The author starts out this book by saying, “no one is perfect”, but she seems to relish in the fact that a lot of famous people have from time to time, come up woefully short of their goals and they set out to accomplish. In this book, the author makes light of pulling back the covers on a lot of our great characters in history. So the book is filled with relatively unknown stories of how these great people may have blundered and fumbled their way into being famous, or infamous.
The book is filled with historical figures such as Marco Polo, Queen Isabella of Spain, Montezuma, Magellan, Queen Elizabeth, Isaac Newton, Amelia Earhart, Benedict Arnold, Susan B Anthony, George Custer, Thomas Edison, Vincent Van Gogh and Shoeless Joe Jackson. All of these answers somewhat household names, and they are known for some great feats that they accomplished in their lives, but this book also tells you about some of the things that are lesser known about them
It’s an interesting and entertaining look at history, and the people who made it.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
