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Seek to Be Wise: Finding Extraordinary Wisdom in Everyday Life

Chess Britt

3.91 · Rating details · 47 ratings · 15 reviews

We’re all looking for answers. We just need to open our eyes to the world around us to find them.

Author Chess Britt shares a delightful personal collection of down-to-earth maxims with one clear agenda: to inspire us to search for truth and wisdom. If we actively seek wisdom, says Britt, we’re bound to live our happiest and most productive lives. The best part is that we ...more

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Hardcover, 184 pages

Published July 7th 2020 by Greenleaf Book Group Press

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Jul 13, 2020 Nancy Lewis rated it did not like it

Shelves: giveaways, rejects

The title of this book should be Seek to Be Wise, Like Me.

The author thinks he knows better than we do, and wrote this book so he could share his infinite wisdom with us. Even from a young age, he was better than we were. He boasts of being a good high school athlete, and he was better at studying than others too. Later, in business, he made all the wise decisions while others couldn't come up with any creative ideas. All of this because he took advantage of wisdom more than others did.

The aut ...more

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Jun 28, 2020 Liz Austin rated it liked it

I received an advanced copy of Seek To Be Wise by Chess Britt from GreenLeaf Book Group for the purpose of reviewing it ahead of its release on July 7th. Overall, the book was a quick, easy read with some good commonsense advice and inspiring quotes. As Britt states in the book, "Wise people understand that it is the simple things in life that are extraordinary," and that "the potential for finding wisdom is unlimited."
My only criticism is the issue of not citing others' words and works that Br ...more

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Jul 20, 2020 Ink_Drinker rated it liked it

Seek to be Wise is a quick read and I would categorize it as a self-help book.

The author fills the book with stories illustrating the wisdom he has acquired during his lifetime. In a humble way, he brings to the reader practical, common sense examples of how to deal with people and make good decisions. The secret to a successful life is to always be seeking wisdom, according to Britt. The book gives you a fresh perspective on how to approach life and live it! I’m sure I will reference this book ...more

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Sep 30, 2020 J rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-books, non-fiction, self-help, spiritual-metaphysical

I loved this book, so many applicable gems to consider and reflect on.

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Jul 07, 2020 Deborah rated it liked it

This book is hospitable. Enjoy a plate of cookies and some warm milk.
It seems to be an authentic offering of one man’s reflection on his life’s experiences, sharing what has been helpful for him: emphasis on for him. This is Mr. Britt’s philosophy, attributed to and gleaned from his family, friends, acquaintances and media such as books and movies. It is shaped in a friendly, conversational manner.

However, as a lifelong student of philosophy and wisdom teachings, I don’t consider the title repre This book is hospitable. Enjoy a plate of cookies and some warm milk.
It seems to be an authentic offering of one man’s reflection on his life’s experiences, sharing what has been helpful for him: emphasis on for him. This is Mr. Britt’s philosophy, attributed to and gleaned from his family, friends, acquaintances and media such as books and movies. It is shaped in a friendly, conversational manner.

However, as a lifelong student of philosophy and wisdom teachings, I don’t consider the title represents the contents. Maxims, yes. A few life insights, yes. Read further. This is a playbook of beliefs, formed by maxims, from a man who states his beliefs in God, in hunting, in the glory of competition and sports. Unfortunately, for the few useful guidelines herein, the author’s overt claim that there is a God, and that as his creator led him to create this book, puts up a bill board that blocks the view of usefulness from non-religious yet very capable readers.

I certainly applaud the call to seek wisdom! I endorse inspiration and encouragement to be open to the lessons of skillful teachers who walk their talk. It is the over claims that I find inaccurate and which lessen its value. These are helpful folk sayings, helpful ancestral teachings within a certain ancestry. It is a collection of a very specific, cultural transmission. Wisdom is a weightier concept, requiring sagacious discernment, deep insight into the essential nature of life -- different from this friendly, coaching playbook.

In the sagging shelves of ‘self-help’ books, what makes this book stand out? Potential buyers should peruse the table of contents and a few maxims to decide for themselves. I consumed many such books in my 20-40s, seeking ‘success’ and ways to improve. Ultimately, these Hallmark flavor books offered diversion, a few confirmations of my experience, and fewer substantial insights or inspirations by which I developed more fully. I wasted a lot of time within the chain of fast food ‘success’ books. (For example, he offers a rule that “It’s going to be okay”. Really? Experience parenthood, marriage, decades of working to survive and realize everything is not okay and will not be okay. There is much tragedy, suffering, and ignorance that is not abated in one’s life).

Overall, it is a fitting family tribute, a gift from an elder to his family and friends. It is as a family album, sharing the highlights of one’s man's life. A maxim is a rule of conduct; this may be a useful guide if the recipients are not rebuffed by the author’s religious claims and business-sport-male mentality. And beware, while ‘feel good’ sells in America, often everything may not be or turn out okay. Yes, true wisdom often helps navigate the dangers of mortal life. May we keep seeking. ...more

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Jul 10, 2020 Mary Pauline M rated it really liked it

I was provided a complimentary copy in exchange for a review. This book found me just as I was finishing up on a Daniel Fast which focused on .. calling on God for wisdom regarding a difficult decision I needed to make. With that, this book was very thought provoking and I appreciated what I walked away with when finished.

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Aug 06, 2020 Heidi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: giveaways

3.5/5

I throughly enjoyed reading this book. I appreciate Britt writing this as these are lessons that, at my age, I'm now starting to truly see manifest in my life. I've personally never had a parent or grandparent sit down and talk or discuss maxims like Britt has in this book. I finished reading with more appreciation for the world and those around me than I initially did.

I especially appreciated the final maxim in the book regarding being your own person and making your own decisions based o ...more

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Jun 16, 2020 Mana rated it it was amazing

All our answers are already answered if we listen to ourselves and find the wisdom within. We have to seek to be wise.
Britt shares timeless truths he picked up from family, friends, her life experiences.

This is a book you’ll want to read and leran from it again and again.

Love it.

***Thanks Netgalley!***

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Sep 19, 2020 Heather rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: giveaway

I received a free electronic copy of this book from Goodreads. The author provides 32 maxims for readers to follow as they seek wisdom (most are familiar). Lots of Christian and sport references to drive home the points. This book would be a decent gift for a recent graduate.

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Sep 12, 2020 Idina Jomia rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book is certainly a useful and insightful read, and for that reason I'd recommend it. There are times, however, where Britt comes across as preachy and "I know best", which can be a turn off. That being said, that doesn't mean the book is devoid of wisdom and helpful snippets. ...more

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