Book Review: The Final Summit by Andy Andrews
For the last couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to read Andy Andrews’ new book, The Final Summit, which comes out tomorrow. It is a sequel of sorts to his runaway bestseller, The Traveler’s Gift. I say of sorts because I think this book qualifies as a standalone book. You don’t have to have read The Traveler’s Gift, but it would help bring a greater understanding to the task presented in the book. David Ponder is back again, this time much later in life and facing life’s storms again.
I must confess I was dubious about a sequel. The Traveler’s Gift was such a powerful book that I was afraid Andy had bitten off more than he could chew, trying to continue David Ponder’s story and still communicate great wisdom as he had before. The Traveler’s Gift shared the collective wisdom of some of history’s greatest individuals in a compelling story with which I could identify. I was afraid the sequel, in it’s attempt to do the same, would come off as contrived.
Thankfully, I was wrong! I should never have doubted Andy’s ability. In The Final Summit, he created a story equally as good! David once again encounters great people from history, and I am drawn in by the mix of cultures and accomplishment across the ages. How would such a diverse group interact? The peek Andy provides seems plausible. Reading this book made me feel as if I were listening to the impassioned pleas of Henry Fonda in the jury room in 12 Angry Men. I felt as if I was there, listening in on the conversations, sensing the energy in the room. David leads a great and august group of individuals in providing a two-word answer meant to get mankind back on track, so to speak.
Andy uses this idea as his means of communicating wisdom to the reader. It’s fun; it’s effective, and it can be life-changing if you let it. I could not recommend any other book more. Read The Final Summit. You’ll be glad you did!
