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What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?: The Buried Life
IF NOTHING IN THE WORLD WERE IMPOSSIBLE, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
It all started in a garage in 2006 when four friends decided they needed to make a drastic change.
They made a list of 100 things to do before they died, and began the journey to uncover their buried lives.
NOW IT'S YOUR TURN.
Get inspired. Make your list. Live your dreams.
It all started in a garage in 2006 when four friends decided they needed to make a drastic change.
They made a list of 100 things to do before they died, and began the journey to uncover their buried lives.
NOW IT'S YOUR TURN.
Get inspired. Make your list. Live your dreams.
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2012
29 people are currently reading
1522 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
March 7, 2016
4 guys decide they want to do something exciting with their lives and change the world. They create a bucket list of 100 things they want to accomplish before they die in order to uncover their buried lives. Streak across a game field; pay off their parent’s mortgage; spend a night in jail; finish their college degrees are just some. For every 4th or 5th item they cross off their list, they help someone cross something off theirs. A lot of epic deeds, cool experiences and dreams transpire.
A quick and inspiring read about how much more life can be. The book is structured in a picture book fashion to reflect the submissions received as a way of reading like a story. I saw them on Oprah a couple of years ago. Pretty cool and something different to mix it up. 4 ★
P.S - I'm starting to build my own list now.
A quick and inspiring read about how much more life can be. The book is structured in a picture book fashion to reflect the submissions received as a way of reading like a story. I saw them on Oprah a couple of years ago. Pretty cool and something different to mix it up. 4 ★
P.S - I'm starting to build my own list now.
November 20, 2015
It's funny...this isn't the type of book for which I would expect to write much of a review and yet I have found myself thinking about it quite a bit since finishing it. I picked it up because my friend Jen liked it and because I like to mix it up. Initially I saw this as a list book compiled of online submissions to the question that is the title of the book. (I don't want to make much of a comment on the artists renderings or on the submissions chosen for the book except to say that they are extremely varied, as would be expected). I started flipping through the book lazily and found myself less than impressed. These kids are all attractive, their project led to a show on MTV which led to this book...a little convenient? A little gimmicky? THEN I went back and read the foreword. Aha! Their story was believable. It was my favorite part of the book. I love that it is a kid, his brother, his best friend, and his next door neighbor. Their ambition with this project seems a little idealistic but after reading the foreword and the numerous pages throughout detailing items they crossed off their list, I started to buy in.
This book is a bit contradictory in that it tackles some big dreams and seeks to help others do the same but it also takes on a Jackass-type vibe with things like throwing an epic party, fighting each other, spending a night in jail, and streaking. I suppose that isn't shocking given their ages and affiliation with MTV. Overall, they seem like nice kids who caught a break and found a way to have great fun while making a difference. Good for them! They seem to have a following and they are inspiring others. I give them 5 stars and this book 3.
This book is a bit contradictory in that it tackles some big dreams and seeks to help others do the same but it also takes on a Jackass-type vibe with things like throwing an epic party, fighting each other, spending a night in jail, and streaking. I suppose that isn't shocking given their ages and affiliation with MTV. Overall, they seem like nice kids who caught a break and found a way to have great fun while making a difference. Good for them! They seem to have a following and they are inspiring others. I give them 5 stars and this book 3.
October 10, 2019
This felt shallow to me, at least for the most part. The concept is good - what is on your bucket list? A few things are realistic, some are completely out of a person's control, but touching (healing a sick person), and a few are ridiculous and petty. Many of the ridiculous and petty ones were from the authors, so that knocked this down a bit for me. It's a quick read, and I like the layout, but not earth-shattering by any means.
June 10, 2012
I want to eat cotton candy at Stonehenge.
And/Or ice cream beneath the Eiffel Tower.
And/Or/Also/Perhaps popcorn atop the Great Wall of China.
Mostly I guess I just like to eat junk food.
And/Or ice cream beneath the Eiffel Tower.
And/Or/Also/Perhaps popcorn atop the Great Wall of China.
Mostly I guess I just like to eat junk food.
June 17, 2013
Some serious ideas here, though treated in a lighthearted, humorous way.
In 2006, four friends, this book's authors, came up with a list of 100 things to do before they died, then then they set out to reveal their previously "buried lives."
At the beginning of this 2012 book, they display the list of 100 actions, with the ones accomplished lined out. I would say they accomplished about 80% of their goals in those 6 years.
Some Successes:
Attend a party at the Playboy Mansion
Approach the most beautiful girl you have ever seen and kiss her
Sing the national anthem at a packed stadium
Kiss the Stanley Cup
Spend a night in jail
Get in the Guinness Book of World Records
Walk the red carpet (they did the MTV Video Music awards)
Run a marathon
Play ball with the President
Some Failures (so far):
Get on the cover of Rolling Stone
Streak a stadium without getting caught
(they tried, but were caught, leading to their successful goal of "spend a night in jail!")
Spend a week in silence
Swim with sharks
Dance with Ellen DeGeneres
Host Saturday Night Live
Experience zero gravity
Go into space
After some entertaining stories about these successes and failures, the book is a series of goals collected from people the group encountered in their adventures. These dreams are illustrated by various artists, one or two goals to a page.
Some ideas are mighty ambitious, such as "become the first woman president," "make footprints on the moon," and "witness a miracle."
Many of the wishes are simply to understand why certain things happened, or why people acted the way they did. Many hopes are for reconciliation with relatives and friends, wishes for apologies given and received.
Everything from "I want to be a gypsy" to "I want to earn the Medal of Honor." Many involve quite dangerous activities, such as "longboard down an active volcano", and "I want to interview a killer."
Many are nearly universal, such as "I want to marry the love of my life." Some of us want to do that more than once!
Many wishes are quite touching and magnanimous: "I want to help my dad to be healthy again so that he'll live to be my first dance at my wedding." Also many dreams involve finding lost ones--parents or children, or lost loves.
Also appearing in the book are a few of my hidden desires, such as:
"I want to see what Area 51 is really hiding."
"I want to be completely and blissfully happy."
"I want to make a mark."
A very eye-opening book that challenges us to become better people in whatever way is possible--and sometimes, even in ways "impossible!"
In 2006, four friends, this book's authors, came up with a list of 100 things to do before they died, then then they set out to reveal their previously "buried lives."
At the beginning of this 2012 book, they display the list of 100 actions, with the ones accomplished lined out. I would say they accomplished about 80% of their goals in those 6 years.
Some Successes:
Attend a party at the Playboy Mansion
Approach the most beautiful girl you have ever seen and kiss her
Sing the national anthem at a packed stadium
Kiss the Stanley Cup
Spend a night in jail
Get in the Guinness Book of World Records
Walk the red carpet (they did the MTV Video Music awards)
Run a marathon
Play ball with the President
Some Failures (so far):
Get on the cover of Rolling Stone
Streak a stadium without getting caught
(they tried, but were caught, leading to their successful goal of "spend a night in jail!")
Spend a week in silence
Swim with sharks
Dance with Ellen DeGeneres
Host Saturday Night Live
Experience zero gravity
Go into space
After some entertaining stories about these successes and failures, the book is a series of goals collected from people the group encountered in their adventures. These dreams are illustrated by various artists, one or two goals to a page.
Some ideas are mighty ambitious, such as "become the first woman president," "make footprints on the moon," and "witness a miracle."
Many of the wishes are simply to understand why certain things happened, or why people acted the way they did. Many hopes are for reconciliation with relatives and friends, wishes for apologies given and received.
Everything from "I want to be a gypsy" to "I want to earn the Medal of Honor." Many involve quite dangerous activities, such as "longboard down an active volcano", and "I want to interview a killer."
Many are nearly universal, such as "I want to marry the love of my life." Some of us want to do that more than once!
Many wishes are quite touching and magnanimous: "I want to help my dad to be healthy again so that he'll live to be my first dance at my wedding." Also many dreams involve finding lost ones--parents or children, or lost loves.
Also appearing in the book are a few of my hidden desires, such as:
"I want to see what Area 51 is really hiding."
"I want to be completely and blissfully happy."
"I want to make a mark."
A very eye-opening book that challenges us to become better people in whatever way is possible--and sometimes, even in ways "impossible!"
October 15, 2012
Fed up with how their lives were going, four friends met together and jokingly put together a list of 100 mutually shared items that each of them wanted to accomplish before they died. Taking two weeks off from work, these four friends took this list and set out to accomplish those 100 items.
What they originally thought would be a two-week trip, turned out to be a 5-year adventure. With every item they cross off on their list, they decided to help someone cross off something from their list.
This book and The Buried Life's mission is so inspiring. I just love how they actually went out and started crossing things off their list and not just talking about those things as if they would do them some day. This book inspires me to get out there and be the change in the world that I want to see.
I love The Buried Life's story and adventures. This book shows us how life can be. How a lot of times, we get caught up in every day living and we get "buried" in the hopelessness and mediocrity. However, with the four guys in The Buried Life's example, we can break out of that mediocracy and life live the way we want to.
This book is very well done with personal stories from The Buried Life's past, other people's stories, and the hopes and dreams of plenty of other Buried Life fans.
Jonnie Penn, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn and Ben Nemtin have inspired me to create my own list of things that I want to accomplish during this crazy thing that we call life.
"Together we can make adulthood a destination, not a curse. Our classrooms, careers, and culture await reinvention. If four punks can make it this far, imagine what we could do together."
As Jonnie, Dave, Duncan and Ben have showed us, we cannot let the world numb us. We must stand up and act. We are the next generation and we must be strong. We were put on this earth because we were strong enough to survive it.
At the end of the book, the guys challenge the rest of us to go out there, make our own lists, and do what we want to do before we die.
I intend to do just that.
What they originally thought would be a two-week trip, turned out to be a 5-year adventure. With every item they cross off on their list, they decided to help someone cross off something from their list.
This book and The Buried Life's mission is so inspiring. I just love how they actually went out and started crossing things off their list and not just talking about those things as if they would do them some day. This book inspires me to get out there and be the change in the world that I want to see.
I love The Buried Life's story and adventures. This book shows us how life can be. How a lot of times, we get caught up in every day living and we get "buried" in the hopelessness and mediocrity. However, with the four guys in The Buried Life's example, we can break out of that mediocracy and life live the way we want to.
This book is very well done with personal stories from The Buried Life's past, other people's stories, and the hopes and dreams of plenty of other Buried Life fans.
Jonnie Penn, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn and Ben Nemtin have inspired me to create my own list of things that I want to accomplish during this crazy thing that we call life.
"Together we can make adulthood a destination, not a curse. Our classrooms, careers, and culture await reinvention. If four punks can make it this far, imagine what we could do together."
As Jonnie, Dave, Duncan and Ben have showed us, we cannot let the world numb us. We must stand up and act. We are the next generation and we must be strong. We were put on this earth because we were strong enough to survive it.
At the end of the book, the guys challenge the rest of us to go out there, make our own lists, and do what we want to do before we die.
I intend to do just that.
August 26, 2012
Not much text in this book, which is mostly bucket list items sent in by followers of this group of guys, "The Buried Life", who, apparently, have an online following and a show on MTV. The submitted items are about what you'd expect - some funny, a few disturbing, many springing from weltschmerz, and a lot wishing for everybody to just get along, darn it. There's only one creative item in the bunch that I liked well enough to put on my own list someday (spoiler alert!) - "Before I die I want to put Hogwarts admission letters into as many mailboxes as possible."
I don't know anything about the guys in "The Buried Life" other than the little bit I learned in the book. They impressed me, frankly, as whiny, navel-gazing, twenty-somethings who have found a way to cash in on their residual teen angst. It's hard for me, at 50, to listen to kids who seem to have had plenty of advantages talk about "the pace and superficiality of modern life." When they've actually raised families, made mortgage payments despite bouts of unemployment, and have some stress beyond not knowing what to do when they grow up, I'll be more open to their brand of wisdom. I appreciate that they're trying to help others along the way, though. I'd appreciate it even more if they were quietly helping a neighbor in need, rather than publicizing their good deeds...
I don't know anything about the guys in "The Buried Life" other than the little bit I learned in the book. They impressed me, frankly, as whiny, navel-gazing, twenty-somethings who have found a way to cash in on their residual teen angst. It's hard for me, at 50, to listen to kids who seem to have had plenty of advantages talk about "the pace and superficiality of modern life." When they've actually raised families, made mortgage payments despite bouts of unemployment, and have some stress beyond not knowing what to do when they grow up, I'll be more open to their brand of wisdom. I appreciate that they're trying to help others along the way, though. I'd appreciate it even more if they were quietly helping a neighbor in need, rather than publicizing their good deeds...
Currently reading
June 16, 2012The book i am reading is called " What do you want to do before you die ? ". This a very Interesting non-fiction book about 4 guy friends who come up with a very creative idea to come up with a list of 100 things to do before you die. The list was not just a list on dream on. This list was meant for reality. So at that point a journey started. Things that seemed impossible were proved possible, The things people longed to do were done , the fears of the things those 4 guys did of other people were faced. But , Those incredible , brave , daring Guys didn't do it alone. They knew other voices needed to heard by other children. They took real children to insert something they wanted to do before they die inside the book. I think it was a really good idea for that so other people just like me could be inspired to do something with there lives instead of dreaming with no action. I recommend this to people who just wanna live - live with a bang. The whole background message i'm gathering is Dreams can be reality if only you make it happen. These guys dreamed it , lived it and is now sharing it. so if its possible they can do it , why not you or me ?
April 4, 2012
I LOVE the Buried Life. When I got hooked on their tv show, my roommates and I decided to make our own lists. It took more time than any of us had expected to build a list of 100. Day after day, we would compare thoughts, steal some of each other's ideas, and make plans to accomplish some of our list items. It was a daily conversation in our house for a whole year. Now that I've finished school and moved home and gotten a full-time job, my list hasn't always remained at the fore-front of my mind. Pre-ordering this book refreshed my mind of how excited I am to accomplish everything on that list someday. I love the book because it gave me much more insight to the guys and why they started their incredible journey in the first place. From their tv show, they look like the most fun-loving, worry-free, all-american guys, but they're real, and I really appreciate being able to know that.
May 22, 2012
This gets five stars for originality. Plus, I'm a sucker for thought-provoking questions and lists. The book is compiled/edited by four young guys who actively pursued things on their lists - quite impressive (for example: to play ball with the President...and they did it!).
The book lists answers to the question: "What do you want to do before you die?" But (and here's the original part) it has a variety of artists who then express that wish artistically. Very cool and diverse artwork!
They had fun stuff -- "...foil a robbery"; "...be a gypsy"; "...put Hogwarts admission letters into as many mailboxes as possible"; but also serious stuff -- "...help find a missing person"; "...get my parents out of debt"; etc.
But the artwork makes this book unique. Worth a glance....before you die.
The book lists answers to the question: "What do you want to do before you die?" But (and here's the original part) it has a variety of artists who then express that wish artistically. Very cool and diverse artwork!
They had fun stuff -- "...foil a robbery"; "...be a gypsy"; "...put Hogwarts admission letters into as many mailboxes as possible"; but also serious stuff -- "...help find a missing person"; "...get my parents out of debt"; etc.
But the artwork makes this book unique. Worth a glance....before you die.
October 15, 2014
I truly liked this book, thus the five stars. At first I checked it out because of the title. I was walking around the library just looking, and for nothing in particular. Then I checked this out and started reading. It really has some wonderful stories of how these four men changed lives. I started my list!
October 25, 2012
wanted more. nice pictures. lucky guys to have done so many big things so young
March 20, 2013
I liked the idea, but not the execution.
February 13, 2023
I have never heard of the Buried Life before. I was wandering in the library, and this book caught my eye because of its name. My friend and I were actually talking about our bucket lists, trying to figure out what we wanted to do before we left this world forever. This book is more than a work of art to me. There are many illustrations that made me realize how talented those artists are. The only thing I don't really like about this book is that there are chapters full of words, and it's pretty boring to read through. Other than that, I picked up a lot of nice items to put on my own list. I truly admire the four members of the Buried Life team. I don't think I'll ever have the courage to do the same. I love the fact that they are not only trying to fulfill their own lists but also doing community outreach to help people out there achieve things that they thought could never happen. I need to start thinking about what it is that I truly want to do.
May 26, 2020
" A very interesting, inspiring and Invigorating book"
This project is a reminder that we are more than our daily grind. Everything is politically correct so if I were to ask someone the same question, I am sure I would not be getting many answers. The idea of making a bucket list forces you to look at it every day. This makes sure that I take one step towards checking at least one thing off from the list. The book is honest, filled with some ridiculous and heartwarming answers and nice illustrations. I cannot stress enough on how beautiful this book is. The artwork is amazing. I usually read on Kindle but I'm glad that I bought the hardcover version for this book.
This project is a reminder that we are more than our daily grind. Everything is politically correct so if I were to ask someone the same question, I am sure I would not be getting many answers. The idea of making a bucket list forces you to look at it every day. This makes sure that I take one step towards checking at least one thing off from the list. The book is honest, filled with some ridiculous and heartwarming answers and nice illustrations. I cannot stress enough on how beautiful this book is. The artwork is amazing. I usually read on Kindle but I'm glad that I bought the hardcover version for this book.
October 21, 2024
I really enjoyed the book, it was such an amazing way to see how so many different types of people have something that they want to before they die. I love how these young men from some decades ago were willing to risk their lives and have a different point of view after having a family tragedy. It really wanted me to also have and make a list that I have been able to add and cross off as come goes on. I would highly recommend this book since it gives such great points of view on how people from all over the country/world see the world. Everyone's list is different and that is ok, what matters the most is that we live the life before it is too late. :)
August 17, 2022
It's a bit hard to say you "have read" this when it's a mix of peoples' notes/goals/desires paired with pictures, mixed in with several pages of longer write-ups. But it was really enjoyable, not only to see what The Buried Life guys did but also the things other people want to do--the silly and the serious both. I laughed at quite a few of them and had a lot of moments of "Man, I would LOVE to help people achieve some of these goals." Maybe I'll need to update my own list now that I've finished this . . . :)
September 25, 2018
I loved this book so much and I also loved the show. Because this is a coffee table type book it is a very quick read and worth every minute of your time. There are things in this book that will make you smile,laugh,and maybe even share a tear or two but one thing stands out more than the others and that is the fact that after reading this you will have a new look on life.
Full Review Here
>> http://callievamp.blogspot.com/2013/1...
Full Review Here
>> http://callievamp.blogspot.com/2013/1...
May 8, 2021
Хөөрхөн, хөнгөн ном. Хүмүүсийн хүслийн жагсаалт, захиас 1, 1 хуудсанд янз бүрийн сонирхолтой зургуудын хамт.
Жнь:
Би өмнөд туйлд очиж гар дээрээ хэсэг тогтохыг хүсдэг. Тэгээд “би дэлхийг тогтоон барьж чадлаа” гэж хэлэхийг хүсэж байна.
Би дэлхийг тойрон аялаж, өөрийн гэсэн “дэлхийн 7 гайхамшгийг” олохыг хүсэж байна.
Саран дээр хүн бууж мөрөө гаргаад ирсэн байхад, бүтэхгүй зүйл байдаг гэж надад хэзээ ч битгий хэлээрэй.
Жнь:
Би өмнөд туйлд очиж гар дээрээ хэсэг тогтохыг хүсдэг. Тэгээд “би дэлхийг тогтоон барьж чадлаа” гэж хэлэхийг хүсэж байна.
Би дэлхийг тойрон аялаж, өөрийн гэсэн “дэлхийн 7 гайхамшгийг” олохыг хүсэж байна.
Саран дээр хүн бууж мөрөө гаргаад ирсэн байхад, бүтэхгүй зүйл байдаг гэж надад хэзээ ч битгий хэлээрэй.
March 19, 2022
Ben Nemtin (one of the authors of this book) recently spoke at my work and I found his talk super inspiring so I borrowed this book from the library. I was expecting to learn more about their adventures to cross things off the bucket list so this book was pretty disappointing. The majority of the book is a picture book and I breezed through this in a bout an hour. The content was decent and it was fun to read peoples bucket list ideas but I wanted much more from this. 3/5
August 24, 2017
I had the great opportunity to hear members of The Buried Life speak at my New Student Orientation, my first year of university. They inspired me to create a bucket list of things that I want to do before I die, and I even went out right after my Orientation to purchase this book.
I enjoyed reading "What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?" because it contains a collection of things that readers want to do before they die. As well, it includes things that The Buried Life have completed off of their bucket list.
I enjoyed reading "What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?" because it contains a collection of things that readers want to do before they die. As well, it includes things that The Buried Life have completed off of their bucket list.
June 15, 2018
What these guys have done is super inspiring and it’s made a huge impact. In terms of the book, it was too short and I was left wanting to know more about the stories vs a bunch of cliff notes. Writing more about their journey and all stories in depth would have made this much more powerful
February 14, 2019
I found this by chance in my library and I'm so glad I decided to read it. This was so inspiring and I actually started crying a few times. Go for your dreams no matter how impossible they seem. My first 5 star of the year. I will definately be looking more into the buried life.
February 5, 2022
I’m only a sometimes believer in Bucket Lists and I’m a long time fan of Post Haste. It feels like a website, but I’m the guy who believes in books with spines.
2.5 stars but I would love have dinner or drinks with them one day… added to list.
2.5 stars but I would love have dinner or drinks with them one day… added to list.
July 5, 2017
The art is fantastic.
November 1, 2017
Love this.
January 31, 2018
I was surprisingly touched and inspired by this.
August 19, 2018
Very inspirational short read . It's definitely got me thinking of making a list
January 29, 2019
Shallow, occasionally touching, often silly, almost childish compilation of “bucket list” items from other people — after a brief update on the status of the authors’ 100-item bucket list.
April 30, 2019
It’s a quick read bunch of people’s wishes for what they want to do before they die interesting to see what others want to do or gives you ideas for some of your own life goals
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews