Free Inspirational eBook

A new, inspirational ebook has been published online by Dr David Poole.

Phoenix Rising provides hope for anyone confronting life’s setbacks, disappointments and failures.  It is a positive self-help book written in the best traditions of Carnegie, of Peale, and of Seligman.

Phoenix Rising provides a process for looking squarely in the eyes of our demons, poor situations and tough circumstances.  After six years of research into the lives of men and women around the world who have come back from crises, as well as those who haven’t, the phoenix process can provide an effective, realistic, and hopeful response to our own setbacks.

The new book represents the culmination of a journey for Dr David Poole, variously an academic, politician, bookstore owner, corporate executive, sportsman, and  “garage band” singer.  Dr Poole has lived all of these lives and pursued all of these dreams.  He understands, better than most, what it’s like to live the roller coaster of the modern life.

Weaving the stories of some of the best (and least) known men and women from the fields of business, sport, politics, and entertainment who have encountered failure and yet responded in inspirational ways, Phoenix Rising provides a process for ordinary people, yet people who retain dreams of building better lives, to do just this.  It encourages men and women to reflect on their lives and on those aspects and events that have tripped them up, and to take pearls of learning from them.  It suggests that they take enough time out to heal the wounds of their stuff-ups and mistakes.  And it moves them to take and receive inspiration as they explore the world of possibilities that lies around them.

From Frank Sinatra to Michael J Fox, and from Benazir Bhutto to Mahandas K Gandhi, the personalities who inhabit Phoenix Rising are presented as they really are, or were, rather than as the caricatures by which they are often known.  In addition, each chapter includes the story of someone whose comeback was founded in values other than those truly required for the creation of authentic new dreams.

Phoenix Rising is for everyman.  Written in a reader-friendly style free of jargon but full of insights and reflections, the book speaks to today’s culture of transience, mobility, and uncertainty, so clearly articulated by Richard Eckersley (SMH, 13 June 2009),

 For all the positive qualities of Western societies, most of their people do not believe life is getting better. In Australia surveys show twice as many people think quality of life is getting worse as those who think it is getting better. The reasons? Too much greed and consumerism, breakdown in community and social life and too much pressure on families, parents and marriages.

Similarly, in the US and UK, the global financial crisis and its consequences have shaken the foundations of so many people.

America’s self-confidence is on the wane, and not only because the US economy seems to be in recession – although that is a big part of it. Foreign policy reversals and worries that it cannot compete in a changing world also play a role. (Norris, SMH, 29 March, 2008)

While the world and its people have regularly faced, and resolved, problems and challenges, each of us is confronted with the reality of our own situations and circumstances.  It can be very tough to respond positively, particularly if we’ve confronted one challenge or disappointment after another.  But change we can.  And change we must.  Like the phoenix, we can rise again.  Phoenix Rising shows us how.

Phoenix Rising is available at www.stratleadership.com for download.  It is completely free and there are no strings attached.