Review: Letters to Ethan

Letters to Ethan: A Grandfather's Legacy of Life & Love by Tom McQueen

Publication Date: November 2010
Publisher: Hillcrest Publishing Group
Genre: Letters/Memoir-ish
ISBN-13: 9780984196593
ISBN: 0984196595

(Received for review from Phenix & Phenix Publicity)

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Borders, IndieBound

Author's Website: Click HERE!
Legacy Nation USA Website: Click HERE!
Legacy Nation's Facebook page: Click HERE!
Excerpt: Click HERE!

Book Trailer:



Synopsis (Book Blurb):

Dear Ethan:

Like most of us, you didn't come with an owner's manual. You'll probably wonder - more than once - why you're here. What is your life's purpose? How will you face the adversity your life will surely bring?

Despite appearances, no one's life is ever simple. We have our parents and our friends to learn from; they have much to teach us. And you'll l hear a lot from, and about, public figures - athletes, newscasters, actors, politicians, artists...celebrities of every kind.

But making sense of the world we live in is something each one of us struggles with. The truth is, life if complicated. It's wonderful; it's awful; it's a thrill; it's a bore. And it can feel almost unbearable at times. Almost.

Fortunately, you're blessed with a family that loves you. Your grandfather, Tom McQueen, wrote you this book. No one has all the answers, but he's already faced many of the challenges you'll encounter.

Even those of us who've been around awhile can learn a thing or twelve, from your grandpa. He's helped a lot of folks as a therapist; he's inspired audiences with his seminars; and he's shared his thoughts in several other books.

In these letters to you, Ethan, your grandpa reveals the mistakes and the miracles that have shaped his life. Anyone can give advice, but true wisdom is hard-won. And the book you're holding contains plenty of it.

Sincerely,
Coach Lou Holtz

Thoughts:

At just over 150 pages, Letters to Ethan is a short book with a powerful message. Containing dozens of letters written by Tom McQueen for his grandson Ethan, this book is somewhat like a memoir, offering advice and wisdom to his grandson. Grandparents are an essential part of most young children's lives. They help to shape the growth and development of youngsters in every country and all across the world. Giving our children a sense of their own culture and heritage is so important in an ever-changing world and parents and grandparents are the anchor's to our past.

Tom McQueen is the founder of The American Family Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the lives of children and families in the United States and is currently working on a campaign to encourage parents and grandparents to write letters to the next generation which stemmed from his work on this book. People can go to the Legacy Nation USA website to upload letters to their children and grandchildren so that their legacy will be able to stand the test of time.

I found this book, not only encouraging but full of little tidbits of wisdom that I wish I could give my children as well. Tom McQueen uses a very conversational style with this book, that makes the reader feel that not only is Tom talking to Ethan but he could be speaking directly to them as well. It is very authentic and doesn't seem forced. He didn't just pick a theme an decide to write a very impersonal bit of knowledge about it. He wrote from the heart, from his experiences about situations he thought Ethan might face and benefit from his knowledge on the subject.

The author's experience as a therapist probably helped him to really hone in on issues that would be important to Ethan as he matures and grows. McQueen also uses a lot of humor and his own faith to give Ethan and the reader a sense of balance in all things. I believe his goal is to not only give Ethan a good start on a great future but also to show him ways to balance his life and get the most out it.

I liked the book a lot. And I plan to upload some letters of my own for my children and grandchildren at the Legacy Nation USA website, because I think this is wonderful idea for children to get to know grandparents they may never meet as well as a chance to learn from the knowledge each person can leave behind.

Letters to Ethan is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!