A Worthy Legacy by Tomi Akinyanmi: Review and an interview

Title: A Worthy Legacy
Author: Tomi Akinyanmi
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: Tommie Books (October 15, 2008)
Rating: 3.75 out of 5

About the book:
The Harmattan wind scorches across Nigeria, and an old man lies dying. His community gathers to pay its respects; their haunting songs echoing in the warm twilight. Around his bed his family is gathered and they listen as he speaks his last words. Yet in the face of death this old man doesn’t talk of regrets, neither does he talk of petty grievances, instead he talks softly about life; how to survive, how to be happy and how to achieve self-respect. “A Worthy Legacy” is a book far greater than its sum of parts; a moral guide that does not preach or command, but simply presents a code for life with a confidence and credibility that allows the reader to relate to and apply its philosophies.

My Review:
As many of you already know that I don’t read many inspirational or Self-Help books. So I was kind of surprised that I agreed to review this book. And I don’t regret it one bit.

First of all, A Worthy Legacyis a very short book. In spite of being only 100 pages, the book has a few sketches and blank spaces and beautiful font. Essentially it’s a beautiful package.

I wouldn’t say this book has a lot of genius or path breaking advice on how to improve and live your life. It has in fact, things we might have heard or read many times. But this very simplicity of the book is a positive point. As the book was written from a grandfather’s perspective, not once did I feel like it was too preachy. And I run away form preachy books. And the fact that I read it in one sitting definitely says something.

This book has various sections, on power, happiness, fear, character and many more. It’s a mixture of poetry and prose. I think this book could make a very good gift to teenagers or people in your life who are going through a tough time. The passage on fear given below is something that helped me the most. When we are going through times, we don’t really act on all the things about courage and overcoming odds that we have heard so many times. This could be just the book that could give you a push. I know I’ll be coming back to this book time and again.

One of the passages from the book:
Here is something about fear that you should know: often in life, you will come to face what you dread the most. Either of two things could happen. You can face it with courage, conquer it, and then begin to wonder why you ever feared it. Or you can cower in fright before your dread. If you cower, believe me, it won’t stop until it turns you into a wreck. For this reason, I would tell you never to run away from your problems. Learn to face and conquer them, knowing that the problems from which you flee today will gain more strength, and will one day gain enough to come back and destroy you.

And now I have an interview with the author of this book. Welcome Ms. Tomi Akinyanmi.
1. First and foremost, I love the cover of this book. It’s really thoughtful. Did you have any say in it?
Thanks for the compliments. Yes I did have a say in it. After completing the manuscript, I had an idea about the cover but my designer gets the credit for implementing it. She is an extremely talented designer. After explaining to her what I had in mind, she came up with the perfect picture and I fell in love with it. Needless to say, she did an excellent work.

2. Why was the inspiration behind A Worthy Legacy?
In May of 2001 my dad died suddenly in a car accident. His death inspired the writing of A Worthy Legacy.

3. Writing a book like A Worthy Legacycomes with great responsibility. Did you feel any pressure of that kind?
Sure! It is challenging putting an old man’s wisdom into a book. In writing A Worthy Legacy, I started with an old folder of quotes which was a collection of the things I learned about life over the years especially from my dad. Even with my folder, I had to take time to remember the situations and the context to be able to convey the message properly. That was a lot of pressure.

4. I have wanted to discuss this since I’ve read the book. In A Worthy Legacy, you say that taking any life is a sin and hence abortion is also a sin. Considering it comes from a grandfather, it’s understandable. But do you, as an author of the book, feel the same? How do you think it applies in today’s world?
I was brought up to believe abortion is a sin and as a Christian, I believe the same. So to answer your question, yes I feel it is a sin. However, I ardently believe “condemn the sin but not the sinner”. My poem “Agony of the aborted child” pretty much summarizes my view on abortion. I am concerned that social media and schools today encourage sexual activity rather than abstinence hence the higher incidence of unwanted pregnancies. Unfortunately, the same society that encourages sexuality has put such a stigma on unwanted pregnancy that it leaves little choice for most unmarried mothers the people most frequently faced with this issue. If the message of abstinence is not made stronger, then society needs to be more accepting and forgiving, as well as present unwed mothers with more opportunities and choices that enable these women pursue and attain their dreams. It is my believe that people faced with this issue would be more open to considering other options besides abortion if they know that their dreams are not to be forfeited because of a mistake.

5. I remember you had mentioned in an email once that you are originally from Nigeria. What is it about Nigeria that you love the most?
The sense of community. In Nigeria, you get the feeling that you are never really alone and this is true in the literary sense. There is at least someone willing to help you out and you are sure to find people around in your time of need. As a result you rarely get lonely.

6. Finally, Is there a question which you would have loved to ask, but no one has asked you yet?
Yes what do I miss most about my dad, the old man in the book? I miss him not being there to offer wisdom for issues I am face with in the present age. I am having to figure things out myself and it can be pretty tough especially when I make mistakes.

Thank you Ms. Tomi Akinyanmi. I hope all of you have enjoyed this interview.

Please do check out the entire tour dates

Introducing ‘The Volga Ruby’ by Peter Jobes

Isn’t it exciting to get introduced to new authors? A new style, a new thought process and a new way with words. Today, I have the honor and privilege to introduce you to Peter Jobes, the author of the new historical fiction adventure, ‘The Volga Ruby’. Also, he has very graciously agreed to answer some of my very interesting, exciting, fabulous, mind-blowing questions

Description:

As the European Powers indulge in an arms race that will eventually lead to war the rival empires court the favour of Russia, seeking to secure an alliance that will bring Russia into any war on their side. On the domestic front The Tsar is trying to consolidate power after the failed revolution of 1905 and the creation of the Duma, Russia’s first step towards parliamentary democracy. Into this scene enters James Fitzhugh, a British Military Attaché, sent to Russia to work with the Russian military and help smooth the way to a firm treaty. Soon, however, thanks to a few words overheard by a friend, James is plunged into the middle of a world of plot and intrigue while the future of Russia and her treaty with the British hangs in the balance. Set against the grand architecture of early twentieth century St Petersburg The Volga Ruby is an adventure in the old tradition of adventure stories…

Peter Jobes was born in the North East of England in 1983. He graduated from the University of Sunderland in 2004 and has since worked primarily in new media. His interest in reading and European History led him to take up the pen; The Volga Ruby is his first novel.

Welcome Peter.

First and foremost, considering you are a full time software engineer, how long did it take for you to write the book?
Twenty-seven days. This may seem quick, but I actually wrote the book for National Novel Writing Month last year. It keeps you busy for the month, but I really like the idea of it as it forces you to write, where as my previous novels had died before they got off the ground because I would just constantly rewrite the first chapter all the time. Doing it in a month made me finish the whole book. Naturally, after that I went through several times to edit it and make changes, but most of the story is the same.

The Volga Ruby has a very interesting premise. Can you tell us something about it?
The book is centered around an attempt by a group of Cossacks to gain independence from the Russian Empire. The ruby in the title is symbolic to their cause as it was taken by a great Cossack leader from his captive bride as he threw her into the Volga River to cement the loyalty of his men. The main character in the book is an English Attaché who is in St Petersburg to impress the Russians during some important treaty negotiations. When a friend relates an overheard conversation to him he’s plunged into a world of plot and intrigue, committed to ensure the safety of both the treaty and the Tsar.

What made you choose the topic and genre of your book?

I’ve always loved adventures stories, stories that were told not for some deep reason but purely for the love of adventure. I really love old fashioned story telling, I think most mass market fiction now has departed from that. I just wanted to write an adventure like they used to write; I guess that books have moved on and my tastes are stuck in the past, but when the past contains such writers as Stevenson, Buchan, Hope, et al who’d want the present anyway?

Which is the one book you would have loved to call your own? In short which is your favorite book of all times?
That’s such a challenging question; it’d be hard to settle on a single book. I love The Great Gatsby, but at the same time, I’m not sure I’d want my mind to come up with an ending that sad, Fitzgerald was so tragic. I think probably The Code of the Wooster’s by P.G Wodehouse, his prose is just fantastic. I think, because he is so funny, people sometimes overlook how gifted he was as a writer; he has this amazing gift for thinking of the most unlikely metaphors and similies but they work perfectly. Truly a first rate writer.

What do you like to do other than writing?
I like to help orphans and feed the hungry. Okay, so that’s a lie, but it made me sound good, right?

I guess I like the usual kind of things young people do, hanging out with friends, watching movies, I love listening to music, reading and playing sports, particularly soccer and football. I have to say, I think Eli Manning should watch his back because maybe I’ll get bored one day and decide to be a pro-football player.

Finally, can you tell us if you are planning to write a second book as well?
I am indeed, now I have the writing bug. You’ve caught me at an interesting point; I’ve started making notes for the second book which I’ll be starting in a few weeks, but about half an hour ago, I had another idea and now I can’t decide which of the two to write. I can tell you that the second book will be either a Second World War adventure story in occupied Norway or a medieval tale called “Where once there were giants”. Which of the two I write I’ll probably not decide until I start writing.

Thank you so much for your time. I am certainly looking forward to reading your book.

You can buy the book here