Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart
Born in small-town Texas during the Great Depression, Willie Nelson was raised to believe in helping his neighbors and living without pretense. After many hardscrabble years as a poorly paid songwriter (often watching his work become a gold mine for other performers), Willie finally found his own voice?the gentle but unmistakably honest sound that has made him an American...more
ebook, 208 pages
Published
May 9th 2006
by Gotham Books
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
838)
Willie Nelson is an American treasure. He is a living legend. I'm happy I get to share the planet with him.
So what's not to love about this little book of his Cowboy Tao? He meanders through the years, recalling stories of his friends, family, touring, musical career, many wives, and adventures. When I sat down and actually thought about how old he is and how the world has changed while he was watching, I was even more enthralled by how forward-thinking he is. This man has a big heart, a sharp...more
So what's not to love about this little book of his Cowboy Tao? He meanders through the years, recalling stories of his friends, family, touring, musical career, many wives, and adventures. When I sat down and actually thought about how old he is and how the world has changed while he was watching, I was even more enthralled by how forward-thinking he is. This man has a big heart, a sharp...more
Willie Nelson is the greatest living American philosopher. Willie Nelson is the cure for European Existentialism (or nihilism of any variety). Willie Nelson is the cure for Judeo-Christian-Islamist fundamentalism and it variants. Willie Nelson is the cure for materialist neo-fascism masquerading as patriotism in America today. He is on the middle path. He is able to laugh at himself before anyone else gets the chance to do so. He is love. He has written more than 2500 songs - just listen to 100...more
Simple, chatty, choppy and wise, Willie's book of wisdom at age 72 (he's 80 in 2013) is like running into him over and over and remembering something he's said. His values make me feel better--family and friends and love and music--he has kept them all close always. He knows himself: "I'm a troubadour" he says, and that captures it. He gives us the essential skeleton of his life, earliest family, four wives, seven children, many miles. My takeaway line is "the [Chinese] concept of Wu Wei, which...more
"If you love music, then you are my friend. And furthermore, ...it's good to have lots of friends." -- Willie Nelson
I've loved Willie's music ever since I first heard Red Headed Stranger, then Phases and Stages. I delved into his earlier music and loved it all, too. Then forward into the present, and it's great, too. This little book is Willie's pithy take on living a good, real, honest life. Willie led me to Townes Van Zandt who, with his philosophy: "Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies . . ....more
I've loved Willie's music ever since I first heard Red Headed Stranger, then Phases and Stages. I delved into his earlier music and loved it all, too. Then forward into the present, and it's great, too. This little book is Willie's pithy take on living a good, real, honest life. Willie led me to Townes Van Zandt who, with his philosophy: "Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies . . ....more
Apr 11, 2011
Scottsdale Public Library
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adult,
nonfiction
Willie mingles stories, jokes and adages with a collection of lessons he has learned in this life. Loosely based on the Tao Te Ching, Nelson advocates incorporating into one's life the teachings of that ancient work. But while the Tao inspired this book, Nelson's charming, often humorous tales of his Texan childhood, cowboy lifestyle, and famous friends make the book, which is rooted as much in down-home common sense as it is in mystical philosophy. Nelson also shares his views on subjects like...more
May 29, 2009
Michelle
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Melinda and Kerry B
Shelves:
audio-book
I grew up listening to Willie Nelson, my Dad's favorite musician to this day. Before I was 10 years old, I knew every word to Whiskey River, Good Hearted Woman, and Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys. And I still have the urge to belt out the lyrics any time I'm driving in a truck on a long stretch of road.
It was a special treat to be introduced to The Tao of Willie - to come to know this man (whom my Dad reveres as a hero) in a different light than I ever expected. Who knew this...more
It was a special treat to be introduced to The Tao of Willie - to come to know this man (whom my Dad reveres as a hero) in a different light than I ever expected. Who knew this...more
When you put your life in a good place, good things follow.
Tao - finding the balance between resistance and surrender.
The wisdom is in the moments when the madness slips away and we remember the basics
Golden Rule - Do unto others as we would have them do unto you.
Different religions are just different paths leading to the same place. A thousand paths to a single destination.
The respect of others must be earned through the positive quality of our actions.
If you throw trash along the highways or f...more
Tao - finding the balance between resistance and surrender.
The wisdom is in the moments when the madness slips away and we remember the basics
Golden Rule - Do unto others as we would have them do unto you.
Different religions are just different paths leading to the same place. A thousand paths to a single destination.
The respect of others must be earned through the positive quality of our actions.
If you throw trash along the highways or f...more
My brother loaned me this book. Probably if I Hhad seen it at he bookstore I would have passed right by it. That's whats so nice about surprises they sneak up on you.Willie Nelson in this book shares some of his philosphies with us in this book. This is a motto taped to Willie's coffemaker " "The ealy bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese." Go ahead think about it a minute. This quote starts off a chapter about negative thinking."Either that wallpaper goes, or I do." These wer...more
Jul 15, 2009
Fox
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Fox by:
looked like fun
I wasn't crazy about The Facts of Life and Other Dirty Jokes but it wasn't for the style of writing. I just didn't much like the format. Therefore, I didn't exactly have high hopes for The Tao of Willie; man, was I surprised.
This small volume was an insightful, hilarious, and well thought out book that spoke strongly to me from even the goofiest of short anecdotes. The book is essentially a collection of advice ranging from the physical (breathe deeply, drink plenty of water) to the spiritual (n...more
This small volume was an insightful, hilarious, and well thought out book that spoke strongly to me from even the goofiest of short anecdotes. The book is essentially a collection of advice ranging from the physical (breathe deeply, drink plenty of water) to the spiritual (n...more
Jan 12, 2013
Jean Mc
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
read-in-2013
A very confusing audiobook. The reader of the book keeps the same tone within his voice no matter what he is reading. So when we change points of view there is no way of telling. Again very confusing since there are large sections in which "I" is used for any one in Willie's family. I thought this would be a very personal autobiography. It is not. I was also disappointed that Willie Nelson didn't read any of it.
What's not to like about this collection of words to live by? Follow the golden rule, carry love in peace in your heart, enjoy life and everything else will fall into place. While none of the messages in this book are wholly original, and the author is quick to point that out from the get-go, Willie's humor and personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout make this quick read more entertaining than preachy. The audio version features some reading by him, which is a nice treat.
OK, this is just fun reading. It's full of good and bad jokes, snippets of wisdom, and lessons learned over an astonishing life of making music with his friends. After producing more than 300 albums and writing more than 2500 songs it's hard to believe there's more to say, but Willie is a veritable fountain of fun advise told through the tales of his life.
Picked this one up at a library book sale the other day and really enjoyed it. I've read most of the books on Willie or the ones he has written but this one is a keeper. A fast read and a look into the life of a really nice guy who has a wonderful outlook on life with a lot of wisdom thrown in,
I found this on the discount rack at B&N, but i am not sure why. It's a great book, full of philosophy, opinions, stories, and lots of jokes, including many at Willie's own expense. I would recommend this book for anyone except for uptight people who get offended easily.
Not an incredibly "heavy" read, but it is a good weekender. For Willie fans, another piece of memorabilia. For the converted, gives a little insight to the Red Headed Stranger. Though Willie is a Christian, he understands the philosophy.
Willie gives his insights on his life. What he's learned, his accomplishments, his downfalls, and what is yet to come in live. He also tells jokes throughout the book. Tells his stories with a laid, back and relaxed feeling.
You have to love Willie Nelson. This is kind of a rambling summary of things he's learned in his life. I enjoyed listening to him talk about his friends, religion, politics. I don't know that he said anything earth-shaking, but that's not the point. It's about him sharing his thoughts.
Dec 08, 2008
Heather
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
staying-sane-in-a-cold-world
I LOVED this book. It is the Willie perspective on mindfulness and presence. I LOVED this book. What I learned is that, Willie is everything that I thought he was - and more.......
I enjoyed this book awhile back 2/3 years ago. Then I saw him
live in 2012, then I read Roll me UP and Smoke Me his other book. Funny book, and
"all true" as Kerouac would state it.
live in 2012, then I read Roll me UP and Smoke Me his other book. Funny book, and
"all true" as Kerouac would state it.
Willie is the man. I didn't know much about him before starting this book, but I'm so glad I got to know him. He's just great. A country-fried Dalai Lama, he's a simple, peace-loving dude who loves people, golf, and corny jokes, and just wants the world to be a happy place. Maybe it's all the weed he smokes, but there's not one mean bone in his body, and in a society that is currently fueled by vitriol and superiority complexes, this is a breath of fresh air. Don't get me wrong, Willie's no sain...more
This is one of those that will probably be reread and I will continue to learn from it. Simple reading but hits home on several levels that make you think.
My sister Robin gave me this book...it even went on our trip to Minnesota and back! He had some funny jokes but he is pretty darn liberal for me...
Aug 16, 2012
Robert Scrivner
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
personal-development-and-self-impro
Excellent read! Keep an open mind while reading it and one may just learn a thing or two about themselves. But then again if not, it was an entertaining book.
I got this little gem as a gift, have re-read it several times and suggest that you get someone to give it to you as a gift as well.
Who ever knew Willie Nelson was this awesome! Great book!!! Short little book, but will make you laugh and smile.
awesome, awesome, funny, funny, a very entertaining & yes insightful book on the tao & one of our texas heroes!
Genius. Amazing insight so eloquently and simply put together. Willie Nelson is more than American legend; he is truly a great human being.
Good collection of stories, sayings, and Willie's outlook on life that everyone could find something to take to heart.
May 09, 2011
Jess
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Willie Nelson fans & anyone interested
Recommended to Jess by:
Browsing at CHN
Willie Nelson writing about happiness and being a good person? I think that's nice.
From his former father-in-law: "Take my advice, and do what you want to."
From his former father-in-law: "Take my advice, and do what you want to."
I rather enjoyed this book, and have always felt there is more to life than meets the eye or mind. I like Willies jokes and laid back natural attitude and his music most of all! I will most likely be reading his newest book soon!
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and notorious country music singers. He reached his greatest fame during the so-called "outlaw country" movement of the 1970s, but remains iconic, especially in American popular culture. In recent years he has continued to tour, record, and perform, and this, combined with activities in...more
More about Willie Nelson...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Let the jerks of the world serve as the perfect example of what you don't want to be. You'll be a heck of a lot happier, and in the long run, there's a chance that other person at work will end up asking what your secret is. Why are you the happy one? In other words, don't let your thoughts think you. Besides, if you're really gonna get pissed, don't waste it on your family, friends, or coworkers, save it for something that really matters.”
—
33 people liked it
“...when you put your life in a good place, good things follow.”
—
24 people liked it
More quotes…
Sep 19, 2009 05:40pm