The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success Reviews

• A Little Treasure of Wisdom for Life

  
  By AS28WVBBZ3G99 on 2004-09-12
  "The Travelers Gift" is a little treasury of wisdom for living an unconventional life in a conventional world. In the spirit of Og Mandino, Andy Andrews outlines seven principles for successful living:
  
  1. The Buck Stops Here - Taking personal responsiblity
  2. Seek Wisdom - Search for understanding and discernment
  3. Be a Person of Action - Being a courageous leader
  4. Have a Decided Heart - Overcoming double-mindedness
  5. Choose Happiness - Possessing a grateful spirit
  6. Forgive others - The power of grace and mercy
  7. Persist - Perservering with faith until the end
  
  Using historical personalities (Lincoln, Anne Frank, Truman) and events (Civil War, Holocaust, World War II), Andrews draws powerful lessons from the past to inspire today's reader. This is not a particularly "Christian" book. Believers and non-believers alike will see the wisdom and usefulness of the seven decisions and their related stories. While there is an undertone of faith, the book is not certainly not a "religious" book in the traditional sense.
  
  If you liked the Og Mandino collection, you'll really love this. An inspirational book with some meat to it. Hope you enjoy it!
  
  

• Don't waste your time or money

  
  By A2F2MG56UAXTKW on 2004-01-17
  While some of his seven decisions will lead one to spiritual peace, four of them will lead only to acquisitiveness, needing to succeed financially, and thinking that if you only think positively the world will be your oyster and if you don't become wealthy, you're a failure. Yet one of the mentors in the book is Anne Frank; where did positive thinking get her? This is the kind of New Age/ Christian motivational nonsense that leads to greed, disapointment, and self-blame if you don't "make it". The conclusion shows the protagonist watching a possible version of himself as an incredibly wealthy MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER!! Talk about unintentional irony and self-mockery. This book adds nothing to the host of motivational, self-delusional, acquisitive clap-trap already on the shelves, written by people who make big bucks selling and reselling old myths that work only in a prospering first-world economy for financially driven people.
  If you're from a third-world nation, reading this nonsense will make you sick. If you're interested in personal growth, reading this nonsense will make you sick. If you're interested in improving the world, reading this nonsense will make you sick. If you're a spiritual seeker, look elsewhere, or better yet, practice simplicity, being present, and living a harmonious life. If you want to contribute to Andy Andrews's personal fortune, buy this book.
  
  

• Disappointing

  
  By A394N6OM3Y04YA on 2005-11-09
  This book was a great disappointment. I read it because someone whose opinion I respect liked it. I found it to be the puerile fantasy of someone whose highest ambition is apparently to make a mark for himself by building big fancy buildings. The seven secrets of "success" are nothing new. If you find "the buck stops here" to be an inspiring revelation, you might want to read the book; that is one of the seven secrets. Success, to the author, apparently means worldly, materialistic success. After positing that David P. was to be the last person privileged to travel through time to gather wisdom for humanity, I expected something of a more spiritual nature. Not only is the message devoid of any originality, but the writing style is pedantic and plodding. If you have trouble sleeping, give this book a try.
  
  

• Ambitious, but falls short...

  
  By A2EWKPI5DGQQIH on 2003-03-05
  Sorely lacking in depth and complexity, The Traveler's Gift is an ambitious idea that falls short of satisfaction. Each visit had great potential, but fell flat from sparse handling. Unfortunately, while the seven decisions are each compelling on their own, I was left unsettled by the characterization of the successful christian life that becomes David Ponder's life at book's end.
  
  

• STOP shouting in my ear!

  
  By A3PSXLJYK0XQWA on 2003-10-05
  It's a boring little fable with a stale, over-used theme. There have been thousands of other books just like it and there's no defining quality that makes Traveler's Gift stand out among others of its ilk.

  David Fonder is standing at the edge of the cliff, ready to snap. He's ditched from his job, his daughter's sick, no money, he's mad at God... (Hmm... Bruce Almighty...) He's (wow) hit by a truck. God sends him on a journey to meet several historical figures. They each have a piece of wisdom to hand to him. The trouble is, with better writing even this over-used method of 'revealing wisdom' could have worked better, but the writing is just about standard. Nothing to really complain about, but nothing that makes you want to read more.

  I especially didn't like the way these 'advices for success' were put. Like most other self-help books, the author doesn't choose to explain, proove, and engage his readers intelligently; instead, he sounds like an Old Testament God, booming "Thou shalt do this." He could have used some subtlety. Of course, if you like the genre of ever-growing self-help books, you'll probably like this one too.

  Oh, and if you're not Christian you might be troubled with this book because it's written from the viewpoint of a Christian author. You might be troubled even if you're Christian. I didn't like the way the author was all proclaiming and declaring God's will. God's complex and should be taken as such, but the way he puts it you'd think He's a business corporate CEO.

  In an age where wisdom is rare and hard to find, I can understand why this book became so popular. It promises wisdom, success and courage in exchange for a few bucks and a few hours. The thing is, though, one book can't and won't change your life. People are slowly and constantly changed by what they read and watch, and one book may modify the reader's thinking process significantly in one area, but it will not grant wisdom to a fool and courage to a coward. A book that tries to do so is trying for too much. And a reader who wishes for a wonder-book of that kind is hoping for too much in exchange for too little effort. Wisdom can be found in small quantities in almost anywhere; novels of great authors, well-made movies, the words of a friend.... Look wide and deep, don't end your search with just one self-help book.
  
  

• A Bestseller Self Help Book and Why
  By A328S9RN3U5M68 on 2008-02-25
  Andy Andrews absolutely practices what he preaches. His little 'novel' cum self-help book has become widely popular since its introduction to the mass market in 2002. And there is a reason why. Aside from the personal biographical data that the author lived as a street person for a period in his life before he took charge and made changes in his philosophy that led to his rather startling success as a comedian, an advisor, an inspirational speaker and an author, Andrews knows how to capture the attention of his audience, lead them through his concepts of the Seven Decisions the Determine Personal Success in the guise of a novel, and follows up his service to mankind with variations of his original platform. Not only is Andy Andrews an inspirational writer, but he is also a successful marketer!
  
  The original book THE TRAVELER'S BOOK is so well known that repeating a summary is unnecessary. Very succinctly, David Ponder is at the end of his rope financially, emotionally, and physically when he happens to have an auto accident, an event which triggers a time travel where he meets and gathers advice from King Solomon, Harry Truman, Anne Frank, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, Christopher Columbus, and the angel Gabriel, each of whom delivers him a message of how to enhance life. Those seven decisions are 1)The buck stops here: Adversity is preparation for greatness, 2) I will seek wisdom: I will choose my friends with care, 3) I am a person of action: I can make a decision and I can make it 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 heart, 6) I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit: I will forgive myself, and 7) I will persist without exception: I will find way where there is no way.
  
  After his 'time travel' learning experience David Ponder wakes up and sees his world change because of the decisions he has made. Andrews wisely does not make his issues a hard sell. He simply tells a story, one that may be a little on the fantasy side, and allows the reader to absorb and relate to the transformation that takes place. It is very much to his credit that he does not preach in this book: Andrews shares in a warm and familiar friend manner and that makes a big difference! Andy Andrews believes in these decisions and after reading his book, it is difficult not to buy into his smilingly warm philosophy. Grady Harp, February 08
  
  
• An Engaging, Powerful Book
  By A363LZKKCNQRGI on 2002-11-09
  Andy Andrews has written a thought-provoking book that will challenge you to be your best. The Traveler's Gift is written in story form which makes it fun to read and hard to put down. The incredible journey of the main character, David Ponder, is gripping and enlightening. The seven decisions revealed in his journey are timeless and applicable to all areas of our life. I loved this book because it encouraged me to live up to my fullest potential. I would encourage you to read this book and give it to everyone you care about.
  
  
• Sorry I Wasted My Time
  By on 2004-02-02
  This book was simply awful. It was decided on for our women's book group, and even though I had a great deal of trouble stomaching even the first "decision for success" (i.e., the buck stops here, which basically states that you alone are responsible for where you are and what has happened to you in your life), I decided to plow ahead. But when I reached the chapter regaling Christopher Columbus as a hero and role model, I simply couldn't take it anymore. I don't know which is worse: using a thief/murderer/slavemongerer as an example of a successful human being; or basically implying that, well gee, even if you've lost a loved one to a random act of violence, it's basically their fault because they took all the steps necessary to put them in the place they were when that act occurred.
  Oh, and I forgot to mention: he counsels us not to associate with anyone who ever verbalizes a negative thought or to tolerate mediocrity or laziness in anyone, ever. Good luck with that! I believe we love our families and friends (and hopefully ourselves as well) despite the fact that we have occasional periods of imperfection. In this world of intolerance, it is simply unacceptable for a so-called "self-help" book to be preaching that very thing. Yuck.
  
  
• A MUST read with a Big Heart!
  By A3PW9H5ZYG1KUO on 2002-11-06
  Andy Andrews has outdone himself with "The Traveler's Gift".
  I love this story of David Ponder, a 46 year old man down on his luck, or is he? Andy takes you through the most captivating adventure, time-traveling to visit with great heroes and world leaders, that helps David to understand what true success is.

  My heart was so full reading this wonderful book, as it made me examine my own life and what I have considered successes and failures. I am giving this book to everyone in my family for Christmas. What a gift for teens and young adults who have yet to seek their futures! What a gift for adults to remind them what truly is important in their lives.

  Andy Andrews is one of the greatest authors of our time. He captures your heart and your mind in his great style of story telling.

  "The Traveler's Gift" is so entertaining and educating. I can hardly wait for Andy Andrews next book! *****
  
  

• Best Decision of All: Don't Buy This Book
  By A26DNGDUA2295 on 2005-12-09
  I don't know why I bothered to read this book. I could tell from the outset that it was yet another unimaginative self-help tome, but I perservered. Andrews makes the same pithy, unimaginative observations as those who preceded him: Dale Carnegie, Norman Vincent Peale, Deepak Chopra, Leo Buscaglia, Laura Schlessinger, etc., etc., etc.
  
  Don't waste your time and heaven's sake, don't waste your money!
  
  
• Am I a Voice in the Wilderness?
  By AQKLD813T116J on 2006-07-30
  I bought this book based on the blurbs, and the fact that I enjoy an occasional Steven Covey - type read.
  
  This sure wasn't one of them.
  
  I started the book once and put it down after reaching the third point, thinking that maybe this wasn't simplistic pap written in an incredibly juvenile fashion, but that maybe for whatever reason my head wasn't into it.
  
  I took it on a recent vacation, thinking that with my mind unfettered, etc., perhaps I might be more open to what the book had to say.
  
  Wrong.
  
  This is a terribly written book, with a hokey, herky-jerky style by an author in need of some creative writing classes, spouting the most basic of tenants as if they are something new.
  
  For Pete's sake, basically this fellow took Zig Ziglar and put in a clever twist of the 'Time Bandits' style confrontations with famous characters. I noted with amusement that all of the characters basically had the same sort of dialogue. When Anne Frank has the same speech patterns as Solomon and Harry Truman, I know I'm reading a really bad book.
  
  Comparing this to Og Mandino is an insult to Og.
  
  This book is to motivational literature what 'Bridges of Madison County' was to fiction.
  
  
• I don't see anything new or interesting here
  By on 2004-01-29
  It's fascinating how people so greatly differ in their evaluation of books, movies, etc. There are people smarter than I am who probably love this book, but I didn't. Sometimes when this happens, I want to look deeper and try to see what they see, figure out what I've missed. Not this time.

  This is simply a really bad book. I attempted to get past the writing to see if the author has anything interesting to say, but came up with nothing but cliches. If this were written by my teenage son for an english project, I'd say, "Good job." But to publish it? Well, haven't most of us long stopped needing this kind of thing?
  
  

• A Must Read
  By A1WKF799WTXG2M on 2002-11-01
  "The Traveler's Gift" is a life-changing treasure. The fact that it's entertaining, informative and inspiring is a fantastic bonus.

  Most of us will see a personal reflection in the main character, David Ponder. All the cards seemed to be stacked against him and just when you think it can't get any worse ... the adventure begins. While meeting seven extraordinary people from different times in history, Ponder gets to see what each person was thinking during intense moments of decision that helped shape the world. (Luckily, you get to learn from their unbelievable minds as well.)

  Of the seven visits, my personal favorite is a man of lesser fame, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, who played a vital role in the North's victory in the Civil War. (I get the chills just thinking about it.)

  Andy Andrews has got to be one of the most brilliant, inspirational storytellers of this generation. "The Traveler's Gift" is a definite `must' read.
  
  

• Fabulous!
  By APWLKFK0C1B1V on 2003-05-15
  Simply Fabulous...what more is there to say? This book is a life-changing journey. I challenge anyone to read this book, and not come away from it with a change in their perspective. I, like many of the other reviewers, read this book in one sitting. I woke my husband at 1 in the morning (after finishing the book) overwhelmed with a feeling of hope and understanding. The message seemed to be written just for me, although I'm sure everyone going through trying times will feel exactly the same way.

  I felt the author's choice of the historical figures was well thought-out and done well, and David Ponder's journey is one that anyone can relate to at any point in their lives. I highly recommend this book for anyone wherever they may be in their personal journey, and hope that they open their eyes and hearts to truly receive the message.
  
  

• Pleasant, but it plows no new ground
  By A3RU02M46FROD8 on 2003-06-27
  Oh, come on! All this extravagant praise seems overboard to me. It's a pleasant read, but Andrews plows no new ground. His seven decisions have been covered by Og Mandino, Napoleon Hill, Dale Carnegie, Norman Vincent Peale and other prophets of The Rules to Live By.

  For example, his decisions 2,3,4 and 6 are similar to habits 5,1,2 and 7 of Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The use of a journey as a vehicle to convey a message is good, but goes back at least to Homer's Odyssey (750 BC). James Redfield used it in The Celestine Prophecy. Michael Gelb used voices from historical figures in Discover Your Genius.

  The book is worth your time to read, and I don't doubt the value of the seven decisions. The problem with all these books lies not with The Rules, but with ourselves: poor, weak, back sliding, easily distracted creatures that we are. I hope that you do better at living by The Rules than I do.
  
  

• The Traveler's Gift
  By A358OJDZ9QXXKH on 2003-07-12
  This book was entirely too predictable!! (Lost your job? Crash your car and go into a coma, everthing will be revealed, and your troubles will be over!). It hard to believe that Andy Andrews knows anything about or has ever experienced hard times. I was disappointed with the ending - after all the inspirational, quaisi-christian rah-rah, feel good 'decisions', finding out that David Ponder winds up as a successful business man is quite a letdown! (I guess money is the only true measure of a man in some circles). Also, the dialoge was very contrived and silly. As my 14 year old nephew said - that book sounds like it was written by Gildoroy Lockhart! If you really want to read a story about hard times (and real people) read 'Nickeled and Dimed in America'.
  
  
• Wow - this is a really bad book
  By on 2004-01-29
  I had to force myself to get through this book. It was a gift and I felt obligated. By the end, I was upset that I had wasted my time.

  The principles of the book are extremely shallow. The 'lessons' are supposed to infuse you with motivation and a can-do attitude. I felt more like I was part of a Tony Robbins Info-mercial.
  
  

• Probably the worst book I've ever read
  By AQA7XQZRUK9BB on 2006-06-03
  I had to read this book for a positive psychology class, and I can't believe it has received so much praise. Not only is Andy Andrew's writing style like that of a third grader, but the main character travels back in time to learn lessons from famous people. Ignoring the fact that time travelling is already hard to swallow, the historical figures he meets are totally inaccurate. For example, David meets Columbus, who is portrayed as a child-like daydreamer, excited to discover "a New world!" Not only did Columbus slaughter the Indians, but every child knows he was initially looking for a route to the West Indies. Andy Andrews apparently never completed elementary school or he would have also known this. This is not the only historical problem, but one of many. You would think when writing a book he would research things first. Lastly, ignoring all problems with the story and focusing simply on the advice you still find problems. Some of the advice has been proven in studies NOT to work and at times the advice or David's actions contradicts things that have already been said. This book is a waste of time. Flip to any page and see that.
  
  
• A book even kids will read!
  By A1TNU1OAZ1JMYY on 2002-11-11
  I feel overly-qualified to exclaim this about The Traveler's Gift because I have kids, I was a kid, and I allow my inner kid to come out and play as often as she likes. When I first read The Traveler's Gift, I couldn't put it down until I had finished. I just had to know what happened to David Ponder. But when I finished it, my inner-kid pouted because she didn't want the story to end! So, we read it again! The Traveler's Gift gave us hope and my inner-kid declared, "I never knew those people my history teacher talked about in school were really real people." And I realized that the people David Ponder visited were indeed, very real people. Real people with the same hopes and dreams and fears and doubts that I have. What they did with these hopes, dreams, fears, and doubt is what put them in the history books for us to study. The seven decisions that determine personal success that David Ponder receives from these real people are decisions that I can apply in my life. I just have to make the decision to do so. Reading The Traveler's Gift has encouraged me to do so.
  
  
• Lightweight . . .
  By on 2003-05-16
  After reading reviews on the book, I went out and bought it. I was able to put the book down, in fact, I was able to to it three times. While I am sure many will get take away some useful tidbit, overall, I found the book lightweight in its seven decisions - no real life changing motivation. The one part I did enjoy was learning the story of the Civil War hero, if only from the historical point of view.

  I found myself comparing the book to Og Mandino's book, The Greatest Miracle In The World" which I found to be a wonderful read. The Traveler's Gift style resembles what Og Mandino often did in his books - tell a story and incorporate life lessons. I'm wondering if anyone else feels the same way.

  A nice book but not worthy of all the hype it has been receiving.
  
  

• Three hours at UPS!!
  By A1GZ7V205Q5BTA on 2002-11-13
  I began reading The Traveler's Gift while I waited in the UPS store for a package. Three hours later, I had my package, but was still sitting in the store because I did not want to pause from my reading to drive the 7 minutes back home.
  I became so involved with the story that I felt myself clenching my teeth, wiping tears in my eyes, and nodding in understanding as I identified with David Ponder. (Much to the confusion of the other UPS customers!)
  The imagery, whimsy and historical context utilized in this book illustrate the Seven Decisions in a touching, flowing manner. Andy Andrews does a phenomenal job of outlining seven key issues that most people, if not all of us, struggle with daily.
  
  
• "Simple" Wisdom Creates Massive Change (if applied)
  By A1LTMFM0ADSJ9W on 2003-05-23
  Andy Andrews writes a "simple" tale filled with wisdom from the ages. Herein lies the power of the "Travelers Gift"! This book takes what others have complicated, and brings it back to the simple truths. My life has already changed tremendously in the two weeks since I read the book. I'm now going back for the second read. I believe strongly that there is power in simplicity. What Andy writes is simple, playfully written, and extremely powerful. Apply the principles daily for a month - I dare you :-) Life will never be the same again.
  
  
• painful, even
  By A1M7HS6USXCXW0 on 2006-02-28
  This is one of the worst books I have ever read.
  it's simply one cliche after another.
  teaching us who to admire, and who to be.
  i suppose the author meant well,
  
  but what the man goes through at the beginning of the book (such as being fired right as his neglected daughter needs her tonsils removed) is all a bit too contrived and predictable, really.
  
  
  and, besides. these seven messages don't really mean anything until you've experienced something that can help you understand them.
  
  your life improved with experience.
  and mistakes aren't a bad thing.
  i mean after all, as mr. 'harry truman' put it .. we aren't given the ability to make the right choice all the time, but we have been given the ability to fix our mistakes.
  so. learn from life, not this book.
  
  i hated it.
  
  i'd like to live my life without cliches. :)
  
  
• Effective principles but will not appeal to everyone
  By A3SKGQSU29ZV80 on 2003-11-23
  The Traveler's Gift is a book of success principles told as a parable. It has several points in common with many other books in the self-help genre. On the plus side, if you study and follow the principles, you will probably benefit. On the downside, it is not especially original and it's not a book you would read for its literary qualities. This book also has a certain spiritual and political slant that will appeal to many readers but will alienate others. The hero of the story is David Ponder, a man down on his luck who, after an accident, finds himself hurled through history meeting many famous (and a couple of not so famous) leaders and other heroic figures. This includes two American presidents, Lincoln and Truman, Christopher Columbus, Ann Frank and King Solomon. The spiritual slant is definitely Judeo-Christian, with the archangel Gabriel even making an appearance. I suppose this aspect of the book can be appreciated as a parable even for those who don't share the author's religious perspective. The political slant I found a bit more problematic. Anyone who has qualms about the conventional American interpretation of historical events such as the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan, the noble motives of Christopher Columbus or the pure idealism of Lincoln and the Union during the Civil War might be distracted from the self-help aspect of the book and question some of the author's assumptions and historical sources. It may be that he is aiming his message at a very specific type of reader and is not concerned with such possible objections. This bias, no doubt, is reflected in the success principles themselves, which are mostly very macho and gung-ho (one notable exception is the section on forgiveness), with many military analogies . Still, the principles, which are called "seven decisions that determine personal success" are sound and well explained. If people follow the advice to be decisive, accept responsibility for their actions, and have faith in the future, they will almost certainly have good results. I was not especially enamored with the style of this book, but I know that it has touched and helped many people and I'm sure it will help many more in the future.
  
  
• Shallow
  By A1BMKEJ61X57EU on 2004-04-01
  I read a lot of motivational books as it is one of my favorite genres, and while this author sought to be another Og Mandino, he has a way to go. The myths used to illustrate the principles he was seeking to teach don't accomplish the goal. Take for example his visit with Lincoln and the discussion with Grant. Grant was an alcoholic. Lincoln is portrayed in this scene as a "win whatever it takes" man, i.e., all the other generals had let him down and Grant could do no wrong. Historical ambiguities are lost in this "dream state" we're given in this broad sweep of people, places, and events. It's shallow! I was annoyed by little things throughout the whole book. The "teacher" who turned the whole of history around by one action in the civil war....is another example. Bogus! This guy is the only one who was right and took the right course of action? According to this author. I think more research and a few more rough drafts are in order.
  
  
• 777
  By ARWB3UGKZZGVK on 2005-11-03
  Although I am not in the habit of reading self help books, I would recommend this book to anybody and everybody. The Traveler's Gift is not only a very interesting book, it's actually full of helpful information. here is a concise summary of the book. the story revolves around the main charecter, David Ponder, who has just lost his job. He feels inadequate because he can't provide for his family and all the pressures of the world seem to be pushing down upon him. Anyway, he wrecks his car and finds himself traveling threw time meeting various figures in history. Each person he meets gives him a different decision for success that helps him to come to grips with his situation. This book is worth owning evan if you don't normally read self help books.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  BUY IT.!.!.!.!.!.!.
  
  
• Excellent Read! My Favorite new book!
  By AR27Q5994AU9L on 2005-12-09
  The title of this book caught my eye at my local library since I am an avid traveler. However, at the time of check-out, I didn't realize what a jewel I had really found. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't stop until I had finished it. I laughed, I cried and I took to heart the motivating decisions for success that we all know and so often forget when pit against the everyday perils of life. This book is so inspiring that I have circulated copies for everyone in my family to read, especially when they're feeling down. It's not about one man becoming a success and, as one reader put it "building fancy buildings". What the book really emphasizes is believing in yourself and pursuing your goals despite facing adversity. I highly recommend this book to anyone as I think it is the best book I have ever read.
  
  
• Drivel for non-readers
  By A2KJC58BLFFZEH on 2006-11-28
  a friend encouraged me to read this book, and was so glowing in his praise of motivational speaker and author, andy andrews, that i actually thought that perhaps i missed something when i finished "the traveler's gift" and wasn't any more enlightened than when i began it. now i realize that, in my opinion, the book has several major flaws:
  
  1. it was written on about a fifth grade level. there's no character development, and the plot was painfully predictable.
  2. there's nothing new here. no bold insight, just tired ol' cliché after cliché. ("the buck stops here" is a nugget of wisdom? please.)
  3. after plowing through endless silly dialogue and contrived situations, the ending was at least worthy of a good laugh. (it wasn't meant to be funny, it just was.) here's the punchline: after david ponder learns The Seven Clichés...uh, i mean Decisions...by traveling back in time, we skip forward a couple of decades and discover that he becomes "successful" -- he's a filthy rich, egomaniacal, cliché-spouting motivational speaker!
  4. we're to deduce from this book that fine and good Christians should make lots of money, rigidly accept nothing but perfection from themselves and others, make lots of money, put on a happy face, and did i mention make lots of money? oh, and name everything after yourself or someone in your family.
  
  i'm amazed and saddened that there are obviously many who hold in highest regard this less-than-mediocre writing. a not-so-deep book for a not-so-deep audience.
  
  
• A big let-down
  By ABNZZBH0950L2 on 2006-01-17
  From the description of the book, I thought I'd enjoy reading it and it actually started out well. However, as I continued, it started losing credibility quickly. To choose to bestow the unique gift of time travel on a weak, insipid and poor planner took away any enjoyment of the "travel" for me. What did David Ponder do that Abraham Lincoln would be honored to meet him?
  In addition, it's easy to list out any number of self-help statements...I could list a couple dozen in a jiffy...it's how one uses them in their particular situations to meet the challenges of life. In this regard, the author completely failed to relate the seven decisions to actual circumstances of David Ponder's life in becoming the big "boulevard-named" success he portrays in the end. All I could think of was this image of a televangelist bilking money out of people repeating the same old story of the seven decisions in front of a gullible crowd. I am sure the author intended to write a powerful story that would move people into incorporating the essence of his words into their everyday lives. However, I think he came across as an uninspired simpleton writing for the uneducated masses. I gave it two-stars because I like the overall concept of the book.
  
  
• Seven Simple Life-Changing Decisions
  By A23OOCI8DC3JZM on 2002-11-07
  Andy Andrews has woven a masterful story that pulls everyone into the story line with him. I could mentally see David Ponder as he met with seven people who changed history as they each give him a nugget of truth that will change anyone's life.
  I wept as he conversed with Abraham Lincoln right before Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address.
  I did not want the book to end. Andy's style kept my attention so completely, it was a joy to read. I am absolutely incorpor-
  ating his nuggets of wisdom into my life.
  
  

• The Lost Choice
• Mastering the Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success: An Owner's Manual to the New York Times Bestseller, The Traveler's Gift
• Andy Andrews - The Seven Decisions
• The Young Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success
• The Traveler's Gift Journal