Book Review: Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go by Lucille O'Neal

In this easy-to-read book, we watch Lucille O’Neal, author of Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go travel from an unhappy childhood and serious self-esteem issues, through an unwed teen pregnancy and the birth of her first son, NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal, marriage, three more children, and a constant struggle with alcoholism.  We watch her turn her life around to become the woman she is today.

There is much to like about this book. Lucille O’Neal is a conscientious mother who steers her family toward success. There’s also insight into Shaquille’s athletic career, from his school days to his meteoric rise in professional basketball. You get to watch as overwhelming wealth and fame hits and how it effects them all. There are many warm family moments and obvious love and caring between them. I was especially touched by her stories about her mother.

A few things you might not be expecting to see in a Christian inspirational work are strong political statements and a woman divorcing her husband because she has ”outgrown him”. I found some of the statements about her daughter’s unwed pregnancy a bit disturbing as well. Unfortunately, these flaws mar the book enough that I don’t feel I can recommend it without reservation.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com  book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”