Books

This past week I've been reading a lot.  Here are some of my thoughts about the books.  I hope you enjoy them!

The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews

This is an excellent book.  It is about a man, named David Ponder, who has recently lost his job, he feels like a failure, and his daughter is sick so there will be expensive medical bills.  He begins to think his life is of no worth to anyone anymore so he drives off a bridge really fast, hoping to take his life.

But instead of dying David dreams he is actually taken to 7 different places and he meets 6 great men and 1 courageous girl.  Each of the individuals which with he meets knows he is coming and gives David some advice.  David first meets Harry Truman, who gives him the advice "The buck stops here."  He then meets King Solomon, who tells him to "seek wisdom."  Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain tells him to take action in the moment, and never let an opportunity to pass.  Christopher Columbus advises to never waiver, to decide what is right, and what is wrong.  Anne Frank tells him to always be happy despite your circumstances.  Abraham Lincoln's advice is to forgive others, but especially yourself.  The Angel Gabriel shows him a room full of things that could have been, but weren't because people were too afraid to chase their dreams.  David then wakes up from his dream, and is motivated to achieved more with his life..

I recommend that everyone read this book!  It has motivated me to do a little more with my life!  :)

The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma

This book is the tale of a father and daughter who together make a promise to have the father read aloud to his daughter for at least 10 minutes 1,000 straight nights!  Not only do they accomplish their goal of 1,000 straight nights, but they eventually read over 3,200 straight!  The story of this incredible accomplishment is woven into the book, where the author tells of certain days or events in her life as they relate to The Streak, as they call it.  It is an excellent read.  There is also a list in the back of the book of some of the books that were read during The Streak.  I think everyone should read at least some of those books.

The Greatest Miracle in the World by Og Mandino

The Greatest Miracle in the World is the adventure of a man, named Og, who despite being very wealthy and successful in material goods, who suddenly meets an old man who teaches him how to truly be happy.  Not fleeting pleasure, but to have peace within your soul.  The old man is what he terms a "rag-picker."
A rag-picker is someone who goes around, finding people who don't are so miserable that they don't see their own worth to the world.  The rag-picker then teaches them to secret to success and happiness.  The old man teaches Og what that great secret is.  The Greatest Miracle in the World is you!  You are a unique individual whom God has created.  You have a body, whose cells are keeping you alive.  You are able to think, sleep, see, hear and taste.  And once people begin to see their worth, it transforms their lives to enable them to help others.  I believe this to be one of the greatest self-help book of all time.  If you are ever feeling down or disappointed with yourself, read The Greatest Miracle in the World!

First Family by Joseph Ellis

Joseph Ellis is a renowned historian, who in this book takes us through the long and lengthy courtship and marriage of John and Abigail Adams.  One reason that we know so much about their lives and marriage is that the letters they wrote to each other were kept and preserved.  Ellis gives an account of one of the most important founding fathers.  John Adams was a man, who had virtues as well as vices, as did all the other founding fathers.  Modern historians today seek only to expose the weaknesses of the founding fathers, who for generations have been revered.  This is an excellent biography of one of the most fascinating people who lived during the founding of our country.