Andy AndrewsRezensionen

Despite not being sure about this book at the beginning, I was pulled in and ended up grinning quite a bit during a few parts.
This book was just full of wisdom and advice for practical life. It may have been a bit much in one area and lacking the next section, but it eventually balanced out in the end.
It took me a bit to get into due to the writing style. I seldom come across the style that Andrews used but once I got used to it, I didn't notice. Granted, it did take awhile to get used to it.
I'd recommend this book to fans of authors like Richard Paul Evans and David Rawlings.

Rating: 3.5/5
Language: a**
Romance: n/a
Spiritual: Bible verses, characters are Christian
Violence: n/a

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity is a follow-up to The Traveler’s Gift. This is my first Andy Andrews book, so I started this book not knowing any background or what to expect. Andrews does a great job of filling the reader in on pertinent facts from The Traveler’s Gift, so it’s not necessary to read that book first, although I do wish I had just because I dislike reading books out of order. In The Final Summit, David Ponder is called to a meeting with other Travelers to discuss the future of mankind. Their task is to determine what people must do individually and collectively to stop the downward spiral of our civilization. The answer is one two-word phrase.

I liked this book for several reasons. First, I love historical fiction and the premise of this book pulls historical figures from different time periods and tells their stories. So, while the fiction is that they wouldn’t all be sitting around having conversations with each other, the facts of their lives are true. Andrews even pulled some of the dialogue from actual things that the famous characters said or wrote.

This book is full of wisdom, inspiration, and humor. Also, this book is an easy read. Having small children, I don’t get to relax around water, but I bet this book would be a good beach or pool read. However, I wouldn’t recommend reading it once and sticking it on a shelf. This is a book that you’ll want to reread from time to time. That’s saying a lot, because I keep few books on my personal shelf and I rarely reread books.

This is not a book just for Christians. I say that because it is not blatantly preachy and I think anyone with enough sense to embrace the wisdom in this book will enjoy it, whether the reader is a Christian or not.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Well, they’re all either of European or biblical extraction, although there are more accepting notes as well—“even if you don’t believe in God, he believes in you”, and a Union instead of an Alabama general: that’s just decency, really, but nobody has ever been happier for taking decency for granted—and one is from that most famous of oppressed peoples, the German-born Jews. It’s only a few people of course and all pretty famous, but I don’t mind it not including people that only I have heard of. Not all books are like that.

Of course, it is in some respects not quite written with me as the core audience in mind, although I do like “business” books and business fiction. Of course, it’s not too literary, and especially in the beginning can be a little sloppily put-together. That’s not quite what I mean, though. It’s just…. I don’t know, but a lot of the lessons are basically okay, such as: even though history and the collective level clearly exist, nobody has ever been empowered by blaming and claiming no power over their lives and their destinies. And plenty of men who are the core target demographic for this book ~do~ often blame people and life and claim that they have no agency over their lives—people don’t usually say it quite like that, but they do flip out like a burger sometimes, you know. Of course, the book does simplify life to some extent. But knowing who you are is basically more important than the details of “why you can’t win” and so on, and so I’d say it’s basically an okay book.

…. Some of the people I’m a little indifferent about, but Anne and President Abraham were great people, and Andy’s treatment of them is pretty good stuff too. Anne was on her best behavior with a stranger for five minutes, (the Solomon story about the whore-mothers was really Victorianized, you know), but it is fundamentally true that Anne did believe in choosing happiness, and that unhappiness is a sort of activity like listening to the radio, like saying the “beggar’s prayer” that there isn’t enough—and not enough to be grateful for. And it’s funny that Abraham’s speech was fundamentally about humility, not for some little nursemaid, but for wise men and leaders, functionaries: “We think that we’re doing the dead a favor by hallowing their graves, but they have done more by their actions than we can do by our words. It is rather for us the living to come here and be inspired, blessed, hallowed.” And forgiving yourself, and accepting your personal power to make the world a better place.

…. The study of business—the study of means, of action—is important, and so is the study of strange things. Both can be a sort of positivity. But I wonder if Andy spent too much time on that second kind of thing, you know—the imponderables, and didn’t quite bring it the business book back to business and doing, right. Sometimes even simple fiction becomes so “big”, plays such a big game. He plays such a big game, you know. It’s fine, but it’s really far more than was necessary, IMO. Or maybe it just needed more of a counter-weight; I don’t know.

…. Yeah; okay.

Book title and author: How Do You Kill 11 Million People? Why The Truth Matters More Than You Think by Andy Andrews reviewed 8/24/24

Why I picked this book up: this short books title drew me in because of my interest in history.

Thoughts: Andrews urges readers to be “careful students” of the past, seeking accurate, factual accounts of events and decisions that illuminate choices we face now. By considering how the Nazi German regime was able to carry out over eleven million institutional killings between 1933 and 1945, Andrews advocates for an informed population that demands honesty and integrity from its leaders and from each other. How Do You Kill 11 Million People? Or, to be precise, 11,283,000 people. Andy Andrews believes that good answers come only from asking the right questions. Through the powerful, provocative question, “How do you kill eleven million people?”–the number of people killed by the Nazi German regime between 1933 and 1945–he explores a number of other questions relevant to our lives today: Does it matter that millions of ordinary citizens have checked out of participating in the decisions that shape the future of our country? Which is more dangerous: politicians with ill intent, or the too-trusting population that allows such people to lead them? How are we supposed to tell the difference between the “good guys” and the “bad guys”? How does the answer to this question affect not only our country but our families, our faith, and our values? What happens to a society in which truth is absent? Andrews issues a wake-up call: become informed, passionate citizens who demand honesty and integrity from our leaders, or suffer the consequences of our own ignorance and apathy. Furthermore, we can no longer measure a leader’s worth by the yardsticks provided by the left or the right. Instead, we must use an unchanging standard: the pure, unvarnished truth.

Why I finished this read: this book added other historically similar deaths and it ended quickly with 210 pages and refreshed my memory with the constitution, and other historical writings.

Stars rating: 3.5 of 5 stars, I found it rather dry to me½

"Helen was stunned–literally and figuratively–and truly frightened of this man. As she staggered from the car..." Aside from several such dreadful sentences, Andy Andrews writes well enough. The setting of the story, the Alabama coast during WWII, and the main characters including a German (but non-Nazi) submarine officer, a no-nonsense (readers, are not-so-subtly directed to hope he gets what he deserves) Nazi bad guy, and an "attractive" young American widow seem fresh.

However, the writer freights the historically rich plot possibilities with an overwrought message of the importance of forgiveness as two central characters each wrestle with their own bitterness. The conversations about the importance and "how tos" of forgiveness feel contrived. As such, each stilted exchange takes away not only from the story but also from the not-so-hidden intended purpose.

I put aside other reading when someone gave this book to me. As I read I couldn't help but wonder if the giver was trying to tell me something. Hm.

David Ponder is an ordinary old man who is summoned by the archangel Gabriel to lead a meeting.

“With a serious nod, Gabriel began:
- You are at a turning point, he said
- You, the human race, are balanced on a precipice, and He is not pleased. … now the Travelers are being convened with an opportunity to avoid what seems to me, the inevitable.” (page 32-3)

The most influential leaders of the past history are gathered around a table to discuss ‘the one principle that will save humanity.’

“What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway to ward successful civilization?” (page 71)

The Travelers in charge for the Answer are: Winston Churchill, Joan of Arc, Abraham Lincoln, Eric Erickson, King David, George Washington Carver, and Joshua Chamberlain.

The Final Summit is my first reading of Andy Andrews, so my opinions about this book could be incomplete.

I was disappointed since the start of the book because, although the ingredients were ‘high level’, the result is poor.
Reading the praise for The Final Summit, I was expecting a story stuffed with ideas, suggestions, and quotations from historical characters.
I was also expecting a bit of fantasy.

The style of the book suggests the idea kind of brainstorming meeting for insurances’ sellers, so motivational purposes are far from this book. The final answer ‘that will save humanity’ seems hanging over there, and so …
It is not just double-entry accounting.

I advise to reread hagiographies books, where ‘examples’ and suggestions comes from real life.

Booksneeze has provided me with an Arc of this book.

žánr : beletrie
Starý muž Jones prochází přímořským městem a vstupuje do srdcí jeho obyvatel. Nabízí prosté, moudré rady a pevnou naději.

Wow! This was an incredible read. The history this book was centered around was something I’d never heard of before, but then getting to meet the characters (and knowing that they are/were real people and actually experienced a lot of what is depicted in the story) took it to a whole new level for me. Each character was well-formed, detailed, and dynamic. They came alive for me. The predicament they found themselves in was also quite realistic, and although this story could have come off as quite a downer because of the difficult events described, it wasn’t at all that way. There were elements of humor sprinkled throughout (HELLO, Danny!), and such genuine love and care that there’s no way you could finish the book and not be uplifted. Yes, this deals with the war and some VERY tough stuff (see the note after the spoiler alert below), but overall, it’s a story of hope, forgiveness, and new beginnings. I thoroughly enjoyed this quick read, and can’t wait to check out some of Andrews’ other works.

*SPOILER ALERT*
There’s a fairly gruesome scene in ch. 15, where someone is maimed and dies. Not recommended for young teens.

This was an interesting booklet - keep your eyes open and do what you can to help our country go the right direction... but I'm not sure how to do that.

Andy Andrews does it again! I became and Andy Andrews fan when I read The Heart mender, this book was no less enjoyable. The book chronicles the journey of David Ponder who is sent to gather all the “Travelers” together to answer questions. The book is filled with many twists and turns throughout. As was the case with the last Andrew’s book I read – this one is so difficult to put down. I wanted to know exactly how the entire thing would turn out. However, I do wish that Andrews had pointed more to the personal relationship needed with Jesus Christ in order to enter heaven. There is not really any mention of Christ’s sacrifice for humanity and our dependence on this to have eternal life. Even in this I would recommend this book for an enjoyable read.
Thank you Thomas Nelson, Booksneeze, for this review copy.

I really enjoyed this book. I borrowed it from my cousin and I enjoyed how it was almost a real story but clearly it was make believe. I had the honor of being on a private zoom meeting with Andy Andrews a few months ago, everything he says is motivational. If you're looking for it he can give it to you.

A bit melodramatic and very ham-fisted, but most of the ideas it tried to convey were useful.

The author is really good at vivid anecdotes used to illustrate his points, but not so good at having worthwhile points to make. I probably agree with him on the high level message here of excellence in details being necessary to be excellent overall, but everything below that was disordered and not particularly worthwhile (ironic...).

This book features the story of a young boy named Norman who would grow up to save two billion people. This story is a great resource to teach children that by small things great things can happen.

In the dark times of peoples’ lives, a mysterious old man appears in Orange Beach, Alabama. He answers to “Jones” and offers “a little perspective” to folks needing to be a bit more observant. Proclaiming himself to be a “noticer,” Jones’s gifts of wise words and perspective make a decisive change in the lives of the town’s citizens.

Fable? Allegory? Fiction? Truth?

Perhaps a bit of each as the unfolding tales, loosely held together by the appearance of Jones, offer readers bits of wisdom, understanding, and common sense while inspiring them to become their best selves. While not particularly “preachy,” readers will find the self-help advice provides much to consider if they choose to travel the road of positivity and accept the challenge of change that empowers and inspires.

This edition includes a Reader's Guide with questions that may be used for group discussion or for personal reflection.

Highly recommended.

Jones seems to be a self help guru who spots people lacking direction in their lives and puts them on the right track. He does this with multiple people at the same time. Most of work is done at his second hand shop. sitting around what is known as the peace table based on the fact that the wood comes from a sacred Native American tree. Jones does many magical things that his wards and others can't explain. The book is well written and laden with wisdom.

I wanted to LOVE this book, I really did. All I've seen about it described exactly the feel-good story I would like. It gave it a 2 star rating even though 1 star might actually fit my opinion. I began it a couple of weeks ago and just couldn't get far into it. So, I've tried again. After about 100 pages, I had to reach the conclusion that I just cannot finish it. My main reason is due to the format. Once I begin to settle in with a character, the next chapter starts with what seems to be the middle of another story. It goes on like that and then goes around to some characters already visited. I kept hoping it would be easier to follow, and perhaps if I had read another 100 pages it would have but if I don't enjoy a book 100 pages in, I just stop.

I did not have the privilege of reading the first few books in the Noticer series, so it took me a minute to get my bearings in this story but once I did I fell in love with Just Jones. For me, it felt a little disjointed at first, with multiple stories that ricochet back and forth, and multiple characters with what at first appears to be storylines that have nothing to do with another, but as I read further, slowing witnessing each narrative intersect, it was nothing short of breathtaking, and incredibly poetic.

This is a tale that we all can identify with in one way or another, and the wisdom that Joes speaks to everyone that he comes in contact with is so spot on, and thought-provoking, not only for the person in the story, but to the reader as well. I highlighted quite a few passages of sage advice that I plan to ponder on later, especially the part about coffee. I've always had an obsession with coffee, but this analogy took that love to a whole other level. I also would kill to try Just Jones Java!

As with all books by Andy Andrews the writing is masterful, and the attention to facts and details are unparalleled. He is such an exquisite storyteller! I was blown away with how much I enjoyed this book, especially with how rocky the beginning was for me, but now I plan on going back and reading the first two books in the series. I can't help myself! I'm in love with Jones!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and/or publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.

I really like Andy Andrews. This is not his best work. But still quite good. Some of his examples can be used to argue the opposite of the case he is trying to make.

It's only a little thing, but...

Let me start off by saying that this book is not my normal cup of tea. I hate politics and refuse to discuss anything in that category, but I also do not love the current political climate, which is why I decided to give How Do You Kill 11 Million People? a chance.

I must admit this narrative has me completely torn. The first half of the book the author goes into detail about his motivations for writing this book, clearly expressing his "political agenda" and explaining the title of the book. His "agenda" is one that I agree with: to bring America back to its roots, the way our founding father's intended. The eleven million people that are killed represent all the people that were killed during the Holocaust at the hands of their government and how they were able to accomplish this horrific feat. This part had me enthralled and this is what kept me reading.

The second half of the book are quotes and excerpts from some of America's founding father's. Granted they are wonderful reminders of the principles and values that our country was founded on, but they all started to run together, and I found myself skimming through. I will say that it is pretty cool to have all of that documentation in one place, but it just felt disjointed at the end of such a great start.

I do believe this is a book that every American should read, regardless of your political affiliation. Whether you're a Republican, Democrat, or none of the above we are all living in these perilous times together, and this book is a great reminder of how easy we as a people could end up in an unfathomable place that we can't turn away from without a fight.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and/or publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.

The Heart Mender: a Story of Second Chances. Andy Andrews. 2015. Alabama author, Andy Andrews writes inspirational advice books and novels. A friend lent me this book about German submarines patrolling the Alabama coast line. The uncanny thing is that she lent it to me a week after I’d seen a submarine disaster movie! I had no idea that the subs caused as much damage as they did. The story is fascinating not only because of the submarines but the description of the Gulf Shores area during World War II was equally fascinating and so was the story of the people involved. It was obvious from the beginning that the novel was based on true events, but I had no idea the characters in the book were real people! This is a slight novel with a message of Christian forgiveness and people who like to read books about Alabama and /or submarines would like this one.

Henry Hodges is a lonely little boy who lives in a very quiet town at the very end of his street. He doesn't have any friends that live nearby and he has become bored playing with his toys. He mopes around sad and lonely. One day his mother tells him that he is going to be getting a special pet. He imagines all kinds of fantastic pets with fantastic abilities such as a figure skating hippo. When he gets to the shelter he looks at all the animals until he sees a lonely little dog at the end. This is going to be his special new friend. He names him Hap, short for Happy. and knows right away that this is his special new friend. With Hap in his life, heavyhearted Henry is changed forever. He and Hap run and play, exploring their world around them together and Henry is now a happy boy with a happy life. A shared life is a happy life.

This book is written in rhyme and The illustrations are wonderful. The pictures are full of imagination and humour.

There a couple of messages that can be reinforced with children using this book. The first is that you need to be open to what you are looking for. Whether it is a new pet, a new friend or a present for a special event, what you get may not be what you wanted, but it can still be amazing. The second is if you are feeling lonely, do not give up, a new friend may be just around the corner waiting for you, just like Hap was waiting for Henry.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I'm not sure I've read many (any?) motivational books so this is different for me.
I read this because my husband brought it home after a work event and I thought it sounded worth a read.

I definitely get the Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure feeling here (there's nothing wrong with that as far as I'm concerned, I love Bill and Ted).

A man is at his whit's end. He's feeling very badly for himself and his family.
Before crashing his car he says "why me?"

Then he starts hurtling through time. He meets several very inspiring historical figures and each one gives him a life lesson.

So, then the reader asks, "why him?" Why was this man chosen to take this journey and to learn these lessons?

I definitely feel that we are to believe that he is to do something very special with the lessons he's been chosen to learn. Um, is that something special to be a motivational speaker?

It gets a little bit corny at the end, but I enjoyed it.

My girls and I love this book. It shows how simple actions of love in the lives of others can change history. If you love George Washington Carver, you'll love this. It also shows the beauty of adoption.