A year ago – March of 2013 – Sheryl Sandberg’s book, “Lean In…Women, Work, and The Will to Lead,” soared to the top of everyone’s must-read book list. Her national bestseller ignited, provoked, encouraged and stimulated conversations about women’s aspirations (or lack thereof) to leadership positions.

The book remains high on many publishing charts today.

The reviews of her ‘manifesto’ for empowering women to advance, achieve and attain their individual nirvana – both inside and outside the home – are varied. To appreciate the breadth of the book’s influence, you can refer to the brief list of related essays and reviews, below. They reflect how trendy and wildly popular “Lean In…” has become.

This is not a book to read at one sitting. Chapter titles like – “The Leadership Ambition Gap…What Would You Do if You Weren’t Afraid?” – “Are You My Mentor?” – “The Myth of Doing It All” – “Make Your Partner a Real Partner” – are just a few of the highlights of this very successful woman’s platform to get both women and men to ‘work together toward equality.’

Sandberg’s story is an American story…though some say a ‘fairy-tale’ narrative. She can ‘lean in’ with much more energy, drive and dynamism than many female or male hopefuls can.

She grew up “in a traditional home” where parents (i.e., a mother and a father) encouraged their children “to excel in school, do equal chores, and engage in extracurricular activities.” She went on to acquire two Harvard degrees, spend part of her career as chief of staff at the U. S. Treasury Dept., work in a high-profile position at Google, and wind up as COO at Facebook. (I found the book’s constant ‘dripping’ reference to her stature at ‘Facebook’ a bit gushy.)

Still, “Lean In” is a success story, and one I am happy to have read. Having ambition and being a girl should not be mutually exclusive. Females, girls, women of all backgrounds should listen and learn from her influential, powerful message.

Being at the right place, at the right time, with the right people (Lawrence Summers at Harvard; a supportive spouse at home) – together with her own ambition – all helped her get ahead.

Moreover, the front-page picture on the recent issue of Parade Magazine shows her flanked by Condoleezza Rice (former Secretary of State) and Girl Scouts CEO Anna Maria Chavez….another instance of a can-do, strong and valuable example for all women.

Further reviews of Lean In …Women, Work, and The Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg here, here and here.