Customer Reviews

What's Possible!

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The stories contained in this book are great examples that you don't need to be rich, connected or even extremely gifted in order to make your dreams come true. These were all ordinary folks who had a vision for what they wanted to achieve. Some had enormous obstacles that would stop most people from moving forward-- but instead of wallowing in self pity they took what life gave them and forged ahead. I love how Daryn gives her "takeaways" at the end of each chapter. It shows how we can all apply those lessons in our own lives. Best of all, this book is not political, religious or dogmatic in any way. It is simply an inspiring look at the incredible human spirit.

Do you ever get tired of reading about all that's wrong in the world? I do. The world is full of wonderful people who do amazing things, but their stories are often ignored by the media.

Daryn Kagan is determined to find these people and tell their stories. Her website, www.DarynKagan.com, uses videos to tell the stories of people who have accomplished extraordinary feats for themselves and others. This book complements the website, with fifty of her favorite stories. I couldn't put this book down. I thought that fifty accounts might be a bit overwhelming, but each one of them was so special and inspirational that I wanted to read more. Each one of the stories is sticking with me, and I've mentioned some to my family and friends. Here are a few of my favorites:

* Sebri Omer, an Ethiopian immigrant who gave up half of his successful gas station business to fund a hospital in his native land;
* Henri Landwirth, a Holocaust survivor who founded "Give Kids the World," a group which treats children with life-threatening illness to a memorable visit to the attractions of Central Florida;
* Zainab Selbi, who survived Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and went on to found Women for Women International, which helps other women war refugees;
* Bob Nameng, who went from being a Soweto street child to founding Soweto Kliptown Youth (SKY) to help give the children and young adults of Kliptown hope for the future;
* Paula Lucas, who founded the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line to help women like herself who were being abused on foreign soil;
* Ken Wyniemko, who got heavily involved in The Innocence Project after he was released after being wrongfully imprisoned. (The Innocence Project estimates a 5% failure rate in the judicial system, which translates to 100,000 people wrongly imprisoned!)
* Jacquelyn Mitchard, who emerged from a tough time in her life to write The Deep End of the Ocean, which wound up being selected for Oprah's Book Club.

These are only a few of the amazing stories Daryn tells. By the end of the book, I think anyone would be compelled to stop any future whining and find a way to make their own mark on the world. Read this NOW!

This is as great of a book as there is out there! It is a true treasure!

This is a great book ...very uplifting. In our world today there is so much negativity and that's why this book is a "must read"...it's just the opposite! It's also very motivating....if you think things seem impossible at times..read how others turned their challenges into victories I'm going to pass on this book to my children.

The people in these stories show again and again what people can do when they throw out self- pity and start

overcoming the obstacles they face. Recommended Reading for anyone confronting a crisis in their lives

A wonderful compilation of well written short stories about people getting around some of life's road blocks to achieve different levels of greatness.

I have been inspired by these stories, especially the story of Bill Montgomery. He was 80 years old when he lost his eye sight due to an illness. He took his very first clay sculpting class because his kids signed him up for it and he had nothing better to do. Turns out the man is beyond talented, and is now a professional sculpter who works in bronze and clay and sells his work for a lot of money. He's also happy, and living a life that is filled with excitement and joy.

I now think about what my hidden talents may be, and I try to stay open to new experiences so I may one day discover all I'm capable of doing.

I recommend this book to everyone as a good reminder of what's possible.