Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: challenge

  • Greatness Doesn’t Care

    Greatness Doesn’t Care

    How you become the greatest version of YOU

    In Greatness Doesn’t Care, Jason Dunn investigates exactly what ‘Greatness’ really is and how you can go about discovering your greatness to become the best, or greatest, version of yourself.

    As an Elite Ultra-Endurance Athlete Jason Dunn has had to a make some challenging decisions; as a leader, founder, Businessman and much more he reflects on his journey along the pathway that has led him to discovering his greatness through showing up, participating and hanging in there, no matter what.

    Guided by the inspiring stories of Nelson Mandela, Burt Munroe, Diana Nyad, Martin Luther King jnr and the ancient Stoics, he realized that ‘Greatness’ didn’t care about who they were or what they were doing, it only cared about their passion, purpose and dedication to achieve what they considered was their life purpose, their goal.

    Over the course of his life, he realized that if he was to achieve what he considered his life goals, his ambition to become great, he needed to discover how to get there as what he was doing, which seemed to be significant, was not working.

    Like many, he came to his middle years, took an honest look at the person he was, the person he had been, the person he wanted to become, then made a dramatic change to his lifestyle.

    His career as an Ultra-Endurance Athlete often saw him at the edge of exhaustion, finding the inner strength to take one more step; his journey toward greatness has at times been somewhat similar. In Greatness Doesn’t Care he shares the highs, the lows and the bits in between, as well as the keys to finding your own greatness, one step, one discipline at a time.

    His conclusion was to discover that greatness is already there within us all, just waiting to be discovered.

    If you are seeking that special something, that greatness in your life, Greatness Doesn’t Care could be the guidebook you have been looking for to help you begin or encourage you along your pathway.

  • EASY TARGET

    EASY TARGET

    Taming the Black Dog

    Despite having grown up in a loving family, author Adam Blum’s life was never easy. Debilitating Infant health issues, were followed by an early diagnosis of attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning difficulties, which are often the ingredients for a difficult school life; sadly, this was the case for Adam. 

    Teasing and tormenting by his peers and others had resulted in the deepest, darkest bouts of depression and to becoming suicidal at 22 years old. He realized that it was critical that something needed to change.  Once Adam Blum took charge of his life, everything changed; he started to become strong and not such an easy target.

    In this book, he chronicles the ups and downs of his long and painful journey to a more resilient self, one who believed in himself; no longer a victim or an easy target. On this nine-year journey, Adam learned many lessons. He has included these in his ‘Ten Top Tips’, which all readers can implement in their daily life to maintain a positive mindset. 

    This is not a sad tale, but a powerful uplifting one, which has been written from the heart; one of hope and self-discovery. For those readers facing their own battles and demons, it provides optimism and a feeling of not being alone; it will hopefully turn their life around.

  • The A – Z of Who I Could Be

    The A – Z of Who I Could Be

    26 athletes that every little kid [and big adult] should know

    As a child, Chloe Dalton and her sister loved to watch and cheer on athletes in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. They became so involved in the athletes and their achievements that, in 2020 Chloe began the platform of the Female Athlete Project. She has taken this interest one step further and presented this book, for the young and not so young. It is an A-Z list and description of 26 of Australia’s top athletes.

    Each double page features a top female Australian athlete; one page shows the athlete competing in their sport and on the facing page there is some written information about the woman and her chosen sport.

    From Paralympian Danni Di Torro, who has won medals in wheelchair tennis and para table tennis, to Ash Barty we discover and recognise some familiar faces.

    While many Olympians have names which are generally well known, sadly this is not so true of the Paralympians. Isis Holt won a Commonwealth Games gold medal and has won 5 Paralympian medals.

    There are a few thrilling stories told here as well. Yvette Higgins, scored the winning goal for the Women’s Water polo team with only 1.3 seconds left on the clock.

    The A-Z of Who Could I Be is an alphabet book with a difference. In short passages of text, we discover some new names, what they have achieved, and just how many sensational women athletes there are.

  • The Life List: Master Every Moment and Live an Audacious Life

    The Life List: Master Every Moment and Live an Audacious Life

    Kate Christie’s wonderful life fell to pieces not once, but twice, in a matter of a few years and then she really had to look at and work out, what it was she wanted from her life; from the years ahead that she had left to be able to live as full and active life as possible.

    Turning 50, already a successful business woman, and mother of three teenage children, she found the foundations of her world were shifting dramatically. She was facing a future that was vastly different to what she had planned; she was forced to look at who she was and who she wanted to be as the years rolled along.

    After the death of her ex-husband at the age of 54, she decided perhaps it was her moment in time to begin to be ‘selfish’ about how she used her time to holistically change her world and most importantly, how to find other women who also feel and live the way she wanted to; she needed to find her tribe.

    Enticed by her daughter to go skiing in France for the first time in her life, at first she was strongly resistant, but as the time passed she decided that if she was ever going to make a change in her life, this could be the catalyst, the challenge or the ‘moment’ in her life when she could be ‘audacious’, leaving behind her fears, creating a fresh new beginning.

    As her journey evolved she made the decision to put it into book form, to reach out to other women facing a similar personal crisis, or who simply had an overwhelming desire to change and live their life to the fullest extent.

    The Life List is the result and sets out how to begin the journey, how to establish your goals and to accept that at the magical age of 50, you really can do anything you choose to do, be anyone you want to, as well as enjoy every single moment.

    Three questions are the keys to moving forward which are established in the first section and then it is a fascinating leap of faith into a new world from there. Each step is set out clearly with many helpful pointers concluding with Kate’s personal life list to guide you along the way.

    Perfect for anyone who wants to embrace life and explore every opportunity, The Life List will help you clarify what it is you may be seeking and encourage you every step of the way.

  • Before We Were Born

    Before We Were Born

    Before We Were Born is a delightful and poignant story about what really does happen in the before or in so many case, before we were reborn back again into the life we have chosen for many and varied reasons.

    Requesting to be reborn into the materialistic world again was no easy thing to do, but as Kalli was insistent, Elia knew he would go with her, to be beside her if she needed him, protect her if he could and love her, even if was from afar.

    And so begins a beautiful love story that spans lifetimes, that carefully and skilfully crafts a tale of diversity, love, carelessness, devastation, friendship and understanding that many will relate to which will touch the heart strings.

    Elia and Kalli have spent many a lifetime together, occasionally returning to earth, which alwys came with a sense of desperate longing to reach out to someone on the earthly plane. Before they left the safety and beauty of their beautiful, white world, a world they had created with their love, their guides and mentors, brothers Moonhawk and Running Deer, come to try and get them to stay as they know, as only they can, just what is in this rebirth for both Kalli and Elia: that this journey is going to cost them both dearly and as it plays out, it surely does.

    Kathleen Ready Dayan has used the concept of reincarnation as the basis for the storyline, wrapped in never ending love, describing so beautifully through the lives of Joy and Jeremy, so many of the emotions we have all experienced, as we travel our own journeys.

    Beautiful, well written and heartfelt, keep a tissue box close as the final chapters are those that could be seriously considered as ‘tear jerking’ moments of reality.

  • The Wedding Party

    The Wedding Party

    For the first time in 15 years the four Robicheaux daughters are back together preparing for the remarriage of their parents.  Years ago, their parents’ marriage had resulted in divorce when their father’s gambling became worse, drinking escalated and their mother had stopped tolerating this behaviour. Have things really changed?  Is this the right time to play happy families again?

    Meg and Stu, parents of Indy, Eden, Savannah, and Rory, have decided decades after they first met to remarry. For the first time in years the sisters are returning to their childhood home, the grand Hotel Sorrento; the chosen wedding venue.

    Each daughter has a closely held secret, which is at risk of being revealed as they work together to return the hotel back to a semblance of its former glory.  Will Rory’s book, which is loosely based on her formative years and her perception of the members of the Robicheaux family, reveal more than the sisters would like? 

    Best-selling author, Cathy Kelly has woven the complex family narrative of “The Wedding Party” through the unique characters of the four daughters and their mother, Meg. 

    Some readers may find the following aspects of the story disturbing; the topics of emotional abuse, abortion and addition although portrayed well in the context of the story can still cause distress.

  • The Unexpected Journey: Embracing the Beauty of Disability

    The Unexpected Journey: Embracing the Beauty of Disability

    I have seldom come across a book such as The Unexpected Journey which has the power to change lives and social conscience. It is clearly written, modelled with love and above all practical. Julie Fisher’s journey with her family speaks to all families and particularly to mothers.

    When Julie was 36, she felt a longing for a third child. She and husband Mick had two sons and a happy, busy life, but felt their family was incomplete. Pregnancy happened fairly quickly; when Julie was 10 weeks, she had her ultra sound and blood tests. It was then mentioned that having a baby with Down Syndrome was a possibility. Later, when this was confirmed, Julie and Mick were given options. WHAT OPTIONS? THIS IS OUR BABY, OUR FAMILY!

    What follows is a way of thinking, of loving, of supporting and reality. As it was explained to the family, it’s like going on an overseas trip to Italy and arriving in Holland. Nothing is what you expect. Julie shares her fears and how the many concerns she had, either didn’t eventuate or could be managed.

    As baby Darcy developed, each milestone he passed was celebrated. He was late in developing many skills and especially late to walk. A walker was procured which gave him a degree of independence, until the day came when he could leave it behind. Kindy was the next milestone for Darcy. Together with the Director and team, support was given to the little boy with his friends accepting his joy for life.

    There is a far greater awareness in our community today for people with disabilities. Julie’s book, attitude and love is inspirational and will help many people. She has added to knowledge and awareness, showing us that people with disabilities have such potential. For all the negative advice put to the family, nothing prepared them for the love and blessings they felt with Darcy.

    It was an honour to read The Unexpected Journey. Thank you for sharing your grace and the journey of your family, Julie.

  • Life at the Bottom of the Blender

    Life at the Bottom of the Blender

    Life at the Bottom of the Blender is an autobiography that is an entertaining, fun, and enjoyable to read. It moves at a swift pace, with humour and a sense of harmony, despite setbacks. We follow Naomi Hart as she departs Australia for New York. She has just won a part scholarship to study Musical Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

    The young woman has come from a loving and secure background and is phlegmatic and practical in the face of many hardships. From bed bugs to dead bodies in her very basic lodgings, Naomi continues to work as hard as she can to excel in her chosen career.

    Working tirelessly, she eventually graduates and finds a performing role. After acting, moving from town to town and living out of a suitcase, Naomi realises this is not the dream life she once thought it was going to be as she works in a restaurant to finance her rent. This is where she meets her husband to be. Gregory is a chef, and together they travel America, then eventually return to Australia.

    The way Naomi writes is so descriptive and inclusive you find yourself viewing her world and the interesting places she travels to through her eyes. As her family expands, she adapts to parenting, supporting her husband and retaining her love of life. Her humour and quick wit make this a polished piece of entertainment.

  • WHEN THE DUST SETTLES

    WHEN THE DUST SETTLES

    Since the turn of the twenty first century there have been an avalanche of disasters; tsunamis, earth quakes, terrorist attacks, floods, bushfires, pandemics to name but a few. Have you ever wondered what happens in the aftermath of these disasters?

    Although specialists, like Lucy Easthope, one of the world’s leading authority on disaster recovery, are on hand to take charge, however once there is a new tragedy, the event disappears from the News. After a catastrophe has ripped lives apart, the author is there to support the team to assess, to recover, to identify, to rebuild; to give assistance with the long-term recovery of communities.

    In her book ‘When the Dust Settles’ Lucy Easthope gives readers a fascinating insight into many global and national emergencies and her role as emergency planner. She not only takes the reader behind the police tape at the scenes of destruction, but also into the discussions and planning sessions held in government briefings rooms.  They are also taken behind the scenes of most of the twenty first century disasters including 9/11, the Boxing Day tsunami, 7/7 London bombings and the Covid 19 pandemic. 

    A powerful and at times difficult read, I highly recommend this book to not only readers with an interest in the dynamics of global disaster management, but also those who are intrigued by this rarely discussed topic. A new respect for the sacrifices made by people who work in this field will be gained.

    Despite the bleak subject matter, the book is written in an engaging, compassionate style which reminds the reader of the resilience of the human spirit.

  • Two Hitlers and a Marilyn: An autograph hunter’s escape from suburbia

    Two Hitlers and a Marilyn: An autograph hunter’s escape from suburbia

    Two Hitlers and a Marilyn is a memoir written by Adam Andrusier. It begins when, as a young lad, he began to realise that his family activities were vastly different from other people’s. Being Jewish and from Europe, his father was obsessed with finding photos or post cards of Synagogues which had been destroyed during the war. He collected these with a passion, and when asked why, he explained that it gave a continuity to the Jewish story. Adam’s father also had a passion for photography and was never without a camera by his side. His other passion was Jewish dancing.

    Growing up in this climate, it was not surprising that Adam would look for a “passion” of his own. By accident, while playing at a friend’s house, he discovered that Ronnie Barker lived around the corner. Thus began, what became a career in autograph collecting. As he aged, Adam refined his collection, and became knowledgeable in how and where to collect the authentically signed photographs. In fact, he chose to study and expand his knowledge to the stage where he became known as an authenticator of the very expensive signatures.

    Intertwined in this story is the family saga. His loud, passionate, and eccentric father was loving in an absent-minded way. Adam’s mother went along with most of his ideas, but as time passed, she wearied of the late night weekly loud dances, and the lack of a companion. Adam himself seems rather directionless for a while, until he realises, he can move from being a collector to a dealer.  But how then does he deal with the falsity in his own home?

    The Contents Page is interesting. It lists the names of the famous people he has approached and states the page number for reference. Two Hitlers and a Marilyn is a family story, warts and all.