Permission to Dream

Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness), a philanthropist and CEO of the brokerage firm Gardner Rich & Co., shares how he has lived his dreams in this peppy work. Gardner frames his advice within a bus ride he takes with his granddaughter, during which he shares his own philosophies of success (“plans, like dreams, have to be adaptable, enough so that you can allow them to evolve as your circumstances change and your vision grows”), as well as those of such revered thinkers as Martin Luther King Jr. To that end, Gardner champions King’s notion that dreams must be met with determination to achieve excellence and a commitment to justice. In his most prescriptive section, Gardner explores how “The Rep, the Rap, and the Rolodex” (one’s reputation, ability to make easy small talk, and network of contacts) form the core of a successful life. In the end, Gardner’s infectious optimism will encourage readers to think deeply about goals. These supportive affirmations for finding the confidence to dream big will appeal to readers who enjoy Paulo Coelho’s work. [em](Apr.) [/em]