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The 50 List: A Father's Heartfelt Message to His Daughter
Nigel has a disability - an inherited disease that means his nerves don't tell his muscles what to do - but he does not consider himself disabled.
His youngest daughter Ellie has been diagnosed with the same condition. To inspire Ellie, and show her anything is possible, Nigel set himself a list of fifty challenges. This is the story of that list. Nigel and his wife Lisa have three children and, like all parents, they have always wanted the best for their kids. For Nigel, this meant helping them to understand that life is to be challenged: to be explored and enjoyed, no matter what obstacles you might have to face. Even during the darkest times, Nigel has never let anything stop him from realising his dreams.
His youngest daughter Ellie has been diagnosed with the same condition. To inspire Ellie, and show her anything is possible, Nigel set himself a list of fifty challenges. This is the story of that list. Nigel and his wife Lisa have three children and, like all parents, they have always wanted the best for their kids. For Nigel, this meant helping them to understand that life is to be challenged: to be explored and enjoyed, no matter what obstacles you might have to face. Even during the darkest times, Nigel has never let anything stop him from realising his dreams.
304 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 18, 2022
I lied. I haven't read this book - at least, not all of it. I found it dull and humdrum. It didn't inspire me and, as far as I read, it didn't inspire his daughter much, which was his whole intention. I got bored of hearing about the author's thrill-seeking. His love of speed and motorsports doesn't make for good reading. I would rather have read more about some of his other challenges. It felt a bit "I contacted the press and they made my dreams come true because I'm in a wheelchair". Sorry if that sounds harsh but it's how it came across. I was also fearful that the life-story was going to get a bit churchy-preachy in places. Eventually, I realised that it had sat by my bed for too long without me wanting to pick it up, so I move on to something else on my to-read list. Aplogies to the author, I did want to enjoy the book.
May 2, 2013
This book is the story of a man with a severe disability writing a list of fifty things he'd like to do before he turns fifty. The purpose is to prove to both himself and his daughter that a disability doesn't have to stop you living your life to its fullest
This book started really strong and I really found myself spurred on by the idea for the fifty list. However, as nothing really happened for the first two or three months the rest of the book felt very crammed. Challenges were completed off the cuff and a lot of time was spent talking about his family. For me, I wanted to hear more about Nigel completing the actual challenges than about his daughters every day at a new school. By the end I'd kind of lost interest. A noble cause but not an exciting read.
This book started really strong and I really found myself spurred on by the idea for the fifty list. However, as nothing really happened for the first two or three months the rest of the book felt very crammed. Challenges were completed off the cuff and a lot of time was spent talking about his family. For me, I wanted to hear more about Nigel completing the actual challenges than about his daughters every day at a new school. By the end I'd kind of lost interest. A noble cause but not an exciting read.
October 24, 2018
I thought this book was nice but I was kind of expecting the challenges to be more prominent in the book and instead it’s a biography of the authors life before the list began for the most part. I did like it but I just don’t think it’s my demographic for the target.
January 7, 2020
This book is about a man with a disability, who has a daughter with the same disability, and the man wants to show his daughter that the disability does not prevent him from achieving anything he wants to do in life. Consequently he makes up a list of 50 things to do in his 49th year, and the book basically goes through this list, whilst also touching a little on his childhood growing up with a disability.
The book is relatively interesting, but it really is an extension of a list at the end of the day. He does many things, but doesn't go into any real detail to whet the reader's appetite or make them envision doing the things themselves. For example, the main character goes scuba diving. I have never been scuba diving and he could have gone to great lengths describing it but instead he brushed over it really, explained that the sea was cloudy, he couldn't get to the sea bed, and it was a little disappointing. Very brief description.
At the end of the day Holland wrote the book because it was an item on the 50 list (write a book and get it published), not because he has any writing skill or because he wants to be an author. And I think this is evident in his writing. I would say don't give up the day job, but he never intended to so it would be a waste of breath.
I wouldn't recommend the book. I wouldn't read it again. In the unlikely event that Holland writes another, I think I would graciously pass on the opportunity to read it. I would however note that grammatically there are only a couple of mistakes. So the proof reader is a good'un.
Therefore I give this book a 2 out of 5 rating.
The book is relatively interesting, but it really is an extension of a list at the end of the day. He does many things, but doesn't go into any real detail to whet the reader's appetite or make them envision doing the things themselves. For example, the main character goes scuba diving. I have never been scuba diving and he could have gone to great lengths describing it but instead he brushed over it really, explained that the sea was cloudy, he couldn't get to the sea bed, and it was a little disappointing. Very brief description.
At the end of the day Holland wrote the book because it was an item on the 50 list (write a book and get it published), not because he has any writing skill or because he wants to be an author. And I think this is evident in his writing. I would say don't give up the day job, but he never intended to so it would be a waste of breath.
I wouldn't recommend the book. I wouldn't read it again. In the unlikely event that Holland writes another, I think I would graciously pass on the opportunity to read it. I would however note that grammatically there are only a couple of mistakes. So the proof reader is a good'un.
Therefore I give this book a 2 out of 5 rating.
July 12, 2013
Meet Nigel, he has CMT Disease, a degenerative condition that means his nerves do not tell his muscles what to do. This means that Nigel, over the years, has lost the ability to walk, grip and use one of his vocal cords. Nigel has disabilities, but he has never seen himself as disabled. When his third child, Ellie, was diagnosed with the same hereditary illness, he wanted to inspire her the same way that his parents had inspired him, to stay positive and see the possibilities of what can be achieved. So he set out to achieve 50 challenges before his 50th birthday, to inspire Ellie.
The 50 List is Nigel’s story. Part diary and part autobiography, Nigel weaves into the account of his challenges, stories from his life so far. Through twelve months we journey with Nigel as he reaches terminal velocity, drives very quickly in a dragster and attempts to complete a puzzle, which is no mean feat for someone who has difficulty gripping anything.
And here I have to admit an affiliation. I have known Nigel since I was a young cocky fifteen / sixteen year old. I also feature in the book as Nigel recounts some musical exploits back in the 80s. Nigel and I played in a band and I know exactly how poor his grip can be. Many a time we would be playing a song and the drum beat would suddenly become ‘less complete’. More often than not this coincided with Nigel shouting, ‘duck,’ as a drumstick flew through the air. It was only a matter of time until we taped the drumsticks to his hands.
I laughed, I cried but most of all I was truly inspired
However, The 50 List is a story of courage and Nigel’s account of how despite everything he has had to endure, he has still managed so much. I admit I felt shamed as I read, knowing how much I complain about things in my life and the things that I don’t achieve. Nigel wrote the book to inspire his daughter and it has, and it has also inspired me. I am sure as you read you’ll be inspired too. Nigel’s writing is witty, humorous and honest and The 50 List made me laugh and cry, but most of all I was truly inspired by someone who has done so much.
To find out more the following websites are a great help, oh, and you can also buy the book.
Official 50 List website - http://www.the50list.co.uk/
CMT website - http://www.cmt.org.uk/
The 50 List is Nigel’s story. Part diary and part autobiography, Nigel weaves into the account of his challenges, stories from his life so far. Through twelve months we journey with Nigel as he reaches terminal velocity, drives very quickly in a dragster and attempts to complete a puzzle, which is no mean feat for someone who has difficulty gripping anything.
And here I have to admit an affiliation. I have known Nigel since I was a young cocky fifteen / sixteen year old. I also feature in the book as Nigel recounts some musical exploits back in the 80s. Nigel and I played in a band and I know exactly how poor his grip can be. Many a time we would be playing a song and the drum beat would suddenly become ‘less complete’. More often than not this coincided with Nigel shouting, ‘duck,’ as a drumstick flew through the air. It was only a matter of time until we taped the drumsticks to his hands.
I laughed, I cried but most of all I was truly inspired
However, The 50 List is a story of courage and Nigel’s account of how despite everything he has had to endure, he has still managed so much. I admit I felt shamed as I read, knowing how much I complain about things in my life and the things that I don’t achieve. Nigel wrote the book to inspire his daughter and it has, and it has also inspired me. I am sure as you read you’ll be inspired too. Nigel’s writing is witty, humorous and honest and The 50 List made me laugh and cry, but most of all I was truly inspired by someone who has done so much.
To find out more the following websites are a great help, oh, and you can also buy the book.
Official 50 List website - http://www.the50list.co.uk/
CMT website - http://www.cmt.org.uk/
June 23, 2013
The book was in the top bestsellers at the book store of the airport, and I picked it up because I always like to read inspiring stories and how people overcome their physical disabilities. Overall, it's a fine book, but the writing style is very poor.
The book is about a father who has lived with a degenerative muscular disease and wants to show his daugther, affected by the same disability, that you can achieve still a lot in spite of the disability.
The book starts with the idea and how he contacted journalists (?) to get support in his project (it's a bit unclear from start whether he wants to do the project for his daughter or to collect money for an association. It looks like it's both but the money issue is brought at the start of the story which distracts the reader from the personal story and father-daugther relationship that you expect to be as the main topic in the book comes very late in the book).
He talks about his list of challenges and at the same time goes back in time to describe his own story. I actually found the flashback in the past the most interesting part. The book would have been better without the 50 challenges :-)
The 50 challenges are poorly described. We don't understand why he choose most of them, or why it was very challenging (or what was the most challenging part then, it was not always about overcoming his disability). For example he goes very quickly to describe his preparation for a half-marathon (in wheel chair). By contrast he spend too much ink describing his encounter with the BBC team or the reactions from his family during the challenges -- it really doesn´t matter to me that his family was thrilled because they also got to have a drive in a sport car. It gives an impression that it's all over the place. What is the plot? So, overall, the description of the 50 challenges didn't really inspired me nor taught me anything new: It didn't enable to understand how hard life is for someone living in a wheelchair (his escription of his childhood said enough).
Since the BBC was involved from start, the book would probably have been better if written then by a BBC journalist and co-signed by the author. Too bad because there is a lot of interesting things in it, but the writing style is too poor.
The book is about a father who has lived with a degenerative muscular disease and wants to show his daugther, affected by the same disability, that you can achieve still a lot in spite of the disability.
The book starts with the idea and how he contacted journalists (?) to get support in his project (it's a bit unclear from start whether he wants to do the project for his daughter or to collect money for an association. It looks like it's both but the money issue is brought at the start of the story which distracts the reader from the personal story and father-daugther relationship that you expect to be as the main topic in the book comes very late in the book).
He talks about his list of challenges and at the same time goes back in time to describe his own story. I actually found the flashback in the past the most interesting part. The book would have been better without the 50 challenges :-)
The 50 challenges are poorly described. We don't understand why he choose most of them, or why it was very challenging (or what was the most challenging part then, it was not always about overcoming his disability). For example he goes very quickly to describe his preparation for a half-marathon (in wheel chair). By contrast he spend too much ink describing his encounter with the BBC team or the reactions from his family during the challenges -- it really doesn´t matter to me that his family was thrilled because they also got to have a drive in a sport car. It gives an impression that it's all over the place. What is the plot? So, overall, the description of the 50 challenges didn't really inspired me nor taught me anything new: It didn't enable to understand how hard life is for someone living in a wheelchair (his escription of his childhood said enough).
Since the BBC was involved from start, the book would probably have been better if written then by a BBC journalist and co-signed by the author. Too bad because there is a lot of interesting things in it, but the writing style is too poor.
January 26, 2014
I actually started this late last night before bed, but having had a rough night, I spent the majority of today reading it too, hence how I managed to get through it so quickly. Books like this inspire me and should do so to others as well - it is a charming, touching story of a father's determination to show his family, especially 'disabled' daughter Ellie that having a disability doesn't always mean you can't do certain things - in some cases it means quite the opposite. This book reminded me that so many of us take for granted the fact we have full function of our legs and other body parts for example, and yet that so many of us don't use our abilities to their full capability - reading this, I'm certainly encouraged to do more.
August 31, 2013
An enjoyable little read, about Nigel who has CMT, a progressive disease. The 50 List was written basically to show his younger daughter (who also has CMT) that if you put your mind to it you can do anything.
I enjoyed the way this was written, with a bit of history growing up and the diary entries of his 50 List.
The one thing I would have liked is to have had the list explained in the beginning of why he chose some of the items.
All in all a quick read and lucky little Ellie to have such an inspirational dad.
I enjoyed the way this was written, with a bit of history growing up and the diary entries of his 50 List.
The one thing I would have liked is to have had the list explained in the beginning of why he chose some of the items.
All in all a quick read and lucky little Ellie to have such an inspirational dad.
February 25, 2015
The 50 list was a brilliant idea and I can see why he needed to show his daughter that she could do anything she wanted. However she was the least impressed of his family by what he was doing. Hopefully she will be able to look back at the book in the future and understand the reasons behind what her Dad did.
May 31, 2013
A really lovely story about Nigel Holland's 50 List where he does 50 different things to show his daughter that anything is possible even if you have a disability.It will make you laugh & cry a lovely book to read.
September 21, 2013
Could not put down when I started it but then it got boring and in fact I did not read the last few pages. However the idea behind the book, and the hardships suffered by the author and his daughter will forever be imprinted in my mind. The positivity of Nigel Holland is something to imitate.
July 12, 2013
The message resonated strongly with me having my own mum in a wheelchair as a result of a disability. MY sister who has the same condition lives by mums teachings also. AN enjoyable book and a lesson for all disabilities or not
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August 16, 2014inspiring and funny. Again reminded so impressively how life is so very challenging for so many people permanently and how a spirited person rises to meet that. Time to cancel the next interior whinge
February 20, 2015
An admirable reason for writing this book and I applaud all he accomplished. But I lost interest about half way through. It began to feel like a boys own adventure based around his love of speed. Worthy but slightly boring.
February 3, 2015
A book written by a disabled father to inspire his daughter into always believing that anything is possible and all credit to Nigel Holland,he certainly achieved an awful lot! Onecis left with wondering how impressed his daughter was at some aspects!
September 27, 2015
Inspiring. As the tagline says, anything is possible. A beautiful task that a disabled father takes on to prove to his disabled daughter, that anything can be achieved. The author's witty sense of humor makes this real life story a treat to read.
March 19, 2013
This book was a really good read. It was inspiring and heart warming. Definitely worth a read (I already have 2 people on my lending list and a possible third when I speak to her next).
May 24, 2013
Complete waste of time!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews