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The Ultimate Gift #2
The Ultimate Life
A profound follow-up to the bestselling book and major motion picture, The Ultimate Gift. When Jason Stevens found out he had to jump through hoops to maybe get an unnamed inheritance from his billionaire grandfather, he was not amused. By the time he'd finished learning the lessons he'd become a different man. Ready to tackle the duties of running a multi-billion dollar trust, he is once again derailed, this time by his pugnacious family. Not content with their cattle ranches and oil fields, his aunts, uncles, and even his parents are determined to see every last dime entrusted to their own self-serving pockets. With none of the reluctance he initially showed for the Gift, he eagerly accepts the challenge and pushes himself to prove not only to his family and the court but also to the world, that with determination and the simple tenets of the Gift, anyone can lead The Ultimate Life.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
79 people are currently reading
968 people want to read
About the author
Jim Stovall
179 books167 followersJim Stovall has been a national champion Olympic weightlifter, the President of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network, and a highly sought after author and platform speaker. He is the author of the best selling book, The Ultimate Gift, which is a major motion picture starring James Garner and Abigail Breslin. He is also author of The Ultimate Life and The Ultimate Journey, which have inspired another major motion picture to be released September 2013.
Steve Forbes, president and CEO of Forbes magazine, says, “Jim Stovall is one of the most extraordinary men of our era.”
For his work in making television accessible to our nation’s 13 million blind and visually impaired people, The President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity selected Jim Stovall as the Entrepreneur of the Year. He was also chosen as the International Humanitarian of the Year.
Steve Forbes, president and CEO of Forbes magazine, says, “Jim Stovall is one of the most extraordinary men of our era.”
For his work in making television accessible to our nation’s 13 million blind and visually impaired people, The President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity selected Jim Stovall as the Entrepreneur of the Year. He was also chosen as the International Humanitarian of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
January 9, 2018
This book was an ok book but very much a repetition of The Ultimate Gift and very predicable in every way. However, there were several discrepancies between the two which were rather confusing. In the first book, Jason Stevens was the great nephew of billionaire Howard (Red) Stevens. In this second book, he somehow became the grandson. It was explained that originally Jason was embarrassed to be known as the grandson, however, there was no indication of that in the first book. Another discrepancy involved a little terminally ill girl, Emily, who he met in the park with her nurse. In the second book, she was with her mother, Alexia, who was now Jason's fiancé. No explanation given. There were other discrepancies including the terms of the will. So in this second book, we find that the entire family (who have received millions of dollars in the will) have somehow managed to get all Jason's assets frozen while they contest the will. Here is where I was very bewildered by the proceedings. Jason is the defendant in the case, however, he has to prove that he has met all the provisions of the will and is capable of handling the distribution of the billions of dollars of assets received in the will. He had already met all the conditions of the will in the first book and the will stated no further conditions concerning his ability to distribute the funds. So now he has to prove over the course of another year what his relatives want proven. Why is it not up to them to provide the proof. But nothing is said about that. They just proceed like this is perfectly acceptable and legal. The terms of the will concerning the other relatives has changed also. Just too many contradictions! I did read another reviewer state that this book seemed to be a sequel not to the book, The Ultimate Gift, but to the movie, The Ultimate Gift. The descrepancies which I pointed out above matched perfectly with the movie version. So you needed to watch the movie for it to make sense!!
July 31, 2021
This was just a rehash of the first book while expanding the ‘audience’. So no better, no worse than the first one.
September 30, 2017
This sequel to the book, The Ultimate Gift, is even better than the first one in the series. Picking up shortly after Jason Steven's 12-month quest for the "ultimate gift," under the guidance of his grandfather's attorney, Theodore J. Hamilton, a new drama unfolds in the courtroom of The Honorable Judge Stanford A. Davis. Jason's greedy, self-serving relatives--not satisfied with the millions of dollars in property, oil, livestock and other assets bequeathed to them by multi-billionaire Howard 'Red' Stevens--hire a "dream team" of lawyers from the firm Dudley, Cheatham and Leech to represent them in a suit to seize the holdings of a non-profit organization left by Red under the care of young Jason. Due to the language of Red's last will and testament, this soon becomes a "winner take all" contest with stakes too high for either party to lose. And Judge Davis must rely on all of his years of experience, plus the advice of his own mentor, to make a lawful and reasonable ruling.
The Ultimate Life reiterates the values of the twelve gifts Jason experienced in book 1. Over multiple hearings throughout the ensuing year in Davis' courtroom, Jason is forced not only to prove to the judge's discretion that he fulfilled the requirements of each lesson Red gave, but also that he was able to teach others the same value, as expected in his work with his grandfather's charitable organizations. Not only does Jason accomplish this, but he brings about changes in the community around the courthouse and in the judge's life, as well.
I love the humor Stovall introduced through the attorney, Theodore Hamilton. He takes great pleasure and latitude in taunting his opponent, L. Myron Dudley. My husband and I nearly busted a gut laughing so hard at the antics of these two lawyers in Judge Davis' courtroom. Moreover, we cheered and cried, as we heard the story unfold of how Jason--once a self-centered rich brat like his family--transforms the lives of ordinary working class and unprivileged people in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Even though it is a work of fiction, you'll find yourself getting attached to the characters as if they were real. Not only that, but it just may spur you to try some of Jason's ideas in your own community.
If you are looking for an easy, but delightful read that carries truly meaningful values with it, then this is an outstanding choice. Read it aloud to your kids and talk about how they, too, can make a difference by embracing these gifts themselves, and then passing them on to others. It will only take an afternoon of your time (or a couple of weeks, if you read a chapter per day), but the benefits may last a lifetime.
The Ultimate Life reiterates the values of the twelve gifts Jason experienced in book 1. Over multiple hearings throughout the ensuing year in Davis' courtroom, Jason is forced not only to prove to the judge's discretion that he fulfilled the requirements of each lesson Red gave, but also that he was able to teach others the same value, as expected in his work with his grandfather's charitable organizations. Not only does Jason accomplish this, but he brings about changes in the community around the courthouse and in the judge's life, as well.
I love the humor Stovall introduced through the attorney, Theodore Hamilton. He takes great pleasure and latitude in taunting his opponent, L. Myron Dudley. My husband and I nearly busted a gut laughing so hard at the antics of these two lawyers in Judge Davis' courtroom. Moreover, we cheered and cried, as we heard the story unfold of how Jason--once a self-centered rich brat like his family--transforms the lives of ordinary working class and unprivileged people in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Even though it is a work of fiction, you'll find yourself getting attached to the characters as if they were real. Not only that, but it just may spur you to try some of Jason's ideas in your own community.
If you are looking for an easy, but delightful read that carries truly meaningful values with it, then this is an outstanding choice. Read it aloud to your kids and talk about how they, too, can make a difference by embracing these gifts themselves, and then passing them on to others. It will only take an afternoon of your time (or a couple of weeks, if you read a chapter per day), but the benefits may last a lifetime.
July 5, 2011
You have to read the Ultimate Gift to really absorb the impact of this book as it is the sequel. There is a true foundation to this book and a lot to be learned about yourself and others.
This book really makes you appreciate what is important in life. Sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day stuff we forget. This puts it back in perspective without the religious tilt so often seen. It's a great book to read over and over.
Edit
This book really makes you appreciate what is important in life. Sometimes we get so caught up in the day-to-day stuff we forget. This puts it back in perspective without the religious tilt so often seen. It's a great book to read over and over.
Edit
June 19, 2021
Often advertised in the religious fiction section, there is not really anything religious about it. It's more of just a good book with nothing offensive and a lot of very good life advice. It is the sequel to the book (later movie, then novelization) "The Ultimate Gift." "The Ultimate Gift" is about a young man from a rich family who is doing the usual wasting of his life and squandering his money while partying his life away. After his grandfather dies, the grandfather leaves an unusual will that gives most of the family something of an inheritance, but the bulk of his estate will go to our main character, Jason, provided he can fulfill his grandfather's 12 challenges over the course of a year. The challenges are, of course, life lessons teaching him such things as the gift of laughter, the gift of a day, the gift of friends, and so on. Of course, Jason accomplishes his grandfather's challenges and goes on to lead a much more fulfilling and happy life.
That leads us to this book, The Ultimate Life, which in my opinion, is an even better book. Jason's family has challenged the will as they all want more than what they were initially given. Enough is never enough. The book is written from the judge's point of view as he presides over the 12 challenges as we go through them all over again for the next year. Along the way, the emphasis on the gifts is strong, and we learn a lot of good lessons, such as the job itself not being as important as the way in which you do the job.
What I liked about the book: It is very inspirational and a bit educational. There is a lot of food for thought in how you look at things in your own life. The main character of the judge is very fun to read.
What I did not like about the book: Some of the "emotional" scenes are very forced. The "bad guy" lawyer doesn't seem to do a very convincing job for supposedly being one of the best. A couple of the characters seem a little too perfect.
On a scale of 1-10, I give this book an 8. I actually do read this book every year as it is a good, simple book to remind you to not take your life for granted and gives you good advice on how not to do that, but it is a *simple* book.
That leads us to this book, The Ultimate Life, which in my opinion, is an even better book. Jason's family has challenged the will as they all want more than what they were initially given. Enough is never enough. The book is written from the judge's point of view as he presides over the 12 challenges as we go through them all over again for the next year. Along the way, the emphasis on the gifts is strong, and we learn a lot of good lessons, such as the job itself not being as important as the way in which you do the job.
What I liked about the book: It is very inspirational and a bit educational. There is a lot of food for thought in how you look at things in your own life. The main character of the judge is very fun to read.
What I did not like about the book: Some of the "emotional" scenes are very forced. The "bad guy" lawyer doesn't seem to do a very convincing job for supposedly being one of the best. A couple of the characters seem a little too perfect.
On a scale of 1-10, I give this book an 8. I actually do read this book every year as it is a good, simple book to remind you to not take your life for granted and gives you good advice on how not to do that, but it is a *simple* book.
April 27, 2020
Quyển sách kể về câu chuyện xoay quanh 4 người về bài học của người ông quá cố cố gắng dạy dỗ người cháu qua sự giúp đỡ của hai người bạn. Nhưng sâu đó kết thúc hành trình đó chính là bài học cho những độc giả của quyển sách. Xuyên suốt từng câu chữ, để rồi người ta cảm nhận được bài học thật thấm thía
1. Giá trị của công việc : Khi yêu thích công việc của mình, ta sẽ không phụ thấy đó là việc phải làm
2. Gía trị của đồng tiền: Tiền thật ra chỉ là một công cụ, không hơn không kém. Nó có thể phục vụ cho cái thiện và cũng có thể phục vụ cho cái ác, hoặc đơn giản là nó chẳng giúp ích được gì cả.
3. Giá trị của tình bạn:
4. Giá trị của việc học hỏi: Học tập là một cuộc hành trình dài cả đời, và đích đến của cuộc hành trình ấy luôn di chuyển theo hướng mỗi chặng đường ta đi qua.
5. Giá trị của thử thách: Ta chỉ có thể tránh được những trở ngại bằng cách học được sự phán đoán tốt. Nhưng óc phán đoán ấy chỉ có thể có được qua trải nghiệm.
6. Giá trị của tình thân
7. Giá trị của tiếng cười
8. Giá trị của ước mơ: Ước mơ chính là biểu hiện của niềm tin vào tương lai
9. Giá trị của sự cho đi
10. Giá trị của sự biết ơn
11. Giá trị của hiện tại: Cuộc sống về thực chất có thể tóm lại trong một ngày, và hôm nay chính là ngày ấy
12. Giá trị của tình yêu thương
Cảm ơn tác giả đã gửi đến người đọc quyển sách ý nghĩa này.
1. Giá trị của công việc : Khi yêu thích công việc của mình, ta sẽ không phụ thấy đó là việc phải làm
2. Gía trị của đồng tiền: Tiền thật ra chỉ là một công cụ, không hơn không kém. Nó có thể phục vụ cho cái thiện và cũng có thể phục vụ cho cái ác, hoặc đơn giản là nó chẳng giúp ích được gì cả.
3. Giá trị của tình bạn:
4. Giá trị của việc học hỏi: Học tập là một cuộc hành trình dài cả đời, và đích đến của cuộc hành trình ấy luôn di chuyển theo hướng mỗi chặng đường ta đi qua.
5. Giá trị của thử thách: Ta chỉ có thể tránh được những trở ngại bằng cách học được sự phán đoán tốt. Nhưng óc phán đoán ấy chỉ có thể có được qua trải nghiệm.
6. Giá trị của tình thân
7. Giá trị của tiếng cười
8. Giá trị của ước mơ: Ước mơ chính là biểu hiện của niềm tin vào tương lai
9. Giá trị của sự cho đi
10. Giá trị của sự biết ơn
11. Giá trị của hiện tại: Cuộc sống về thực chất có thể tóm lại trong một ngày, và hôm nay chính là ngày ấy
12. Giá trị của tình yêu thương
Cảm ơn tác giả đã gửi đến người đọc quyển sách ý nghĩa này.
May 22, 2019
Having finished The Ultimate Gift both on demand and in the novelization by Rene Gutteridge, I just have to read this as well. It is a sequel. But if you read the Ultimate Gift written by Jim Stovall, some of the details from his original book were changed for the movie. Some reviewers got a little disappointed that the great nephew becomes the grandson and some other changes.
Jason Stevens inherited a multibillion trust from his grandfather after proving that he has learned all 12 gifts.
In this book, Jason has to prove again to the court and his family that he deserves what was given to him. It is written through Judge Davis' eye. Jason comes to court and tells them about each of the gifts and what he did to prove that he has learned from all of the gifts. Then the judge would asked him to come back the next month and prove to the court that he has also learned how to pass on the gifts to others.
I give this book a 4 star because although there is a lot to learn from the book, it did get a little repetitious.
Jason Stevens inherited a multibillion trust from his grandfather after proving that he has learned all 12 gifts.
In this book, Jason has to prove again to the court and his family that he deserves what was given to him. It is written through Judge Davis' eye. Jason comes to court and tells them about each of the gifts and what he did to prove that he has learned from all of the gifts. Then the judge would asked him to come back the next month and prove to the court that he has also learned how to pass on the gifts to others.
I give this book a 4 star because although there is a lot to learn from the book, it did get a little repetitious.
April 19, 2020
Hampir aja selingkuh ama buku lain soalnya Cerita di buku ini disetiap bab-nya hampir sama,jadi bkin bosan gitu dan tak minat lagi membacannya.
Hmmm tpi aku berjuang dan akhirnya selesai 🤣🤣 wkwkwkw
Kelebihan
-Mungkin Nilai-nilai dalam buku ini membuat sebagian orang mengerti tentang rahasia² dalam kehidupan 😶
Kekurangan
- Alur cerita yang hampir sama disetiap Bab-nya membuat pembaca merasa dan tak minat lagi untuk menyelesaikannya
Aku sendiri sih cukup berjuang untuk menyelesaikannya karena sayang sih kalau baca buku hanya setengah² 😁😁
- Pesan yang ingin disampaikan dalam buku ini,belum terlalu tersampaikan dikarenakan para pembaca tak terlalu menikmati untuk membacannya
Menurut pribadi sih🤔🤔
Buku ini direkomendasiin buat para pecinta hukum 😀😀
Minggu ,19 April 2020
09 : 53 ✔✔✔
Hmmm tpi aku berjuang dan akhirnya selesai 🤣🤣 wkwkwkw
Kelebihan
-Mungkin Nilai-nilai dalam buku ini membuat sebagian orang mengerti tentang rahasia² dalam kehidupan 😶
Kekurangan
- Alur cerita yang hampir sama disetiap Bab-nya membuat pembaca merasa dan tak minat lagi untuk menyelesaikannya
Aku sendiri sih cukup berjuang untuk menyelesaikannya karena sayang sih kalau baca buku hanya setengah² 😁😁
- Pesan yang ingin disampaikan dalam buku ini,belum terlalu tersampaikan dikarenakan para pembaca tak terlalu menikmati untuk membacannya
Menurut pribadi sih🤔🤔
Buku ini direkomendasiin buat para pecinta hukum 😀😀
Minggu ,19 April 2020
09 : 53 ✔✔✔
November 11, 2023
This two-in-one book set is a positive, simple, and feel-good read. It calls to mind some "Chicken Soup for the Soul" type of approach so many can get through this will encouraging and comfortable feelings. It may also cause you to re-evaluate some of your approaches to life which was obviously the author's main goal. The chapters in both books are rather repetitive in their flow, and certain things are repeated way to often for such a short read so that detracted from the content a bit as it seemed a bit like fluff and over-communicating the purpose. Overall, this is a really good book that everyone can benefit from and while it's not intellectually challenging of a read, it does challenge your world view rather strongly.
July 9, 2018
Once again, this book was inspirational!
If I could add anything it would be that there was more to the book so I could get more details! I have many thanks to give the author for such a great second part to the trilogy. I have already downloaded and will begin reading the second part of this book ASAP. I definitely recommend this book to any and all readers of any age. I would also like to add that I will be attempting to realize and utilize each of these gifts in my own life and I encourage any past, present, and future readers to do the same!
If I could add anything it would be that there was more to the book so I could get more details! I have many thanks to give the author for such a great second part to the trilogy. I have already downloaded and will begin reading the second part of this book ASAP. I definitely recommend this book to any and all readers of any age. I would also like to add that I will be attempting to realize and utilize each of these gifts in my own life and I encourage any past, present, and future readers to do the same!
February 20, 2018
The Ultimate Life
Another great book from Jim Stovall in the Ultimate Gift Series. This book was a lot of repetition from The Ultimate Gift book...the first in the series. It does provide a lot of information on Jason Stevens character though, so it is a valuable read. It doesn’t take long to read, but the concepts and rules by which we should all consider living our lives still apply. Thank you, Mr Stovall, for these words and thoughts... Very life changing.
Another great book from Jim Stovall in the Ultimate Gift Series. This book was a lot of repetition from The Ultimate Gift book...the first in the series. It does provide a lot of information on Jason Stevens character though, so it is a valuable read. It doesn’t take long to read, but the concepts and rules by which we should all consider living our lives still apply. Thank you, Mr Stovall, for these words and thoughts... Very life changing.
January 31, 2017
It was basically recap of books one, but with some additional details. The irritating part was the added details were things that were changed in the movie, not added details from book number one. The message continues to be a good one, but I was frustrated with the changes they made to match the movie that came out after book one.
November 10, 2019
I continued with the series in ths audio versions and I have to say, I did not enjoy this one as much. Mostly, it was the narration. It seemed very rushed, hurried. The book is also written in a way so as there is no need to read the first book, so it feels quite repetitive of reading the books one right after the other.
January 9, 2020
Listened this right after finishing The Ultimate Gift. Nice companion story with similar positives and limitations as the original plus believability issues with the communities ready acceptance of some pretty radical changes Jason implemented. And I do agree with the transformative power associated with each of the Gifts.
January 3, 2024
Beautiful book . If we want a better world the change has to start with us, each one of us. It is perfectly illustrated in this book , like a well presented map.
I, for one, am going to use this book for incorporating the various Gifts in my life and share them as Jason did.
An inspiring, thought altering book .
I, for one, am going to use this book for incorporating the various Gifts in my life and share them as Jason did.
An inspiring, thought altering book .
January 25, 2017
Ultimate book
The author cleared many questions concerning the book and the movie and tied the ending together very well. The author did a terrific job at focusing on the main topics while adding humor to the mixture.
The author cleared many questions concerning the book and the movie and tied the ending together very well. The author did a terrific job at focusing on the main topics while adding humor to the mixture.
March 25, 2018
Life changing
Excellent read. Definitely plan to buy and share with all ages. Most importantly plan to take notes from this book and incorporate into my daily living to have a fuller life. Thanks.
Excellent read. Definitely plan to buy and share with all ages. Most importantly plan to take notes from this book and incorporate into my daily living to have a fuller life. Thanks.
January 21, 2025
I read this book immediately following book one and that might be why there were some annoyances. There was a lot of repeating from the first book. I love the idea of the story of love and forgiveness and I like the follow up …. just a lot of repetition.
February 20, 2025
This book is, in a word, unnecessary. It basically just repeated everything in the first book.
But it was kinda weird; in this book, they said things had happened in the first book that only happen in the first movie?
Just don't read it.
But it was kinda weird; in this book, they said things had happened in the first book that only happen in the first movie?
Just don't read it.
June 20, 2025
Quite a revision of the previous read The Ultimate Gift. This book reflects the progress in one's nature by unlocking the understanding of the ultimate gift.
Revive to the consciousness how concepts of the Ultimate Life brought a positive change in Jason's life and how it can bring it to us.
Revive to the consciousness how concepts of the Ultimate Life brought a positive change in Jason's life and how it can bring it to us.
December 11, 2025
Very simplistic, the characters are all very one dimensional, basic caricatures. I just love the morals it imparts. It is more of a self help book in a not very convincing disguise, so if you don’t like self help books it’s not for you.
March 16, 2017
12 lessons to learn in life ... but also to inherit grandfathers fortune!!
June 2, 2017
This is one of the best books I have read for a long time. It had a lot of good morals and the people in the book learned to love and care for one another.
June 24, 2017
Ultimate good reading.
I liked this book because it made me think about my life and the happiness that God has given me.
I liked this book because it made me think about my life and the happiness that God has given me.
July 21, 2017
It was pretty good, albeit not very exciting. I'm thinking that the first book, The Ultimate Gift, was probably better. But it was a clean read, so it wasn't a total loss.
October 13, 2017
loved it!
November 20, 2017
Better than Ultimate Gift,Read ultimate gift before reading this.
December 30, 2017
"Jim Stovall" is at the top of motivational life improving lessons. I look forward in reading more books like this that - "JIM" can part with to write.
January 12, 2018
This is the follow up book to The Ultimate Gift. I really liked this book. It's a bit corny at times, but the lessons it teaches are well worth the read.
February 23, 2018
Interesting but lacked verisimilitude sometimes
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews