Background

Albert Weatherhead is the Chairman and CEO of a plastics company based in Ohio.  He’s Authored several books over his lifetime, and through his life experiences has become highly attuned to mastering adversity.  His book The Power of Adversity: Tough Times Can make you Stronger, Wiser and Better was published in April 2008 and is 160 pages long. 

Book Review & Commentary

While I don’t recall if this book provided the age of the author, certainly the biography presented suggests that Albert Weatherhead has led a long, adversity filled, and prosperous life.  Albert draws from his numerous life experiences, including a battle with alcoholism, challenges with inheriting the family business, a debilitating fight with rheumatoid arthritis, and a subsequent diagnosis of heart disease to lay a personal framework for overcoming adversity.  Given the recent economic crisis this country has faced and the higher than average levels of adversity that most individuals and families are now experiencing, this book is a timely addition to anyone’s bookshelf. 

While I read through this book, I was contemplating my own life adversities – and more importantly, how I reacted to adversity.  Albert’s struggles with his medical conditions reminded me of my own challenges when first diagnosed with leukemia.  And his suggestions to overcoming such adversity resonated soundly with me.  This book is not specifically written to overcome health issues, but I suspect that anyone facing a poor prognosis with a health condition could benefit greatly by reading about the attitude and mentality of recovery. 

Technically speaking, The Power of Adversity is a quick read.  Its part biography, part self help, rounded out with a worksheet to overcome adversity in the appendix.  While Albert Weatherhead is Harvard educated, the text is written in simple English, and can be understood by all. 

There are 22 key points that are presented and elaborated on throughout the book.  For those of you that purchase the book, I suggest you read through these 22 points several times and notice which ones you don’t care for.  Which do you struggle with.  These are the points that will offer you the greatest opportunity for personal growth.  Albert’s knack for philanthropy and his suggestions about charity are an area that I personally have found to be challenging.  I give of myself, and lend my heart through this website – but I feel that there must be something more and his book has me contemplating how I would like for my philanthropic endeavors to look.  This may not be the key point that resonates with your heart, but if you give this book a close enough look, one or several of his suggestions will.

On a final note, I always appreciate reading the works of successful entrepreneurs.  So many of us are looking to build a financial empire along with being balanced in life.  Albert Weatherhead has clearly had success in the business and financial realms and this book provides lessons learned that you can model if your goals are to attain such a degree of wealth and financial success as well.  Whether or not it was the intent of this book, The Power of Adversity offers a glimpse into the creative mind of a successful entrepreneur along with the trials and tribulations of creating such a lifestyle.  Understanding how others have created success can provide you with a roadmap as to how you might do it yourself.  Wonderfully expressed, the book also offers gentle suggestions as to what one should try not to do.  

Who is this book for?

Challenged with adversity?  Things not going for you the way you’d like them to?  Are you struggling to get where you want to be in life among any of the six components of whole person wellness?  If so, this book offers valuable suggestions, insights, and lessons you can apply to your own life.   Challenged with time?  The book can be read easily in an afternoon, but you will get the most value out of reading then revisiting the concepts outlined in the appendix.  Its designed for those of any level of background with personal development materials.

• Buy the Book Here:  The Power of Adversity

Be Well

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