The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, by Dr. John Izzo

(originally posted April 7, 2008)

—-Listen to the Audio Here—-

The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die

Heavy title. Buoying book. Go figure.

When Dr. John Izzo’s book, The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, came up as a suggestion for me to review and interview, it came with the phrase, “sounds like something you’d like, Jamie.”

Oh, really?

I don’t read those kinds of books. And I’m terrified of dying. Somebody’s messing with me. But I like a challenge. Heh. That which doesn’t kill me and all…

I didn’t expect to like it and I certainly didn’t expect to need it, but it came at a good time. But I get the feeling just about any time would be a good time for this book. It’s really very wonderful in concept and execution.  Did I just say ‘execution’ in a review of a book about death?  Oh dear.  I get a pass, because it’s really about life.  It’s a comfortable, easy read that takes the cliché out of cliché by showing us five invaluable bits of wisdom as applied in the lives of over two hundred impressive and venerable men and women.

Dr. Izzo asked for nominations, from those on his international mailing list, for the one person who had influenced them as wise, as happy, as having found the secret to a sense of fulfillment in their life. Through questionnaire, this list was distilled down to the group that Dr. Izzo and his team interviewed in depth over the course of a year and a half.

What results is an amazingly useful look at what we’ll wish we’d known when – let’s not beat around the bush; Dr. Izzo doesn’t – when we die.

I got to speak to Dr. Izzo about the process of compiling this book, why the secrets aren’t secret, and why I’m now walking around with a few words on an index card in my pocket at all times. To find out more, go to www.drjohnizzo.com

You may just want to buy the book. It couldn’t hurt, and it definitely won’t kill you.