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Road Rules: Be the Truck. Not the Squirrel. Learn the 12 Essential Rules for Navigating the Road of Life

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I'll be the first to admit it was the title that drew me into reading this book... Road Rules: Be the Truck. Not the Squirrel. Learn the 12 Essential Rules for Navigating the Road of Life by Andrew J. Sherman. Just something comical (to me at least), comparing life skills to trucks and squirrels (and by extension, road kill). I wasn't sure he could keep the analogy of life being like driving throughout the whole book. But to my surprise, he actually pulled it off, and the result is a solid and unique way to look at personal life skills.

Contents:
Introduction
Road Rule #1: Be the Truck. Not the Squirrel.
Road Rule #2: Share the Road
Road Rule #3: Happiness is a Clear Windshield
Road Rule #4: Embrace Your Dashboard
Road Rule #5: Pay Careful Attention to the Road Signs of Life
Road Rule #6: Be Guided by Your Navigational System
Road Rule #7: Don't Fear the Back Roads
Road Rule #8: Be an All-Weather Driver
Road Rule #9: Accidents Can Happen Even to the Best Drivers
Road Rule #10: Objects in the Rearview Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear
Road Rule #11: Life Is A Four-Way Intersection
Road Rule #12: Don't Judge A Driver by His Vehicle
Random Thoughts and Bumper Stickers

Looking at the 12 rules, you can probably figure out relatively quickly where he's going with each analogy. For instance, a truck is a strong, durable vehicle that gathers momentum and is driven with a purpose. Squirrels, on the other hand, are running from place to place, eating acorns and minding their own business until they happen to wander into the path of a truck. Road kill! Sherman starts from this point to guide you through actions and mindsets that place you in the position of becoming a truck on the road of life rather than the smushed squirrel at the side of the road. I was personally impacted by rule #7. Not fearing the back roads shows how you often need to change paths and take alternative routes to get where you're going. It may be that the established path is taking too long, or perhaps there's an accident that has brought your progress to a halt. Unless you are willing to look for a different road to your destination, you're going to be stuck (or severely delayed) and prevented from reaching your destination. Something I have to keep reminding myself of...

Sherman does an excellent job in drawing applications from various and diverse sources. He may go from classic spiritual passages to modern pop music lyrics all in the space of a paragraph. But instead of looking like random thoughts, he does successfully tie them into a cohesive message. If you've read other personal improvement books, Road Rules will not offer up any deep mystical truths that you've never encountered before. But what it *will* do is remind you of important truths that will change your mindset next time you turn the key and pull out of your driveway.

I just finished reading Andrew Sherman's book entitled "Road Rules". I found it to be both interesting and compelling. In our current day society, speed seems to be the watch word of the day. Everything moves faster, especially communications, given the expansion of the Internet and of cell phones around the world. In our haste to get things done, however, I believe that we have forgotten about each other in the process. In his book, "Road Rules", Andrew reminds us that speed is not the only important thing as we travel through life. How we travel through life, how we communicate with each other, and how we interact with one another are as important if not more so than speed. I suggest we all need to slow down, stop and smell the roses, and, most definitely, take time to read Andrew Sherman's "Road Rules".

I had read a little about Andrew J. Sherman's book Road Rules before it arrived in the mail. I knew it was a brilliant concept - one so brilliant, in fact, that I wondered how no one had thought of this before.

I had no idea, however, that it would be as wonderful as it was. This is easily one of the best self help and improvement books I've ever read. What Dean Koontz did for fiction, Andrew Sherman just did for the self help industry. He raised the bar and pretty much told the rest of the genre to step up their game. Well, that or go home.

For years, I've read, on average, two books a week. I review a great number of books on my blogs and websites. To give you an idea of just how much Road Rules stands out from the pack, check this out: This is the first book I've ever marched over to Amazon to write a review for.

The first. After about 8 years and after hundreds of books, this is the first one.

In case comparing the author to my favorite fiction author, Dean Koontz, didn't convince you how much I love and recommend this book, that should do it!

Road Rules is a "must read." Why? Because it has the power to improve your entire world... Immediately.

With Road Rules, Andrew doles out useful, wise advice while keeping with the accessible, fun and orginal "All you needed to learn in life was taught in Drivers Ed" theme!

His life advice is relayed in a very cool, funny manner with lots of pop-culture references that leave you wanting more. I liked the tone of the book and the fact that it wasn't preachy--more like a big brother or wise uncle giving you some of the wisdom they've picked up along the way.

This book is a fun read and should be on your radar if you are in the market for a book to keep you moving forward in your life, whether or not you find yourself at a crossroads. In fact I highly recommend it as a fun vacation read that will help you recharge and prepare to hit the road running when you get back to the office!

When it first go rolling I thought "Road Rules" was going to run out of gas. Who can make the driving analogy last an entire book and keep the readers interest the entire time? Andy Sherman did it with this one.

He tapped in to the richness of the shared experience of driving and paralleled it to the path of our lives. How we drive, what we drive, where we are going and what gauges we should be watching to assess progress all come into play. I though it was a thoughtful and broad view of life and our meaning on this plant - all tied to our time on the road.

This is a perfect book for a new grad or someone in the middle of their life that is wondering, "Is this is? Is there more?" Buy 1 for yourself and 2 for friends.

This is a great book for anybody who wants to get ahead in life! Mr. Sherman relays life's lessons in an informative yet entertaining style. It's interesting how you can take something as simple as the operation of a car and translate it into life's experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed this book will be sure to get a few copies for Christmas gifts. Now I'm ready to "Share The Road" with my fellow drivers!

I don't take the time to read many 'fun' books these days as am working on a PhD. But having met the author and being impressed with a talk he gave - I bought this and snuck it in. This book was cute and fun to read, which kept me reading - but had deep connection and meaning beneath its surface. I keep thinking of the 'rules' and they are great simple thinking that helps with situations which might seem complex on the surface, but really... there is a simple rule that helps make better decisions. Andrew has documented these rules for us. An elegant book - powerful and simple.

Lesley

Road Rules is a book that will have you evaluating all aspects of your life - your relationships with your family, your friends and your co-workers. It helps bring carity (a clean windshield) to the daily roads that you are navigating on the road of life. Mr. Sherman gives you the tools and advice needed to help make critical decisions at important moments in your life. The book is enjoyable and light hearted. Just as you are lured into deep thoughts and contemplation, you are presented with lyrics to a classic rock song that helps bring you back to the point of the chapter. Mr. Shermans years as an educator shine through in his ability to spark your interest while putting a smile on your face. I am looking forward to re-reading Road Rules over the years.

In our down economy, Road Rules may well be the only sure investment. Taking the time to read this book was one of the best uses of my time this year. The message is powerful, consistent, and presented in a clear and even humorous manner. The analogy to driving a car was a fun way to deliver the important messages, and even readers privileged enough to use public transportation each day to commute in lieu of the rat race behind the wheel of a car will find they get a lot out of this book.

Road rules is a truly amazing book ..it has helped me put my own viewpoints into perspective and also provided clarity in building my company.i would strongly recomend it for all drivers on the road of life.Cant wait for the sequel.