What Do You Want to Do Before You Die? [Paperback]

The Buried Life (Author), Ben Nemtin (Author), Dave Lingwood (Author), Duncan Penn (Author), Jonnie Penn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2012

If you had one day to live what would you do? Would you plant a tree? Would you rob a bank? Would you tell someone how you really feel?

What Do You Want to Do Before You Die? is an illustrated collection of your wildest dreams. Two hundred of the most moving, imaginative, amusing, and thought-provoking things to do before you die are brought to life through handmade art curated by Dave, Duncan, Jonnie and Ben—the founders of The Buried Life.

These four regular guys are on a mission to complete a list of 100 things before they die, and for every item they accomplish, they help a total stranger do something on his or her own to-do list. Peppered throughout the book are lessons, secrets, and stories that come from five years of asking millions worldwide: What do you want to do before you die?

Reasons you'll like this book:

     Your life could change dramatically. (Ours did.)

     You could do things you never dreamed of. (We have.)

     You could feel the joy of being alive.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Duncan Penn, Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood, and Jonnie Penn—collectively known as THE BURIED LIFE—are four guys who have set out to live their dreams and help other people do the same. In the last five years, they have reconnected a father and son, survived on a deserted island, streaked through a stadium, and played basketball with President Obama. They have appeared in countless outlets, from The Oprah Winfrey Show to The New York Times, Forbes to Us Weekly. When they are not crisscrossing the country inspiring generations of people to live out their dreams, they can be found in Los Angeles, their home base.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Artisan (March 27, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781579654764
• ISBN-13: 978-1579654764
• ASIN: 1579654762
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 39 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected. April 7, 2012

By Sarah

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I bought this book I was under the impression that it was going to be longer, and more like actual words. Not just pictures with dreams. I wanted to it to be an actual long read, not just like 1/2 hour book and you're done. Thats exactly what happened it barely takes any time to read, its basically all pictures with other peoples bucket list ideas. Other than that there are a few areas of the book that are actual explanations. But not many. Its just not what I thought it would be. And I liked it. But, its not what I wanted it to be. I think they could of done way more with it. So just beware when you buy this book it probably will not be what you expected it to be.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Skeptically Surprised April 26, 2012

By Vince

Format:Paperback

I read some of the reviews that the book might not be up to par with my "inspirational expectations" due to its illustrative nature. Well, I bought it any way and I'm glad that I did! If a picture is worth a thousand words then this book is like buying a set of inspirational encyclopedias from your friendly door-to-door salesman (for those of you old enough to remember that!)!

Any way, where it lacks in text, it makes up for in amazing story telling through individuals dreams matched with amazing illustrations. If you're seeking a pick me up or looking for inspiration towards your next great accomplishment in life, this book will NOT let you down! Get it today!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Eh...so-so February 19, 2013

By Thomas M. Miller

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Was kind of disappointed. It's more like a picture book for teens. Cool pics but that's about it. For such a weighty subject, I was expecting some meat, but got a salad.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Below Expectations April 12, 2012

By James Schaefer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had high expectations of this book after reading an "article" written by one of the authors that intrigued me. The package arrived yesterday. I took a comfortable seat, had a cold drink on the side and began reading. I realized the "article" was actually the book's introduction. The intro was a good history of the guys, how they got this project started, etc. That introduction turned out to be about the only prose in the book. The bulk is filled with other people's "wish list item." Although the illustrations in the book were nice, it was disappointing to only see one "wish list item" per page. I haven't counted the book's pages but I suspect that if the "wish list item" were all together it would hardly extend two pages. The guys collected "wish list item" from reader of their web-page. The book is primarily a collection of the web-page reader "wish list item." I wish I'd borrowed the book rather than purchased it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed January 22, 2013

By susan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Not quite what I expected. Most of the book is filled with one quote pages. I was expecting more of a detailed story.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars This is not a book. I may have been irresponsible to believe it was, but I was still disappointed. This is paper. January 4, 2013

By Alex Bush

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I very much admire the authors for braving the world in a way few others do, however, after opening the cover, I realized I had spend $15 on 100 pages of third grade level "what do you want to do when you grow up" nonsense. I wish the authors well, I recommend not buying. Have a nice day

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I'll be looking at things around me in a different way from now on... September 8, 2012

By Thomas Duff HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

What Do You Want to Do Before You Die? by Jonnie Penn, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn, and Ben Nemtin (collectively known as The Buried Life) was one of those spur-of-the-moment pick-ups at the library. As I get older, the whole "before you die" thing starts to make a little more sense. This particular book is much better than most when it comes to posing the question, as there's an actual story behind this list. It's that framework that makes this book work as well as it does...

The four authors, all friends (two of them are brothers), were at that stage in life where they were expected to be adults and start with the whole "responsibility" thing. But like most people on the threshold of legal adult-dom, they had no clue as to what to do and how to do it. This frustration led to a list of 100 things they wanted to do before they died, and it really didn't matter how outrageous it was. Some were easy, such as get a tattoo and grow a mustache. Others were out there, such as attend a party at the Playboy Mansion and play ball with the President. Side note... those have all been crossed off the list. They christened their effort The Buried Life, and set out on their quest as only those with youth on their side can (or will) do. They bought a dilapidated purple bus, set aside a couple of weeks, and went on the road. The only rule is that they would repay those who helped by helping others achieve their dreams. Little did they know what would transpire from that first two week trip.

I laughed and teared up when reading, as people pursuing hopes and dreams will do that to me. The format of the book reminds me of Post Secret, in that they took a number of the dreams of others and had them illustrated as pages.... The stories that show up at various spots are often funny, such as when they attempted to cross off streaking on a stadium field (and getting away with it). They did the first part, but the second part remains to be accomplished. On the other hand, it also fulfilled the wish of spending a night in jail. Other stories were incredible examples of how selfless people can be, and how little it takes to make all the difference in the world for someone.

What Do You Want to Do Before You Die? is not a long read... perhaps a couple of hours at most. But the message and emotional impact will tweak something inside you in a way that should having you looking at things around you in a different way for a very long time.

Disclosure:
Obtained From: Library
Payment: Borrowed Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, but not a traditional book. May 9, 2012

By Tim C.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed the book and I am glad the I supported the guys. That being said the book is a collection of other peoples "list items" set to artwork. Again I enjoyed it, I would recommend you scoop a copy for yourself.