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小褗泻褉芯胁懈褖邪褌邪 薪邪 锌褗褌械褕械褋褌胁械薪懈泻邪
效械褌懈褉懈泄褋械褌 懈 褕械褋褌 谐芯写懈褕薪懈褟褌 袛械泄胁懈写 袩芯薪写褗褉 薪械 械 锌褉芯褋褌芯 胁褗胁 褎懈薪邪薪褋芯胁邪 泻褉懈蟹邪. 袘懈胁褕懈褟褌 懈蟹锌褗谢薪懈褌械谢械薪 写懈褉械泻褌芯褉 泻邪褉邪 褉邪蟹锌邪写邪褖邪 褋械 泻芯谢邪, 蟹邪泻褗褋薪褟胁邪 褋 胁薪芯褋泻懈褌械 蟹邪 泻褗褖邪褌邪 懈 薪褟屑邪 蟹写褉邪胁薪邪 芯褋懈谐褍褉芯胁泻邪. 袧褟屑邪 懈 芯褌泻褗写械 写邪 薪邪屑械褉懈 械写懈薪邪泄褋械褌 褏懈谢褟写懈 写芯谢邪褉邪 蟹邪 薪械芯褌谢芯卸薪邪褌邪 芯锌械褉邪褑懈褟 薪邪 写褗褖械褉褟 褋懈. 袧械褖邪褌邪 褋褌邪胁邪褌 褋褗胁褋械屑 斜械蟹薪邪写械卸写薪懈, 褋谢械写 泻邪褌芯 谐芯 懈蟹褏胁褗褉谢褟褌 懈 芯褌 薪懈褋泻芯锌谢邪褌械薪邪褌邪 屑褍 褉邪斜芯褌邪. 袣芯谐邪褌芯 泻芯谢邪褌邪 屑褍 锌芯写薪邪褋褟 薪邪 蟹邪谢械写械薪懈褟 屑芯褋褌, 袛械泄胁懈写 胁械褔械 薪械 械 褋懈谐褍褉械薪 写邪谢懈 懈褋泻邪 写邪 褟 芯胁谢邪写械械鈥� 袝写懈薪褋褌胁械薪懈褟褌 胁褗锌褉芯褋, 泻芯泄褌芯 褌邪懈 胁 褋褗褉褑械褌芯 褋懈 械 鈥溞椥把壭� 褌芯褔薪芯 邪蟹?鈥�.
袙 褌芯蟹懈 屑懈谐 薪邪 芯褌褔邪褟薪懈械 褌芯泄 胁褋械 芯褖械 薪械 蟹薪邪械, 褔械 械 褋褉械写 屑邪谢褑懈薪邪褌邪 懈蟹斜褉邪薪懈 写邪 锌芯谢褍褔邪褌 芯褌谐芯胁芯褉.
袗胁褌芯褉褗褌 薪邪 鈥溞熝€芯薪懈褑邪褌械谢褟褌鈥�, 泻芯泄褌芯 锌褉芯屑械薪懈 袗屑械褉懈泻邪 懈 锌芯泻芯褉懈 褏懈谢褟写懈 斜褗谢谐邪褉褋泻懈 褔懈褌邪褌械谢懈 褋 薪械卸薪芯褋褌, 屑褗写褉芯褋褌 懈 薪邪泄-胁械褔械 褋 锌芯谢芯卸懈褌械谢薪邪褌邪 褋懈谢邪 薪邪 鈥溞叫拘残把傂� 谐谢械写薪邪 褌芯褔泻邪鈥�, 褌芯蟹懈 锌褗褌 薪懈 褉邪蟹泻褉懈胁邪 褋褗褖懈薪褋泻懈褌械 褋褗泻褉芯胁懈褖邪 胁 褋械谐邪褕薪懈褟 薪懈 卸懈胁芯褌. 小褞卸械褌褗褌 薪懈 锌芯胁械卸写邪 薪邪 锌褗褌械褕械褋褌胁懈械 鈥� 芯褌 写薪械褕薪芯褋褌褌邪 泻褗屑 写邪谢械褔薪芯褌芯 屑懈薪邪谢芯, 胁褉褗褖邪 薪懈 泻褗屑 锌芯蟹薪邪薪懈褟褌邪 薪邪 斜懈斜谢械泄褋泻懈褌械 褋泻褉懈卸邪谢懈, 锌褉械锌褉邪褖邪 薪懈 泻褗屑 斜谢懈蟹泻芯褌芯 斜褗写械褖械.
袧芯 褌芯胁邪 薪械 械 褉邪蟹胁谢械泻邪褌械谢薪邪 褉邪蟹褏芯写泻邪, 邪 泻薪懈谐邪-褎懈谢屑, 懈蟹锌褗谢薪械薪邪 褋 锌芯褉邪蟹褟胁邪褖懈 褋褗蟹薪邪薪懈械褌芯 薪懈 卸懈褌械泄褋泻懈 褋谢褍褔泻懈 芯褌 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟褌邪, 屑邪谢泻芯 锌芯蟹薪邪褌懈, 蟹邪斜褉邪胁械薪懈 懈 薪械褉邪蟹斜褉邪薪懈 写芯褉懈 芯褌 薪邪泄-斜褍写薪邪褌邪 褔邪褋褌 芯褌 写薪械褕薪芯褌芯 褔芯胁械褔械褋褌胁芯.
小褉械褖懈褌械 薪邪 锌褗褌械褕械褋褌胁械薪懈泻邪 薪懈 写邪胁邪褌 薪芯胁邪 胁褗蟹屑芯卸薪芯褋褌 写邪 芯褋褗蟹薪邪械屑, 褔械 懈屑邪 懈蟹褏芯写 芯褌 胁褋褟泻邪 斜械蟹懈蟹褏芯写懈褑邪, 褔械 胁褋械泻懈 芯褌 薪邪褋 械 卸懈胁邪 褔邪褋褌懈褑邪 芯褌 胁械褔薪邪褌邪 袙褋械谢械薪邪. 袠 薪邪泄-胁邪卸薪芯褌芯 鈥� 褔械 胁 褉褗褑械褌械 薪邪 褋芯斜褋褌胁械薪邪褌邪 薪懈 胁芯谢褟 械 泻谢褞褔褗褌 泻褗屑 胁褋懈褔泻芯, 泻褗屑 泻芯械褌芯 褋械 褋褌褉械屑懈屑.
袙 褌芯蟹懈 屑懈谐 薪邪 芯褌褔邪褟薪懈械 褌芯泄 胁褋械 芯褖械 薪械 蟹薪邪械, 褔械 械 褋褉械写 屑邪谢褑懈薪邪褌邪 懈蟹斜褉邪薪懈 写邪 锌芯谢褍褔邪褌 芯褌谐芯胁芯褉.
袗胁褌芯褉褗褌 薪邪 鈥溞熝€芯薪懈褑邪褌械谢褟褌鈥�, 泻芯泄褌芯 锌褉芯屑械薪懈 袗屑械褉懈泻邪 懈 锌芯泻芯褉懈 褏懈谢褟写懈 斜褗谢谐邪褉褋泻懈 褔懈褌邪褌械谢懈 褋 薪械卸薪芯褋褌, 屑褗写褉芯褋褌 懈 薪邪泄-胁械褔械 褋 锌芯谢芯卸懈褌械谢薪邪褌邪 褋懈谢邪 薪邪 鈥溞叫拘残把傂� 谐谢械写薪邪 褌芯褔泻邪鈥�, 褌芯蟹懈 锌褗褌 薪懈 褉邪蟹泻褉懈胁邪 褋褗褖懈薪褋泻懈褌械 褋褗泻褉芯胁懈褖邪 胁 褋械谐邪褕薪懈褟 薪懈 卸懈胁芯褌. 小褞卸械褌褗褌 薪懈 锌芯胁械卸写邪 薪邪 锌褗褌械褕械褋褌胁懈械 鈥� 芯褌 写薪械褕薪芯褋褌褌邪 泻褗屑 写邪谢械褔薪芯褌芯 屑懈薪邪谢芯, 胁褉褗褖邪 薪懈 泻褗屑 锌芯蟹薪邪薪懈褟褌邪 薪邪 斜懈斜谢械泄褋泻懈褌械 褋泻褉懈卸邪谢懈, 锌褉械锌褉邪褖邪 薪懈 泻褗屑 斜谢懈蟹泻芯褌芯 斜褗写械褖械.
袧芯 褌芯胁邪 薪械 械 褉邪蟹胁谢械泻邪褌械谢薪邪 褉邪蟹褏芯写泻邪, 邪 泻薪懈谐邪-褎懈谢屑, 懈蟹锌褗谢薪械薪邪 褋 锌芯褉邪蟹褟胁邪褖懈 褋褗蟹薪邪薪懈械褌芯 薪懈 卸懈褌械泄褋泻懈 褋谢褍褔泻懈 芯褌 懈褋褌芯褉懈褟褌邪, 屑邪谢泻芯 锌芯蟹薪邪褌懈, 蟹邪斜褉邪胁械薪懈 懈 薪械褉邪蟹斜褉邪薪懈 写芯褉懈 芯褌 薪邪泄-斜褍写薪邪褌邪 褔邪褋褌 芯褌 写薪械褕薪芯褌芯 褔芯胁械褔械褋褌胁芯.
小褉械褖懈褌械 薪邪 锌褗褌械褕械褋褌胁械薪懈泻邪 薪懈 写邪胁邪褌 薪芯胁邪 胁褗蟹屑芯卸薪芯褋褌 写邪 芯褋褗蟹薪邪械屑, 褔械 懈屑邪 懈蟹褏芯写 芯褌 胁褋褟泻邪 斜械蟹懈蟹褏芯写懈褑邪, 褔械 胁褋械泻懈 芯褌 薪邪褋 械 卸懈胁邪 褔邪褋褌懈褑邪 芯褌 胁械褔薪邪褌邪 袙褋械谢械薪邪. 袠 薪邪泄-胁邪卸薪芯褌芯 鈥� 褔械 胁 褉褗褑械褌械 薪邪 褋芯斜褋褌胁械薪邪褌邪 薪懈 胁芯谢褟 械 泻谢褞褔褗褌 泻褗屑 胁褋懈褔泻芯, 泻褗屑 泻芯械褌芯 褋械 褋褌褉械屑懈屑.
168 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2002
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12450 people want to read
About the author
Andy Andrews
104听books1,068听followers~ Hailed by a New York Times writer as a "modern-day Will Rogers who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America."
~ Spoken at the request of four different U.S. Presidents
~ Every single minute a book by Andy Andrews is sold somewhere in the world!
~ New York Times Bestselling Author of The Noticer and The Traveler's Gift
Source:
~ Spoken at the request of four different U.S. Presidents
~ Every single minute a book by Andy Andrews is sold somewhere in the world!
~ New York Times Bestselling Author of The Noticer and The Traveler's Gift
Source:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,118 reviews
August 17, 2011
I try not to give out one star ratings lightly. I only give them to what I think are the worst books, the books in which I can say afterwards that they were a waste of my precious time and I wish I had those moments of life back. This book I feel is worth that one star rating.
This is a pop psychology self help book with a religious undertone. As is popular with self help material, the author broke his work into a list. Surprisingly, he did not create an acronym to describe the ideas as well.
For each aspect to make yourself into a better you, he had some random shlub timetravel to meet various famous people just as they are about to conduct something which had made them famous.
Now I am not going to dispute the author's history. Yes, Christopher Columbus sailed west in 1492. Yes, Truman ordered the bomb to be dropped in 1945. I do dispute the authors interpretations as to why many of these decisions were made. For example, he should have done more research on Copernicus and his scientific work as well as ancient Greek knowledge that was not lost during the middle ages before he wrote the part with Columbus.
But while the historical aspect of the book played a major roll, it was merely a prop for the author to push his seven concepts, each of which was written out by the historical figures in a rambling and repetitive way that made it difficult for me not to nod off during those parts of the book.
I would like to also point out that one of his points he pushed is to associate yourself with quality people. He also pushed religion throughout the book. So it is too bad Jesus did not know about these seven rules to a successful life. After all, he hung out with lepers, tax collectors and prostitutes rather than shun them because of their low status.
Now I am off to join the Flat Earth Society. I will be determined to stick to my decision because I am too ignorant to know what is wrong. I will be persistent on joining them. I will do it today so I will not procrastinate. I will smile and be happy while I do it. And I will live with the consequences of my decision because the buck stops here.
This is a pop psychology self help book with a religious undertone. As is popular with self help material, the author broke his work into a list. Surprisingly, he did not create an acronym to describe the ideas as well.
For each aspect to make yourself into a better you, he had some random shlub timetravel to meet various famous people just as they are about to conduct something which had made them famous.
Now I am not going to dispute the author's history. Yes, Christopher Columbus sailed west in 1492. Yes, Truman ordered the bomb to be dropped in 1945. I do dispute the authors interpretations as to why many of these decisions were made. For example, he should have done more research on Copernicus and his scientific work as well as ancient Greek knowledge that was not lost during the middle ages before he wrote the part with Columbus.
But while the historical aspect of the book played a major roll, it was merely a prop for the author to push his seven concepts, each of which was written out by the historical figures in a rambling and repetitive way that made it difficult for me not to nod off during those parts of the book.
I would like to also point out that one of his points he pushed is to associate yourself with quality people. He also pushed religion throughout the book. So it is too bad Jesus did not know about these seven rules to a successful life. After all, he hung out with lepers, tax collectors and prostitutes rather than shun them because of their low status.
Now I am off to join the Flat Earth Society. I will be determined to stick to my decision because I am too ignorant to know what is wrong. I will be persistent on joining them. I will do it today so I will not procrastinate. I will smile and be happy while I do it. And I will live with the consequences of my decision because the buck stops here.
July 26, 2012
I gave this book more than 1 star because I think the seven decisions presented in the book are valid concepts to help your life go more smoothly. I mean choosing to be happy, to accept responsibility for your decisions, to forgive others, etc, etc, etc. - it's all good advice, that when correctly applied could certainly help you become more successful.
That being said, I canNOT believe how self-important this author is! The last guide he meets with tells the main character, "You have been given a gift that has the power to change your civilization," and, "Our Creator has granted you the extraordinary power of the wisdom contained in the Seven Decisions." Really? These particular tips will change all of civilization? Wow; I've heard of some authors who said their books could change mankind, but I've never read that belief printed so blatantly in their own creations. And I'm pretty sure I've heard all the advice from better writers at some time or another, so presented here, they didn't strike me with their "extraordinary" import. And that's another problem: this book is not very well-written. It's a little choppy and rreally contrived. So, my recommendation is: read the tips (a list is handily supplied on p. 204 or even in other reviews), but as for the rest; take it or leave it.
That being said, I canNOT believe how self-important this author is! The last guide he meets with tells the main character, "You have been given a gift that has the power to change your civilization," and, "Our Creator has granted you the extraordinary power of the wisdom contained in the Seven Decisions." Really? These particular tips will change all of civilization? Wow; I've heard of some authors who said their books could change mankind, but I've never read that belief printed so blatantly in their own creations. And I'm pretty sure I've heard all the advice from better writers at some time or another, so presented here, they didn't strike me with their "extraordinary" import. And that's another problem: this book is not very well-written. It's a little choppy and rreally contrived. So, my recommendation is: read the tips (a list is handily supplied on p. 204 or even in other reviews), but as for the rest; take it or leave it.
March 2, 2025
Read for work. 鉁岋笍
September 16, 2012
Good afternoon readers! This week I'm going a little off the beaten path. As most of you know, I almost always write about a mystery in my blog posts. But this week's book was a little different, and it might be something of interest to you if you need a little pick-me-up in your life. :-)
The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews is a wonderful fiction book about a forty-something-year-old man named David Ponder who's a bit down-and-out on his luck. He lost his job, his daughter needs her tonsils out, the mortgage is behind, and things just kinda s*ck in general. So just as he's ready to give up on life (think It's A Wonderful Life) he's given an amazing opportunity to visit some key people in history in order to learn a lesson from each of them. In order of the people he meets, they are as follows:
Harry Truman ~ David learns "The buck stops here"
King Soloman ~ David learns "I will seek wisdom"
Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain ~ David learns "I am a person of action"
Christopher Columbus ~ David learns "I have a decided heart"
Anne Frank ~ David learns "Today I will choose to be happy"
Abraham Lincoln ~ David learns "I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit"
The Angel Gabriel ~ David learns "I will persist without exception"
Does it go without saying that David's life undergoes a dramatic turn-around after having the amazing experience of meeting seven such influential people in history? Probably. So if you personally ever need a boost to your self-esteem--or maybe just a little kick in the pants--then this book is a really motivational read. It makes you realize how lucky we all are to have this shot at life and that we really are the driver's of our own destiny.
So, like I wrote earlier--this book was not my "typical" read, but sometimes it's nice to try something new. And if you give this story a chance, I promise you'll shut it with a smile on your face and some determination in your heart. 'Til next week, happy reading my friends!
The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews is a wonderful fiction book about a forty-something-year-old man named David Ponder who's a bit down-and-out on his luck. He lost his job, his daughter needs her tonsils out, the mortgage is behind, and things just kinda s*ck in general. So just as he's ready to give up on life (think It's A Wonderful Life) he's given an amazing opportunity to visit some key people in history in order to learn a lesson from each of them. In order of the people he meets, they are as follows:
Harry Truman ~ David learns "The buck stops here"
King Soloman ~ David learns "I will seek wisdom"
Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain ~ David learns "I am a person of action"
Christopher Columbus ~ David learns "I have a decided heart"
Anne Frank ~ David learns "Today I will choose to be happy"
Abraham Lincoln ~ David learns "I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit"
The Angel Gabriel ~ David learns "I will persist without exception"
Does it go without saying that David's life undergoes a dramatic turn-around after having the amazing experience of meeting seven such influential people in history? Probably. So if you personally ever need a boost to your self-esteem--or maybe just a little kick in the pants--then this book is a really motivational read. It makes you realize how lucky we all are to have this shot at life and that we really are the driver's of our own destiny.
So, like I wrote earlier--this book was not my "typical" read, but sometimes it's nice to try something new. And if you give this story a chance, I promise you'll shut it with a smile on your face and some determination in your heart. 'Til next week, happy reading my friends!
January 27, 2020
Nothing groundbreaking, no new news here. Boring, hokey, overwrought...seven steps most of us have learned by our early teens. Yes, there are historical inaccuracies, but that is the least of this books' problems. The set up for the story reads as if a high school English teacher asked their students to write the saddest thing they could ever think of, and then make it sadder, pile on the schmaltz. The historic characters are so free from fault, it is difficult to draw inspiration from them. Personally, I find that knowing the great personas from our past were actually flawed individuals who were just doing the best they could in their particular circumstances much more attainable role models than this drivel. Spoiler! In the end the main character reaches the pinnacle of popularity and wealth, and it seems that the author deems that the ultimate goal. How is anyone else supposed to live up to that? It would have been nice to see him be successful as an average Joe, holding down a good job, caring for his family, taking pleasure in the little things...but no, he must become Jeff Bezos and Jesus rolled into one. Add an eighth step. Appreciate what you have.
Maybe a ninth, too. Skip this book and do something more productive with your time.
Maybe a ninth, too. Skip this book and do something more productive with your time.
June 16, 2012
7 Decisions that Determine Personal Success
1. The buck stops here. President Truman. Forget the past and quit blaming it on yourself or someone. You are responsible from this day forward.
2. Seek wisdom. King Solomon. Be with wise people and those who are searching for truth. Not just those who are on a journey.
3. Be a person of action. Joshua Chamberlain-Civil War-20th Maine Division. Do something. Don't be paralyzed by fear. Make decisions.
4. Have a decided heart. Christopher Columbus. Decide to have passion about your vision for the future. Don't worry about what others say. Poor is the man who believes what people say about him.
5. Choose to be happy. Anne Frank-Jew during WW2. It's a choice. Be grateful. Choose today to be happy. It's contagious.
6. Have a forgiving spirit. Abe Lincoln at Gettysburg. Forgiveness must be given away. Give up bitterness. Forgive yourself and those who did not ask for forgiveness.
7. Persist without exception. Gabriel in the room of unanswered prayers. Keep going despite. Don't worry about the pain of the process, picture the end results. Persist, work hard, expect. Have faith....
1. The buck stops here. President Truman. Forget the past and quit blaming it on yourself or someone. You are responsible from this day forward.
2. Seek wisdom. King Solomon. Be with wise people and those who are searching for truth. Not just those who are on a journey.
3. Be a person of action. Joshua Chamberlain-Civil War-20th Maine Division. Do something. Don't be paralyzed by fear. Make decisions.
4. Have a decided heart. Christopher Columbus. Decide to have passion about your vision for the future. Don't worry about what others say. Poor is the man who believes what people say about him.
5. Choose to be happy. Anne Frank-Jew during WW2. It's a choice. Be grateful. Choose today to be happy. It's contagious.
6. Have a forgiving spirit. Abe Lincoln at Gettysburg. Forgiveness must be given away. Give up bitterness. Forgive yourself and those who did not ask for forgiveness.
7. Persist without exception. Gabriel in the room of unanswered prayers. Keep going despite. Don't worry about the pain of the process, picture the end results. Persist, work hard, expect. Have faith....
December 10, 2010
This book was one of the worst things in print I've ever seen. Three problems:
1. Main character is 2-D. False and unbelievable. Just a prop to get us into the author's story.
2. Author references history - but his facts are WRONG. (Specifically: Truman's apparent reluctance to drop the H-bomb on Japan; history shows that not only did he do it willingly, but he refused to NOT do it when Japan tried to surrender! This incident in the story supports the nice, convenient view that every American leader is always the reluctant hero.)
3. I personally didn't appreciate the Christian-Conservative moral overtones at the end. (Seriously - do we need to describe Saddam Hussein as on the same level as Hitler? Does the author think we're completely stupid, with no sense of history? Well, apparently, he does.)
What's good: it was fun to think about meeting the historical figures presented in this book. The author's depictions of these encounters were creative and engaging.
1. Main character is 2-D. False and unbelievable. Just a prop to get us into the author's story.
2. Author references history - but his facts are WRONG. (Specifically: Truman's apparent reluctance to drop the H-bomb on Japan; history shows that not only did he do it willingly, but he refused to NOT do it when Japan tried to surrender! This incident in the story supports the nice, convenient view that every American leader is always the reluctant hero.)
3. I personally didn't appreciate the Christian-Conservative moral overtones at the end. (Seriously - do we need to describe Saddam Hussein as on the same level as Hitler? Does the author think we're completely stupid, with no sense of history? Well, apparently, he does.)
What's good: it was fun to think about meeting the historical figures presented in this book. The author's depictions of these encounters were creative and engaging.
December 10, 2022
This book is a parable that looks back in time at critical decisions leaders and heroes have had to make in order for each of us to evaluate crucial decisions.
I took many, many notes as I read this short book because it struck at my soul.
Several takeaways include:
1. You are where you are because of your thinking. Your thinking dictates your decisions. Decisions are choices.
2. "It's not my fault" is written on gravestones of unsuccessful people.
3. Challenges are gifts because they are opportunities to learn.
4. Adversity is preparation for greatness.
5. Successful people make decisions quickly and change their minds slowly.
6. Passion breeds conviction which turns mediocrity into excellence.
7. With passion, you overcome insurmountable obstacles.
8. With passion, you become unstoppable.
9. My hopes, my passions, my vision for the future are my very existence. If I let them go, my life would be finished.
10. A person without a dream never had a dream come true.
11. First we make choices; then our choices make us.
12. Fear is a poor chisel to carve out tomorrow.
13. Enthusiasm is the fuel that moves the world.
14. My smile is my calling card; it is the most potent weapon I possess.
15. Develop the power to ignore what is popular and instead do what is right.
16. Criticism is part of the price for leaping past mediocrity.
Powerful parable; highly recommend!
I took many, many notes as I read this short book because it struck at my soul.
Several takeaways include:
1. You are where you are because of your thinking. Your thinking dictates your decisions. Decisions are choices.
2. "It's not my fault" is written on gravestones of unsuccessful people.
3. Challenges are gifts because they are opportunities to learn.
4. Adversity is preparation for greatness.
5. Successful people make decisions quickly and change their minds slowly.
6. Passion breeds conviction which turns mediocrity into excellence.
7. With passion, you overcome insurmountable obstacles.
8. With passion, you become unstoppable.
9. My hopes, my passions, my vision for the future are my very existence. If I let them go, my life would be finished.
10. A person without a dream never had a dream come true.
11. First we make choices; then our choices make us.
12. Fear is a poor chisel to carve out tomorrow.
13. Enthusiasm is the fuel that moves the world.
14. My smile is my calling card; it is the most potent weapon I possess.
15. Develop the power to ignore what is popular and instead do what is right.
16. Criticism is part of the price for leaping past mediocrity.
Powerful parable; highly recommend!
December 1, 2012
The first Andy Andrews book that I picked up was The Traveler鈥檚 Gift, and it was as if God himself handed it to me, one of those 鈥減erfect books at just the perfect time.鈥�
It鈥� s funny how things unfold according to God鈥檚 plan. Those moments of 鈥淚 really don鈥檛 understand why this is happening to me,鈥� unfold into 鈥淓UREKA!!! 鈥� Thank you Lord!!!鈥� 鈥� I鈥檝e learned to take it all in stride and keep living happily in the moment, learning from the past but not holding onto it, and embracing every moment of this awesome time here on the planet Earth.
The Traveler鈥檚 Gift is about the 7 decisions that determine personal success but written in a time traveler鈥檚 perspective. The time-traveler guy, David Ponder, goes from being at the top to desperation, like in a snap, and is introduced to THE 7 decisions that can turn a life around, no matter how impossible the situation may seem. Along the way our friend gets to meet and receives wisdom from Christopher Columbus, Abraham Lincoln, King Solomon, Anne Frank and Harry Truman. I loved this book because Andy takes a serious subject and makes it entertaining.
Since reading The Traveler鈥檚 Gift, I鈥檝e been making my way through Andy鈥檚 collection, steadily enjoying them one-by-one. Thank you God for working through David Keough to introduce me to Andy Andrews, I鈥檓 forever grateful!
It鈥� s funny how things unfold according to God鈥檚 plan. Those moments of 鈥淚 really don鈥檛 understand why this is happening to me,鈥� unfold into 鈥淓UREKA!!! 鈥� Thank you Lord!!!鈥� 鈥� I鈥檝e learned to take it all in stride and keep living happily in the moment, learning from the past but not holding onto it, and embracing every moment of this awesome time here on the planet Earth.
The Traveler鈥檚 Gift is about the 7 decisions that determine personal success but written in a time traveler鈥檚 perspective. The time-traveler guy, David Ponder, goes from being at the top to desperation, like in a snap, and is introduced to THE 7 decisions that can turn a life around, no matter how impossible the situation may seem. Along the way our friend gets to meet and receives wisdom from Christopher Columbus, Abraham Lincoln, King Solomon, Anne Frank and Harry Truman. I loved this book because Andy takes a serious subject and makes it entertaining.
Since reading The Traveler鈥檚 Gift, I鈥檝e been making my way through Andy鈥檚 collection, steadily enjoying them one-by-one. Thank you God for working through David Keough to introduce me to Andy Andrews, I鈥檓 forever grateful!
April 13, 2021
One of the worst books I have read in my life. A mixture of a novel and a self-help book, perhaps the best way to describe it as extremely cringy. The plot of the novel is simple because the story is there only to reinforce the author's seven principles for success- and make you feel like you're learning something extraordinary. Now it is probably a good time to admit I don't care much for self-books. However, the part of this book that could be described as a 'novel' is even worse then the philosophical (the seven principles for success) part and that is saying something.
The novel opens up with a guy David who has lost his job and is now mad at the world. The protagonist at one point screams at his wife for telling him their daughter needs surgery. I found it really hard to sympathize with David as he seems to be a horrible and abusive human being. Soon into the book, David decides to kills himself but predictably ends up only injuring himself seriously and experiencing 'visions', that he will (in his infinite wisdom) share with us. That's the start of his path- the visions. David strokes his ego by visiting and talking to a great variety of historical and religious figures including two American presidents, king Solomon, Columbus, archangel Gabriel and Anne Frank. In all of his visions, all historical figures love him and stroke his ego and you get to have your ego stroked too because the author will sell you all these self-help mantra about being special that you can repeat to yourself. Don't forget to smile while you do it. Don't forget to repeat to yourself that happiness is a choice either. Not that it will help you, but it will create an illusion of helping you- and that is what sells books.
Don't get me wrong. I understand why some people trust in these kind of books. Self-help books make people feel in control, they sell them an illusion that happiness and success is something easily achievable. I'm not excluding the possibility that self-books can help some people. I'm just saying that I believe there is a self-help industry whose purpose is solely to manipulate people into buying more similarly useless books.
Isn't it ironic that despite all these miraculous self-help book out there, the number of depressed people constantly increases? It is my opinion that most self-help books create a feeling of learning without teaching everything. The whole self-help industry prays on the emotionally unbalanced, depressed, naive and/or young individuals. Under the disguise of helping, they manipulate person's emotions so that the person 'feels' he or she is on the right path and buys more books. In other words, self-help books teach nothing but they charge the full price.
Even for a self-help book, this book is pretty terrible. I don't particularly care for the historical inaccuracies in this book, there are far more worrying things in it, from monetizing on Anne Frank's memory to implying that the dropping of the nuclear bomb on Japan was a moral thing to do. Generally speaking, I would say that this book is everything I don't want a book to be. I will definitely never read this author again.
The novel opens up with a guy David who has lost his job and is now mad at the world. The protagonist at one point screams at his wife for telling him their daughter needs surgery. I found it really hard to sympathize with David as he seems to be a horrible and abusive human being. Soon into the book, David decides to kills himself but predictably ends up only injuring himself seriously and experiencing 'visions', that he will (in his infinite wisdom) share with us. That's the start of his path- the visions. David strokes his ego by visiting and talking to a great variety of historical and religious figures including two American presidents, king Solomon, Columbus, archangel Gabriel and Anne Frank. In all of his visions, all historical figures love him and stroke his ego and you get to have your ego stroked too because the author will sell you all these self-help mantra about being special that you can repeat to yourself. Don't forget to smile while you do it. Don't forget to repeat to yourself that happiness is a choice either. Not that it will help you, but it will create an illusion of helping you- and that is what sells books.
Don't get me wrong. I understand why some people trust in these kind of books. Self-help books make people feel in control, they sell them an illusion that happiness and success is something easily achievable. I'm not excluding the possibility that self-books can help some people. I'm just saying that I believe there is a self-help industry whose purpose is solely to manipulate people into buying more similarly useless books.
Isn't it ironic that despite all these miraculous self-help book out there, the number of depressed people constantly increases? It is my opinion that most self-help books create a feeling of learning without teaching everything. The whole self-help industry prays on the emotionally unbalanced, depressed, naive and/or young individuals. Under the disguise of helping, they manipulate person's emotions so that the person 'feels' he or she is on the right path and buys more books. In other words, self-help books teach nothing but they charge the full price.
Even for a self-help book, this book is pretty terrible. I don't particularly care for the historical inaccuracies in this book, there are far more worrying things in it, from monetizing on Anne Frank's memory to implying that the dropping of the nuclear bomb on Japan was a moral thing to do. Generally speaking, I would say that this book is everything I don't want a book to be. I will definitely never read this author again.
April 13, 2013
Amazingly compelling, captivating and inspiring!
I received this book as a gift from Robert D. Smith, who is the man the book is dedicated to as well as a very close friend of the author. I was going to skim it real quick and then give it to a friend who I knew would enjoy it more but wait, I couldn't. I was in the middle of 4 other books - I LOVE to read! _ and I had to put them down and even stop doing some of my projects to devour this book. Well-done Andy Andrews!!
The story of David is so compelling. Andrews has a pretty nice writing style too, and I love the creativity here, meeting the figures from history and learning from their wisdom, but in a way that was truly inspiring. I blog in the self-development and motivational space and I get a lot of readers that just think this "inspiration" and "positive thinking" 'stuff' is not for them.... and they are simply wrong. They CHOOSE to believe they have no power, no will, no choice, and I love the no-nonsense way that Andrews clears that up!
I took out a highlighter and marked several several passages, and my favorite was probably the episode with little Anne Frank. I know I just don't have the heart to read her diary but I so badly want to. How very touching!
I received this book as a gift from Robert D. Smith, who is the man the book is dedicated to as well as a very close friend of the author. I was going to skim it real quick and then give it to a friend who I knew would enjoy it more but wait, I couldn't. I was in the middle of 4 other books - I LOVE to read! _ and I had to put them down and even stop doing some of my projects to devour this book. Well-done Andy Andrews!!
The story of David is so compelling. Andrews has a pretty nice writing style too, and I love the creativity here, meeting the figures from history and learning from their wisdom, but in a way that was truly inspiring. I blog in the self-development and motivational space and I get a lot of readers that just think this "inspiration" and "positive thinking" 'stuff' is not for them.... and they are simply wrong. They CHOOSE to believe they have no power, no will, no choice, and I love the no-nonsense way that Andrews clears that up!
I took out a highlighter and marked several several passages, and my favorite was probably the episode with little Anne Frank. I know I just don't have the heart to read her diary but I so badly want to. How very touching!
August 3, 2012
At a recent business conference I heard Andy speak. He was surprisingly funny, but had some very poignant insights into business and life. I decided to get some of his books after hearing him speak because I had learned so many things from him.
This book was great. It sucked me in right from the start. Profiling a man who lost everything he'd put into a career, his low income and low self esteem spill over into his home life and begin affecting his marriage and relationship with his daughter. Broken in every sense of the word, he finds himself embarking on a sudden and unexpected journey that teaches him the very powerful life lessons, or more specifically, the seven decisions he will need to make to have success in this life and turn EVERYTHING around.
Without wanting to give everything away, there are inspirational heroes who share with him the very decisions he will need to make. A parable, of sorts, that any reader could relate to, and adopt these seven decisions for ourselves.
Each "decision" has a definite code for living at the end of the chapters, an easy to read sum up of the attitude or philosophy required to adopt this decision. The heroes profiled are inspirational, and I had chills many times as I read along. I enjoyed this book very much.
Early in the book, there is a suggestion to read the "decisions" twice daily to adopt them into the heart, commit them to memory, and to be in a position to share them with others. I will definitely be adding them to my daily routine of affirmations and review of my goals because they are such powerful, life changing statements.
This book was great. It sucked me in right from the start. Profiling a man who lost everything he'd put into a career, his low income and low self esteem spill over into his home life and begin affecting his marriage and relationship with his daughter. Broken in every sense of the word, he finds himself embarking on a sudden and unexpected journey that teaches him the very powerful life lessons, or more specifically, the seven decisions he will need to make to have success in this life and turn EVERYTHING around.
Without wanting to give everything away, there are inspirational heroes who share with him the very decisions he will need to make. A parable, of sorts, that any reader could relate to, and adopt these seven decisions for ourselves.
Each "decision" has a definite code for living at the end of the chapters, an easy to read sum up of the attitude or philosophy required to adopt this decision. The heroes profiled are inspirational, and I had chills many times as I read along. I enjoyed this book very much.
Early in the book, there is a suggestion to read the "decisions" twice daily to adopt them into the heart, commit them to memory, and to be in a position to share them with others. I will definitely be adding them to my daily routine of affirmations and review of my goals because they are such powerful, life changing statements.
May 10, 2009
Are you a poor, miserable, lazy, slob? Then CHOOSE not to be. There. Now you鈥檝e read the book, too. (Oops, sorry. I鈥檓 going to forgive myself for that harsh comment so I don鈥檛 spend eternity 鈥渃hained to the Mirror of Regret.鈥�)
Perhaps it would have been more persuasive if written without the pretense of being a fictional novel and simply left in the category of 鈥渟elf-help.鈥� Andy Andrews could have used the historical figures as compelling examples just as effectively and probably with more grace writing a nonfiction piece. I have a feeling he鈥檚 a better speaker than he is a fiction writer and that he would have done better writing in his 鈥渘atural鈥� voice. Don鈥檛 get me wrong, the 7 principals themselves are fine. Nobody can deny that being an active participant in your own life is powerful or that surrounding yourself with positive vs. negative influences is a good thing. However, the message of the book got to be a little repetitive towards the end and started to feel like I was watching a late night evangelical program on TV (more about selling something and less about Truth). I guess my biggest concern with these 7 rules is that they can quickly become something glib, self-serving, over-simplified 鈥� even dangerous. Something other people use as a way to justify their greed and as an excuse to stop having compassion for others. (Also: Christopher Columbus, really? Andy couldn鈥檛 find ANY other example of a person with passion or conviction in all of history?).
Perhaps it would have been more persuasive if written without the pretense of being a fictional novel and simply left in the category of 鈥渟elf-help.鈥� Andy Andrews could have used the historical figures as compelling examples just as effectively and probably with more grace writing a nonfiction piece. I have a feeling he鈥檚 a better speaker than he is a fiction writer and that he would have done better writing in his 鈥渘atural鈥� voice. Don鈥檛 get me wrong, the 7 principals themselves are fine. Nobody can deny that being an active participant in your own life is powerful or that surrounding yourself with positive vs. negative influences is a good thing. However, the message of the book got to be a little repetitive towards the end and started to feel like I was watching a late night evangelical program on TV (more about selling something and less about Truth). I guess my biggest concern with these 7 rules is that they can quickly become something glib, self-serving, over-simplified 鈥� even dangerous. Something other people use as a way to justify their greed and as an excuse to stop having compassion for others. (Also: Christopher Columbus, really? Andy couldn鈥檛 find ANY other example of a person with passion or conviction in all of history?).
February 11, 2018
Shockingly amazing and easy to read! This book is filled with so much wisdom. It really makes you think about your decisions and inspires you to make a stand. Stand up for yourself and take control of your destiny. My favorite statement "Until you have accomplished what you were put on this earth to do, you will not -- you cannot-- be harmed!" God has a plan and purpose for us. It is up to us to decide to embrace our calling or continue running from it while encountering all the obstacles on our own without the road map. I loved how the author mixed history and biblical information to prove his points. Very moving. Great gift item for those at a crossroad or just struggling to make a choice to be positive.
April 9, 2014
I have read this twice and loved it both times. Would highly recommend it. A quick,easy read that is both uplifting and entertaining.
Read
January 14, 2011That's right. I gave it 0 stars.
I enjoy reading a lot of books and honestly don't have a very high standard. Even if a book is unintelligent I can still enjoy a good page turning plot. If the plot is slow I can still relish in thought provoking ideas and thematic exploration. This book has neither a compelling plot or an intelligent premise. The plot is terrifyingly laughable especially given that the author uses it to wallow in self-aggrandizement. Likewise, the themes are stagnant and the writing is awful.
This book is about a floundering man who is chosen by a God figure to learn some lessons and then returns to reality/earth to save mankind by imparting (as a motivational speaker) all the wisdom he learned. Stadiums full of people reverence him. Parks and hospitals are named after him and his family. Of course, he is fabulously wealthy. The mere mention of his name brings people to tears and testimonials. Now having said that, it is important to note that the author is a motivational speaker. The author turned himself into a hero. He makes himself God's gift to mankind...literally! This book makes me sad for all the wrong reasons.
Sure, you can say: "but what does that matter compared to all that you learn from the seven gifts". Well, there are certainly some nice ideas. Not new ideas, just nice ideas. These nice ideas are truly the only redeeming quality of the book. It is just too bad that none of these ideas are unique.
Beyond that concession I find no other. Through the course of the man's journey he meets several key figures from a variety of times and places. Yet, each of their voices are identical. No variety. No imagination. Amazingly, they all sounded exactly like the motivational speaker. Far more disconcerting are the blatant historical inaccuracies. I always figured that an author would want to research their ideas so that the text would not expose them as an ignoramus. Not this motivational speaker. He is just fine knowing that anyone who reads his book can see him trying to pass off creative story telling as truth. Worse still are the cliches. And, by cliches I mean cliche after cliche after cliche...after cliche.
I wish I hadn't read this book. The title was hopeful and I actually liked the book more before I read it.
I enjoy reading a lot of books and honestly don't have a very high standard. Even if a book is unintelligent I can still enjoy a good page turning plot. If the plot is slow I can still relish in thought provoking ideas and thematic exploration. This book has neither a compelling plot or an intelligent premise. The plot is terrifyingly laughable especially given that the author uses it to wallow in self-aggrandizement. Likewise, the themes are stagnant and the writing is awful.
This book is about a floundering man who is chosen by a God figure to learn some lessons and then returns to reality/earth to save mankind by imparting (as a motivational speaker) all the wisdom he learned. Stadiums full of people reverence him. Parks and hospitals are named after him and his family. Of course, he is fabulously wealthy. The mere mention of his name brings people to tears and testimonials. Now having said that, it is important to note that the author is a motivational speaker. The author turned himself into a hero. He makes himself God's gift to mankind...literally! This book makes me sad for all the wrong reasons.
Sure, you can say: "but what does that matter compared to all that you learn from the seven gifts". Well, there are certainly some nice ideas. Not new ideas, just nice ideas. These nice ideas are truly the only redeeming quality of the book. It is just too bad that none of these ideas are unique.
Beyond that concession I find no other. Through the course of the man's journey he meets several key figures from a variety of times and places. Yet, each of their voices are identical. No variety. No imagination. Amazingly, they all sounded exactly like the motivational speaker. Far more disconcerting are the blatant historical inaccuracies. I always figured that an author would want to research their ideas so that the text would not expose them as an ignoramus. Not this motivational speaker. He is just fine knowing that anyone who reads his book can see him trying to pass off creative story telling as truth. Worse still are the cliches. And, by cliches I mean cliche after cliche after cliche...after cliche.
I wish I hadn't read this book. The title was hopeful and I actually liked the book more before I read it.
July 23, 2017
I loved this book. I gave it several people to read because the truths really are timeless. I wish that this book had been out thirty years ago--it might have helped someone I know who really needed to understand the simple lessons hidden in the pages.
Love the concept of the warehouse of humanity's lost dreams. I have wondered for a long time if God shows us at the end of our lives "what could have been."
I also love the way we get to see David Ponder's future before the book ends.
Extremely well done.
Love the concept of the warehouse of humanity's lost dreams. I have wondered for a long time if God shows us at the end of our lives "what could have been."
I also love the way we get to see David Ponder's future before the book ends.
Extremely well done.
May 19, 2012
This would make a great gift book for students. It incorporates history and some simple lessons. For those who want high-minded ideas, you might think this book is beneath you. I like down to earth people like Andy Andrews - who was at one point homeless. It is put in simple terms even a middle school child could understand. So, if you're someone who likes history and simple language or works with children, this is a perfect book for you. It is a very fast read and I recommend the companion book to this if you have a class or want to work through the thoughts yourself. Read a chapter and then work the exercises in the companion book. It is an excellent book. You can get a good deal and get it autographed from the author's website.
January 14, 2011
David Ponders was a successful hard working husband and father. He loved his bright happy life, Until he lost his job. He had slowly climbed to the top and once he got there, he was tossed right back down. Soon money was gone. To make matters worse, his precious daughter had become sick. He soon gets fired from a part time job at a hardware store.
When life became almost unbearable something amazing happened. David finds himself driving down a highway at dangerous speed. He finds himself contemplating taking his own life. When his car suddenly hits ice. He starts to spin uncontrollably, then he becomes knocked out and finds him self back in time with Harry Truman. There he learns that he will travel to 7 places to meet 7 people each of whom will give him one of the 7 Decisions for Success.
I don't usually like books like this, But I loved it! I was just looking for some inspiration in my life. I felt like David was easy to relate to. He was damaged and hurt, and looking for help wherever he could find it. I think a lot of people in this world are going through the same thing. The book was really helpful and awesome. Defiantly worth reading.
When life became almost unbearable something amazing happened. David finds himself driving down a highway at dangerous speed. He finds himself contemplating taking his own life. When his car suddenly hits ice. He starts to spin uncontrollably, then he becomes knocked out and finds him self back in time with Harry Truman. There he learns that he will travel to 7 places to meet 7 people each of whom will give him one of the 7 Decisions for Success.
I don't usually like books like this, But I loved it! I was just looking for some inspiration in my life. I felt like David was easy to relate to. He was damaged and hurt, and looking for help wherever he could find it. I think a lot of people in this world are going through the same thing. The book was really helpful and awesome. Defiantly worth reading.
July 9, 2010
If you like feel-good pop psychology plus bad theology then you will like this book. My antenna went up when I saw the endorsement by Robert Schuller. The first decision was okay--every one needs to take responsibility.
But the second, seek wisdom, was where I got off. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and that is not Andrew's premise by a long shot.
But the time Andrews got to Anne Frank's decision to be happy and to laugh for seven seconds the first thing each morning, I started skipping pages and just reading here and there.
I am sure that Andy Andrews is a great motivational speaker, and he tells a good story. But at least a couple of his books--"The Lost Choice" is another one--are just motivational talks in book form, complete with the admonishment to read the affirmations over and over.
But the second, seek wisdom, was where I got off. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and that is not Andrew's premise by a long shot.
But the time Andrews got to Anne Frank's decision to be happy and to laugh for seven seconds the first thing each morning, I started skipping pages and just reading here and there.
I am sure that Andy Andrews is a great motivational speaker, and he tells a good story. But at least a couple of his books--"The Lost Choice" is another one--are just motivational talks in book form, complete with the admonishment to read the affirmations over and over.
September 2, 2009
Second book I read by Andy Andrews. Not as good as Lost Choice but a worthy effort. In this book the traveler meets 7 historic people and is given wisdom and counsel from them:
1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
5. Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.
7. I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith.
1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
5. Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.
7. I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith.
January 21, 2013
Andy Andrews, described on the book jacket as "a comedian, author, speaker, entertainer, television celebrity, and...serious fisherman," offers up this piece of fantasy historical fiction in which the protagonist, David Ponder, is about to lose everything he values because of a business gone bad. In an It's a Wonderful Life twist, he seeks to end his life, thinking that his family would be better off without him by collecting his insurance money. Rather than not being born, however, Ponder is transported through time, where he "meets," in order, Harry Truman, Solomon, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, Christopher Columbus, Anne Frank, Abraham Lincoln, and the archangel Gabriel. Each one gives him a "decision for success" which he is to use when he recovers from his car accident.
What Andrews attempts to do, in a rather hokey but easy-to-read way, is present to his readers a seven-step plan for taking control of their lives. Slightly spiritual without getting preachy, the book's seven tips do make sense, even if Andrews' method of presenting them is a bit far-fetched. (His historical research, however, especially on Chamberlain, is very good.) But perhaps this is what some people need in this era of self-help overload--a little escapism to help them realize that their lives are something that can be managed, and they don't need $200-an-hour help to do it. The simplest ways are often the best, if not the easiest, ways to do things.
What Andrews attempts to do, in a rather hokey but easy-to-read way, is present to his readers a seven-step plan for taking control of their lives. Slightly spiritual without getting preachy, the book's seven tips do make sense, even if Andrews' method of presenting them is a bit far-fetched. (His historical research, however, especially on Chamberlain, is very good.) But perhaps this is what some people need in this era of self-help overload--a little escapism to help them realize that their lives are something that can be managed, and they don't need $200-an-hour help to do it. The simplest ways are often the best, if not the easiest, ways to do things.
September 20, 2010
At first, I felt that the book had great potential. It followed a man on his struggle to make better decisions for himself鈥攖ook him on a fantasy-like journey not unlike a scrooge adventure with the ghosts. Each person he met taught him a new lesson on how to be a leader. The format was intriguing. But the further I moved through the book the more unhappy I became. At the end, I felt that the message being told is: All men are capable of greatness, which will lead to both fame and fortune. There was little space in there for being a servant, or that God鈥檚 path for you might be one of hardship and stuggle, and though many of the lessons are valid鈥攏ot blaming others on your decisions or the outcome of those decisions, being eager to learn and lead, making goals, etc... the final feel of the book is that we can all end up with hospitals named after us if we just follow his seven steps...
July 11, 2011
Read for a book club and I otherwise would not have finished it. It is poorly written and full of recycled self-help mantras from a narcissist who imagines his own greatness to mankind. As for the historically inaccurate time travel (was Columbus looking for a new trade route or the New World full of possibilites? the author fluctuates between both), I think Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure was better done and at least more fun.
September 30, 2016
Not my typical read. Neither bad nor great. So either a strong 2 or a weak 3 star.
January 7, 2022
I would like to give this book zero stars. Negative stars. You're either a person who loves preachy, self-helpy, obvious-as-dirt-life-secret books or you're the kind of person these books make want to claw your eyes out.
Care to take a guess who I am?
Care to take a guess who I am?
April 15, 2016
This book is perfect for anyone who needs some encouragement! Everyone can connect to the feelings of David Ponder one way or another! Also the book is extremely entertaining and provides a neat inside to history. I really enjoyed going through the journey with David and meeting all the historic figures. Likewise, the book challenged me on a personal level to look at life a little different! I would recommend anyone read this book! It's good for all ages!
March 22, 2013
The concepts in this book aren't overly profound, but they are certainly important and worthy of the engaging way that Andrews delivers them. The parable of David Ponder had me hooked and I found myself anxious to learn who he would meet next and what lesson his visitor would leave him with. All in all, a simple yet captivating read.
March 8, 2016
Hmmmmm. How do you rate a cheesy book with a great message? I almost quit after the first few pages but then after getting to the 1st decision I was hooked. Think Christmas Carol-ish in format (which I happen to hate), there are time travel visitations and eye-rolling dialogue but I think the message overshadows all of that. Worth the short read in my opinion.
October 19, 2009
I found myself laughing, crying and even thinking about the wisdom offered in this book. I am now off to read the biographies of these great people mentioned in the book to learn more about how they lived life and touched the lives of others.
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