Saturday, March 6, 2010

ONE LIFE TO GIVE: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
ONE LIFE TO GIVE

A Path To Finding Yourself
By Helping Others
BY ANDREW BIENKOWSKI
AND MARY AKERS



ABOUT THE BOOK:


In the winter of 1939, five-year-old Andrew Bienkowski was banished to Siberia with his family. With virtually nothing to see them through their first winter, his grandfather chose to starve in order to give his family the chance to survive. The years that followed were harrowing and difficult, but Andrew's childhood in Siberia established his essential approach to life. With One Life to Give, Andrew Bienkowski underscores how the greatest fulfillment we can achieve as human beings lies in helping others.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Andrew Bienkowski
is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who served in the Korean War. He has worked as a psychologist for 40 years, designing and implementing mental-health programs and working directly with patients. This is his first book. He lives near Buffalo, New York.

Mary Akers'
fiction, poetry and non-fiction have appeared in many journals and anthologies. She also live near Buffalo.


REVIEW:

ONE LIFE TO GIVE is a small book with a big message. Author Andrew Bienkowski, with Mary Akers, writes about what he calls radical gratitude which uses psychology and philosophy along with past experiences to help build integrity and a good reputation. By learning to be grateful for all things, even it they are dreadful, we read how that results in being important to building one’s character. In this small book, you will learn how the author and his family were exiled from Poland to Siberia when he was a youngster in the 1940s. Bienkowski tells about the experience he spent with his family and his grandfather, watching his grandfather die, and the meaning he has taken away from this traumatic time. In the two years there, he learned and saw so much and yet has taken the lessons learned from that experience and turned them into good advice.

The book itself is divided into fourteen chapters with each serving up a life lesson from the author’s past. Even though he and his family had to tolerate unbelievable suffering , it served a greater purpose as it taught Bienkowski to never take things for granted and hold dear the things that we are blessed with in life. He also talks about Listening, Perseverance, Hope, Kindness, and Love. The authors collaborate to present what could be theoretical teachings and turns them into specific suggestions that help us live a more rewarding and productive life.

I found the book to be part memoir as well as an advice book. Using what Bienkowski learned in his life, he now passes it on to readers as ways to make a better and happier life. Parts of the book are sad and tough to read but there are also some humorous parts. I found the book an easy read and one that made me grateful for the life I have had.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO AUTHOR MARY AKERS,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS BOOK
TO GIVE AWAY TO SOME LUCKY WINNERS!

***U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY THIS TIME!
***NO P. O. BOXES
***INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
***ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU COULD DO TODAY TO HELP SOMEONE AND YOU WOULD FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT. REMEMBER, THIS CAN BE EVEN A MINOR ACT BUT WILL MEAN SO MUCH TO SOMEONE ELSE.

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY OF MINE THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG, TWEET, OR SHARE ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND COME BACK AND GIVE A LINK. ONE TIME ONLY,PLEASE.

GIVEAWAY WILL END AT
6 PM, EST, ON MARCH 15

GOOD LUCK!

44 comments:

Linda Kish said...

I entered the Corked giveaway.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Well, today I took care of all of the animals that belong to my son and his wife. So at least it made the animals happy.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Tea said...

I am going out to search and shop for Easter cards for friends and family.

teakettleatyahoodotcom

Tea said...

I entered the Kate Atkinson book giveaway. Boy, I didn't know you were giving away Roses. That's another book I want to read.

Tea said...

I tweeted to Bookin' Bingo from Teacozy1 for One life to Give. Thanks for entering me.

g.g. said...

I entered for Shadow Tag

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

g.g. said...

I could help my neighbor with his weekend chores as his ankle is hurt

anjamie4 AT gmail DOT com

Colleen Turner said...

I entered the Corked giveway.
Thank you!
Colleen (candc320@gmail.com)

Colleen Turner said...

This book sounds absolutely fascinating and inspiring. One way to help, which I have done, is to volunteer to tutor/mentor kids having diffulty in school and home. I did this through an organization I was a part of in college and learned as much from the two kids I tutored/mentored then they did from me.
Thank you!
Colleen (candc320@gmail.com)

sharon54220 said...

I'v entered When Turtles Fly.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I am a penpal to two 3rd graders. This is a yearly program done through the RSVP program and the school system where I live. I've been doing this for about 7 yrs. I love it, we write all school year then meet in May.

sharon54220@gmail.com

traveler said...

I entered The Corked Giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

Thanks for this giveaway. I helped out my daughter-in-law. I cook her meals and bring over surprise treats. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Liesl said...

I visited a friend in a Cape Town hospital who is a refugee from Ethiopia. And I'm entering this contest even though I'm not resident in the US because I have a friend in Texas who could sure use this book.

liesl at book dot co dot za

Lisa Jean said...

Gave the two boys who worked for me some things that I was sending to goodwill. They will make good use of them.

Vera said...

I could surprise my husband and shovel the driveway :) vvperesk(at)gmail(dot)com

Vera said...

I entered the Wife's Tale giveaway. vvperesk@gmail.com

ossmcalc said...

I will call a friend who lost her husband a year ago just to see how she is doing. I need to stay in contact with her.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I am entering the When Turtles Fly Giveaway.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/10084138227

thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I am so happy that the author was able to come back from her chronic spine injury. Basically, I am just jealous as this will not be happening for me. At least the doctors made it where I can walk again. I need to read these inspirational stories by people who have made great achievements in their lives.

womackcm@sbcglobal.net

enyl said...

Providing relief for those who act as caretakers for elderly or homebound relatives.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

Benita said...

I can drive my friend the the hospital and wait until her exam is over and drive her home.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I entered Lunch in Paris.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sarah said...

I think it's really important to just give people a compliment.

faithinhim(at)gmail(dot)com

nfmgirl said...

I also entered the Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven giveaway!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

nfmgirl said...

Today I can spend part of my day devoting my attention to my boyfriend. I'm always giving him half my attention, and he is a very sensitive and emotional man. Just looking him in the eye while he talks to me makes a world of difference to his day!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Libby's Library said...

Today I took groceries and some cooked meals, to the sister missionaries at our church:-)
Thanks for the giveaway.

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

Libby's Library said...

Entered your LUNCH IN PARIS giveaway.
Thanks

libneas[at]aol[dot]com

bison61 said...

my neighbor is expecting her third child-I could babysit for a day or so during the week to let her get some sleep and relax

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Debbie said...

I could go buy some supplies to send to Haiti with some other things my church is sending. fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com

Debbie F said...

I have entered the When will There B Good News

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

Today I could take my elderly neighbor's garbage to the curb for her

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Please enter me in the giveaway.

I have a ton of neighbors in a trailer park thats just down the road from my house. I find a kind word goes a long way with people who need to hear. There's somebody everyday.

DarcyO said...

I entered the Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven giveaway.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

DarcyO said...

I could give a hug to a teen who recently lost her dog.

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Lacey said...

I could send an email to a friend i know is haveing a hard time.

Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

Lacey said...

http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/10445938297

tweet!!!

Lacey said...

I have entered the wife's tale, but did not win.

Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net

Margie said...

I entered your Hush giveaway. This one sounds exciting!
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Just keep a smile on your face...even to strangers. You can give them a lift, and yourself also. Be positive and always find something nice to say about and to your friends.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Nancye said...

I can tell my kids that they did a good job with their chores. I can let my husband know how much I appreciate him and all he does.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I entered these giveaways: "Lunch in Paris" and I am off to sign up for "Try Darkness" (I hope I win! :)

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/10533070803

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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