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Life Is What You Make It: Find Your Own Path to Fulfillment [Kindle Edition]

Peter Buffett
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)

Print List Price: $15.00
Kindle Price: $13.99 includes free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
You Save: $1.01 (7%)
Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
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Book Description

From composer, musician, and philanthropist Peter Buffett comes a warm, wise, and inspirational book that asks, Which will you choose: the path of least resistance or the path of potentially greatest satisfaction?

You may think that with a last name like his, Buffett has enjoyed a life of endless privilege. But the son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett says that the only real inheritance handed down from his parents was a philosophy: Forge your own path in life. It is a creed that has allowed him to follow his own passions, establish his own identity, and reap his own successes.

In Life Is What You Make It, Buffett expounds on the strong set of values given to him by his trusting and broadminded mother, his industrious and talented father, and the many life teachers he has met along the way.

Today’s society, Buffett posits, has begun to replace a work ethic, relishing what you do, with a wealth ethic, honoring the payoff instead of the process. We confuse privilege with material accumulation, character with external validation. Yet, by focusing more on substance and less on reward, we can open doors of opportunity and strive toward a greater sense of fulfillment. In clear and concise terms, Buffett reveals a great truth: Life is random, neither fair nor unfair.

From there it becomes easy to recognize the equal dignity and value of every human life—our circumstances may vary but our essences do not. We see that our journey in life rarely follows a straight line but is often met with false starts, crises, and blunders. How we push through and persevere in these challenging moments is where we begin to create the life of our dreams—from discovering our vocations to living out our bliss to giving back to others.

Personal and revealing, instructive and intuitive, Life Is What You Make It is about transcending your circumstances, taking up the reins of your destiny, and living your life to the fullest.
 


From the Hardcover edition.


Editorial Reviews

Review

J.P. Morgan Private Bank's Summer Reading List Pick, 2010

“Peter Buffett has given us a wise and inspiring book that should be required reading for every young person seeking to find his or her place in the world, and for every family hoping to give its daughters and sons the best possible start in life.”
–President Bill Clinton

"Knowing and admiring Peter as we do, LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT captures his spirit, passion, and values beautifully. As parents, it’s the kind of dialogue about our life’s purpose and opportunity we’re having with our children. We will have everyone in our family read and discuss LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT ."
Bill & Melinda Gates

"With home-spun, heart-felt wisdom, Peter Buffett ponders how to make a meaningful life, while making a living. LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT is thought-provoking, worthwhile reading."
Ted Turner

"LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT is the ultimate book of commonsense -- except it isn't common. Because Peter Buffett could have had a derived identity and chose not to, he has power and credibility when he tells us how to find a unique self by doing what we love. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't benefit from this spirited, wise, and friendly book."
–Gloria Steinem

"In his searching book, LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT, Peter Buffett challenges us all to balance ambition and service, personal goals and work for the common good. It is a book of value and honesty."
Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues



From the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

PETER BUFFETT is an Emmy Award-winning composer and producer and cochairman of the NoVo Foundation. Buffett began his career in San Francisco writing music for commercials. He has released albums on the Narada, Epic, and Hollywood labels, as well as six releases on his own label. His work in film includes the “Firedance” scene in the Oscar-winning film, Dances with Wolves. He lives in New York City.
 
Download a free collection of Peter’s music at: www.peterbuffett.com/PBMusic
Enter code: lifeiswhatyoumakeit

Product Details

  • File Size: 1775 KB
  • Print Length: 274 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0307464725
  • Publisher: Crown Archetype; 1 edition (April 27, 2010)
  • Sold by: Random House Digital, Inc.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0036S4B9Y
  • Text-to-Speech: Not enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Lending: Not Enabled
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,579 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

This book is filled with wise thoughts and an easy read. David C. Lunbeck  |  11 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
55 of 60 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Book April 27, 2010
Format:Hardcover
Knew Peter many years ago, a very creative guy, but never figured he would pick up a pen and write a book, and a decent one at that. This isn't a rags to riches story, but rather how one man found meaning in life by following his heart. Whether you are born rich or poor it is well worth the read and the time spent. Wish I had read it in my twenties, but am very glad it found its way to me in my fifties.
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50 of 56 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Earnest, but could be better July 21, 2010
Format:Hardcover
Peter Buffett's message is compelling and simple. Choose a career in something you're passionate about and work hard to succeed in it. Don't go into a field just to make money. Give your children unconditional love but teach them to support themselves. Give back to society with your time and money, and you will find yourself even more fulfilled in your life.

That sums up a great deal of this book. To fill up 200+ pages, there are anecdotes about his own experiences, examples of people who exemplify--and others who scorn--his values, and consistently adoring depictions of his larger-than-life parents. Peter writes with great earnestness and comes across as a thoughtful man, albeit one who perhaps views his straightforward message as more revelatory than it really is.

Some parts of the book struck me as cloying, or even worse, not completely honest. He describes his time growing up as idyllic: a warm, loving family, a beautiful town with friendly neighbors. However, anyone who's read Lowenstein's biography of Warren Buffett knows that the children in the family were at times deeply wounded by their father's single-minded devotion to his work, and their moody grandmother would instantly bring the children to tears with her vicious rants. His rose-colored descriptions of his childhood thus don't ring entirely true, and this leads the reader to wonder what else has been glossed over.

This also shows the author's tendency to describe people in simplistic ways. His parents are paragons of love and wisdom. Various rich people he describes are poor parents who use money as a substitute for love with their children. Such depictions lack nuance and make those described seem more like cardboard cut-outs than real people. If Peter had been a bit more honest about some of the struggles he undoubtedly had with his parents while he was growing up and more fully fleshed out his descriptions of others he writes about, I think the book might have gotten beyond platitudes and addressed on a deeper level some of these big life issues that he aspires to illuminate.

The author goes to great lengths to describe how he's a regular person like the rest of us in spite of his privileged circumstances. To his and his parents' credit, Peter didn't receive monetary gifts as a young adult and has become a successful songwriter on his own. Then again, when you look on the back of this book and see enthusiastic quotes about it from Bill Clinton, Bono, Bill Gates, Gloria Steinem, and Ted Turner, you're reminded of how many advantages Peter has gotten by being the son of Warren. Then he writes of his billion-dollar foundation, funded by his father. Must be nice.

I'm sure Peter means it when he says that one shouldn't chase money and should do what one loves. But one thought might nag at you while you read this book: "Yeah, easy for *him* to say that!".
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Find your passion, pursue it with diligence May 16, 2010
Format:Hardcover
Peter Buffett shows why choosing your own passion can lead to a healthier, more productive life. By blazing your own trail, you develop self-confidence and respect that is its own reward.

Do you know someone spoiled by privilege? Buffett explains how the proverbial silver spoon is really a silver knife aimed right for the back. Those who rely on family connections and cruise on "unearned momentum" err when they choose inheritance over personal accomplishments.

It's up to you to decide where your passion lies.

My favorite thought: It doesn't really matter where you start in life, it matters where you go.

I will order extra copies of this book for our college library and I strongly encourage all students to read it.

Theo Karantsalis, librarian
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting view of the world
We are always honored when someone shares their view of the world. I listened to the audio version and I agree with many of the principals he espouses. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Wayne A. Hall
3.0 out of 5 stars Some nuggets for the brain
Book is slow and personal to Peter. There are some great indepth thought provoking principals making it worth a read.
Published 1 month ago by Vickie Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars Life
It was a thought provoking book, written very well and I am pleased with this purchase. It is a good addition to my library.
Published 4 months ago by Caroline E. McLean
5.0 out of 5 stars If you are pondering about life, this is THE book to read
I pick up this book b/c of the endorsement of Bill Gates and Bill Clinton at the back. Then I realize the author has a last name Buffett. Read more
Published 15 months ago by C. Tse
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Awesome and speedy service! I ordered this book on the suggestion of a coworker ,wanted it for a car ride ! Got it in just two days,faster than promised. I love amazon! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Gigi
4.0 out of 5 stars Great practical advice
Easy read. Nice to see a prospective from the wealthy side. Good practical advice on life. I would recommend to others to read.
Published 18 months ago by Gerri L. Harmer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift
I like the concept of what this book presents. I am giving this book as a gift to my Mother-in Law for Christmas. I hope she sees herself in it.
Published 18 months ago by Michael E. Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars Life Is What You Make It is useful for parents and/or grandparents,...
Enjoyed LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT (Random House Audio), read and written by Peter Buffet.

If the name sounds familiar, it is because he is the son of billionaire investor... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Blaine Greenfield
5.0 out of 5 stars Life is what you make it
I chose this book at a Cracker Barrel out of desperation for something to keep me company in the car while on a 14 hour trip. Read more
Published 21 months ago by motivation
5.0 out of 5 stars Peter Buffett Creates Life His Way
Whoa! I certainly didn't expect this book to be anything like it is. I try to keep an open mind but when the son of one of the richest men on the planet writes a book about life,... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Irene Conlan
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More About the Author

Emmy Award-winning musician Peter Buffett has an acclaimed career that spans more than 30 years as a professional musician, composer, philanthropist and author. He began his career creating music for early MTV bumpers of the '80s, and the climactic crescendo in the memorable "Fire Dance" scene in 1990's Oscar winning film Dances with Wolves. Buffett received critical acclaim for his Native American-inspired music, composing the full score for 500 Nations- the eight-hour Emmy-awarded CBS miniseries produced by Kevin Costner, and the musical production Spirit: The Seventh Fire. Peter has released more than 15 records to date on his own imprints as well as Narada, Epic and Hollywood Records. He has collaborated with Grammy-nominated recording artist Akon as well as Grammy-winning artist Angelique Kidjo on human rights inspired songs. Buffett's inspiring New York Times Best-Selling book, Life Is What You Make It, was released in paperback in May of this year. To bring the message of the book alive, Buffett has crafted Life Is What You Make It: A Concert & Conversation with Peter Buffett, a live music event that incorporates multi-media and personal stories to give the audience an authentic, inspirational, and impactful evening.

For more information, please visit www.peterbuffett.com

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