A heartfelt, deeply personal book, Showing Up for Life shines a bright light on the values and principles that Bill Gates Sr. has learned over a li...
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Mar 08, 2010
Kami
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What an amazing book!!!! I have heard about Bill Gates, the boy who founded Microsoft started in his basement and made a huge business. That is all true, but Bill Gates Sr. is the one who raised him and that has made all the difference. Each short chapter is a pearl of wisdom from Gates Sr. ranging from people and experiences throughout his life. He filled his life with important projects to help mankind. He and his wife were busy helping people, introducing their children to amazing, influ
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Aug 08, 2011
Norman Rockwell meets Oprah Winfey here, but Showing Up for Life is a fascinating, quick read that sheds light on the traditional family structure and old-fashined values--singularly American-- that bred the mega-success and mega-philanthropy of his famous son as well as the rest of their glorious family. Bill Gates, Sr., is humble and outspoken in the manner of the best politicians, without a hint of irony or corruption. You'll find this in the self-help section, but it's really a memoir and
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Dec 30, 2011
Matt
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Yep. This book isn't written by the Bill Gates you and I know and hold dear to our hearts, it's written by his dad: Bill Gates, Sr. Here's where it gets confusing: the Bill Gates you and I know is Bill Gates the III or "Trey," as Dad Sr. called him. So what’s up with a Sr. begetting a Trey? Turns out Bill Sr. is actually a junior, or, a tad more pretentiously, II. Here's how things work, though: once Bill Sr.’s dad died, Bill Sr., then a Jr., became a Sr. (i.e., as he is now). But, int
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Jan 06, 2012
Bala
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In Showing up for life, Gates Sr. talks about his appreciation for life, lessons that learned from family and people he came across, and shares his thoughts and philosophies on helping the society.
The book emphasizes old fashioned values through a collection of short anecdotes that conveys a pearl of wisdom or a about a trait that he keeps close to his heart.
I listened to the audio version of it. Patrick Egan read most of the book, which is the right choice.
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The book emphasizes old fashioned values through a collection of short anecdotes that conveys a pearl of wisdom or a about a trait that he keeps close to his heart.
I listened to the audio version of it. Patrick Egan read most of the book, which is the right choice.
You might not agree More...
Oct 15, 2009
Nettie
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Bill Gates Sr.'s book is an interesting intersection with the other book I am working my way through for the 2nd time, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Covey points out early in his text that our country has moved from a character ethic (shown by integrity, humanity, industry, modesty and fidelity) to a personality ethic (shown by quick fix solutions, influence, attitudes and strategy). Bill Gates Sr. illustrates his character filled life with short touching anecdotes about
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Feb 12, 2010
Kelsey
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Having just recently read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, I was expecting this book to be quite similar. It was in format, but not so much in content. It is obvious that the author is passionate about being a citizen of the world, as this seemed to dominate the last half of the book. Because the book was something different than I anticipated, I did not enjoy it as much as I could have had I not had any expectations. However, there were several things which I will take away from reading it, a
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Mar 18, 2010
Corinne
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A very interesting view into the lives of Bill Gates' parents and his unique upbringing. An easy and quick read, this book is full of the wisdom and insight of a great philantropist, Bill Gates Sr. I especially enjoyed the chapters about his wife, who sounded like and incredible woman. Each year at Christmas she would ask her kids how much they were planning on donating to the Salvation Army. She was extremely compassionate, yet quite the go-getter. (I would love to have read a book written
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Dec 28, 2011
Weston
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This book is full of great advice, much of which my own father told me over the years. However, like most advice that is given, there are some sweeping generalizations, especially in Mr. Gates' solution to education, that don't take into consideration the complex influences that are out of people's control and make his solution a much more complex, arduous task to accomplish. It is never as simple as we initially think. However, overall Mr. Gates' advice is quite insightful and useful to people
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Dec 06, 2009
Kelly
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I have the pleasure of working with Bill Gates Sr. and he is quite a person. His book is very enjoyable. It has a good deal of wisdom to proffer. I suppose I don't see eye to eye with him on everything, but he wouldn't expect that; in fact, one of the best part of the book is his call to have dialogue and to hear each other out. It is interesting to get insights into where a person so phenomenal as Bill Gates III came from, and I feel that I wasn't let down by this quick, quick read.
Jan 23, 2010
nicole
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I received this book as a "must-read" from my mom and at first I have to admit I was wary. Expecting a book focused on Bill Gates Jr., I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that the book was about Bill Sr., someone of whose accomplishments I was not aware of. The book was inspiring at the very least and caused me to reevaluate my approach to people and life. I really enjoyed reading this easy-to-read book and admire the life, family and legacy Bill Sr. has built.
May 24, 2009
Brenda
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This book is a very fast read. It is a series of anecdotes or mini-portraits of people who have been important in Gates Sr's life. There were lots of lessons about living and setting a moral compass for one's life. There was also some good commentary on raising children. Still, it was a bit bland for my style and mostly good sense anyway. The strongest writing came in his descriptions of people.
May 03, 2009
Gail
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Bill Gates Senior writes about his life and his parenting experiences bringing up Bill Gates Jr. among other things. It's a very wise and insightful book written by a man now in his 80's who fathered one of the most successful men in the world. Senior has such optimism and shares such hope during a time when we need leaders with wisdom, I'm grateful he shared those thoughts in this little book.
Jun 28, 2010
Joe
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I'm having a hard time finding a reason to actually buy into this. It's just really self righteous. You get this self righteous priestly feel to the way he phrases things, like "good family life." "Getting it done right." And a lot of false humility. And Bill Gate's "forward," it's a like 150 characters. It's a less than a paragraph. The publisher's milking this one to its bloody pulpy ends.
Nov 16, 2009
George
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MOSTLY BLAND. MOSTLY BORING.
One of my favorite quotations is Woody Allen’s: “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”
When I saw that Bill Gates, Sr. had adapted that quote for the title of his memoir, cum wisdom-from-the-aged, ‘Showing Up for Life’ I had hopes that he might have something interesting to say. My mistake.
Recommendation: Save your reading time for better material.
One of my favorite quotations is Woody Allen’s: “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”
When I saw that Bill Gates, Sr. had adapted that quote for the title of his memoir, cum wisdom-from-the-aged, ‘Showing Up for Life’ I had hopes that he might have something interesting to say. My mistake.
Recommendation: Save your reading time for better material.
Sep 19, 2011
Jessica
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This popped up in a search for books about volunteer management. I did not come to it with any expectations. I was almost surprised to enjoy it. It was inspiring, and by offering an expanded definition of the word neighbor the book opened my mind a little further to the idea of embracing international rather than just local giving.
A must read for anyone thinking of applying to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for a grant!
A must read for anyone thinking of applying to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for a grant!
Oct 15, 2010
Laura
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This nifty little title deserves a following. Mr. Gates does a wonderful job of inspiring the reader by telling the stories of others who are creating a better world. This man is brilliant, modest and highly amusing. Like an informal interview with grandad, I came away a great deal richer for the experience.
Jun 30, 2009
Sabrina
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I would love go back to a time when community service was the norm in our society. I also miss the days when there was a sense of community and all adults were respected and were active in raising the children in the neighborhood. Hopefully this book motivates one person at a time to give back to their community.
Sep 30, 2009
Gary
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A very easy read written by Bill Gates Sr. It's a short "how to" for life that doesn't introduce any earth-shattering concepts, but I found it enjoyable all the same. I found myself liking the Gates family; sentiments that may perhaps trickle down to my views on the evil Microsoft empire. (maybe)
Jul 19, 2009
Dawn
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This is an enjoyable and insightful book. I can completely understand why Bill Sr.'s children are all very successful in life. Bill Sr. is humble as he willingly takes personal ownership in the well-being of family, friends, and community. There are a lot of life lessons in this book. I would recommend.
May 14, 2010
Ruth
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I am about a third of this guy's age, and I cannot imagine what it would be like to have the mental energy to do all of the things that he and his family do! It's a great book if you'd like to learn how to be more involved in the community and the world.
Feb 07, 2010
Andrea
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This book was pretty good. I read it for a book club and thought it was going to a rich man bragging about his good life but it turned out to be much more. It really gave me some things to think on and some ideas to makes some changes for the better.
Oct 31, 2009
Mom - Joanne
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Easy read and well done by the father of microsoft's owner. His values are set in real life experience and shared so everyone can believe and participate in them.
Particularly enjoyed the toast that his wife gave to Bill and Melinda at their wedding.
Particularly enjoyed the toast that his wife gave to Bill and Melinda at their wedding.
Aug 06, 2011
A peripheral bio of Trey, mixed with a little autobiography, mixed with the cultural underpinnings of Microsoft in disguise. A very quick read, the book is a reasonable way to pass a Saturday afternoon. Senior sounds like a good guy.
Apr 28, 2009
Dayna
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an ok read...best done on a day when you've read everything else available...chatty style..with some interesting insights into thought processess and results. Not a book I'd read a second time
May 21, 2009
Luise
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A very charming book by Bill Gates' father - no wonder Bill Gates Jr. turned out to be such a good guy! Gives interesting insights into their family values & philosophy of life.
Dec 04, 2011
Courtney
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Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me. Quick easy read. Could've gone without him injecting his political opinions 3/4 of the way in but it is his book, so oh well
May 29, 2009
Marissa
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This is a really good book. It was written by (the famous) Bill Gates' 93-yr-old father. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it's not life-changing.
Apr 18, 2010
Elizabeth
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Great life lessons in this book. I dindn't agree with all his social policy views, but definately a wise, hard-working and gracious man. I highly recommend it!
Feb 19, 2011
Sabkymom
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Like spending a sunny afternoon on the porch talking with Bill Gates, Sr. Short conversational essays on his life's observations and timeless tips. Starts out slowly but gets meatier further along.
Dec 04, 2010
Emily
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What a nice man. Plus it is comforting to hear the thoughts of the father or a quirky but successful adult--it helps keep things in prospective.
