The Travelers Gift
Book Title:The Travelers Gift
Author:Andy Andrews
Genre:Inspiration, self help, motivational
My rating of the book, F- [worst] to A+ [best]: B
Forty-six year-old David Ponder feels like a total failure. Once a high-flying executive in a Fortune 500 Company, he now works part-time, minimum wage job. His wife makes more money than he does by cleaning houses, and he drives an old car with a mismatched fender and a heater that no longer works.
Then an even greater crisis hits: his daughter becomes ill, and he can't afford to get her the medical help she needs. When his car skids on an icy road, he wonders if he even cares to survive the crash.
But an extraordinary experience awaits David Ponder. He finds himself traveling back in time, meeting leaders and heroes at crucial moments in their lives. From the European theater of World War II to an ancient Middle Eastern king's throne room, from a civil war battlefield to a warehouse in heaven, David encounters some of the wisest people who ever lived. Abraham Lincoln, King Solomon, Anne Frank, Harry Truman and others teach him unforgettable life lessons. By the time his amazing journey is over, he has received seven secrets for success--and a second chance to create a life worth living, no matter what opposition or obstacles he might face.
The Travelers Gift offers a modern day parable of one man's choices--and the attitudes that make the difference between success and failure.
The mangers gave this book to all of the employees at our company Christmas's party. I was interested in it, because I like to get in other people's heads, but the book was tossed on a shelf and forgotten about. I found it by accident and decided to pick it up. I haven't read a ton of this type of book, but from what I have this seemed fairly typical. As the main character hits rock bottom he gets an opportunity to learn how he can change himself and outlook to better his life. It was fairly religious/spiritual with the idea of god guiding the character, but that god helps those who help themselves. I had a hard time with some of the people he visited. But the chapter with Anne Frank had me sobbing in the tub. The lessons in the book are truly things I think everyone needs to take to heart, and I am even reading the lessons when I first wake up and right before bed just as instructed. I probably won't read everyone for 21 days before moving on, but I think I'll try for 7 days. Reading the book reminded me of many ideals that I've let slide over the last few years that I want to regain.