Zig: The Autobiography of Zig Ziglar

Rating:
Summary: Stinkin Thinkin
Review: I was exposed to Zig's philosophy some years ago and have read See You at the Top more than once. His "Check up from the Neck up" and the need to prevent "Hardening of the Attitudes" and "Stinkin Thinkin" are well ingrained. This was an interesting read and learning about his background and history was very well laid out and informative.

Rating:
Summary: Stinkin Thinkin
Review: I was exposed to Zig's philosophy some years ago and have read See You at the Top more than once. His "Check up from the Neck up" and the need to prevent "Hardening of the Attitudes" and "Stinkin Thinkin" are well ingrained. This was an interesting read and learning about his background and history was very well laid out and informative.

Rating:
Summary: This book was a snore
Review: I've heard Mr. Ziglar speak in person and he was very humerous and captivating. Wish I could say the same of his Autobiography. He detailed his youth and his family to the boring extreme. He spoke very little about the type of work he does now - only about all the job changes he went through. Maybe I expected too much; but after hearing this man in person I expected much more.

Rating:
Summary: Zig Makes A Big Difference
Review: If you ever need an inspirational help of great success in life then I would recommend Zig Ziglar. Ziglar is author of best-seller, 'I'll See You At The Top' and many other motivational books, has helped thousands improve their lives to achieve that success in every aspect of living. As you read his auto-biography you'll learn about his remarkable story how he beat the odds and applied it to the teachings of Jesus Christ. You will learn to take the next step in your plan and keep God's plan at the center of your plans just as Zig did. His approach is a down-home, wholesome manner with the business savvy of a wise, honest salesman. Most of what he learn of being successful and the importance of networking with honest and wise mentors. The first part of the book tells of his early life and the family that shaped his destiny. In his early adult years he was hard-working and used his knowledge to make money and there were times he made financial mistakes as a result of foolish decisions. This was a time God wasn't a part of his life where his life had no meaning or purpose. The last part of the book, is about his change in life when he reflected back on the moral values in his early childhood and his mother. He then gave his life to Christ. He then found his purpose as a public speaker. From then on instead of his self-centered ambition he gave it all to God. And Zig has been successful ever since. Like Norman Vincent Peale, Zig applied biblical principles to the goals he has with the plans God manifest in the center of his life. Zig's secret is never quit, have faith in God and a whole lotta love. He's a mentor you can trust with a solution. Wish there were more like Zig.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Man...
Review: no question-no doubt. In fact, Zig Ziglar has helped so many people from all walks of life with his inspiring and homespun common sense. So why only two stars? It is the religion-heavy and I do mean HEAVY emphasis that weaves its way through all of his books and not just this one.

Over and over again you feel as if you are sitting in a fundamentalist Baptist church getting a sermon. You begin to get the idea that if you do not subscribe to Ziglar's doctrinaire approach to evangelical Christianity, that you are not quite "with it." So rigid is his approach that he disavowed himself from the master-motivator, Napoleon Hill because he considered Hill's thoughts "new age" and therefore heretical.

In "Confessions of a Happy Christian", he speaks about burning, (yes, literally burning) books that disagreed with his approach to religion. In another place he refers to horoscopes as "satan's daily bulletin." Other "works of satan" include soap operas, most movies, eastern philosophies, and alcohol. No room is left for any "middle of the road" interpretations.

Now I am no new-ager by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, I believe most of that teaching to be a muddled and scattered approach with oftentimes hidden political agendas. But I definitely DON'T believe that the loving God of the universe damns anyone to hell because they have a questing mind. The road to God is an intensely personal one that is strictly between the person and their Creator. Ziglar's fundamentalist god is a jealous, angry, damning, petulant entity.
That god peppers the pages of the old testament with plagues on nomadic peoples and causes floods, fires, sandstorms, and the like.

Yet, there are many heartwarming parts of this autobiography and his stories about his younger days are very touching. Just beware that you are going to get a very liberal amount of religious, (particularly Baptist) views in the pages of most any of his books including this one.

Rating:
Summary: Well Written and Will Bring a Few Tears
Review: Part I of the book is about his childhood, which gives a unique perspective of what life was like in a rural Southern town seventy-five years ago. His mother was a devout Christian and pillar of strength to her family and community. She taught strong moral values to her twelve children. Those moral values shaped Zig into an honest and hard-working man.

Part II is about his early adult years. He developed into a talented, hard-working and honest salesman. He used every opportunity to earn a buck, which was a lot back then. He made financial mistakes and had no meaningful direction or purpose in life but to survive. God was not a part of his life during his early adult years. In retrospect, however, he believes God and His angels protected him from dangers and helped him through trials.

Part III is the best part of the book. He discovers public speaking as his forte. At age 45, he commits his life to the Lord and finds meaning in life. The rest of the book is inspiring, full of miracles, and brings tears to the eyes.

Overall, I learned from his experiences how important it is to network and find excellent honest mentors. Zig had A LOT of mentors; they were a huge contribution to his success. After he was called by God (at age 45!), his motivation to succeed made a 180 degree turn. He rejected selfish ambition for Godly ambition. It's a wholesome book and highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Another Gem from Zig
Review: While this is a great testimony to a great man, I found some of the information lacking in facts. I also found iti nterestig that while Zig pontificated on his many failures prior to becomming a master motivator and best selling author, he left out some of his failures that occurred after he became successful.I enjoyed See you at the Top and Secrets of Closing Sales but was not at all impressed wth this, even though I do enjoy autobiographies.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book by a Great Man
Review: Zig Ziglar's autobiography is a personal, intimate account of one of America's most beloved speakers. He presents his life story in great detail, with humor, wisdom and inspiration. His story can inspire us all to a richer, more fulfilling life. Mr. Ziglar's devotion to God and his family is very evident as you read this book, and is very touching to read about. Thanks a zillion, Zig, and "See You at the Top!"

Rating:
Summary: Zig has integrity and character
Review: Zig's life was a great testament to what he teaches. He walks the walk. His life is in balance, and even through tragedy, still reached out to make a difference for all lives he touched through his motivational seminars. His character is outstanding, and his level of integrity speaks for itself.

This book shows the good, the bad, and the ugly. Life has not always been rosy for Zig, but he is living proof that you can overcome anything. As he always says: "you can have anything you want if you just help enough people get what they want".

This book shows that Zig has faults just like the rest of us, and he makes that really clear in this book. He is humble and in some cases ashamed of some of his past behavior. No sugar coating in this one. The fact that he is such a strong christian is also satisfying to those of us who are believers. He makes it very clear who gets the credit for all of the blessings in his life.

This book is a great read, and will be hard to put down if you are a fan. True to form, it's humorous with only a hint sorrow in some parts. He really is an amazing person.