self employed.

Yes, "Walk by Faith" is what we know and might hear every now and again. I have taken this statement for granted and had become complacent-until I purchased your book. I was reminded of what I had all along, strength, courage and perseverance = VICTORY!!!!

I now have the victory with my daughter in our new home, a better credit rating, and a little equity already by the time I left the settlement table:)). You were my "ram in the bush" at the time and I did not even know. I remembered listening to you on the Sandy Mallory show at Morgan State (WEAA FM).

I then followed up with a phone call and ordered 4 copies, not only for myself, but for my girlfriends as well. It was you voice in the back of my head "you can do it, you can beat all odds", just stay focused and I did.

Thanks to your generous support and for taking the time to write the recipe for life in paperback!!!!!
--PEACE, Cheryl

Dr. Carl R. Wallace, RD LD
Howard University Hospital
Medical Nutrition Therapy

February 5, 2001

As a Nutrition Therapist, I counsel patients with chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, which require major lifestyle changes in order to treat the disease. Trying to establish the readiness to make the lifestyle behavior changes in the form of exercise and dietary changes can be very frustrating and challenging. Margaret’s book, How to Succeed Against All Odds, gets to the heart and soul of issues and factors that every patient faces while they are trying to make those long-term health behavior changes. She gives a personal testimony about her failures and successes in making those tough changes and ultimately, the health rewards.

I recommend her book to all my patients!