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Start Something: You Can Make a Difference by Tiger Woods Foundation, Earl Woods
Book Summary InformationAuthor: Earl Woods, Tiger Woods Foundation Edition: Hardcover Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published) Published: 2000-10-05 ISBN: 0743210964 Number of pages: 144 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Accessories:
Book Reviews of Start Something: You Can Make a DifferenceBook Review: "Be a winner . . . in your own life." -- Tiger Woods Summary: 5 Stars
Earl and Tiger Woods team up in this book to provide great advice for children on how to make the most of their lives. The book begins with an introduction by Tiger that talks about the importance of being a role model, and describes his Dad as his. From his Father, he learned to "share and care." He challenges young readers. "With your help, I believe that we can make a difference in the lives of others across the world. I challenge you to join me." The rest of the book contains advice by Earl for young people, the same advice that he gave Tiger. At the end of many sections, Tiger adds a quote that endorses and amplifies how he internalized these messages. Although explicitly aimed at youngsters, this book is equally valuable as role model information for parents, especially Fathers. The key message is that good habits make for a better life. The book has about 70 brief essays that detail these good habits. Space limitations here prevent listing them all, but I thought they were all well worth articulating. Here are 19 of my favorite sections: Follow your passion, not the pack. Did you help someone today? Unload your past mistakes. Shut down the jerk who teases you. You can pick your friends, but not your brothers and sisters. You are a leader. You have to start somewhere. Notice the kid everyone ignores. Respect your body. Take responsibility for yourself. Complaining is for cowards. Are you listening? Say hello. What are you proud of today? Keep promises. Say you're sorry. Say thank you. Ask others about themselves. Read newspapers. Tiger Woods fans will revel in some of the stories in the book. One of my favorites is about Tiger when he was five. Earl and Tiger were watching a news program, and a story came on about children starving during the famine and civil war in Ethiopia. Earl told Tiger that a friend of Earl's was going to Ethiopia to help. Without another word, Tiger went into his room and brought back some of his cherished gold coins he collected and asked his father to send them to help the children in Ethiopia. Any parent would be proud to have such a child, even if he couldn't play golf! Tiger's great golf ability is handled well in the book. Earl and Tiger make it clear that how well you hit the ball doesn't matter, it's what kind of person you are that counts. This message comes through loud and clear, and should help steer some young people away from the frivolous lives that many professional athletes live. You will be proud of the Woods family as you read this book. It will reaffirm your faith in humanity and in positive role models. It is a truly heartwarming book in every way. After you have shared this book with young people and begun to model your actions on Earl, think about how else you could be a good role model. What is your special gift that can inspire others to become a role model? Let me repeat Tiger's words here. "With your help, I believe we can make a difference in the lives of others across the world." Love being a role model!
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