REVIEW OF: THE WEALTHY GARDENER

These "life lessons" are indeed just that, lessons we can either learn the hard way through the School of Hard Knocks (metaphorically far from Fort Knox!) or by heeding the advice of someone who, like the author, has "been there, done that." If my sons were not already fully grown up, I'd give them copies of this book to guide them toward financial freedom and security, a Safe Place to be...if you can reach it. Getting there is worth the effort, and one learns as one travels and travails.

Being rich beats being poor, and  to get wealthy if you aren't born with a silver spoon or a hefty trust fund, you are advised to harness your efforts and embrace Soforic's "the 15 virtues of wealth": simplicity, detachment, self-discipline, vital engagement, spirituality, effectiveness, persistence, patience, sacrifice, courage, commitment, judgment, contribution, and satisfaction.

Gaining and retaining wealth requires work and sacrifice and wisdom, such as the author's "55 powers for wealth," "10 seeds of wealth," and "the 15 virtues of wealth," explained in detail in this 400-plus-page encyclopedic coverage of the topic, leavened with the story of the Wealthy Gardener's mentoring of a reformatory "graduate," and spiced with occasional asides from the narrator about himself.  I bookmarked scores of pages I intend to revisit.

There are many pluses to the book: links to the topics in the order they are presented and then a second time under Chapter 8's listing of specific money problems and their cures. You may also want to join the author at the book's web site, where more  information of value is offered.

I have praised this book to another would-be author of financial advice as an example of how to mix fiction and fact, enriched with one's insights and those of other profound thinkers.  In my own life, a childhood where "how much does it cost?" governed so many decisions propelled me to study for and obtain a scientific profession that nearly guaranteed an upper-middle-class adulthood as long as "waste not, want not" was a guide. On the other hand, I chose divorce rather than stay in a marriage with a rich, unfaithful wife. Money is not everything, but not having to worry about it is a real blessing.

This book is a treasure. "Unearth" it. Read it. Benefit from it. Pass along it to your children and your nieces and nephews and your neighbors' kids (if you like them). You and they will be glad you did.   

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Link to book at amazon.com:
https://www.amazon.com/firstreads?pf_rd_p=d0c64091-0758-4d78-b23b-980da82e01ea&pf_rd_s=detail-ilm&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B07H4M9Z7B&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=MYRW82MNAA0X6JWGSNX9&pf_rd_r=MYRW82MNAA0X6JWGSNX9&pf_rd_p=d0c64091-0758-4d78-b23b-980da82e01ea