Uncommon Wisdom: THE INSPIRING LESSONS OF 12 EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

by Thomas Whittingslow

Twelve extraordinary people have shared their lives with me —ranging from a Nobel Prize winner and a 107-year old Navajo grandmother, to a man who lived connected to an artificial heart machine for two years. Each of us leaves a unique footprint or a legacy before we die. At the end of each chapter the interviewee was asked if they were at the end of life — what are the most important lessons that they would like to pass along to a favorite son or daughter. To retain character and personality; the stories are unfiltered, told in the interviewees’ own words. Every man's story is sacred and worthy of recognition. Every act has its consequences—and with it come lessons. Uncommon Wisdom touches upon the of life Artistic breakthroughs SuccessPersonal growthCourage under pressureConfronting deathOvercoming racial and gender barriers Foundations for a fulfilling lifeBusiness strategies from a CEOBreaking social barriersCaretakingEthics and spiritualityThe need for mentors has never been more crucial as colleges and universities are teaching students how to memorize and spit out dates and names in order to pass tests, but nothing about how to make your way through life. Uncommon Wisdom captures the distillation of twelve extraordinary men and women’s experiences and the lessons that they have learned on their journey. One of the book’s first readers said, “I only wish that I had read this book twenty years ago."

184 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2013

Reviews

[Kyle Janison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book, and his tastes were right on. Every story in here is inspiring - but not in the pabulum Chicken Soup for Soul way. These are real people who've struggled or succeeded - whether it be a man who lived connected to an artificial heart machine for two years or a Nobel Prize winner - and who have learned valuable, insightful lessons on the way. Moving on to the next activity after finishing the book, I found myself thinking about how to incorporate those lessons into my own endeavors. And should it all go to pot, there are insights here from people who will have it had far worse to draw upon for inspiration.