No One Ever Told Us That: Money and Life Letters to My Grandchildren [Hardcover]

John D. Spooner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 3, 2012

This is the book that every grandparent (or parent) has always meant to write for their children.... but has never found the time to do so.

In short, John D. Spooner has been carefully crafted a series of essential life lessons that every young person just out of college or high school needs to read before they embark upon their own life's adventures.

Told in friendly and reassuring tones, Spooner relates wonderful stories to illustrate and gently guide the next generation of what they can expect when searching for a job, how to know if you've found the right spouse, insights on how to plan for one's financial future, how the internet has changed our lives, dealing with adversity in life, and much, more more.

NO ONE EVER TOLD US THAT condenses all of this key information into one volume - and it's presented in a clear-eyed way that only a loving grandparent can.

For decades, John D. Spooner has been one of America's leading financial advisors. Now, as his own grandchildren are on the frightening cusp of adulthood, Spooner has chosen to impart his wisdom to them -- and to readers everywhere -- in the form of old-fashioned letters.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Having grandchildren has been one of the amazing, unexpected joys of my life. In this book, John Spooner does what all grandparents hope to do for their grandchildren. He takes the life and career experiences he has had and finds a beautiful way to share the lessons learned with his grandchildren so that their lives may be better. All grandparents would wish to do the same.

--Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University men's basketball coach and a grandfather


John Spooner is smarter about money and about life than almost anyone I know. As a blessing for all our grandchildren, he has written down what he has learned. Through charming storytelling, John shares his wisdom. Grandchildren and grandparents alike are the beneficiaries.

-- Shelly Lazarus, Chairman, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide and a grandmother



Spooner is a phenomenon, as much a psychologist and futurist as an investment advisor.

-- Inc. Magazine



I began listening to John Spooner's life lessons in 1974 - the value of handwritten notes, being held accountable, the unexpected laugh, the importance of being uncomfortable in another country, not our own, and, above all, attempting to have a deep and bountiful heart. It's all here, just open to any page.
- - Lesley Visser, Hall of Fame Sportscaster (
)

About the Author

John D. Spooner is a prominent investment advisor and veteran author, novelist, and columnist. Among his titles include: Do You Want to Make Money or Would You Rather Fool Around? and Smart People. He is, of course, a grandfather.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Business Plus; 1 edition (April 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1455511552
• ISBN-13: 978-1455511556
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.1 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John D. Spooner is the only investment advisor/writer in America. His best-selling nonfiction includes Confessions of a Stockbroker, Smart People, and Sex and Money, and novels including Class and The Foursome. His articles have appeared regularly in magazines such as Playboy, Town and Country, The Atlantic Monthly, Esquire, Time, and The Boston Globe. He has been a director of The Atlantic Monthly and David Godine Publishers, and has been a member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council which distributes all arts funding for the Commonwealth. He has been honored with the Literary Lights Award, given to New England's most distinguished writers by the Boston Public Library.
A Managing Director for a major investment firm, Mr. Spooner was the creator of A Book For Boston; a celebration of Boston's 350th birthday. He lectures widely and has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs including, Wall Street Week, Fox News, and NPR, on the philosophy of investing. Currently he is a guest commentator on Bloomberg National Radio. Spooner is on the board of the Harvard Alumni Association and was a co-founder of The Curious George Foundation.
Inc. Magazine has said about him, "Spooner, known nationally as the author of Smart People, and Confessions of a Stock Broker, is a phenomenon, as much a psychologist and futurist as an investment advisor." Robert B. Parker, author of the Spenser series, has said that "Spooner is one of the best writers in America," and The Boston Globe has said that he is "a national treasure." He has been a contributing editor for Worth magazine, and has been the Business Editor of Boston Magazine. His book, Do You Want to Make Money or Would You Rather Fool Around? has been a Boston Globe bestseller translated into foreign editions in Hungary, China, and Japan. The Improper Bostonian magazine voted him "Boston's best investment advisor." Barron's named him one of the '100 Best Investment Advisors in America.'

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Advice Found All Over March 25, 2012

By Lynette355

Format:Hardcover

My grandfather use to hold my hand and call me his Tuzy. Yeah that was his nickname for me. I would ask why and he said I looked like a Tuzy. Of course I would wrinkle my brow and ask what a Tuzy looked like? You know it...he would answer....YOU! I smiled so much when I was with him. As I aged and grew and learned more and more he would share better words of wisdom. He advised me on buying my first car. What to look for, how to budget cost and repairs, and how to keep it in good shape. He also shared tips on how to be happy with my life. The best advice was to take 5 minutes every day, preferable when I first woke up to count my blessings. That would set the tone for my day. He was right. I am so thankful to have had the time with him that I did.

But not everyone has that joy. College Girl did not grow up with nurturing grandfathers. She never knew the comfort of a leathery hand holding hers. And she also did not get the pearls of wisdom that comes with a full life. So with her fixing to graduate from college I thought I would do my best to share some of that with her. No I do not know the best advice from a grandfather but John D. Spooner does. "No One Ever Told Us That" is his letters that he shares to his grandchildren. And with us too.

He has great advice like my own grandfather. Here are some of his thoughts.

Never call a busy person first thing Monday morning.
Always look as though you know where your going.
Everything you own will fluctuate in value.
Expect to do everything yourself.
Always keep hints of your childhood in life.

There are so many more. With economic times being quite trying it is a time to keep a level head and a strong will power. This can be fortified with sound advice.... I think this will be one of those quiet presents that will not be noticed at first. But since she does read I know she will not keep the cover of this book closed. And once inside College Girl will relish the love of a gift that helps one go to the next stage in life. Read more ›

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular gift for all the young people in your life April 5, 2012

By Scott - Boston

Format:Hardcover

No One Ever Told Us That: Money and Life Letters to My Grandchildren John Spooner has created the ultimate gift for all the young people in your life. This collection of wise insights should be on everyone's gift list for those family members and friends who are graduating from high school or college. It is the perfect gift, any time, for the child or grandchild you love and whose future you can greatly enrich through its sage advice. The contents are timeless, it is an easy read and endlessly enjoyable. I gave one to each of my children, and bought another to leave on the coffee table for visitors to enjoy. The chapters are short, the concepts concise and the writing style truly engaging. Thank you, Mr. Spooner, for this marvelous collection of wisdom and wit!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Share This Gift May 21, 2012

By yogette

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

John Spooner has blessed us with this delicious gift - be sure to share it with the ones you love. For most of us, discussing money and life issues with family is, at best, awkward. Let John speak affectionately for you! I realized after, this book is really a romance....
Jane Breschard Wilson,
Boston Women Communicators

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Life Lessons for All April 29, 2012

By Nick McCormick

Format:Hardcover

Author, and financial advisor, John Spooner offers a series of life lessons to his grandchildren via 59 letters. He covers everything from how to get a job to what to look for in a spouse. One of my favorites is "Beware of Genius." Spooner warns of the blowhards that try to convince us that they know it all. He favors those that can solve day-to-day problems over those that know more about "pie in the sky models."

It's a quick read with advice grounded in fundamentals. While the sub-title implies it is written mainly for those just starting out, there are plenty of valuable tips to help people of all ages negotiate their way through life.

--Nick McCormick, Author, "Acting Up Brings Everyone Down."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars For parents and grandparents too April 19, 2012

By Kristina Loock

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was very touched by this thoughtful and caring book and reminded of many years spent in the presence of my lovely grandmother. It is such a gift to have grandparents involved in your life for all the reasons John Spooner manages to get across. I am giving this book to my parents as a thank-you for being involved and as an inspiration to take their influence and advice seriously enough to write it down. Wouldn't we all love to have a few letters like this from our own grandparents?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for recent highschool & college grads June 19, 2012

By Laurancn

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Picked this up after hearing the author on talk radio. He explained how he had written the book after talking to some college graduates after he had given their commencement speech. The book, in the form of letters to his grandchildren, gives the reader anecdotes on life's lessons he had learned over the course of his career. Wonderful wisdom given out. I just hope the graduates I gave it to will read the book and take heed as he truly nails it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ENDEARING AND CHARMING - A MUST GIFT June 11, 2012

By Sandra Goroff-mailly

Format:Hardcover

John Spooner's wonderful book is both endearing and charming. One could not find a better, kinder or wiser guide. I will give this book over and over again to all the young people in my life.

5.0 out of 5 stars Who wants to hear what your life was all about? May 17, 2013

By A. Meyer

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

A challenge to "top" his story when writing your life's story for your grand kids... My question is for all the effort one would have to put into his/ her memoirs, would your grandchildren even care about the story?