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324th out of 694 books
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7,075 voters
The Ultimate Gift
What would you do to inherit a million dollars? Would you be willing to change your life? Jason Stevens is about to find out in Jim Stovall's The Ultimate Gift.
Red Stevens has died, and the older members of his family receive their millions with greedy anticipation. But a different fate awaits young Jason, whom Stevens, his great-uncle, believes may be the last vestige of...more
Red Stevens has died, and the older members of his family receive their millions with greedy anticipation. But a different fate awaits young Jason, whom Stevens, his great-uncle, believes may be the last vestige of...more
Hardcover, 162 pages
Published
June 15th 2001
by David C. Cook
(first published 1991)
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In my opinion, this book is stupid. Total waste of my time and completely unbeleivable. Didn't change my life like the author said it would.
I read this book because several of my friends really loved it nad encouraged me to read it. It only took me a very short time - started it last night and finished it today. I pretty well knew what it was about so it was not a surprise. Actually, as I explained to my friends as they told me about it, I had seen the TV show. It is written as if an elderly lawyer is describing how a young man is taught the lessons of life in an effort to complete what it necessary for him to inherit a large inheri...more
I read this book because it is my next book club book. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have read it.
On the good side, it was a quick read. I was pleased after the first chapter that they left religion out of it until the very end since I get very tired of the attitude that you cannot be a good person if you don't believe in god.
On the bleh side, it read like a cheesy self help seminar. I don't understand how this book "changed lives" - there was nothing new in it, nothing you shouldn't al...more
On the good side, it was a quick read. I was pleased after the first chapter that they left religion out of it until the very end since I get very tired of the attitude that you cannot be a good person if you don't believe in god.
On the bleh side, it read like a cheesy self help seminar. I don't understand how this book "changed lives" - there was nothing new in it, nothing you shouldn't al...more
1 like · like · see review
The concept of what he was trying to teach is excelent. But that's the only thing good about this book. It's had far too many missing pieces for me to even begin to enjoy it.
1 like · like · see review
I found this book very contrived, emotionally manipulative, and lacking in any believability! After Red Stevens dies, he sends his great nephew Jason Stevens on a year long journey of self discovery. It was just too trite for me. The fact that Jason usually showed up on the last day of the month to discuss his experience then came back the next day to get his new instructions. It just bugged me - why didn't they give him the instructions the same day; the author didn't even seem to realize he ke...more
2 likes · like · see review
Life has many gifts to offer, however, if you do not know how to receive and use these gifts, they are useless. The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall was one of the best books I have ever read. This book highlighted the ups and downs of life. The book taught me a few of the many gifts of life and how to use these gifts throughout my life.
I also enjoyed this book because it can currently relate to my life. Being a teenager, we think we know everything life has to offer. This book conveys the total opp...more
I also enjoyed this book because it can currently relate to my life. Being a teenager, we think we know everything life has to offer. This book conveys the total opp...more
I didn't really enjoy this book at all. I only read in order to teach in a class...why the teacher I subbed for chose this book is still a mystery to me. It has some strong messages, but I felt like the author just "tells" us what those are rather than showing us how the characters get there. I understand it's supposed to be a motivational book, but I just didn't find the writing powerful or compelling. I think the lessons within the book are important to learn but I wasn't inspired by the book'...more
The Ultimate GIft
Jim Stovall
Realistic FIction
162 pg.
The Ultimate Gift is a fictional story, but it teaches a lesson that is very real. It begins with the main character Jason. He is attending the reading of his great Uncle’s will. Jason is a rude, spoiled, brat. He has gotten everything he has from his millionaire uncle. The whole family leaves the reading an instant millionaire. Jason is the last one. Being the impatient brat he is, he complains but he will find out his uncle has much more for...more
Jim Stovall
Realistic FIction
162 pg.
The Ultimate Gift is a fictional story, but it teaches a lesson that is very real. It begins with the main character Jason. He is attending the reading of his great Uncle’s will. Jason is a rude, spoiled, brat. He has gotten everything he has from his millionaire uncle. The whole family leaves the reading an instant millionaire. Jason is the last one. Being the impatient brat he is, he complains but he will find out his uncle has much more for...more
3 likes · like · see review
Life has many gifts to offer, however, if you do not know how to receive and use these gifts, they are useless. The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall was one of the best books I have ever read. This book highlighted the ups and downs of life. The book taught me a few of the many gifts of life and how to use these gifts throughout my life.
I also enjoyed this book because it can currently relate to my life. Being a teenager, we think we know everything life has to offer. This book conveys the total o...more
I also enjoyed this book because it can currently relate to my life. Being a teenager, we think we know everything life has to offer. This book conveys the total o...more
A really good book ... although I didn't like the sequel book very much.
In this first title, character Jason Stevens has to fulfill a series of responsibilities over a year and to become a better person ... in order to receive a vast inheritance from great uncle Red Stevens.
This is an inspirational novel ... reminding readers of the value of life gifts ... like work, friends, learning, family, laughter, dreams, etc. Jason, who has lived in a selfish, immature way is benefited from the "have-tos"...more
In this first title, character Jason Stevens has to fulfill a series of responsibilities over a year and to become a better person ... in order to receive a vast inheritance from great uncle Red Stevens.
This is an inspirational novel ... reminding readers of the value of life gifts ... like work, friends, learning, family, laughter, dreams, etc. Jason, who has lived in a selfish, immature way is benefited from the "have-tos"...more
This book was an unnecessary waste of words. I bought it because it was a Kindle $1.00 deal and I admit I like the occasional sappy inspirational book. Its only redeeming value is that I read it to my son and it held his interest ok.
The book is of the type that uses a simple narrative to communicate life values or lessons (called "gifts" in the book). In this case the story is of a millionaire who dies and makes a spoiled nephew go through a series of monthly tests in order to receive his inher...more
The book is of the type that uses a simple narrative to communicate life values or lessons (called "gifts" in the book). In this case the story is of a millionaire who dies and makes a spoiled nephew go through a series of monthly tests in order to receive his inher...more
2 likes · like · see review
Nov 28, 2011
Kim Justice
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Shelves:
reviewed
My Thoughts
First finding out that your great uncle has passed, then while your sitting, watching and listening to your ungrateful, money grubbing family get their inheritance until you are the last one setting there. Second, you are told you have to do something to get yours! Then to find out how long it will take! How would you feel or do if you were Jason Stevens?
Jason's Uncle Red was a very self made man, but due to the way he grew up and had to learn how to survive that when he had his fami...more
First finding out that your great uncle has passed, then while your sitting, watching and listening to your ungrateful, money grubbing family get their inheritance until you are the last one setting there. Second, you are told you have to do something to get yours! Then to find out how long it will take! How would you feel or do if you were Jason Stevens?
Jason's Uncle Red was a very self made man, but due to the way he grew up and had to learn how to survive that when he had his fami...more
This was a very predictable, highly unbelievable story. It would have been better if it was just a spiritual self help book teaching all of these 12 life lessons and how important they are with some real life examples feom the author's own life. Instead it was written in such a way that was insulting and manipulating. Rather than take each of these lessons seriously, you began to feel resentment toward to author and wanted to tell him where to shove the life lessons,
I guess Red Stevens was a sai...more
I guess Red Stevens was a sai...more
I'll admit it: I did not like this book. It's the current selection in our Relief Society book group, which I'm in charge of, although I don't pick the books. If anyone read it and loved it (as I know many people have and do), I know you'll be quick to dismiss me as being sad and cold-hearted, but after much reflection I've decided that is not the case.
Basically, the book centers around a young man whose great uncle bequeathed him a large fortune, but before he can have access to the money he h...more
Basically, the book centers around a young man whose great uncle bequeathed him a large fortune, but before he can have access to the money he h...more
4 likes · like · see review
I read this little book with a sense of obligation. It's outside the scope of my usual fare, but it had been pressed on me by someone I admire. The man who gave it to me is so successful, not to mention squeaky-clean, that next to him I feel downright scruffy. Not particularly wanting to remain scruffy forever, I figured the book might have something to teach me.
The other posted reviews run the gamut from people who found it contrived and tiresome through those for whom it resonates as truth. Th...more
The other posted reviews run the gamut from people who found it contrived and tiresome through those for whom it resonates as truth. Th...more
This book has the perfect title. My mother gave it to me last week and I had it finished in an hour and a half. Never before have I come across a book so powerful and profound, yet unbelievably simple that inspired me to address life in a different way. After putting it down I could not stop the thoughts going through my head about my life and the way it will affect and improve the lives of others going forward. We should all be grateful for the gift Jim Stoval has given us in these 150 odd page...more
3 likes · like · see review
This is one of my favorite books of all time. They have now made a movie about it, but the book is better. I did like the movie a lot, but it was far different than the book. The great thing about the book is the lessons Jim teaches through an intriguing storyline. The character development of Jason Stevens is really a wonderful element to the story and provides us all with the belief that anyone can change their lives by incorporating the gifts and how amazing it would be to challenge ourselves...more
The ultimate gift
162 Pages
Fiction
This book was about how this person gets missions from his instructors. His instructors give him missions about the ultimate gifts in our life. The one best mission was that he gets $1,500 and he has to help five people with that much money. He helps five people but when he helps the fifth person he needs little bit more money so he takes some money out of his pocket and helps the fifth person. That was really cool.
I liked this book a lot. This book touched my he...more
162 Pages
Fiction
This book was about how this person gets missions from his instructors. His instructors give him missions about the ultimate gifts in our life. The one best mission was that he gets $1,500 and he has to help five people with that much money. He helps five people but when he helps the fifth person he needs little bit more money so he takes some money out of his pocket and helps the fifth person. That was really cool.
I liked this book a lot. This book touched my he...more
I read this because my husband asked me to. It was super simplistic, but had a good idea behind it. It's kind of one of those books that sets apart the real writers from the wannabes. Stovall had a great idea & moderate talent, but he should have taken a different POV to make the book truly astounding. This is told from the POV of the lawyer executing a strange case where a billionaire takes an interest in his grand-nephew's life from beyond the grave. In order for Steven to get his inherita...more
I read this for my book club. And if you are looking to get preached at by a self-righteous old man who thinks you are stupid and don't need believable characters or varied vocabulary, have I got a book for you!
Of course the message is good and the author seems like a really impressive person. He's just a horrible, horrible writer. It's beyond heavy handed; he uses the word "simply" so much it lost meaning to me; the narrator is an unlikable, holier-than-thou old man; the young man who supposedl...more
Of course the message is good and the author seems like a really impressive person. He's just a horrible, horrible writer. It's beyond heavy handed; he uses the word "simply" so much it lost meaning to me; the narrator is an unlikable, holier-than-thou old man; the young man who supposedl...more
It was one of those inspirational life-lesson type books, think The Alchemist, or Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Quick read in a novel format (I mean novel as in story, not as in new... maybe I should have said narrative.)
Stoval intentionally writes in a way to drag emotions out of the reader and I may have succumbed to "seasonal allergies" as well a time or two... but they were transparent ploys by the author to cause such things... and they worked in spite of being obvious.
The lessons were good...more
Stoval intentionally writes in a way to drag emotions out of the reader and I may have succumbed to "seasonal allergies" as well a time or two... but they were transparent ploys by the author to cause such things... and they worked in spite of being obvious.
The lessons were good...more
The title page reads "What would you be willing to do in order to inherit one billion dollars? Jason Stevens is about to find out" - An inspirational story of how a wealthy man redeems his nephew and allows him to learn twelve life lessons after his death. The author has the following statement on Amazon: "What would you do to inherit a million dollars? Would you be willing to change your life? Jason Stevens is about to find out in Jim Stovall's The Ultimate Gift. Red Stevens has died, and the o...more
I read this at the behest of my mom who was deeply touched by it.
I thought it was poorly written sappy drivel that unconsciously displayed some of the least attractive qualities of the baby boomer generation.
The author, in an attempt at profundity, clumsily sought to inspire the reader with a moral narrative that would be insightful only to the most ethically stunted of persons. The book, while about teaching a young man to be a morally responsible and well-rounded person, seemed really to addre...more
I thought it was poorly written sappy drivel that unconsciously displayed some of the least attractive qualities of the baby boomer generation.
The author, in an attempt at profundity, clumsily sought to inspire the reader with a moral narrative that would be insightful only to the most ethically stunted of persons. The book, while about teaching a young man to be a morally responsible and well-rounded person, seemed really to addre...more
2 likes · like · see review
The good thing about this book is that it has the right message for the most part, so there's no harm in reading it. Unfortunately, that's pretty much where the positives end. The prose is very simplistic, and the narrative is very weakly constructed and might as well be non-existent (as another reviewer noted, the book would read better in self-help format). The book also suffers from a severe lack of originality and glaringly utilizes some of the most common cliches of the genre. I was also un...more
This a good quick read that teaches some very valuable life lessons.
Plot: I liked reading about each month's gift to learn. I can't really pick a favorite, but I really liked the first one, and the gift of laughter. I kept anticipating what the next month would bring, and I very curious to see what the end gift actually was. Jason is one lucky fella!
Characters: I loved the attorney guy. The story is told from his perspective, and I loved seeing how all the experiences helped him as well as Jaso...more
Plot: I liked reading about each month's gift to learn. I can't really pick a favorite, but I really liked the first one, and the gift of laughter. I kept anticipating what the next month would bring, and I very curious to see what the end gift actually was. Jason is one lucky fella!
Characters: I loved the attorney guy. The story is told from his perspective, and I loved seeing how all the experiences helped him as well as Jaso...more
This was assigned reading in my college English class. I have absolutely no idea why, as I'm fairly certain that a small child could write better literature.
Jim Stovall should have skipped writing a fiction book. This is much better suited to a self help book. It's messages are nice, but they are presented in a repetitive and rather boring manner.
It was trying to reach the sort of level that Tuesdays with Morrie met. The goal was too lofty. It failed utterly. There is almost no emotional invol...more
Jim Stovall should have skipped writing a fiction book. This is much better suited to a self help book. It's messages are nice, but they are presented in a repetitive and rather boring manner.
It was trying to reach the sort of level that Tuesdays with Morrie met. The goal was too lofty. It failed utterly. There is almost no emotional invol...more
The Ultimate Gift is one of my favorite movies. I did not know that it was a book until very recently, and then picked it up at a library book sale. It is a ridiculously fast read (very large print, short chapters, simply written) but carries the best message about the point of life.
The twelve gifts are gifts that everyone should attempt to discover in their lives.
There were a lot of changes from book to movie but I believe that the message was kept intact, which is what truly matters. They need...more
The twelve gifts are gifts that everyone should attempt to discover in their lives.
There were a lot of changes from book to movie but I believe that the message was kept intact, which is what truly matters. They need...more
I probably have no right leaving a review because I didn't even finish the book, but I feel my lack of interest in how a book ends is really telling of how poorly written a book is. What's more, when I'm lying in bed thinking about how much better a Hallmark-esque movie is in comparison to what I've read, then we've got a problem.
This preachy novel has no character development, vague and sometimes nonexistent descriptions, and a plot with little to no imagination. The characters are stagnant an...more
This preachy novel has no character development, vague and sometimes nonexistent descriptions, and a plot with little to no imagination. The characters are stagnant an...more
Had a hard time 'categorizing' this on my shelves...it's fiction, for sure...but it's a didactic self-help book as well. Stovall builds his case for the twelve 'gifts' that enrich our lives and eventually create the Ultimate Gift. Told through the eyes of a lawyer carrying out the last wishes of a friend and client, this book follows Jason, a callow young man, in his year of discovery -- discovery of what really matters in life. Fast paced with lots of lines to remember. We would all do well to...more
This is an amazing story about the importance of properly ordering and prioritizing life in order to achieve true joy. If you ever have thought to yourself that money would solve your problems, you need to read this incredible story. Stovall exposes what he calls "the big lie" in this book about money. The message is loud and clear - we find true treasure within ourselves and others - only then can we really feel fulfilled and happy. Money is simply a tool - a tool that makes you more of what yo...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall | 3 | 35 | Jan 17, 2012 12:27pm | |
| this book | 5 | 25 | Jan 17, 2012 12:07pm |
Jim Stovall has been a national champion Olympic weightlifter, the President of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network, and a highly sought after author and platform speaker. He is the author of the best selling book, The Ultimate Gift, which is a major motion picture starring James Garner and Abigail Breslin. He is also author of The Ultimate Life and The Ultimate Journey, which have...more
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“If we are not allowed to deal with small problems, we will be destroyed by slightly larger ones. When we come to understand this, we live our lives not avoiding problems, but welcoming them them as challenges that will strengthen us so that we can be victorious in the future.”
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17 people liked it
“In the end, a person is only known by the impact he or she has on others.”
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17 people liked it
More quotes…
Mar 31, 2009 11:51am