Andy Andrews has spent the past five years doing a double take at every white-haired old man he sees, hoping to have just one more conversation with the person to whom he owes his life.
Through a chance encounter at a local bookstore, Andy is reunited with the man who changed everything for him — Jones, also known as “The Noticer.”
As the story unfolds, Jones uses his unique talent of noticing the little things that make a big difference. And these little things grant the people of Fairhope, Alabama, a life-changing gift — perspective. Along the way families are united and financial opportunities created, leaving us with powerfully simple solutions to the everyday problems we all face.
Through the lens of a parenting class at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Jones guides a seemingly random group to ask specific questions inspired by his curious advice: “You can’t believe everything you think.” The questions lead to answers for which people have been searching for centuries:
- How do we begin to change the culture in which we live? - Can we ensure a life of success and value for our children as they become adults? - What if what we think is the end . . . is only the beginning?
What starts as an account of Andy’s everyday reality unfolds into an intriguing story revealing the extraordinary principles available to anyone looking to create a better life.
This is the first time I have ever read Andy Andrews. My wife asked me what kind of book it was, and I really could not give it a description. Sort of a mix between fiction and non fiction, motivation and fantasy. I must say that I am anxious to read other books of his. First let me give my negatives. As a Christian, specifically one whose MA is in Biblical Counseling, I found some of the ideas taught by "Jones" to be pure pop psychology. The idea that if we have the proper perspective and mind then we can accomplish anything. There is some truth found in some of these ideas but the foundation of human nature is that we are sinners, depraved and separated from God. Apart from the power of the Holy Spirit through the work of Jesus Christ, we have no hope of redemption. Man is sinner by nature, nothing we think or say regardless of how positive it is, will change that. Some of the teachings of "Jones" boarded on the idea that man is truly good and just needs to think positive in order to accomplish whatever he desires.
That being said, I underlined a great deal of the book and what Jones said. Many of the examples in the book are great, such as "the shoe salesman". Many of these principles can be found in the Bible, just with the power of Christ in our life and through the work of the Holy Spirit. I gleaned a great deal from the book, although I tried to look at it through the lens of Scripture. You can certainly tell that Jones was a prototype of Christ in how he dealt with the people and what he taught them.
I would love to meet Mr. Andrews, and would love to listen to him speak. He is a fantastic writer, I could not put the book down. Anxious to read other writings of his.
چند سال پیش این کتاب را خواندم و بنا به دلایلی برایم مهم بود خواندنش. شخصا با کتابهای خودیاری که با سبک و سیاق داستان همراه باشند بیشتر از کتابهای مستقیمگو و مثلا انرژیدهنده ارتباط برقرار میکنم. اندی اندروز داستاننویس و انرژیبخش خوبی است. راهنما دومین کتابی بود که ازش میخواندم. امشب مروری داشتم بر آن حس خوبی که از این کتاب گرفتم.
Read Noticer first. Andy Andrews continues in his motivational perspective on: right thinking, parenting, leadership, business, culture, and relationships.
This books is sometimes hard to follow, but worth the effort, so persevere!
Once again, Andy Andrews wrote an incredible book. Jones is one of my favorite "people" in fiction and in real life. His advice, kindness, guidance and wisdom are inspirational and motivational. This is a book every one should read. I will be giving it to everyone in my family for Christmas. If there is anything in your life you want to change, improve on or try again, this is the book you want to read.
I almost quit reading this book early on. New characters kept appearing, and I kept getting interrupted in my reading and confused understanding the plot. But I had already taken a few notes I wanted to remember, so I soldiered on. And am I glad I did. This may go down as one of the best books I’ve read, certainly one of the most thought provoking.
Jones, whose personage is never explained, keeps turning up at strategic points in people’s lives. As they struggle with life’s challenges he helps them see things from a fresh perspective. For instance, to parents seeking advice on molding the character of their children, he points out the difference between integrity and morality. When was the last time you thought about that? To a woman refusing to visit her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, he points out what the woman is missing by keeping her distance.
The subtitle “Sometimes you find perspective, and sometimes perspective finds you” tells you what author Andy Andrews is about. A great storyteller, Andrews offers a fun read that offers principles valuable to couples, parents, teachers, employers, employees—really anyone facing the complex issues of life. In other words, everyone!
Having read The Noticer 3 times, I missed Jones as if I'd met him. Couldn't wait to hear from he and Andy again. It was awesome, touching, and inspiring. We all need Jones thank goodness we have Andy! You haven't really enjoyed a book till you read this one.
We read this as our September book club selection, some of our members loved this book so much they purchased their own copies to highlight and take notes. I thought it was just okay and extremely slow, but please don't take my word, I seem to be in a weird vortex of book funk.
Ever wonder how some people handle life in general without really knowing them? The is a saying Don't Sweat The Small Stuff, in fact there are several books written that would have us think there is some great wisdom found by a simple quote tucked inside. But is there really? To a man known simply as Jones, Not Mr. Jones. Just Jones.
Jones is a old man that is always around even though you may not see him as is the case for Andy Andrews who has run into Jones more than a handful of times and knows undoubtedly he will see him again, but not sure when. Just that he will.
If you handed Jones that sentiment about not sweating the small stuff he would tell you "that is a lie and one that will ruin your life. He would tell you that your choices, your words and every move you make are permanent. Life is lived in indelible ink. Wake up. You're making little bitty brushstrokes every minute you walk around on this earth. And with those tiny brushstrokes, you are creating the painting that your life will ultimately become-a masterpiece or a disaster.
You need to understand a very important fact about your earthly existence. It is this: Every single day for the rest of your life, somebody is going to push you in the pool. And you'd better decide now how you're going to act when it happens.
Are you going to come out of the water whining? Maybe crying and complaining? Will you throw fits or worse?
Or will you come out of the water with a smile on your face? Looking to see what you can learn...who you might help? Will you act happy though you feel uncertain?
Almost every result that your life produces from this moment forward-good or bad-will depend upon how you choose. Every day, in one form or another, whether you like it or not, you will be pushed in the pool. You might as well decide right now how you'll act when it happens."
This is just one of the many eye-opening conversations that Andy will have with his encounter with Jones as well as handful of others he writes about in the Noticer Returns. If you haven't read the Noticer, please take the time to read that one first. Each of these books, I promise you will be highlighted and dog-eared with so many wonderful nuggets of wisdom that no two people will gain the same perspective out of it but it will be life changing. I can only hope that Jones will return soon with another amazing book. For now however, this one along with the Noticer remain on my personal best loved book shelf. They will be books I reference often when a situation calls for a visit from Jones again to help me gain a different perspective on things in my life. I too, Jones, choose an extraordinary life!!!
I received The Noticer Returns by Andy Andrews as a gift from my husband who has enjoyed taking this journey with me through several of Andy Andrews books and every single time there is a new one, he knows without a doubt it will be a "have to have!" If you are looking for something that when you read it will be so life changing you will want to read it again and again? Pick this one up! I personally rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and have even given away a copy to someone I knew could use it just when they needed it the most. Jones would be proud. This is a inspirational and motivational book that would be perfect for parents, coaches, employees and anyone who wants something more out of life than just the ordinary!!
Jones thật ra như Chúa ở bên US vậy, là người tinh thông nhất sắp xếp mọi thứ xung quanh mình, kết nối mọi người, cứu rỗi vực dậy mỗi người lúc tăm tối nhất. Jones cũng là tên thông dụng nhất bên US nên có lẽ tác giả dùng tên ấy như tập hợp tất cả gì tinh tuý nhất của những chàng Jones vô 1 người. Jones cũng giống như bản ngã, trái tim của mỗi người vậy, lắng nghe để tìm được phương hướng của đời mình. Mình đọc lâu không phải vì chuyện không lôi cuốn chỉ vì mình bị bão hoà chữ bởi mùa thi...
"Normal isn't the goal... Normal is not what I want to be. You've been normal your whole life... How's that working out? For a lot of years you have paid way too much attention to doing things the way everyone around you considers normal. Trying to achieve something great by doing things the normal way is like expecting to win the lottery by purchasing a single ticket and being one of millions of people who's done the same thing. It's not likely to happen.
If you are doing what everyone else is doing you are doing something wrong.. Why? Because most people are not attaining results that are considered extraordinary. If your thinking is causing you to do what everyone else is doing, you're only contributing to the average. Even if you're contributing to the average at a high level it is still average. Do you want to be average? Do you want an average life span or average lifestyle? Do you want an average marriage? Do you want to raise average children? Do you want an average spiritual life? Do you want average financial results? Do you want an average amount of influence for good in your community? NO!! Of course not! If you could wave a magic wond over your life, you'd create results in every party of your life that are wildly beyond the average. You would create results. You would create a life that was extraordinary in every way. Therefore in order to produce results that are wildly outside average... To produce results that are extraordinary.... You cannot afford to think like average people think. You cannot act like average people act. You cannot be what average people are; which is normal."
Andy Andrew’s The Noticer and The Noticer Returns are an incredible set. They can be read individually, but they have an incredible impact together.
If you’ve never picked up an Andy Andrews book, buckle your belt and hold on. Andy writes the life-changing principles of Zig Zigler, but with the story telling ability of Mark Twain. You can get halfway through the book before you realize that you will never think the same way ever again.
ALL Andy Andrews books are this way. But what makes The Noticer and The Noticer Returns different is that these are the glimpse into how Andy Andrews became who he is. This is a story to read to your children and to hand your teen on days they’re having a hard time being human. Get the audio; it’s worth it.
This is a set of books to read through, and then keep nearby to occasionally pick up and read just one chapter (lesson). You will never regret spending money on these books and making them part of your daily life.
In financial straights? Read these books. Rough patch in your marriage? Read these books. Parenting woes? Read these books. Emotional upheaval? Read these books. Grieving someone? Read these books. Feel stuck in your life? Read these books. At the end of your patience? Read these books.
I was conned into volunteering to lead a book club discussion at work next month. The hardest working least appreciated motivator at work (Kevin Poe) talked me in to attending last month. The one the hardest working and inspirational employees we have, that I cannot praise enough, (Dianne Fulton), assured me I would like "The Noticer". I indicated as much when I finished it last week. Well I volunteered to lead the discussion of "The Noticer Returns". Well let me tell you it was superb. A beautiful story of end of life, wrapped by a story of how changing perspective changes your world covered by wisdom from Roman history. It is a book that demands you appreciate the value moving forward despite uncertainty. So I will lead next month's book club if for no other reason than I don't know how it will go but "Jones" might be there in his 'I am always here' way.
Another excellent Andy Andrews book! Mr. Andrews has quickly become one of my favorite authors! His books are so well written and practical. They are easy and enjoyable to read. This book is a sequel to his (likely) more famous book "The Noticer". In this book, it has a focus on couples who want to learn more about parenting, but it is good practical advice for all types of people. The character of "Jones" ("The Noticer") returns and has more wisdom to teach. I am definitely planning on reading more of Mr. Andrews' books.
Absolutely one of the best books I ever read. I want to give it and the first one 6 stars. I want to buy multiple copies and give to everyone I ever meet for the rest of my life. Everyone on the planet must read this book and the his first one The Noticer at least once a month. Andy has a really unique way of giving readers perspective that your would hear from our grandparents. PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. they buy copies and give them to everyone you know. This is what our world needs to hear.
I was so thankful Andy wrote the Noticer Returns! Jones, the main character of the Noticer, quickly became like a fictional best friend and guardian angel leading me through the pages of both books with his wisdom. These are two books I’ve recommended to everyone I love or anyone who is looking for some guidance in their lives.
Obviously this is the second book - so now I need to read the first... But I really enjoyed the wisdom that came from this one. I would strongly recommend it to those who like a great life message wrapped in a semi fictional story. I'm off to pick up the first book now :o)
The world of "The Noticer Returns" seems to be one far from reality. Although the character of Jones in the first book, "The Noticer," didn't seem to be like anyone you'd meet in real life, he was still at least somewhat believable. In this second book, however, not only is Jones portrayed almost like some sort of angel, the people's responses to different situations are ridiculous. For example, Jones shows up in the middle of someone's privately owned farm, on someone's private dock, and in front of a moving vehicle, and the people respond in the same way every time. They act a little surprised but don't seem to care that he is invading their private property, and say that although he was a stranger, they for some reason that they could not understand, trusted him instantly. This is why I think that Jones must represent some sort of angelic being that comes to bestow wisdom upon people.
But I mean come on....did he have to walk in front of a moving car, scaring the poor guy to death? Jones will literally walk into places uninvited and say things like: "I wasn't invited to your gather, and I know I'm intruding..." and the characters will say something along the lines of "Oh okay. Well, no problem. Can I help you with something?" (102). On occasion, someone will say something along the lines of: "How did you know my name? Have we met?" and Jones will say "Of course we've met, son" when they haven't (42).Not does he show up places uninvited, he'll start bossing people around saying things like "You and I are about to have a little talk" (43).
Despite the absurd nature of Jones, the book does contain some noteworthy dialog. The book is about 200 pages long, and many of the chapters begin in a similar way, just like the first book. Although the book was relatively short, I found myself reading only out of the desire to finish the book to never open it again. Sometimes the writing is just strange and awkward: "they wondered, as subatomic particles of doubt began to sail unbidden from the couple" (59). As if all of this wasn't bad enough, some of the things Jones does in the last few chapters are just unbelievably ridiculous (trying not to spoil). It sometimes feels like the author is trying a little to hard to be fancy and it ends up sounding really stupid.
"Everyone wants to make a difference, but nobody wants to be different. And you simply cannot have one without the other" (80).
"Perspective is, ultimately, how I choose to see a situation" (113).
"A person's actions are akin to the flap of a butterfly's wings or a ripple in a pond. A person's actions always affect the life of someone else, who affects the life of someone else, and so on" (122).
"When a society grows comfortable with the idea that there can be many standards, the people have, in effect, accepted the reality that there will be no standard" (163).
"Most people live under the misconception that it takes a long time to change / This is not true. It can take a long time to prepare to change or to decide to change, but change itself happens in a heartbeat" (169).
tác giả: Andy Andrew - 1959, Mỹ, tác giả nhiều sách kỹ năng sống. Ông từng sống nhiều năm vô gia cư ven bờ biển Alabama, ngủ trong công viên và gara... Và trong giai đoạn này ông hình thành nên nhiều ý tưởng để viết sách. nội dung: - Câu chuyện kể về Jones - ông lão giản dị nhưng uyên bác, cùng trải nghiệm của ông với rất nhiều người, rất nhiều hoàn cảnh, mang đến bài học cs giá trị và ý nghĩa. - Jones - nhân vật bí ẩn góp phần làm thay đổi cs nhiều người từ lúc còn bé đến lúc trưởng thành và rơi vào vòng xoáy cuộc đời.
Nội dung 1: Việc nuôi dạy trẻ như quãng thời gian ngắn ngủi lúc hoàng hôn - Chuyển động của mặt trời rất giống những năm đầu cuộc đời của một đứa trẻ. Cha mẹ thường không nhận thấy, như việc ta nhìn mà ko thấy mặt trời thay đổi, ta nhanh chóng thấy buồn chán và nhìn đi nơi khác. Chỉ khi thời gian trôi qua, ta ngoảnh đầu nhìn lại mới nhận ra mặt trời- con chúng ta đã thay đổi đáng kể, hoặc đã khuất khỏi tầm mắt. - Jones ko áp đặt triết lý mà chỉ đối thoại qua những câu hỏi gợi mở. Ông hướng người khác vào quá trình tự thấu hiểu câu chuyện của chính mình. - Cuộc trò chuyện với Jones giống như nhìn chăm chú vào bức tranh kì lạ, vì chúng dễ gây mơ hồ, nhưng rồi đột nhiên đến 1 lúc nào đó tất cả các chi tiết khó hiểu tập trung lại và bài học đc nhìn thấu.
Nội dung 2: Tình huống bất hạnh vẫn ẩn chứa bài học nào đó - Người mẹ bị Alzheimer - hội chứng suy giảm trí nhớ. Người con gái cho rằng Chúa đã bỏ rơi mẹ mình vì sống như vậy thì hoàn toàn vô nghĩa, quá tàn nhẫn. Tuy nhiên theo Jones, việc này giúp người con gái học cách "kiên nhẫn" với mẹ của mình. - Để đạt đc mục tiêu cuộc đời, cần có lòng kiên nhẫn, biết ơn và thể hiện sự cảm kích. Học cách tha thứ ngay cả khi k đc đền đáp lại. - K phải lúc nào ta cũng nhận ra những bài học này
Nội dung 3: Nghịch cảnh là cơ hội để tìm ra hướng đi riêng. - Mọi ng bị mắc kẹt với cs và đi đến bế tắc: Công việc, hôn nhân, tiền bạc... Jones xuất hiện, trò chuyện và giúp họ bình tâm. - Những tình huống này như 1 cơ hội. Mắc kẹt mang đến cơ hội để định hướng rõ ràng lại, buộc phải đưa ra lựa chọn: Từ bỏ hoặc vượt qua để đạt đến mức độ hiểu biết mới. - Cơ hội đc tạo ra khi ta suy nghĩ theo cách khác.
11.11.2022 N --- #homnaydocgi Hay. Nhẹ nhàng. Ý nghĩa. Ẩn chứa nhiều thông điệp. Sẽ tìm đọc thêm nhiều cuốn khác của Andy Andrew. Mỗi ngày trong cuộc sống đều ẩn chứa những điều diệu kì, với những câu chuyện thú vị. Luôn có những cơ hội. Đã đến lúc phải thức dậy rồi: Chăm chỉ làm việc. Kiếm tiền thực hiện những ước mơ của mình. Sống tốt và tạo ảnh hưởng tới ng khác 💪
N 13.8.2021 --- Giới thiệu nội dung
Xuyên suốt các câu chuyện trong cuốn sách Điều Nhỏ Nhặt Tạo Nên Số Phận là hình bóng của Jones, một ông lão giản dị nhưng rất mực uyên bác, cùng những trải nghiệm của chính ông với vô số con người, hoàn cảnh mà ông gặp. Để rồi qua những chia sẻ đó, độc giả nhận ra nhiều bài học cuộc sống giá trị và ý nghĩa.
Andy Andrews sinh năm 1959 tại Hoa Kỳ, là tác giả của nhiều tập sách kỹ năng sống bán chạy trên khắp thế giới. Andy Andrews từng sống nhiều năm vô gia cư dọc bờ biển Alabama, ngủ trong công viên hay những ga-ra tạm bợ. Cũng chính trong giai đoạn này, ông hình thành nên những ý tưởng đầu tiên cho cuốn sách Món Quà Của Người Lữ Hành (The Traveler's Gift), tác phẩm tạo nên tiếng vang trong sự nghiệp của Andy Andrews, và từng nắm giữ danh hiệu Sách bán chạy nhất trong 17 tuần liên tiếp trên New York Times.
Andy Andrews là tác giả có khả năng truyền cảm hứng mạnh mẽ. Ông được 4 đời tổng thống Hoa Kỳ và nhiều tập đoàn danh tiếng khác như Microsoft, Honda, Ford, AT&T... mời phát biểu tại các sự kiện quan trọng.
TỔNG qUan
Dõi theo Điều Nhỏ Nhặt Tạo Nên Số Phận, người đọc sẽ làm quen với nhân vật đầy bí ẩn tên Jones. Ông góp phần làm thay đổi cuộc sống nhiều người, từ khi họ còn bé đến khi lập gia đình, cả khi rơi vào vòng xoáy cuộc đời. Cuốn sách tựa như một bộ phim với những cảnh quay được thế hiện bằng con chữ. Mỗi chương sách là một mảnh ghép sinh động của cuộc sống, trong đó rất có thế người đọc sẽ bắt gặp chính mình.
Nội dung thữ nhất: Việc nuồi dạy trẻ như quãng thời gian ngắn ngủi lúc hoàng hôn
Jones tổ chức một lớp học làm cha mẹ, mời những bậc phụ huynh trong thị trấn tham dự. Và "buổi học", nhưng thực chất là những buổi trò chuyện giữa Jones và mọi người, sẽ kết thúc khi mặt trời lặn. Việc đếm ngược thời gian mặt trời lặn có liên quan gì ở đây?
Bởi theo Jones, "Chuyển động của mặt trời rất giống với những năm đầu cuộc đời của một đứa trẻ. Cha mẹ có thế không nhận thấy, mà thường là họ sẽ không nhận thấy, những gì đang xảy ra xung quanh dòng chảy đó. Chúng ta, các bậc cha mẹ, dù nhìn chăm chú nhưng vẫn thấy như mặt trời không có vẻ gì là đang di chuyển. Thế nên, chúng ta nhanh chóng thấy buồn chán và nhìn hướng khác. Chỉ khi thời gian trôi qua, chúng ta mới ngoảnh lại và nhận ra rằng, mặt trời - hoặc con chúng ta - đã dịch chuyển đáng kể. Hoặc đã khuất khỏi tầm mắt." J Jones không phải người áp đặt triết lý lên người khác. Thay vào đó, ông đối thoại. Thông qua những câu hỏi gợi mở, Jones hướng người đang trò chuyện với ông vào quá trình tự nhìn thấu câu chuyện của chính họ. Các cuộc trò chuyện với Jones giống việc nhìn chăm chú vào những bức tranh kỳ lạ, vì chúng dễ gây ra sự mơ hồ cho người thưởng lãm. Rồi đột nhiên, đến lúc nào đó, tất cả những chi tiết khó hiểu tập trung lại một cách ấn tượng. Đó cũng là lúc những bài học đã được thẩm thấu một cách nhẹ nhàng.
Nội dung thứ 2: Tình huống bất hạnh vẫn ẩn chứa bài học nào đó
Mẹ của Mary Chandler bị bệnh Alzheimer - hội chứng suy giảm trí nhớ. Điều đó khiến Mary nghĩ rằng Chúa đã bỏ rơi mẹ mình, vì sống như vậy thì hoàn toàn vô nghĩa, không cần thiết, và cả tàn nhẫn nữa. Nếu Chúa có để ý đến, Ngài sẽ để bà ra đi trong yên bình.
Thế nhưng, Jones lại nghĩ khác. Ông chia sẻ với Mary rằng "mục tiêu" của cuộc sống người mẹ lúc này, là giúp con gái của bà học cách kiên nhẫn hơn. "Bà không còn nghĩ giống như cô nữa. Nhưng tâm hồn bà vẫn là mẹ cô. Mẹ cô đang dạy cô những điều đó ngay lúc này."
Bài học đó vẫn giản dị, giống những gì mẹ Mary đã dạy cô từ bé, để cô tiếp tục truyền lại cho những đứa con của mình. Chẳng hạn, để đạt được mục tiêu cuộc đời, phải học cách kiên nhẫn hơn, cần lòng biết ơn, và thể hiện sự cảm kích với người khác. Phải học cách tha thứ, thậm chí khi không được đền đáp lại. Đồng thời, cũng phải học cách để chấp nhận sự tha thứ của người khác, đôi lúc không phải bằng lời nói mà bằng hành động hoặc một trạng thái tinh thần nào đó. Thế nhưng, ở nhiều khúc quanh cuộc đời, khi bị đặt vào những hoàn cảnh khác nhau, không phải lúc nào Mary cũng có thể nhìn ra những bài học ấy.
Nội dung thứ 3: Nghịch cảnh là cơ hội để tìm ra hướng đi riêng
Khi những người xung quanh Jones cảm thấy như bị "mắc kẹt"", và đang dần đi đến bế tắc trong cuộc sống: từ công việc - sự nghiệp đến vấn đề tiền bạc, Jones xuất hiện và trò chuyện, giúp họ bình tâm. Với Jones, ông nhìn những tình huống này như một cơ hội. "Mắc kẹt" thật sự mang đến một cơ hội được định hướng rõ ràng. Khi một người bị mắc kẹt, họ buộc phải đưa ra được lựa chọn. Có thể từ bỏ, hoặc có thể vượt qua để đạt đến một mức độ hiểu biết và thành công mới. Những cơ hội được tạo ra khi ta suy nghĩ theo một cách khác. Đó có thể là những cơ hội về tiền bạc, cơ hội để trở thành những bậc phụ huynh có tầm nhìn, hay thậm chí cơ hội trở thành những người tiên phong tạo dựng nên một nền văn hóa mới.
Nếu như bạn từng trông đợi sẽ rút ra những điều to lớn cho cuộc sống của mình, có thể bạn sẽ thất vọng. Bởi tất cả những chia sẻ trong tập sách nhỏ này đều rất đời thường. Tuy nhiên, nó sẽ mở ra trước mắt chúng ta nhận thức sâu sắc về những điều bình dị, mà đôi khi chúng ta quên mất giữa những nhịp sống quá vội vã, gấp gáp.
This was an interesting book. In one way, I can say it was an entire book where the author wrote, biographically, about not knowing what to write for his next book. He had a deadline and his agent was pushing him to write a book and what we have here is close to a "slice of life" from the author's few weeks while he tried to figure out what to write. Of course, the result was this book. And that's part of the point of the book. Perspective. It is at the end of the book that the author realized that he already had the book. It was there in front of him the whole time.
Boiling the whole thing down to just this is missing a lot of the book. It was working on several levels. In addition to the meta theme of perspective and seeing it in action, the book provided many (many) didactic moments where the author was teaching principles, primarily through the voice of Jones, that he feels make the world a better place. Many of these teaching sessions were staged in terms of a parenting class or in mysteriously appropriate one-on-one encounters with Jones.
For me, the book felt a lot like a self-help book delivered through the lives of a few individuals. Some of the self-help lessons felt obvious, things I've already discovered; some felt overly simplified, like wishful thinking on the part of the author; and some struck me as genuinely interesting and valuable. Maybe that's what the author was going for. I don't suppose that he expected that everything he said was going to be new and unique for every reader. Also, I don't supposed that he expected that every reader would agree with everything he said.
I don't doubt that there are some aspects of this book that will stick with me for a while. That is what makes this a good book.
Hi friends! As so much is up in the air right now, and we all feel a little on edge, so I want to share something positive and uplifting! Have you heard of The Noticer series? I had not and since I want to continue to promote books I didn’t know about, maybe this will be a series that warms your heart too!
I read The Noticer, The Noticer Returns and the new release Just Jones all in the last couple days! This series you can find it under Philosophy, Ethics, Morality, Magical Realism, Literature, Fiction, Self-Help and Religion! Now if that doesn’t intrigue you what will?
The stories are written and told by the author Andy Andrews. He meets a man named Jones, not Mr. Jones, just Jones when he is young and struggling. Jones is able to provide some perspective. As Jones would say it’s not How you see things, it’s how you Choose to see things! Throughout the first two books Jones is helping many different people learn many different lessons. He always seems to show up when folks need him the most and move on when things are as they should be.
Jones is Angel walking among men, there really is just no other way to describe him. I loved these books. I was so thrilled to find this series and so glad I can share it with others!
“Everybody wants to make a difference, but nobody wants to be different. And you simply cannot have one without the other.”
I read the first book in this duology a very long time ago. (Like when I was in the fifth or sixth grade.) I adored it. Andy Andrews's books are perfect for all ages. Some aspects of the story may not make total sense to younger audiences, but they still have great meanings behind them—meanings that everyone can appreciate. When I finally decided to pick this book up again, after loving the first one so much, I was not disappointed. Perspective is the main theme for this story, and I would definitely say that this book changed mine. I very much enjoyed this story. The only reason that it didn't make the cut for five stars was that, as usual, Andy's writing style was hard to understand, due to lots of wordiness and unnecessarily large words. It's fine, though, because this book was still such an inspiring read.
P.S. I love old people, and Jones is just so kind and wise. I was so excited to get to read about him again.
For me it is a tad frustrating when a handful of principles that could take 30 pages to work through in a nonfiction book takes 220 pages in a fiction book - I feel those 190 extra pages are a bit clutterish, but I guess it kind of works in adding a setting and thus getting that extra emotion out of it. It is a good book that does preach to us some good principles through the Jesus figure "Jones". If this is what takes to get people engaged, talking, and thinking about these things then yey for this book!
Because it is a fictionish book, the principles are not structured or developed too well. Enough, yes, but for instance, I found several different-looking uses of the term "wisdom". Because they are not defined and used always consistently, something is lost, even if the idea is saved. We all know where this is going and what Andy Andrews is trying to tell us. Somehow, he succeeds.
Also, he could be less obvious in promoting Christy's website. Yes, I get it. The website exists. She is a real person!
Một buổi chiều đầy nắng là lúc tôi dang ngồi viết đôi ba dòng cảm nhận sâu khi đọc xong quyển sách này. Trước đó tôi đã biết về điều này: Cuộc đời con người là một chuỗi những sự lựa chọn, chính những lựa chọn đó hình thành nên con người chúng ta. Xuyên suốt sách là những phần nhỏ nói về cách chúng ta suy nghĩ tạo nên hành dộng và tạo nên số phận của chúng ta. Những điều nhỏ bé mà chúng ta thường hay phớt lờ không chú ý tới lại là giá trị hình thành nên cuộc đời của chúng ta. Mỗi người chúng ta điều biết rằng mình phải lựa chọn, nhưng lựa chọn nào là sai, lựa chọn nào là đúng. Bản thân tôi thì tin rằng không có lựa chọn nào là sai và đúng hoàn toàn cả, tùy vào mỗi thời điểm mà ta đưa ra lựa chọn phù hợp nhất với cách mà chúng ta tuy duy và nhìn nhận về cuộc sống. Cuộc sống nhiều bộn bề hãy dành thời gian để cảm nhận từ những điều nhỏ nhất.
Jones is back and he appears when someone needs him. When someone appears to be about to lose everything even hope he appears and helps them see a different perspective. He has a parenting class and he helps parents see a different perspective and makes them stop to think. Some of them was trying to save up enough money for the equipment that was needed in order to make their passion, their job. In the style of Jones. he takes them on an adventure and they have to learn trust. I would have a hard time with the way he taught that lesson. But when they get to where they need to be what a sight they see. No, I am not going to tell you what it was. Maybe like me you need a new perspective and should read the book. I sure am glad I did.