READY. SET. LIFE – A STORY OF REDEMPTION & THE LESSONS LEARNED Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS…
Reviewed by Laura B
Ready. Set. Life by James Gwinnett is the story of overcoming the challenges that life frequently hurls at us. James states that his book is “a story of redemption & the lessons learned”. And he certainly has had his fair share of trauma. James describes his personal experience of a broken neck, alcohol addiction, his appearance on the TV show SAS: Who Dares Wins, and that of an endurance athlete – running ultra-marathons, alongside how he overcame all the difficulties he has faced.
The book was ‘born’ following the conception of Freddie, as James reflected on his future as a Father and penned his thoughts and feelings on the path that he was about to take as a Dad to his new born. And although James depicts, a rather negative view of our world today – and he is certainly not far wrong in his observations, James shows insight into his journey and the positives that ultimately outweigh the negatives in our world today.
Yes, the style of the book – is that of cynical cultural criticism, but it’s also a very easy read, motivational, and interspersed with interviews from several extremely, inspirational people. Subjects, included are stoicism, mana, identity, fear, change, mental fitness and as well as a variety of other different themes. Experts include a Classics teacher, a former special forces soldier, a psychological therapist, a former heroin addict, a record-breaking polar explorer and a former England rugby captain, who all share their insights into how to not just survive, but how to thrive, on the rollercoaster we all call life.
James states about halfway through the book, “This isn’t a marketing book, it’s part advisory, part ranty, part silly and part autobiographical brain dump that might even be called a self-help book…”
There are 23 chapters, each chapter includes inspiring quotes, as well as chapters that contain, personal views of individual experts, alongside James’s viewpoint. Ultimately, each chapter, in one way or another explores emotional health (mental fitness) and the need for you as a person, to give everything to achieve your goals, as well as having adequate self-awareness for that to be enough, alongside feeling confident in your abilities and your results. I have endeavoured not to give away all the expert’s secrets!
Overall, this is a very well-written, absorbing read into the life of James and what motivates him. He is frank about his view on life, the choices and changes he has made along the way, and his future as a husband to Krista, Father to Freddie and his love for his family.
You will have to read the book to judge for yourself.
His story is an inspirational one and his message is a message of how you as an individual can achieve anything with the right mindset and self-belief. An easy read, interesting, enjoyable and full of inspiration. I would highly recommend reading Ready, Set, Life. I recommend this book as the perfect Christmas stocking filler for young people, but equally, it would be a good choice as a gift for any age family member.
PS I now want to read the book all over again. But firstly, I plan to pass this book on to my boys, as there is so much for everyone to learn from James’s story written in a way that even the most reluctant reader will enjoy!
Rating: 5/5
RRP £19.99
Can be purchased from Amazon
https://amzn.eu/d/bU8VkIu