A Very Inspiring Book, one of the best I have ever read.
|
|
A Great book I would recommend to anyone. Thank you Art, you gave me so much inspiration through this book. RIP
|
|
|
Beating Overwhelming Odds
|
Art Berg was a guy who was a keen sportsman, a business owner and was due to be married to his childhood sweetheart.
In one tragic twist of fate, his life changed forever. As a passenger in a car that hit a kerb and flipped off the road, he awoke to find himself in hospital and barely alive. His first recollection was a 'Doctor' who matter-of-factly advised him that he was a quadriplegic and would never walk again. Not only would he not walk said the medical man, he would never have children, would never drive and should forget about a 'normal life' as he'd probably die young in any case.
From that point on, Art Berg vowed to become all that he could be and refused to become a 'victim'. Its about how one man stared the most basic of fears in the face and refused to give in to it. It leaves you thinking; if he can do this with his problems, what can I do with mine?
His struggle is all here, how he left the hospital, became a star performing salesman with Bell Atlantic, built a succesful business and married the woman who had stuck by him.
Anyone who is facing challenges, read this. It isn't some sugar coated 'isn't life wonderful' book. Its a harsh reality check that life is frequently unfair, challenging and fraught with obstacles. But, its what you choose to do about things that matters. Art explains how he summoned the strength and the courage to defy the odds.
Don't just take my word for it. Tony Robbins (who writes the forward) used to introduce Art at his Mastery University to lecture on the value of being positive in meeting adversity and about perspective - thats how highly Robbins rated him.
Recommended!!
|
|
The Slow Climb Back and Beyond
|
The author was a a healthy young American awaiting marriage to a beautiful young lady when he was dreadfully injured in a accident on the California-Nevada border, having been a passenger in a small car driven by a friend who fell asleep at the wheel. He became quadriplegic. The story is of his fight back to normalcy and beyond, helped by his fiancee who stuck with him, hindered by callous, sometimes deliberately cruel male nurses and doctors. Some of the story is excruciating, as when he had bolts screwed into his head, without anaesthetic. He eventually gets a job, then becomes a motivational speaker of note (the Introduction is by famed self-help coach Tony Robbins).
Having said all that, this book did not grab me as much as have, in the past, those of Robbins. I did not find the bit where, having recovered enough, although not without great pain and suffering, as well as having willed himself, to get a job, he passed on to become a nationally-known speaker and motivator. Where did the money come from? Presumably from sources like the car insurance of his friend? That is nowhere explained, although he is buying a house, converting it etc...I have to say, also, that in places he seems like a bit of a pain to be around, as where he refuses to talk to an air passenger because he, Berg, wants to work on his computer all flight long. In fact, he says he never eats inflight, because it wastes 45 mins he could spend working. but of course that obsessional willpower was what also saved him from becoming a bed or wheelchair-bound drug-dependent hopeless case.
Overall, worth reading but for me it did not set anything alight.
|
|
|
The most amazing book
|
|
I read a lot of books, but this one will always stick in my mind. It is one of those books that makes you cry with laughter and laugh through your tears. If you ever felt down and like there is no way to get out, this is the book for you. I wish someone recommended or gave me this book years ago, I could have saved myself a lot of heartache. This book is different from other self-help books as the author eases you into the 'help bit' by supplementing them with his own stories, so you get the theory and real examples. The only warning would be that the author passed away in 2002, so by the end of the book when you start believe that he is invincible, there is a bit of a heartbreak.
|
|
|
Inspiring read
|
|
This book is a truly inspiring read. Art Berg was an amazing person, everyone can learn something from him. I bought the book expecting it to be a bit on the heavy side, assuming a book about a quadraplegic bloke would evoke that feeling of 'how lucky I am to be able-bodied'. However, I was wrong. This man proved that determination, focus and following your heart is the key to everyone's happiness, regardless of your own personal circumstances. His philosophies are rock-solid.
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada