A unique blend of fiction, history, allegory, and inspiration, The Traveler's Gift has motivated tens of thousands since its release in... read full description
reviews
Jun 22, 2011
Diane
rated it: 
I really enjoyed this book - and I'm usually not a big fan of self-help books. And this is definitely a self-help book, even though it's cloaked in a fictional tale.
The protagonist is a middle-aged man whose life is in shambles. He's an executive who lost his position in a hostile takeover, and now he's scraping along at a minimum-wage job. He's overextended on all his credit. His wife is cleaning houses to make ends meet.
Then his daughter gets sick, and he has no idea ho More...
The protagonist is a middle-aged man whose life is in shambles. He's an executive who lost his position in a hostile takeover, and now he's scraping along at a minimum-wage job. He's overextended on all his credit. His wife is cleaning houses to make ends meet.
Then his daughter gets sick, and he has no idea ho More...
Mar 04, 2011
Gino
rated it: 
David Ponder had given up on life. After losing his job as an executive in a large company, he thought life couldn’t get any worse. But it does, his twelve year old daughter, Jenny, got sick. And with his current and very large money issues the last thing he needed was another bill to pay. Eventually the stress beat him, and he tried to kill himself by crashing his car. When he woke up, he found himself in the presence of Harry Truman. As if that wasn’t crazy enough, Truman informed him the year
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Jan 13, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
David Ponders was a successful hard working husband and father. He loved his bright happy life, Until he lost his job. He had slowly climbed to the top and once he got there, he was tossed right back down. Soon money was gone. To make matters worse, his precious daughter had become sick. He soon gets fired from a part time job at a hardware store.
When life became almost unbearable something amazing happened. David finds himself driving down a highway at dangerous speed. He finds himse More...
When life became almost unbearable something amazing happened. David finds himself driving down a highway at dangerous speed. He finds himse More...
Jan 13, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
David Ponders was a successful hard working husband and father. He loved his bright happy life, Until he lost his job. He had slowly climbed to the top and once he got there, he was tossed right back down. Soon money was gone. To make matters worse, his precious daughter had become sick. He soon gets fired from a part time job at a hardware store.
When life became almost unbearable something amazing happened. David finds himself driving down a highway at dangerous speed. He finds hims More...
When life became almost unbearable something amazing happened. David finds himself driving down a highway at dangerous speed. He finds hims More...
Aug 16, 2011
Vincent
rated it: 
I try not to give out one star ratings lightly. I only give them to what I think are the worst books, the books in which I can say afterwards that they were a waste of my precious time and I wish I had those moments of life back. This book I feel is worth that one star rating.
This is a pop psychology self help book with a religious undertone. As is popular with self help material, the author broke his work into a list. Surprisingly, he did not create an acronym to describe the ideas More...
This is a pop psychology self help book with a religious undertone. As is popular with self help material, the author broke his work into a list. Surprisingly, he did not create an acronym to describe the ideas More...
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Dec 09, 2010
Peregrine 12
rated it:
This book was one of the worst things in print I've ever seen. Three problems:
1. Main character is 2-D. False and unbelievable. Just a prop to get us into the author's story.
2. Author references history - but his facts are WRONG. (Specifically: Truman's apparent reluctance to drop the H-bomb on Japan; history shows that not only did he do it willingly, but he refused to NOT do it when Japan tried to surrender! This incident in the story supports the nice, convenient view that More...
1. Main character is 2-D. False and unbelievable. Just a prop to get us into the author's story.
2. Author references history - but his facts are WRONG. (Specifically: Truman's apparent reluctance to drop the H-bomb on Japan; history shows that not only did he do it willingly, but he refused to NOT do it when Japan tried to surrender! This incident in the story supports the nice, convenient view that More...
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Oct 11, 2011
Mr. Kovach
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This is a combination fantasy/self-help book. A man with a wife and daughter finds himself at a crisis point in his life. He has lost his job, and his child is sick and he can't afford a doctor. He slips into despair and nearly has a fatal car accident, but an all-knowing hand saves him and sends him on a voyage through time where he meets seven famous people from history, each of whom gives him a small piece of essential wisdom on how to live your life. It is interesting to see him travel to di
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Oct 29, 2009
Gokce ~Muslin Myst~
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Dec 12, 2011
Alysia
rated it:
Okay, let me start off by saying that I'm not a huge fan of self-help books. The ideas presented by the author to help one be successful were good ideas. The biggest problem that I had with the book was that the people that David went and visited. I didn't feel that the author was true to their actual characters and personalities. Also, the timing in which David "visited" these people was not at all realistic, and so much to the unrealistic side that I found them to be annoying. F
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Sep 20, 2010
Jane
rated it:
At first, I felt that the book had great potential. It followed a man on his struggle to make better decisions for himself—took him on a fantasy-like journey not unlike a scrooge adventure with the ghosts. Each person he met taught him a new lesson on how to be a leader. The format was intriguing. But the further I moved through the book the more unhappy I became. At the end, I felt that the message being told is: All men are capable of greatness, which will lead to both fame and fortune. There
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Jun 25, 2009
Erin
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Oct 05, 2009
Kenzi
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This book was kind of confusing but also very interesting. I read it for one of my online classes I am taking called the "Hero cycle". This book had a lot of great lessons to learn from it. In this book the main character doesn't think that he is good enough for his family and for life so he crashes into a tree and then he goes to a whole bunch of different people who teach him things and then give him letters to help him remember what they taught him. He goes to Anne Frank, Christophe
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Jul 08, 2010
Marliss
rated it:
If you like feel-good pop psychology plus bad theology then you will like this book. My antenna went up when I saw the endorsement by Robert Schuller. The first decision was okay--every one needs to take responsibility.
But the second, seek wisdom, was where I got off. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and that is not Andrew's premise by a long shot.
But the time Andrews got to Anne Frank's decision to be happy and to laugh for seven seconds the first th More...
But the second, seek wisdom, was where I got off. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and that is not Andrew's premise by a long shot.
But the time Andrews got to Anne Frank's decision to be happy and to laugh for seven seconds the first th More...
May 09, 2009
Laura
rated it:
Are you a poor, miserable, lazy, slob? Then CHOOSE not to be. There. Now you’ve read the book, too. (Oops, sorry. I’m going to forgive myself for that harsh comment so I don’t spend eternity “chained to the Mirror of Regret.”)
Perhaps it would have been more persuasive if written without the pretense of being a fictional novel and simply left in the category of “self-help.” Andy Andrews could have used the historical figures as compelling examples just as effectively and probably wi More...
Perhaps it would have been more persuasive if written without the pretense of being a fictional novel and simply left in the category of “self-help.” Andy Andrews could have used the historical figures as compelling examples just as effectively and probably wi More...
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May 11, 2011
Anna
rated it: 
I gave this book four stars because I think the seven decisions, if followed, really will make you a very happy and successful person. I think they definitely have application for me. The writing itself wasn't great. I felt some of the transitions needed help and some of the details seemed unnecessary and out of place. I did like all the visits to historical characters. They seemed pretty accurate and well-researched. The only visit I didn't like was the one to Gabriel. The feeling of that visit
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Oct 01, 2011
Leane
rated it:
A friend gave this book to me as a parting gift three years ago. It sat hidden away in my bedside drawer until recently. I would call this book a self-help book in a way because it does give you short passages giving you seven decisions to make your life a success. My favorite happened to be the decision to forgive yourself and begin again each day. The book is different because it brings you these decisions through the story of a man named David Ponder. Ponder initially reminded me of a mo
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Oct 31, 2011
Catherine
rated it:
Simple, but poignant. The most powerful was not action, getting secondary advice, acting with discipline, but instead...learning to really forgive. It is a gift to yourself. People who've done you wrong, don't really know they have, and most don't even care. Holding a grudge was explained in a way to make forgiving the real gift to yourself. Great advice, Andy.
This is one I will read again and again, because the military lessons are profound. We learn through planned strategies, and a More...
This is one I will read again and again, because the military lessons are profound. We learn through planned strategies, and a More...
Mar 04, 2009
Mom (Tash)
rated it:
I must admit that I don't like books that tell you the magic steps to a sucessful life, and this one didn't do anything to change my mind. Sorry, if any of you are Andy Andrews fans out there. The seven magic elements for success/happiness/whatever were woven into a story, each introduced by a character from history (Christopher Columbus, sorry I don't remember the others) that illustrated that element in his successful life. (Yawn!) Wo, I don't usually review books I don't like, mostly because
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Dec 10, 2009
Bill
rated it:
This is, by no means, any great work of fiction; however, the author tells an inspirational tale effectively-designed to inform us of the Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success: The buck stops here (Truman); I will seek wisdom (King Solomon); I am a person of action (Col. Joshua Chamberlain); I have a decide heart (Columbus); Today I will choose to be happy (Anne Frank); I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit (Abraham Lincoln); and I will persist without exception (Archangel Gabr
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Apr 23, 2011
Beth
rated it:
This book really made me stop and think about my life. The main character goes from being an executive in a company and living comfortably to being laid off when his company is bought out and going into a deep depression. He feels that where he is now is not in consequence to his own decisions, but everyone elses. In an attempt to end his life he is sent on a journey where he meets seven characters from the past who give him important decisions (that he, and all of us, can make) for success. He
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Oct 04, 2011
Rebecca
rated it:
Content - It's a mix of fiction and self help. It doesn't present anything new, but it does present it in a new way. The author came up with a creative way to convey information in an entertaining way that might have otherwise been tedious. I would have liked to have given it 2&1/2 stars. I can't say I liked it, but it's too strong a negative to say it was simply okay. I almost liked it. Better writing probably would have kicked it over the edge for me since I liked the concept, but wished the s
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Jun 23, 2011
Queen
rated it:
I finished this book just the other day and I was speechless! I never heard of this book or Andy Andrews! This book was recommended by Good Morning America several years ago! I have to recommend this book too! It's a classic tale of a man who just exists for years and then tragedy happens and his will, faith and peace of mind is tested. Does he give up or press on? Then God steps in and gives him seven decisions to make towards his personal success by seven historical and biblical figures! I had
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Sep 02, 2009
Laura
rated it:
Second book I read by Andy Andrews. Not as good as Lost Choice but a worthy effort. In this book the traveler meets 7 historic people and is given wisdom and counsel from them:
1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
5. Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor More...
1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
5. Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor More...
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Feb 10, 2012
Walt
rated it:
I really liked the book. And yet, it has a gaping hole in it. Though I believe many of the "decisions" espoused some incredible truth, they come across very much as nothing more than mantras. It is almost like have SNL's Stuart Smalley character sit in front of the mirror and say, "I'm good enough and I'm smart enough and--gosh darn it--people like me." These things, in and of themselves, do not change a person. And beyond all of this, where is the power to change the person?
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Dec 20, 2011
Tim
rated it:
I was disappointed in this book. A dear friend recommended it, my wife liked it. So I take my own thoughts with a grain of salt.
The opening chapter is intriguing: The main character, David Ponder, is in crisis. 46 years old, married for over 20 years, but at the moment, no job, no money, and no purpose. (It reminded me of what I suspect many American's without work the past several years have faced in numerous personal settings.)
Things do get worse - a sick child after th More...
The opening chapter is intriguing: The main character, David Ponder, is in crisis. 46 years old, married for over 20 years, but at the moment, no job, no money, and no purpose. (It reminded me of what I suspect many American's without work the past several years have faced in numerous personal settings.)
Things do get worse - a sick child after th More...
Sep 10, 2011
Jo
rated it:
I met the author at Women of Faith Conference. It was great! Very entertaining and movitating. I liked him so much I bought his book. At first read I felt like I was in "It's a wonderful life". David Ponder the main character is rope, enduring every hardship you can imagine. He decides to end it all and you are taken on a time traveler's dream journey. I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed hearing Andrews speak at the conference much more. But it was a good book, that I would recomme
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Dec 02, 2009
Brett
rated it:
David Ponders life is spinning out of control. He has exchanged his career for his family and his dignity for success. As his world crashes around his, his car wraps itself around a tree. Before regaining consciousness, David is thrust into a vision in which he visits seven historical characters, learning an invaluable life lesson from each: the importance of responsibility, wisdom, action, determination, gratefulness, forgiveness, and persistence. Each of these character traits is to be tre
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Jan 18, 2012
Alora
rated it:
Since I don't care about historical facts, get bothered about people's religious views or require every book to have flawless literary skills I get to love this book! Lol! I absolutely loved it! I was engaged in the story and the action. I was emotionally riveted. By the time the personal growth information came I was on the edge of my seat already saying "Yes!" It's such a great way to make the points hit home and live and breathe inside of you and in your life. Yes, it was not p
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Jun 02, 2011
Diane
rated it:
This was in interesting style of self-help motivational book. The points of development are cleverly woven into a "sci-fi" type narrative. The seven points are valid and the persons used to introduce these points were engaging. I kept wondering why others were not chosen - but then history has left us with so many remarkable persons who have great qualities that we can emulate.
I have found it of enough value that I have taken notes to be read and followed for my own - late More...
I have found it of enough value that I have taken notes to be read and followed for my own - late More...
Feb 28, 2011
Sharon
rated it:
Good inspirational fiction. Seven decisions (delivered to main charachter by important people in history)
1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future.
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
5. Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor of grateful spirit.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spiri More...
1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future.
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
5. Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor of grateful spirit.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spiri More...
