The Ways We Choose: Lessons for Life from a POW's Experience [Paperback]

Dave Carey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2005

Retired Navy pilot Dave Carey tells the story of how he and his fellow POWs survived more than five years in the prisons of North Vietnam. He analyzes the strengths and strategies that made their survival possible and shows how these forms of faith--in self, others, country, and God--can carry everyone through personal and business crises. A moving epilogue tells of his wife's battle with breast cancer and her death, and how the same strengths helped her and those around her.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Consider this story as an analogy for living life, for getting oneself into an uncertain future, for doing one's job, for meeting challenges, for dealing with tragedy, and for effectively handling life crises.

An analogy is merely a comparison. I am going to tell you a story. The inference is that a great many connections can be made between this story and your work and your lives.

My overriding intent in writing -- indeed, the mission in my work and life -- is that through all my efforts I may bring some amount of joy, hope, encouragement, and Christian witness to all with whom I have an opportunity to come in contact. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

“Dave Carey, a truly motivational individual, describes in heartbreaking detail his experience and, much more importantly, the lessons he learned from that experience and has applied in his life. His is a story of courage and honor and I commend it to anyone who seeks to find the positive that can come from the worst of times.”

—John McCain, US Senator

"Dave Carey presents simple, yet profound lessons in perseverance and victory."

-Ken Blanchard, Co-author, The One Minute Manager and Leadership by the Book

"Dave Carey has written a riveting book that poignantly illustrates the triumph of the human spirit. His experience of conquering in a horrendous environment is a powerful example of and motivator for winning the everyday battles of life. This book is a winner."

-Dr. Ron Jenson, Chairman, Future Achievement International --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Arnica Publishing; 2 edition (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974568643
• ISBN-13: 978-0974568645
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #920,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A practical, from-the-heart story of overcoming adversity, June 12, 2000

By 

J. Brodnicki "HypnoJoe" (Hendersonville, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ways We Choose: Lessons for Life from a POW's Experience (Paperback)

I got a chance to meet the author at a seminar and came away thinking he is a genuine, strong, wise and loving man---I looked forward to reading his soon-to-be published book. When I received "The Ways we Choose" in the mail, I set a side a Saturday afternoon to read it---I wasn't disappointed. Dave goes beyond the details of life in a POW camp and gives practical, from-the-heart insights of what it took to win in a man-made hell. The account hits home---these were regular people with challenges and faults who accomplished almost superhuman results in the worst of conditions. Dave also spends some time helping the reader use these insights in everyday life. There are no games or gimmicks here---everyone can learn from and apply Dave's experience in making good choices in good and adverse times. The style is narrtative, humorous, and personable. The story is not romanticized or sentimental; its inspirational and likely to move the reader to action, hope (and a few tears).

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly amazing story, June 11, 2000

By 

"amyanderik" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ways We Choose: Lessons for Life from a POW's Experience (Paperback)

I am fortunate enough to have known Dave (and Karen) Carey for most of my life. Since Dave is the most inspirational person I know, I've always been eager to hear his story from cover to cover (I've grown up hearing snippets). I received this book 2 days ago, read it late into tonight, and had to review it immediately. Dave wrote his story perfectly - it is easy to understand and follow. More importantly, it is easy to glean the life lessons he teaches within. This book is awe-inspiring. It helps to put anything into perspective (visa bills and traffic jams are pretty inconsequential compared to this). I have waited a long time to hear this story from start to finish and now any reader has the opportunity to hear it. I think everyone should take advantage of learning how to deal with the curveballs of life from this man who seems superhuman in his emotional strength (but who continually reminds us we are as capable as he).

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Right Stuff, April 17, 2001

By 

John Sheedy (Gilroy, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ways We Choose: Lessons for Life from a POW's Experience (Paperback)

Having the experience of knowing Dave, as a facilitator in team building is a real plus. About two year's ago he mentioned he was working on the book and hoped to get it completed soon. I was aware that he would be describing lessons learned as a POW. What I hadn't known was the whole story.

Dave is clearly a great man and fantastic inspirational speaker. I received my copy of the book about two weeks ago. I read the first chapter at work and obviously had to put the book down and get back to business. I took the book home intending to read it over the weekend. I sat down Saturday evening and couldn't put it down until I finished it. He wrote the book the way he speaks straight forward and understandable. Dave has had to make many hard choices in life. I was moved by his comment (my interpretation) that God gives us many tuff issue's to deal with in life and the skill to handle them. Many times we face significant issues we don't believe we can deal with but we do.

Reading the epilogue brought this book close to home for me. I recently lost my brother to cancer and know how trying dealing with a stricken loved one is. I had know idea Dave lost his wife to cancer and I met him four years ago. He is a special guy as I'm sure you'll discover for yourself when reading his book.

His message is clear, we get to choose how we deal with and/or react to situations. Not all of the options are great but often one is better than the other. See for yourself.