Beyond Wealth: The Road Map to a Rich Life [Hardcover]

Alexander Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2011

Leo Tolstoy said, "Nobody knows where the human race is going. The highest wisdom, then, is to know where you are going." Yet many today chase the false rabbits of success: status, luxury, reputation and material possessions. In the quest to "have it all," our lives often lack real meaning and purpose. Beyond Wealth is the antidote.

New York Times bestselling author Alexander Green takes things right down to brass tacks: We are here for a short time. Knowledge is limitless. Therefore, the most critical knowledge is not any particular skill but rather wisdom about "how to live." Fortunately, men and women have had several thousand years to think about what it means to live "the good life." And the answers found here, from Plato and Aristotle to Mahatma Gandhi and Stephen Hawking, will both surprise and delight you.

Beyond Wealth provides insightful commentary on the most important aspects of our lives: love, work, honor, trust, freedom, death, fear, truth, beauty and other timeless issues. The book is both a thought provoking read and the ideal gift, guaranteed to ennoble, uplift and inspire.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

What does it mean to be truly wealthy?

As a longtime financial writer and nationally acclaimed investment advisor, Alexander Green understands the importance of money. But in this insightful and inspiring new book, he looks beyond traditional measures of wealth to explore how a rich life is one of significance, not just financial success.

As Green observes, money creates wealth, but so do character, conscience, attitude, and wisdom. Only by incorporating each of these elements into your day-to-day existence can you experience what the ancients called "the good life."

A generous, wide-ranging inquiry into what matters most, Beyond Wealth is a road map to a rich life, to what the author calls "True Wealth."

The book contains more than sixty-five commentaries on topics ranging from love, health, leisure, honor, courage, trust, philosophy, history, science, and spirituality. And the author's perspective on each subject is broadened and deepened by liberal quotations from Shakespeare, Thoreau, Emerson, Gandhi, Einstein, Tolstoy, and other great minds.

Beyond Wealth is full of practical wisdom. Yet it is also a book of contemplations, promoting both greater understanding and deep reflection. Each piece can be read alone and is characterized by brevity, wit, and a liveliness of mind that recalls the best of Montaigne and Swift.

Combining personal anecdotes with provocative insights and timeless truths, Beyond Wealth is a fascinating exploration of the unique intersection between money, personal fulfillment, and successful living.

From the Back Cover

"Alexander Green, one of today's most successful financial advisors, here applies his wisdom to even more important questions: how to live justly, creatively, and serenely amidst the distractions and frustrations we daily encounter. Drawing upon history, science, and the insights of spiritual teachers, Green's beautifully written essays will help readers form and act upon a philosophy of their own."—Daniel Walker Howe, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815–1848

"In Beyond Wealth, Alex asks us to rethink what it means to be truly rich. It's not just about money or the things it can buy. It's also about raising your consciousness and understanding of the world. These essays are a good step in that direction. Highly recommended."—John Mackey, founder and CEO of Whole Foods

"Alex Green shows one how to engage the material world without losing one's spirituality, meaning, and larger purpose. With an economy of words and poignancy of thought, Green cuts straight to the heart of what really matters in life." —Michael Shermer, monthly columnist for Scientific American and bestselling author of The Science of Good and Evil and The Believing Brain

"There are spiritual issues that adults have to think about. Alex Green recognizes that, and writes about them beautifully." —Charles Murray, bestselling author of The Bell Curve, Human Accomplishment, and Real Education

"Beyond Wealth is simply superb. Alex Green is a national treasure."—Edgar F. Puryear, bestselling author of 19 Stars: A Study in Military Character and Leadership and American Generalship: Character Is Everything, The Art of Command

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (May 3, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1118027612
• ISBN-13: 978-1118027615
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Resource in Turbulent Times, May 11, 2011

By 

D. Buxman "A Seeker of Truth" (Pueblo, CO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beyond Wealth: The Road Map to a Rich Life (Hardcover)

Alexander Green is someone who knows how to make money. Although I do not know him personally, as a subscriber to numerous Agora publications I have made a good deal of profit on his recommendations, but I am by no means wealthy. Beyond Wealth is a self-explanatory title, since it focuses on the issues that arise in life once you step outside of yourself and realize that the rat race isn't all it's cracked up to be. This compilation of essays covers a wide territory from classical philosophy to current events and is written in a lucid and compelling manner. I agree that it would make an excellent graduation gift, or just a good book to have at hand if you have a few moments to spare. The author exhibits a wide and deep array of knowledge that is woefully absent in today's Talking Head Media and he demonstrates a true appreciation of what it means to be wealthy, both in terms of financial and spiritual aspects. This is a book that is worthy of your investment, both in time and money.

58 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Wealth: A Treasure Trove of Thought, May 10, 2011

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Dave Fessler (PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beyond Wealth: The Road Map to a Rich Life (Hardcover)

I met Alexander Green a little over four years ago. As we got to know each other, we found we had similar interests: conversation, music, books, reading, and writing. He's a master at the latter, and I owe him a lot for mentoring me.

Alex's new book, "Beyond Wealth" can be read in the normal fashion, from front to back. But you can also pick it up, turn to any chapter, and just start reading.

There's no question you will learn something... perhaps even something about yourself you didn't know. Best of all, it will cause you to think and wonder, and you'll be a better human being for it. I know I am.

You see, I love being outside, in the woods... on a mountaintop... walking along a deserted beach... or on the water. Anywhere I can be alone... with my own thoughts. It's all very personal to me.

Perhaps that's why I enjoy Alex's new book Beyond Wealth so much. After pouring over endless financial data and company reports every day, picking up Beyond Wealth, kicking back, and reading a chapter or two is just the ticket for me... just when I need it.

There's a message in every chapter. Sometimes it's something we know we should be doing, but haven't been... or something we are doing, but shouldn't be.

Or something about a subject we haven't given much thought to. He always has something interesting to say. The world, indeed the universe, holds many mysteries. Alex explores many of them, one at a time.

With an incredibly articulate command of the English language... indeed, akin to Bill Bryson... Alex puts together a message in a few pages that always moves me in some way.

Beyond Wealth causes me to pause... take a step back... think differently about myself... about others... my family... my kids... my friends... the universe... my belief system... what I value most in life... the list goes on and on.

I can tell you with all sincerity you won't regret picking up a copy of Beyond Wealth. And you'll be all the richer for it.

David Fessler

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A poignant reminder of what truly matters in life, May 11, 2011

By 

Monique M. Snyder (Keswick, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beyond Wealth: The Road Map to a Rich Life (Hardcover)

"Beyond Wealth, delves into the psychosocial issues of our time and how they intersect with our financial and personal successes. Reminding us that our time on this earth is fleetly and worth savoring, Alex eloquently soothes our angst with lessons from the past and narratives from the present bringing us full circle in the quest to live a rich life measured beyond currency."