I recently finished this Andy Andrews book, after having read The Final Summit first (which, chronologically comes after The Traveler's Gift). The Traveler's Gift finds David Ponder at a life changing point in his life. Having lost two jobs in a row, deep in debt, and with a child who needs surgery, he is at a heartbreaking, desperate point in his life. In a mindless drive through the countryside trying to escape or make sense of his life, he has an auto accident. What follows next is a very interesting trip "through time" during which he "visits" various people through the ages, and one notable "angel". All of the people he visits have a "gift" for him; a message to help him on his way through life. They are the Seven Decisions for Success. Each person who gives him a message also has words of wisdom and stories to tell. Mr. Andrews uses these personal stories from famous, and some not so famous people to impart advice on how we might improve our chances for personal success. After receiving seven pieces of paper with the decisions written on them, David Ponder awakes in a hospital room with his concerned family and a doctor surrounding him. He asks himself "Was it all a dream?". Upon going through his belongings brought to him, he finds a real memento that assures him it was not.
The Final Summit then finds a very successful David Ponder, much later in life, after he has tried to adhere to the Seven Decisions given him by the people he met on his "Travels". Gabriel, who he met in The Traveler's Gift, comes to him with a strange request; an "eleventh hour" need to find an answer to a very pressing question. David is then taken to the Summit where he meets many more of History's notable personages and other "Travelers" and the group must work together to save humanity.
Either book alone is a good read, but together they weave a tale that gives us all points to ponder, and re-enforces guidelines that will help us achieve greater success in life....Another great book by Andy Andrews!
14 years ago
