Zig: The Autobiography of Zig Ziglar [Hardcover]

Zig Ziglar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 16, 2002

"Zig Ziglar epitomizes determination, perseverance, excellence, and a loving Christian spirit more than anyone I know! The world would be a better place if more of us were just like him."
--Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., The Cooper Clinic, Dallas, Texas

Zig Ziglar, the motivational speaker who has galvanized audiences around the world and written more than a dozen perennially popular books, brings that same unbounded energy and clarity of vision to this candid, inspiring account of his own life and the forces that shaped it.

Every year, Zig Ziglar travels all over the world delivering a resounding message of hope and commitment in forums ranging from high-powered business conferences and church leadership assemblies to youth conventions and educational gatherings. In Zig, Ziglar chronicles another kind of journey: his own transformation from a struggling, not terribly successful salesman to the sales champion of several different companies, and finally to his current position as one of the world's best-known and most highly regarded motivational speakers and trainers. As he describes his experiences, he brings to life the essence of his teachings: “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

At the heart of Ziglar's story are the people who taught him the importance of balancing a commitment to hard work with compassion for others. His first teacher was his mother, who raised him alone after the early death of his father, and introduced him to the principles and values he has honored for the rest of his life. Her lessons were reinforced by many others–from the men and women who became his business mentors to the friends and spiritual leaders who comforted and supported him when things got tough. Paying tribute to each of them, Ziglar zeroes in on the philosophy and traits that have enabled him to achieve success in business and in his personal life: discipline, hard work, common sense, integrity, commitment, and an infectious sense of humor.

Ziglar's speaking engagements and seminars along with a wide array of audio and video materials, books, and training manuals, have helped to trigger positive changes in small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, U.S. government agencies, nonprofit associations, religious organizations, schools, and prisons. At once engaging and enlightening, Zig provides a riveting portrait of the man who has achieved so much by embracing the simple but profound goal of helping others.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This rags-to-riches memoir by one of America's most popular faith-based motivational speakers details Ziglar's life from his poor childhood during the Depression, through his up-and-down career as a direct salesman, to his entry into the upper echelons of corporate America, to sitting on the platform during the inauguration of President George W. Bush. The death of his father when Zig was only five had a profound effect on this 10th child of 12. The family was forced to move to Mississippi, where his mother worked tirelessly to feed and clothe her brood and give them a firm foundation of love, faith and responsibility. Throughout the book, Ziglar is generous in his praise of those who guided his life, from his mother to the man he worked for in a grocery store as a youngster, to his business and religious mentors and role models, including Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. And through the good and the bad, his wife (whom he affectionately calls the "Redhead") stuck by him, even when they came to the brink of financial disaster because of his foolish business decisions. Readers who aren't familiar with Ziglar's business philosophy and motivational books might find the grandfatherly memoir tedious. But those who have followed his career and whose lives have been influenced positively by it through the years will discover here an ordinary and honest man who never quit and who credits Jesus Christ for his success.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Zig Ziglar is absolutely one of the most amazing people God ever created! He has been the Billy Graham of encouragement and motivation for untold numbers of people around the world. His autobiography is just that- a book that will encourage you and motivate you to be all that your Heavenly Creator wants you to be. Read it and you will surely find yourself at the top!”
--James Merritt, president of the Southern Baptist Convention

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday (July 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385502966
• ISBN-13: 978-0385502962
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,024,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Zig Ziglar is a motivational teacher and trainer who has traveled the world over, delivering his messages of humor, hope, and encouragement. As a talented author and speaker, his international appeal has transcended every color, culture, and career. Recognized by his peers as the quintessential motivational genius of our times, Zig Ziglar's unique delivery style and powerful messages have earned him many honors, and today he is considered one of the most versatile authorities on the science of human potential. Ten of his twenty-eight books have been on the best-seller lists, and his titles have been translated into more than thirty-eight languages and dialects. He is a committed family man, a dedicated patriot, and an active church member. Zig lives in Plano, Texas, with his wife, Jean.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written and Will Bring a Few Tears, June 10, 2003

By 

Aimee McNally (Silicon Valley, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zig: The Autobiography of Zig Ziglar (Hardcover)

Part I of the book is about his childhood, which gives a unique perspective of what life was like in a rural Southern town seventy-five years ago. His mother was a devout Christian and pillar of strength to her family and community. She taught strong moral values to her twelve children. Those moral values shaped Zig into an honest and hard-working man.

Part II is about his early adult years. He developed into a talented, hard-working and honest salesman. He used every opportunity to earn a buck, which was a lot back then. He made financial mistakes and had no meaningful direction or purpose in life but to survive. God was not a part of his life during his early adult years. In retrospect, however, he believes God and His angels protected him from dangers and helped him through trials.

Part III is the best part of the book. He discovers public speaking as his forte. At age 45, he commits his life to the Lord and finds meaning in life. The rest of the book is inspiring, full of miracles, and brings tears to the eyes.

Overall, I learned from his experiences how important it is to network and find excellent honest mentors. Zig had A LOT of mentors; they were a huge contribution to his success. After he was called by God (at age 45!), his motivation to succeed made a 180 degree turn. He rejected selfish ambition for Godly ambition. It's a wholesome book and highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stinkin Thinkin, October 14, 2003

By 

Bob Jakeway (Rockford, Il United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zig: The Autobiography of Zig Ziglar (Hardcover)

I was exposed to Zig's philosophy some years ago and have read See You at the Top more than once. His "Check up from the Neck up" and the need to prevent "Hardening of the Attitudes" and "Stinkin Thinkin" are well ingrained. This was an interesting read and learning about his background and history was very well laid out and informative.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zig Makes A Big Difference, July 29, 2003

By 

shoutgrace "savedbyhisgrace" (Charleston, WV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zig: The Autobiography of Zig Ziglar (Hardcover)

If you ever need an inspirational help of great success in life then I would recommend Zig Ziglar. Ziglar is author of best-seller, 'I'll See You At The Top' and many other motivational books, has helped thousands improve their lives to achieve that success in every aspect of living. As you read his auto-biography you'll learn about his remarkable story how he beat the odds and applied it to the teachings of Jesus Christ. You will learn to take the next step in your plan and keep God's plan at the center of your plans just as Zig did. His approach is a down-home, wholesome manner with the business savvy of a wise, honest salesman. Most of what he learn of being successful and the importance of networking with honest and wise mentors. The first part of the book tells of his early life and the family that shaped his destiny. In his early adult years he was hard-working and used his knowledge to make money and there were times he made financial mistakes as a result of foolish decisions. This was a time God wasn't a part of his life where his life had no meaning or purpose. The last part of the book, is about his change in life when he reflected back on the moral values in his early childhood and his mother. He then gave his life to Christ. He then found his purpose as a public speaker. From then on instead of his self-centered ambition he gave it all to God. And Zig has been successful ever since. Like Norman Vincent Peale, Zig applied biblical principles to the goals he has with the plans God manifest in the center of his life. Zig's secret is never quit, have faith in God and a whole lotta love. He's a mentor you can trust with a solution. Wish there were more like Zig.