A Matter of Choice: 25 People Who Transformed Their Lives

by Joan Chatfield-Taylor (Editor)

Crisis or opportunity? It's all a matter of how you look at it. For some, the dream of a new life is long-held and then finally realized; for others life changes suddenly and irrevocably, forcing them down a completely different path. A Matter of Choice features success stories and cautionary tales in which loneliness, danger, financial realities, and other unexpected consequences caused the original plan to fail or change. A woman rejects the corporate job she worked so hard to secure in favor of leading rafting tours in the wilderness. A young felon begs a judge and her probation officer for the opportunity to enroll in a Habitat for Humanity program and start her life afresh. A middle-aged newsman is forced to embark on a new career path, replete with the gaffes and insecurities he thought were decades behind him. A career soldier finds himself in a different world with very different rules as he follows his dream to become a sculptor. This book offers a realistic, but ultimately optimistic account of the trend that has become increasingly popular, as many Americans have followed up the age-old question, "What should I be doing?" with the more interesting "Why?"

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2004

Reviews

[Karah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best essay was from Rita Golden Gelman. Gelman discussed how her privileged life led to her dissatisfaction. Her physical skin shed on a trip to Mexico during a separation from her husband. I've read her before.

[Leanne Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 and a half stars. Each individual story is worthwhile and inspiring in its own way, but there are two major themes: people changing their careers or people moving to a new geographical location. Occasionally they do both at the same time. There is a man who gets cancer, and then he changes his career. Take in small doses.

[Brittany]

Amazing short (true) stories about people who have had either had a major change thrust upon them, or who have chosen to blaze a different path for themselves. Each story is written couragously....not cheesy.