Getting There

In Getting There, a diverse collection of highly successful people talk frankly about the experiences that led to their choice of vocation and the lessons that they learned along the way. The common threads that tie together their stories are that passion trumps ambition, that adversity is a valuable teacher, that an awareness of one's strengths and weaknesses is crucial to achieving success, and that personal happiness is closely tied to a satisfying working life. Among the 30 subjects are investor Warren Buffett, laywer David Boies, reporter Anderson Cooper, film executive Stacey Snider, artist Marina Abramovic, hotelier Ian Schrager, educator Wendy Kopp, producer Matthew Weiner, and writer Jeff Kinney. The autobiographical essays are beautifully edited by Gillian Zoe Segal, who interviewed the participants at length. A photographer, Segal also took warm and inviting portraits for the book. Getting There is the perfect gift for anyone who is facing life's big decisions. It's like having 30 role models to boost confidence, develop strategies, and share meaningful advice.