The Ways We Choose: Lessons for Life from a POW's Experience

By Dave Carey

Book Overview

Drawing from his experiences as a P.O.W. for over five years, Captain Dave Carey brings to his audiences a positive and up-beat message about being your best-doing your best. Dave reminds us of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0974568643
• ISBN13: 9780974568645
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Arnica Creative Services (ACS,LLC)
• Length: 136 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Right Stuff

Having the experience of knowing Dave, as a facilitator in team building is a real plus. About two year's ago he mentioned he was working on the book and hoped to get it completed soon. I was aware that he would be describing lessons learned as a POW. What I hadn't known was the whole story.Dave is clearly a great man and fantastic inspirational speaker. I received my copy of the book about two weeks ago. I read the first chapter at work and obviously had to put the book down and get back to business. I took the book home intending to read it over the weekend. I sat down Saturday evening and couldn't put it down until I finished it. He wrote the book the way he speaks straight forward and understandable. Dave has had to make many hard choices in life. I was moved by his comment (my interpretation) that God gives us many tuff issue's to deal with in life and the skill to handle them. Many times we face significant issues we don't believe we can deal with but we do. Reading the epilogue brought this book close to home for me. I recently lost my brother to cancer and know how trying dealing with a stricken loved one is. I had know idea Dave lost his wife to cancer and I met him four years ago. He is a special guy as I'm sure you'll discover for yourself when reading his book.His message is clear, we get to choose how we deal with and/or react to situations. Not all of the options are great but often one is better than the other. See for yourself.

A Must Read...

I'm not just saying this is a "must read" because I know Dave personally. This is a wonderful book that reminds us to look at life and at ourselves and to choose the way we live. I've seen Dave speak a number of times and know many of the stories he tells about his experience as a POW in Viet Nam. Like an old friend, those remembered stories are here, but there is much more. Dave tells us even more about his experience during those 5 1/2 years and he helps us look at the application to ourselves. His delightful sense of humor runs through the story even as he tells us about the very difficult challenge of being a POW.The learnings about "How did I do it" are clear. Dave reminds us that we have difficult times in our lives too, and that we all have it within us to handle adversity. There are lessons on communication, trust, leadership, teamwork and creativity -- useful lessons for all of us in our daily personal and business lives.

Just as I expected - Excellent!

I agree with all of the reviews written so far. I too met Dave at a speaking session and his written message is just as strong as his verbal presentation. I devoured the book over the weekend and promptly ordered 12 more copies for my team members on Monday. The message and relevance is there for anyone to see. This book can help you, it can help your team, it can help balance your life. Remember one of Dave's strong messages - we did the best we could! - A great message in times of adversity.

A practical, from-the-heart story of overcoming adversity

I got a chance to meet the author at a seminar and came away thinking he is a genuine, strong, wise and loving man---I looked forward to reading his soon-to-be published book. When I received "The Ways we Choose" in the mail, I set a side a Saturday afternoon to read it---I wasn't disappointed. Dave goes beyond the details of life in a POW camp and gives practical, from-the-heart insights of what it took to win in a man-made hell. The account hits home---these were regular people with challenges and faults who accomplished almost superhuman results in the worst of conditions. Dave also spends some time helping the reader use these insights in everyday life. There are no games or gimmicks here---everyone can learn from and apply Dave's experience in making good choices in good and adverse times. The style is narrtative, humorous, and personable. The story is not romanticized or sentimental; its inspirational and likely to move the reader to action, hope (and a few tears).

A truly amazing story

I am fortunate enough to have known Dave (and Karen) Carey for most of my life. Since Dave is the most inspirational person I know, I've always been eager to hear his story from cover to cover (I've grown up hearing snippets). I received this book 2 days ago, read it late into tonight, and had to review it immediately. Dave wrote his story perfectly - it is easy to understand and follow. More importantly, it is easy to glean the life lessons he teaches within. This book is awe-inspiring. It helps to put anything into perspective (visa bills and traffic jams are pretty inconsequential compared to this). I have waited a long time to hear this story from start to finish and now any reader has the opportunity to hear it. I think everyone should take advantage of learning how to deal with the curveballs of life from this man who seems superhuman in his emotional strength (but who continually reminds us we are as capable as he).