A Gift to my Children

When I was a boy, my father often pulled me aside to convey lessons intended to build what we generally refer to as "e;character"e;. Often his advice was very simple work hard, think for yourself, do right by others but I believe those lessons provided the foundation for everything that has followed in my life. Now that I'm a dad myself, I wanted to put them down in one place, with examples of my own experiences, as a guide to life, adventure, and investing, both for my young daughters and for anyone seeking success in his or her chosen field. I hope that parents will be inspired to give this book to their children, and vice versa, as many of the lessons that I have learned apply not just to young people but to all adults for example, question everything, never follow the crowd, and beware of boys! What a lovely, lovely book! Though I've read all you've written, this one really touched me. It is, of course, a love letter to your daughters, which is not only a wonderful, meaningful thing to do, but it was filled with exactly the kind of advice all fathers should give. Your new book will stay on my shelf for a long, long time, and I'll be giving it to my own kids to read. --Nicholas Sparks, author of The Notebook, Dear John, and The Last Song

When I was a boy, my father often pulled me aside to convey lessonsintended to build what we generally refer to as "character". Oftenhis advice was very simple -- work hard, think for yourselfdo right by others -- but I believe those lessons provided thefoundation for everything that has followed in my life. Now thatI'm a dad myself, I wanted to put them down in one place, withexamples of my own experiences, as a guide to life, adventure, andinvesting, both for my young daughters and for anyone seekingsuccess in his or her chosen field. I hope that parents will beinspired to give this book to their children, and vice versa, asmany of the lessons that I have learned apply not just to youngpeople but to all adults--for example, question everythingnever follow the crowd, and beware of boys!What a lovely, lovely book! Though I've read all you'vewritten, this one really touched me. It is, of course, a loveletter to your daughters, which is not only a wonderful, meaningfulthing to do, but it was filled with exactly the kind of advice allfathers should give. Your new book will stay on my shelf for along, long time, and I'll be giving it to my own kids toread.Nicholas Sparks, author of The Notebook, DearJohn, and The Last Song

Preface.Introduction.1. Swim Your Own Races: Do Not Let Others Do Your Thinking forYou.2. Focus on What You Like.3. Good Habits for Life and Investing.4. Common Sense? Not So Common.5. Your Education, Part I: Let the World Be a Part of YourPerspective.6. Your Education, Part II: Learn Philosophy; Learn to"Think".7. Your Education, Part III: Learn History!8. Your Education, Part IV: Learn Languages (and Make Sure ThatMandarin Is One of Them!)9. It Is the Century of China.10. Know Thyself by Understanding Your Weaknesses andAcknowledging Your Mistakes.11. Recognize Change and Embrace It.12. Look to the Future!13. Lady Luck Smiles on Those Who Continue in Their Efforts.Epilogue.About the Author.