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Pushing Boulders
Pushing Boulders is a remarkable account of a Cape Flats man born in an old police station during apartheid, who overcomes seemingly insurmountable obstacles in order to fulfil his dreams. Athol Williams tells of how, after struggling through university, political unrest and racism, he managed to construct a lucrative career as a senior executive and found a successful business. Surprising those who know him, he gives it all up to launch a series of enterprises contributing to social development, pursuing his mission to use education to enable and inspire other South Africans to thrive.
With frequent references to his diaries and letters, the book is written with a frankness and candour so often absent in autobiographies. It offers readers a rare insight into the life of a uniquely talented and accomplished person, revealing his doubts and heartaches as well as the secrets to his ability to pick himself up and soldier on. The book reveals how his compassion for others changed his life and gave it purpose.
Pushing Boulders is about pursuing dreams. It shows that, with self-belief and resilience, anyone can push aside the boulders blocking their path to success. It tells a powerful and inspirational story that will have you believing that even your most outrageous dreams are possible, and leave you energised to begin pursuing them.
With frequent references to his diaries and letters, the book is written with a frankness and candour so often absent in autobiographies. It offers readers a rare insight into the life of a uniquely talented and accomplished person, revealing his doubts and heartaches as well as the secrets to his ability to pick himself up and soldier on. The book reveals how his compassion for others changed his life and gave it purpose.
Pushing Boulders is about pursuing dreams. It shows that, with self-belief and resilience, anyone can push aside the boulders blocking their path to success. It tells a powerful and inspirational story that will have you believing that even your most outrageous dreams are possible, and leave you energised to begin pursuing them.
276 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2016
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34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 8, 2017
The extaordinary journey of an extraordinary man who “chose the pen” in the midst of the chaotic violence that reigned around his school and home in Mitchell’s Plain in the mid 1980s.
Poet Athol Williams refused to accept the meagre value apartheid’s architects attempted to assign to him. His easy writing style means this autobiography rolls along so smoothly, and yet we’re reading about this incredibly challenging, boulder-strewn path that took him to ambitious academic and professional heights. And then to walk away from the corporate world in which he had achieved immense wealth doing work he enjoyed, a choice born out of his understanding that life is finite – it is a rare person who can do that.
He conveys so simply his deep hurt at the discrimination he encountered, but his will to succeed is the real force in this account of a life lived with passion and determination.
An immensely moving and inspiring book that makes us relook at our values. It is heartening to know there are people like Athol Williams in our world.
Poet Athol Williams refused to accept the meagre value apartheid’s architects attempted to assign to him. His easy writing style means this autobiography rolls along so smoothly, and yet we’re reading about this incredibly challenging, boulder-strewn path that took him to ambitious academic and professional heights. And then to walk away from the corporate world in which he had achieved immense wealth doing work he enjoyed, a choice born out of his understanding that life is finite – it is a rare person who can do that.
He conveys so simply his deep hurt at the discrimination he encountered, but his will to succeed is the real force in this account of a life lived with passion and determination.
An immensely moving and inspiring book that makes us relook at our values. It is heartening to know there are people like Athol Williams in our world.
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September 12, 2016– I am often asked derisively why I am so angry. I suggest to my challengers that perhaps if they have suffered what I have perhaps they too would be this angry. I encourage enquirers to rather ask themselves, with all the injustices around us, why *they* aren't angry. –
– Those who resist oppression are always seen as troublemakers to the oppressor. –
– A business can fail when, as the leader, you fail in bringing people along with you. –
– Life is about the dream that lay on the other side of the boulders. –
– To be alive is to walk a path to take a journey; it matters less where the path leads than that we have the courage to walk. –
February 20, 2018
I am very impressed and inspired by Athol’s story, his honesty and his courage to pursue his dreams despite many obstacles. It is indeed admirable and worthy of mention. However, towards the end of the book it felt like I would never reach the end of his long list of accomplishments and it felt like he had been blowing his horn a little too much (which I know is not his intention). I guess that’s the nature of the memoir form to a certain extent. A worthy read nonetheless, especially if you have an interest in South Africa.
March 8, 2021
Most inspiring.
Athol Williams had the courage of his convictions and followed his dreams to realistic conclusions. His success in getting to taste and live in freedom far exceeded his expectations.
It was a hard slog with having to displace his 'boulders' such as boredom. socioeconomic factors, oppression during Apartheid presenting his people with, as he put is, "ankle-high ceilings" and political unrest. The political unrest under the banner of 'Liberation before education' was a serious disruption of his school years during which he received inferior education. Other 'boulders' were finding finances for further studies, prejudice and racism with accompanying humiliation and disrespect, and noting other people's suffering and lack of freedom.
His resolutions and resources can be summed up as:
Determination and dedication;
Electing non-violence (pen rather than bomb);
His thirst for knowledge - reading and advanced studies - liberation THROUGH education;
His endeavour to earn dignity and mutual respect
and to follow the road of least regret (as opposed to least resistance) and of greatest meaning and opportunity - albeit it on rough and uncertain ground.
This could be a setbook for educational establishments in South Africa as it is so encouraging to realise how problems can be overcome. So many people still stand behind the biggest boulder - apartheid. For some it is an excuse not to try in life. Meanwhile to the author it was a major driving force.
As he says, he has been an economic entrepreneur, dabbled in being a social entrepreneur and moved on to being a 'hope' entrepreneur.
He also talks of "small steps", but, with his big personality, inherentt leadership abilities and impatience, "strides were more his style. In fact he took "leaps" to get to where he was at a young age.
One of the most moving accounts in the book was where he stood at his brother's garden gate wearing his Oxford University jacket - read the book to appreciate the full impact of this.
Athol Williams for President!!
Athol Williams had the courage of his convictions and followed his dreams to realistic conclusions. His success in getting to taste and live in freedom far exceeded his expectations.
It was a hard slog with having to displace his 'boulders' such as boredom. socioeconomic factors, oppression during Apartheid presenting his people with, as he put is, "ankle-high ceilings" and political unrest. The political unrest under the banner of 'Liberation before education' was a serious disruption of his school years during which he received inferior education. Other 'boulders' were finding finances for further studies, prejudice and racism with accompanying humiliation and disrespect, and noting other people's suffering and lack of freedom.
His resolutions and resources can be summed up as:
Determination and dedication;
Electing non-violence (pen rather than bomb);
His thirst for knowledge - reading and advanced studies - liberation THROUGH education;
His endeavour to earn dignity and mutual respect
and to follow the road of least regret (as opposed to least resistance) and of greatest meaning and opportunity - albeit it on rough and uncertain ground.
This could be a setbook for educational establishments in South Africa as it is so encouraging to realise how problems can be overcome. So many people still stand behind the biggest boulder - apartheid. For some it is an excuse not to try in life. Meanwhile to the author it was a major driving force.
As he says, he has been an economic entrepreneur, dabbled in being a social entrepreneur and moved on to being a 'hope' entrepreneur.
He also talks of "small steps", but, with his big personality, inherentt leadership abilities and impatience, "strides were more his style. In fact he took "leaps" to get to where he was at a young age.
One of the most moving accounts in the book was where he stood at his brother's garden gate wearing his Oxford University jacket - read the book to appreciate the full impact of this.
Athol Williams for President!!
November 18, 2018
As a coloured man from Durban only a few years younger than Mr Williams, I might be biased, but I absolutely loved this book!
Perhaps it's the shared experience of growing up in apartheid South Africa or the familial history similarities - his family history could be my own, my maternal grandmother being a Williams! - but I think the most powerful message of the book is Mr Wlliams' unshakeable belief in humanity. The many boulders he was able to push aside was in my opinion powered by that believe, and the inspiration to connect and make a difference. In a World were intelligence is used as currency for material enrichment, it was refreshing to follow the journey of a man looking for meaning and to be of service. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for some inspiration to break out of the norm. We don't need to start with boulders, shifting pebbles to begin with will do...
Perhaps it's the shared experience of growing up in apartheid South Africa or the familial history similarities - his family history could be my own, my maternal grandmother being a Williams! - but I think the most powerful message of the book is Mr Wlliams' unshakeable belief in humanity. The many boulders he was able to push aside was in my opinion powered by that believe, and the inspiration to connect and make a difference. In a World were intelligence is used as currency for material enrichment, it was refreshing to follow the journey of a man looking for meaning and to be of service. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for some inspiration to break out of the norm. We don't need to start with boulders, shifting pebbles to begin with will do...
March 3, 2020
It is a refreshing to read a book about a man’s journey that could have been my next-door neighbor and further to know he accomplished things that ideally, under systematic circumstances, would not even be thought about. He deserves the applaud and admiration not just for his success but for his pure perseverance in circumstances that not many are familiar with.
August 11, 2021
Athol Williams would indeed be the President that South Africa needs right now!
September 30, 2016
º°✩ARC provided by author for an honest review✩º°∘
☆Title: Pushing Boulders
☆Series: Standalone
☆Author: Athol Williams
☆Genre: Autobiography
☆Format: E-copy
☆Published: September 2016
☆Rating: 5 ✩'s
I don't know how to start off this review, there's too much emotions breaking like waves on a shore.
This book has an amazing punch. It hits you in the face with a punch so powerful that you have to double take what you're reading.
Athol has gone through so many trails & tribulations, and still he ended up where he envisioned himself to be. To have that will to overcome any obstacle amazes me, and makes me gain a new respect for him.
I never read autobiographies, ever, but I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read Athol's, since it literally changed my life. I've got a new outlook on things, and situations that I thought to be boulders, are actually just stones. I can just kick them out of the way.
My 2 favourite quotes of this book will stay with me for a lifetime:
"And so I learned to push stones. And I grew strong until I could push rocks. And still I grew until I was a giant who could push boulders."
"By dreaming big and working relentlessly to fulfil these dreams, I believe we invite miracles into our lives."
I have often doubted the importancy of writing poetry, since no one really read it. My poetry days were reduced to jotting down a quick sentence and let it gather dust. But Athol made me realise the importancy of poetry, and continuing with a passion that ignited deep within your heart.
A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Athol and being interviewed on his radio program "Words Alive". One thing that struck me, was that Athol was really interested in my poetry. He wasn't like many others that knew when to say yes or no. He understood the meaning, not confined to the poem, but to the whole idea of writing poetry. And since then I've never met someone that was so passionate about poetry.
This book will enrich every person that comes across it, whether they buy it themselves or as a gift. I would recommend this book literally to everyone since it has such a deeper meaning. You have to sit and really experience this book. You will feel it in your veins, your heart will start to pound to a different rhythm, and that rhythm will be of fighting against the odds, pushing the boulders(no matter how big or small) up the hill, and to never give up.
This book changed my life and I want to thank Athol for such a rich experience, for not only teaching me, but everyone else to never give up and to stand for what they believe in.
☆Title: Pushing Boulders
☆Series: Standalone
☆Author: Athol Williams
☆Genre: Autobiography
☆Format: E-copy
☆Published: September 2016
☆Rating: 5 ✩'s
I don't know how to start off this review, there's too much emotions breaking like waves on a shore.
This book has an amazing punch. It hits you in the face with a punch so powerful that you have to double take what you're reading.
Athol has gone through so many trails & tribulations, and still he ended up where he envisioned himself to be. To have that will to overcome any obstacle amazes me, and makes me gain a new respect for him.
I never read autobiographies, ever, but I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read Athol's, since it literally changed my life. I've got a new outlook on things, and situations that I thought to be boulders, are actually just stones. I can just kick them out of the way.
My 2 favourite quotes of this book will stay with me for a lifetime:
"And so I learned to push stones. And I grew strong until I could push rocks. And still I grew until I was a giant who could push boulders."
"By dreaming big and working relentlessly to fulfil these dreams, I believe we invite miracles into our lives."
I have often doubted the importancy of writing poetry, since no one really read it. My poetry days were reduced to jotting down a quick sentence and let it gather dust. But Athol made me realise the importancy of poetry, and continuing with a passion that ignited deep within your heart.
A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting Athol and being interviewed on his radio program "Words Alive". One thing that struck me, was that Athol was really interested in my poetry. He wasn't like many others that knew when to say yes or no. He understood the meaning, not confined to the poem, but to the whole idea of writing poetry. And since then I've never met someone that was so passionate about poetry.
This book will enrich every person that comes across it, whether they buy it themselves or as a gift. I would recommend this book literally to everyone since it has such a deeper meaning. You have to sit and really experience this book. You will feel it in your veins, your heart will start to pound to a different rhythm, and that rhythm will be of fighting against the odds, pushing the boulders(no matter how big or small) up the hill, and to never give up.
This book changed my life and I want to thank Athol for such a rich experience, for not only teaching me, but everyone else to never give up and to stand for what they believe in.
November 18, 2016
I am inspired by Athol's incredible journey and hope that everyone reads his story. This story makes us believe that we can achieve our dreams despite our circumstances. Like Athol, we all need to dream big, have self belief and have resilience. Athol dreamed of studying at the top universities in the world. and freeing himself through education... and he did. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories about him running away from nursery school and going to MIT. We need to be aware of our boulders and overcome them. Athol had many boulders throughout his life, like been born in Mitchells Plain, experiencing apartheid at it's ugliest and losing loved ones. Yet he perservered in his goal for excellence. After experiencing success and freedom, Athol moved away from focusing on himself to focusing on inspiring others to be free which is admirable.
A must read for anyone needing a little inspiration.
A must read for anyone needing a little inspiration.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews