The Ultimate Gift

4.5

This was a quick read and a great change of pace from all my college textbooks. This is another coming-of-age type stories in which spoiled Jason must complete a year-long task composed of twelve monthly challenges, learning different "gifts" in order to receive his inheritance, the Ultimate Gift. The lessons that the book taught through the gifts (ex. The Gift of Work, The Gift of Friends) were excellent, and while Jason seemed to change a little too quickly, I found it enjoyable. The movie based on the book is different but still holds to the spirit of the book.

I read this book because it is my next book club book. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have read it.

On the good side, it was a quick read. I was pleased after the first chapter that they left religion out of it until the very end since I get very tired of the attitude that you cannot be a good person if you don't believe in god.

On the bleh side, it read like a cheesy self help seminar. I don't understand how this book "changed lives" - there was nothing new in it, nothing you shouldn't already know.

I did have one take home from the "ultimate gifts" so I guess the two hours I spent reading it at the pool instead of some magazine was slight better time spent.

The ultimate gift by Stovall_ Jim
Have read another book by this author and enjoy the reads.
Jason Stephens inherits from his uncle after his death. His uncle gives him many gifts through the legacy that Jason has to learn-sometimes the hard way.
They will cut him off if he tries to cut corners. The uncle has lined up places and other people he has to see to learn a lesson.
Jason didn't like getting up very early but the plane leaves early and it's not in first class.
Love first lesson of physical labor and how after a month he wants to just finish the whole length of new poles-he ends up with a vehicle in the long run.
Jason wants to know the end result and he has to follow the rules in the order they were meant...
Life lessons, priceless!
I show more received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device). show less

This is a story about a rich man who died & left his money various places, not trusting any of his relatives, but decides to teach one boy the important things in life, like the value of work,love, etc.

I enjoyed the book, although I must say it didn't seem very realist. A boy born with money handed to him & with the attitude he started with would doubtfully come around so quickly & easily. It did have a good message, though, & was a very fast read. As long as you don't read with the idea that it would really happen that way, you can enjoy the message.

I loved this and would love to read more by him, to me it was uplifting and wondrous, I enjoyed the whole story and then passed it on to a friend. Caution: you may need tissues. I just liked the simple messages to this and who knows maybe I'm an easy sell but I did love it. But strangely enough usually my "I loved it" books I would read again , but this one I really don't feel the urge , I think once you read it you have the messages and can just go from there.

This book is very good, but dry at some points. There are several amazing lessons that can be learned from this book. I do believe that this is the one instance that the movie is better than the book though.

An easy read with a great moral story. Great for young adults or a one-day read. Jim Stovall does a nice job of reminding us of the basics in life.