The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success

Written by Andy Andrews

Narrated by Andy Andrews

Only a few months ago, he was a successful executive. Now he’s a desperate man. But a divine adventure is about to unfold. Join David Ponder on an incredible journey that will help you discover the Seven Decisions for Success. In the tradition of best-selling books by Og Mandino, The Traveler’s Gift is destined to become a classic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oasis Audio
• Release date: Sep 30, 2004
• ISBN: 9781608144075

Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews is a bestselling novelist, speaker, and consultant for some of the world’s most successful teams, largest corporations, and fastest-growing organizations. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Noticer, How Do You Kill 11 Million People?, and the modern classic The Traveler’s Gift. For more information, please visit AndyAndrews.com.

Reviews for The Traveler's Gift

[ApejiZainabAyesha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My children loved listening to it with me.

[S. Clark · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great story! This does have the same "feel" as The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino but with a more modern approach. There were so many great nuggets and takeaways. This is one of those books that you'll want to read (or listen to) again and again.

[Alan Newsom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the instruction in a practical story form. I found it very uplifting. I made a copy of the seven gifts to carry with me until I put them to memory and more importantly to practice.

[Peter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The story was great, I don't know if it's a true story. But I agree with the points listed. This left me pondering about my own life, habits, and way of thinking.

[David Stephen Jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

i loved this book from start to finish and didnt want it to end!

[sue weas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So much truth woven into the middle of wonderfully engaging drama.

[Gabriel and Yvonne Garcia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s all about perspective. You can chose to be sad or happen, you can be thankful or in thankful, you can stay the coarse or give up. Andy Andrew knocked it out of the park helping us to focus on the decisions we make towards success.

[Rebekah Aguilar · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very engaging. Great story telling with a wonderful message ?

[Ana · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing, uplifting book with incredible insights!! I highly recommend this!

[Denise · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this story (with its messages). It reads like a timeless tale. The main character, David, reminds me of Santiago in The Alchemist and Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. The principles taught are simple, clear and universally meaningful. I'm pleased that i found this and listened to the whole thing. Time well spent. Thanks.

[Darla Jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Encouraging. Poignant. I'm looking forward to reading more from Andy Andrews.

[Tom Kalianov · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A stunningly inspiring work. Although I’ve listened to this book several times, I found myself clapping at the end and had tears in my eyes.
The story and journey are riveting, and the principles are timeless.
Upon completing this book, you will feel as if you can do anything.
Which of course you can, if you only believe and persist.

[srivas115 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was my first time reading this book. It opened me up to many thoughts. What was, what is, what could have been. An overwhelming flood of insight to who I am. Thank you

[Dail Stancill · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Masterpiece...must listen to for hope! This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. PS118:24

[Amie Edmondson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Perfect novel to share the truth! Thank you!

[Eduardo Mario Goeloe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I first read the seven decisions. This is book is the story version of the seven decisions.

[Aisha Surodjawan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A simple story that makes you think a lot. I loved it.

[Bobby Ray · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s a book that’s tells the story of a man who goes from hopelessness to faith. By meeting the people in his journey David learns valuable gifts that change him and he is transformed in to a faithful man of action. A man with a grateful heart, not fearing but faithful and ready to change the world.

[Nicole Williams Mance · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I stumbled across this book at work. Our school’s librarian posts a photo of whatever book she’s currently reading. I was curious so I checked and realized that I had access to this book. I liked that this book was an easy read, but it was definitely the content that drew me in. By the time I approached the 5th chapter, I sent a screenshot to my husband and encouraged him to check it out. He is in the stages of establishing a new business and the content spoke so personally to his experience. Not only did he decide to read it…it finished the book before I did! We both loved this book and felt such encouragement after reading! Can’t wait to try more books in this series!

[Breyana Funches · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I will move forward with life and use these 7 principles of a successful life. AWESOME BOOK!!

[FIAMMA · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very interesting book. Moreover, the writer conveys the message in an extraordinary way through relevant stories. Very good. (Translated from Spanish)

[MabelAlonso · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is an exceptional book, impactful for a child, adult, or elderly person, exercises empathy, and promotes necessary and mandatory growth. One is not the same person after reading this book. (Translated from Spanish)

[angelhaileyc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What happens when we change our perspective on life? Can the way we think really change the outcome of the problem? How much does our thinking really control the future? How many times have we blamed other people for problems we occurred? This story is a great influence on the way you will continue to live your life. It will give you the keys to successful and positive ways to think about life. I would consider this book a MUST read for everyone trying to live a better and more productive life.

[carmenmilligan · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

It is a great premise for a novel: Man loses his job, is faced with bills, and realizes that he is worth more dead than alive. It's typical "It's a Wonderful Life", but more heavy-handed and with more characters than one measly angel named Clarence.

Then there is "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom. A man dies and fails to see his worth, so he is met by five people whom his life changed in ways he never knew.

The Traveler's Gift does the reader a great disservice in that the end is sunshine and rainbows and that is simply not the way it goes sometimes. Sometimes your circumstance does matter. Sometimes forgiving others doesn't change the world. Sometimes persistence is a waste of time, especially if you are on the wrong track. This book is full of feel-good sound bites that do not translate seamlessly into real life.

For every Chamberlain, there were hundreds (if not thousands) of men who died in Gettysburg who felt just as passionate about being a man of action as he did. Anne Frank told him to choose to be happy. However, she forgot to tell him that anger which is just is also a tool that Jesus himself used for the benefit of the Kingdom of God. Abraham Lincoln told him to consider what others thought after Christopher Columbus told him not to pay attention to the opinions of others. And that was after King Solomon told him to surround himself with those whom he wanted to emulate.

And in the end, David Ponder catches a glimpse of himself as today's Joel Osteen or Tony Roberts, speaking feel-good fluff to an arena full of gullible people. I just had to roll my eyes when I read the part about David Ponder Boulevard. If you do all of these seven things, recommended by some of the most famous people in history, you will be successful. Believe that, and I've got some land to sell you.

Here are the seven that I would preach:
John D. Rockefeller: Work hard, rest often
Albert Einstein: Believe in something bigger than yourself
Nicola Tesla: Know that life is not about fair
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: Remember that "this, too shall pass"
Napoleon Bonaparte: Get that chip off your shoulder
Aristotle: Everything in moderation
Jesus of Nazareth: Strive to have very few regrets

While this book is a good story when it's not overly preachy or sunshine-and-rainbows, it is the latter so often that it is not recommended.

[gospelchick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was my first read by Andy Andrews and since that time he has been one of my favorites! This book is a great read and an inspiration to continue on the Christian journey. A must read!

[karenirelandphillips · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

A very rare "not worth finishing" tome. Sanctimonious and preachy, filled with the wisdom of white men (with one familiar female WWII refugee thrown in). Little parables are followed by personal declarations by the main character of the value of the lessons of the parables.

[longhorndaniel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Andy is fast becoming one of my favorite writers as his style is captivation; poignant and humorous; this story gives us an excellent "what-if" with several important people through out history and makes me want to read more about them as well

[poetreegirl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When a man reaches his lowest point, he is transported through time to meet historical characters who give him the seven keys to success. A bit cliched, but has some gems of inspiration.

[spincerely · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The "gifts/decisions" are all great rules to live by, but they are so overly generalized without specific instructions that they really mean nothing. A really quick-read though so no harm in reading to grab the few useful tidbits you can from this book. My favorite decision for success is "the buck stops here." My least favorite was the seventh because, well, Gabriel? Not a real person which was very disappointing.

[mrdickie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the second Andy Andrews book I've read. I enjoyed trying to guess who was going to deliver each insight. I was successful several times. I'm pleased that my county library had a copy of the large print version on the shelf.