The Power of Adversity: Tough Times Can Make You Stronger, Wiser, and Better [Hardcover]

Al Weatherhead (Author), Fred Feldman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 2008

Misfortune . . . Failure . . . Illness . . . It seems adversity dooms us to lives of frustration.

Not so, according to dynamic industrialist and major philanthropist Al Weatherhead. He says adversity is not a curse but a gift and that when we embrace our problems we temper and empower ourselves to achieve unimagined success.

With insight and compassion, Weatherhead helps us understand that the question we must ask ourselves when bowled over by life s troubles is not Why me? but instead, Why not me?

In the process, this pragmatic and profound book reveals the secret to achieving a greater understanding and mastery of life by harnessing the Power of Adversity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Al Weatherhead's Power of Adversity has changed my response to daily bumps in the road and major catastrophic events. I will appreciate each challenge, and accept it as a gift to face my own shortcomings. So much of our suffering is the result of our own negativity. His wisdom helps me find solutions I never dreamed were possible."--Margaret Roche, CEO, Stella Maris, Inc.

"Al Weatherhead's personal journey from hardship and despair to strength and positive thinking and action is truly inspirational. This remarkable book is a "must" read for anyone facing adversity because it is a message of hope and a practical guide to leading a positive and fulfilling life."--Scott Cowen, President, Tulane University

"An arresting personal story that shows how to turn misfortune into its opposite by thinking and acting in circles wider than oneself."--Carol Gluck, Columbia University

"Overcoming adversity is no easy feat. From Al Weatherhead's perspective, adversity is simply another way of spelling opportunity. For anyone searching for a philosophy for life based on real world experience, this is the book to read. Embrace the author's approach and you will have taken a major step toward transforming the quality of your life."--Roger Cheever

"The lessons Al Weatherhead seeks to impart here are a testament to a life of generosity won through practicing what so many only preach that every challenge represents another opportunity for success. Many in higher education today enjoy the fruits of his persistence."--Lee C. Bollinger, President, Columbia University

"The Power of Adversity is a courageous book in which legendary businessman and philanthropist Al Weatherhead describes how adversity properly understood can be a catalyst for powerful and meaningful personal transformation. Read it and be inspired for yourself and for someone you love. Highly recommended."--Dean Ornish, MD, founder and president of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, Author, The Spectrum and Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease

"The Power of Adversity is packed with nuggets of wisdom."--Delos M. Cosgrove, MD, CEO and President, Cleveland Clinic --Endorsements

About the Author

Al Weatherhead, chairman and CEO of Weatherhead Industries, endured wrenching family estrangement, serious arthritis and heart disease, and is a recovering alcoholic. Instead of surrendering to his adversity, he came to see it as a blessed enemy and leveraged it to achieve extraordinary personal and professional success. He lives with his wife in Cleveland, Ohio.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Hampton Roads Pub Co; 1st edition (April 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571745629
• ISBN-13: 978-1571745620
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,633 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What An Inspiration, February 12, 2009

By 

Reader from Long Island "lba7370" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Power of Adversity: Tough Times Can Make You Stronger, Wiser, and Better (Hardcover)

Wow. What an inspiring story. Not a "woe is me" book, but the story of a man who faced up to his issues, overcame them, and decided to give back to the world by becoming a major philanthropist. A must read for anybody who thinks times are too tough.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book Review of The Power of Adversity, June 19, 2010

By 

Keiki Hendrix "Vessel Project Book Reviewer" (Greenville, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Power of Adversity: Tough Times Can Make You Stronger, Wiser, and Better (Hardcover)

The Power of Adversity is an electric book revealing Al Weatherhead's story from `angry young' to motivational speaker. The theme and focus of this book is to change your perspective on adversity.

This is not a Christian book, though it reveals how using the wisdom principles of the Bible to begin to view the many hard times of your life to your benefit.

It includes one interesting view on the story of the fall of mankind found in Genesis stating that because of the fall, mankind would suffer adversity. In it's basic form, this is quite true (though there is much more to say about the fall.)

Reading this book reminded me of an instruction I gave my sons during their `growing' years. I tried to convey them three principles for life: 1) Know where to go when you find yourself in trouble - God; 2) The concept of `delayed gratification'; and 3)As a child of God - all events in their lives were covered under Romans 8:28, meaning no matter the problem - God would work it to their favor.

This book would fall under the latter of the three instructions. It provides good instruction on how to view adversity and offers the authors real life testimony as a witness.

Al Weatherhead's life story is woven throughout the book with instruction to the reader of how the many adverse events in his life reshaped his perspective.

Written in a very fast paced, non-stop fashion, this book is a shot in the arm for those who may be walking under the `why me' cloud. I would recommend it for anyone needing a jolt in their thought pattern.

Disclaimer:
The review copy of this book was provided free of charge by the author and was donated to the library of Westwood Baptist Church.

Reviewed by: Keiki Hendrix
Reviewed for: Al Weatherhead




























































+++++