My Next Step: An Extraordinary Journey of Healing and Hope

A day after I read this book, I'm still trying to decide exactly how i feel about it. It was very well-written, and the life-or-death struggle the author endured really pulled me into his story. My hat is off to him for his courage, perseverance, strength of will, and determination. I admired him, too, for his military service and the brave way he lives out his belief that no man or woman should ever be left behind. He is clearly devoted to his loving family, as they are to him.

I was disconcerted, though--and this is my bias, as a person of faith--that he didn't really seem to reach out to God during his illness and recovery. But Mr. Liniger says upfront that he's not a religious person, so there's no reason to expect that he would. It show more would be wrong of me to make a judgment about the book because I have a different kind of faith. I only mean that if I were going through a similar trial, i would look for a book that would encourage me to not give up because I had a God who loved me and cared for me. In a situation like the author's, a book that told me only to rely on myself would not be enough, because i believe we need God.

I suspect the author might see that admission as my weakness or failing, because he does rely almost completely on his own will and determination and personal strength. But I've known people who also had a strong will, and great determination, and they didn't always prevail. It's not always about having a strong spirit. Human bodies can be frail and they can fail. Overcoming illness or disability is not always a matter of physical or emotional strength. Sometimes, there is a visible grace demonstrated when a person realizes they aren't going to survive, and they stop fighting and accept what is going to happen. That's not weakness, or giving up, or surrender. It's acceptance and making peace with the inevitable--because in the end, none of us live forever.

I also felt some discomfort when I read how Mr. Liniger was able to have only the best care--the best hospitals, treatment centers, doctors. He mentions a hospital as being like a fine hotel, with delicious food. Not that I wouldn't choose the same for myself or my family, if I were financially able. But there again, being able to afford the best care gives a patient a better chance of survival or recovery. Money makes a difference; it's not all about how determined or strong you are.

It also bothered me to read copies of letters, which are included in the book, that Mr. Liniger's staff sent out to his Re/Max employees.The letters spun his serious illness in the best possible light. I understand that no one wanted alarm the employees, and this is how business is done. But I didn't care for it. It felt less than honest to conceal much of what was happening to the leader of this company, when so many jobs and families depended on it. But then again, there must be a fine line between sharing what employees and customers need to know, and a family's right to privacy. My inclination is toward transparency, however, when others are depending on you.

In short, I was inspired by the first few chapters of this book, but some of that gave way to these concerns. The book was very well structured and written; it's an absorbing story; and i do sincerely hope that the author will recover fully and resume what sounds like a wonderful life. I wish him and his family the best.

I received a review copy of this book from LibraryThing. show less

I received this book as an Early Reviewer. I was anticipating an inspiring story of someone who overcame a very serious infection (MRSA). I found the references to RE/MAX CEO, conferences, etc. distracting and took away from the human struggle to overcome his illness. He did write quit a bit about his family support, but I would like to have seen more of his own perspective in his own personal struggle.

My Next Step is a memoir, co-written by Dave Liniger, one of the co-founders of Re/Max. After reading it (which took me about 1/2 day), my initial response is "Yay Me". The book seems more promotional and self-serving than inspirational. I found very little in it that a person challenged with catastrophic health issues could use, especially when not blessed with the resources this man has. The sidebars from his children were so carefully worded - my cynical side instantly thought they were trying to preserve their possible "inheritance" so they only recounted the positive things they did and thought. Every paragraph that said something about "my father" was written to cast Dave in a positive light. While I appreciate the loyalty that show more shows, as one who has nursed a loved one through a horrific medical crisis, I can honestly say that every day is a roller coaster - and none of the emotional ups and downs were captured. Either these people are very robotic, or very controlled, and either way, I couldn't relate to them.

Of most interest to me was the parts of the book that dealt with his recounting the start of Re/Max. Interesting enough that I went to their website to look at the member bios, etc. His next book should definitely be about Re/Max. He seems much more in touch with his company that with his feelings. show less

My Next Step: An Extraordinary Journey of Healing and Hope by Dave Liniger was a disappointment to me. There was just too much of REMAX in this book. Mr. Liniger is the chairman and Co-Founder of that business.

Mr. Liniger was having some back pain which later turned out to be MRSA. That is potentially deadly. It is a Staph infection that can is terribly difficult to fight. I heard a presentation from a woman whose son has it and he nearly died several times. That brought me to tears, this book did not.

What I did like about the book was Mr. Liniger’s reconstruction of the events and his emotions during the whole experience. He was very fortunate to have a large family and many concerned co-workers. They rotated their care and never show more left his side. Mr. Liniger was in a great deal of pain so it must have been challenging for him to recount this experience. There were spots of humor included that I appreciated. b Mr. Liniger seemed to have a good personality and it is reflected in this book.

Just as I was really feeling for Mr. Liniger, he would pull away and bring the company’s goals and principles in this book. If that had been reduced, I would have liked the book more. There was a Super Bowl Party set up in the Urgent Care waiting room. I just felt that a separate quiet place should have been set up for the people with relatives in danger so they could go there.

I recommend this book to people interested in MRSA or REMAX but I do think it could have been improved.

I received this book from Library Thing as a win and that in no way influenced my review and no monetary reimbursement was received. show less

Dave Liniger has written a wonderful memoir about his miraculous fight for life. Mr. Liniger is the co-founder of Re/Max real estate and is a no nonsense, man's man. Throughout his lifetime he has set goals and found the means to achieve each goal he has set. He pushes himself to go further and do better in everything he works for. He has done things that have punished his body both physically and mentally. Probably due in some way or another to this fact, he has a bad back. Unknown to anyone the pain in his back that started this story was more than the mere wearing off of his regular injections. This was a severe staph infection and it had taken up residence in his spine. Arriving at the hospital thinking he would get some medicine show more and head home, no one realized it would be 6 months before he would make it home and no one knew just how hard that fight would be. Mr. Liniger, with the help of family, friends, medical professionals and business associates tell his story. Through the first month Mr. Liniger doesn't remember much as he was in a semi-comatose state, he had organs begin to fail and he flat-lined once. It is really not known why he survived, but when you read his story you will see what type of man he is and that may give a little insight into part of his survival. Mr. Liniger talks about the wonderful support system he has around him and his belief in not feeling sorry for yourself or letting the small (or in this case, large) things get you down. You control your destiny. I found this book to be very uplifting.
I received a copy of this book for purposes of review. show less

I won this book as an Early Reviewer book from LibraryThing. This book was a quick read. Since we recently went through a similar experience with my mother who finally was able to come home after 7 months in a nursing home, it really hit home with me. Dave was very honest about his obstacles to a still on-going recovery. I will be sending this book to my mother to read. The book goes on sale April 23rd. All proceeds go to three very deserving charities: Children's Miracle Network, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Wounded Warrior Network.

This is my first book that I have won and was excited to read and then review it. Was glad they didn't draw the story out to long. It was just enough of a story
to understand what he was going through. What a remarkable story. He made you want to keep reading just to find out how he survived and the struggles that he went through. I will also have to say did it help that he could afford the best of care for himself. It seems hard to believe that the hospitals really would allow the family to stay and do the things that they did, with out any complaint from other patients families. I'm sure that he would have received the same care, but having money and power do help with certain situations.
I do give him lots of credit. First was being show more there and taking care of his wife Gail and helping her recover from her own health problems then to find himself in a worse situation. His family should be given a lot of credit. During situations like that sometimes a family will come together or it could pull them apart. They seemed to hold together very nicely. His work seemed not to be as much as a problem I thought being the fact that he owned the company. Yes, they kept the employees somewhat up to date about what was going on with Mr. Liniger, but they also sugar coated things for the employees not letting them know really how sick he really was He was concerned about his company, but atleast being the fact he was the owner, there was never any concern that his job would not be there when he got better.
I am glad that I read this book and are very happy for Mr. Liniger and his family. It was truly a fight for his life and determination to survive. I would recommend it to others. I think it could help especially if someone needs encouragement if they or someone they knew was in a bad situation whether with their health or anything else in their life.
I received and reviewed this book for Library Thing and give it a 4 star. show less