A LIFE SOLD - What ever happened to that guy who sold his whole life on eBay? [Paperback]

Ian Usher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 2010

What on earth would make someone decide to put their whole life up for sale... on eBay?

When Ian Usher decided that it was time to leave the past behind and move on to the next chapter of his life, that is exactly what he did. The results were surprising, entertaining and challenging.

However, the auction was only the beginning of the adventure. What does someone do when they have sold their life? Well, just about anything they like really!

Armed with a list of 100 lifetime goals, and a self-imposed timeframe of 100 weeks, Ian embarked on what could truly be described as the journey of a lifetime - a global adventure spanning six continents, two years, and almost every emotion.

From the amazing highs of achievement, happiness and love, to the terrible lows of disappointment, loneliness and despair, come along and enjoy the rollercoaster ride of life, as experienced by one traveller who is simply looking for a new start.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"A Life Sold" is proudly offered by Wider Vision Publishing. We specialise in amazing and uplifting stories in the travel/adventure/personal journey genre. This wonderful book certainly fulfils all three criteria many times over - a two-year journey filled with adrenaline-fuelled fun, and an emotional search for a fresh start, and a new home.

About the Author

Ian Usher was born in 1963 in Darlington in the north-east of England. He grew up in the small northern market town of Barnard Castle, and went to college in Liverpool, gaining a teaching degree in Outdoor Education. A varied and chaotic career followed, involving many jobs, locations and businesses. From 1992 to 1996 he ran Scarborough Jet Skiing in partnership with long-time best friend Bruce. It was on the beach during this time that he met his wife-to-be. Laura and Ian married in 2000, and they moved together to Perth in Western Australia. The marriage ended five years later, and in 2008 Ian put his life up for sale on eBay! Two years of travel followed, in which he tackled a list of 100 goals, aiming to achieve them all in a period of 100 weeks. He currently lives in Whitehorse in Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 394 pages
• Publisher: Wider Vision Publishing (November 4, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0980865301
• ISBN-13: 978-0980865301
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,608 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #74 in Books > Computers & Technology > Business & Culture > eBay

More About the Author

Ian Usher was born in 1963 in Darlington in the north-east of England. He grew up in the small northern market town of Barnard Castle, and went to college in Liverpool, gaining a teaching degree in Outdoor Education.

A varied and chaotic career followed, involving many jobs, locations and businesses. From 1992 to 1996 he ran Scarborough Jet Skiing in partnership with long-time best friend Bruce. It was on the beach during this time that he met his wife-to-be.

Laura and Ian married in 2000, and they moved together to Perth in Western Australia. The marriage ended five years later, and in 2008 Ian put his life up for sale on eBay!

Two years of travel followed, in which he tackled a list of 100 goals, aiming to achieve them all in a period of 100 weeks.

He currently lives in Whitehorse in Canada.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Living every desk jockey's fantasy life, November 30, 2010

By 

theglobalguy "Henry" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A LIFE SOLD - What ever happened to that guy who sold his whole life on eBay? (Paperback)

I met Ian in Nepal when he and I happened to be on the same trek to Everest Base Camp. I had a vague recollection of the story of the guy who put his entire life up on E-bay, and was amazed at the coincidence that would bring that guy into my own life. Ian was a joy to travel with, and his stories of his adventures kept me laughing and entertained through our two week journey. When he told me that he was thinking of turning the entire adventure into a book, I couldn't wait to read it. Well, now that the book is published, I'm pleased to have been able to finally read about his back story, previous adventures, and the events that followed his and my adventure together.

The book is well written, with a combination of blog entries and personnal narration. Switching between the styles is easy on the brain, and never feels disruptive to the narrative. His writing is laid back, funny, and very personal at times. This is a person who has had more than his share of personal challenges, and been able to find the good in everything. It's a great testimony to the human spirit, and the tendency of humankind to help a traveler, no matter where he hails from.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finding Love, November 21, 2010

By 

Maureen Boksa - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A LIFE SOLD - What ever happened to that guy who sold his whole life on eBay? (Paperback)

We have all experienced the sometimes dramatic twists and turns of life. Ian Usher is a fine example of a man capable of using creativity and ingenuity to face unexpected events. Many of us have found connection and inspiration through the adventures and travels of Ian.

I first heard of Ian on CBC radio, at the time he was auctioning his life on E-Bay. I contacted him, congratulating him on his fantastic idea. He had plans to set his 100 Goals in 100Weeks project in motion and I promptly encouraged him to add dog sledding to his list, inviting him to achieve this goal at my kennel in the Yukon Territory. After several months ongoing contact, he arrived at my place, accomplishing goal #25 in fine style.

We stayed in contact and met up again a year and a half later, at which time I accompanied Ian in achieving four more goals.

I am very excited to have a personal appearance in Ian's book, as do all the other wonderful people he met during his travels.

I have watched Ian work extremely hard over the past several months to produce this book. I have also had the incredible honor of editing Ian's book, a job made easy by Ian's quality writing style. His descriptive ability inspires one to leap onto the next available plane headed for Spain, or Rio, or Peru, or China.

This is a fabulous read for anyone who has ever fallen in love, out of love, or dreamed of making a life change. Ian has proved that adventure is just around the corner for anyone who chooses to take a peek!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for a real life adventure!, November 29, 2010

By 

Sonny - See all my reviews

This review is from: A LIFE SOLD - What ever happened to that guy who sold his whole life on eBay? (Paperback)

Having experienced many of the same struggles as Ian, I easily identified with his unique and challenging journey through life, this world and the most difficult: Where am I going? How will I get there? Will I find the true love of my life? I HIGHLY recommend this book for so many reasons but mostly because Ian's casual attitude comes through his writing. You experience the same highs and lows that people experience when traveling. Forcing himself to trust in his fellow man and hoping for the best in total strangers can be daunting and a little scary. Ian's two year odyssey will give you much to ponder as well as practical advise for globe trotting on a budget. Pick up this book and you will have a hard time putting it down! Congrats Ian!