A unique blend of fiction, history, allegory, and inspiration, The Traveler's Gift has motivated tens of thousands since its release in late 2002. Now this wildly successful parable is available in an affordable trade paper edition.

David Ponder's lost his job, his confidence, and his will to live. And just when it seems that things can't get any worse, they do: his only child falls ill, and he's involved in a serious car accident. But a divine adventure that includes encounters with seven of history's most inspirational characters, among them Anne Frank, Abraham Lincoln, and Christopher Columbus, leaves him with a glimpse of life's big picture, and seven bits of wisdom with which to confront his future.

This thought-provoking book encourages readers of all ages to reach their full potential using these simple keys to success.

David Fonder is standing at the edge of the cliff, ready to snap. He's ditched from his job, his daughter's sick, no money, he's mad at God... (Hmm... Bruce Almighty...) He's (wow) hit by a truck. God sends him on a journey to meet several historical figures. They each have a piece of wisdom to hand to him. The trouble is, with better writing even this over-used method of 'revealing wisdom' could have worked better, but the writing is just about standard. Nothing to really complain about, but nothing that makes you want to read more.

I especially didn't like the way these 'advices for success' were put. Like most other self-help books, the author doesn't choose to explain, proove, and engage his readers intelligently; instead, he sounds like an Old Testament God, booming "Thou shalt do this." He could have used some subtlety. Of course, if you like the genre of ever-growing self-help books, you'll probably like this one too.

Oh, and if you're not Christian you might be troubled with this book because it's written from the viewpoint of a Christian author. You might be troubled even if you're Christian. I didn't like the way the author was all proclaiming and declaring God's will. God's complex and should be taken as such, but the way he puts it you'd think He's a business corporate CEO.

In an age where wisdom is rare and hard to find, I can understand why this book became so popular. It promises wisdom, success and courage in exchange for a few bucks and a few hours. The thing is, though, one book can't and won't change your life. People are slowly and constantly changed by what they read and watch, and one book may modify the reader's thinking process significantly in one area, but it will not grant wisdom to a fool and courage to a coward. A book that tries to do so is trying for too much. And a reader who wishes for a wonder-book of that kind is hoping for too much in exchange for too little effort. Wisdom can be found in small quantities in almost anywhere; novels of great authors, well-made movies, the words of a friend.... Look wide and deep, don't end your search with just one self-help book.