We must keep reminding ourselves of taking responsibility for our lives in order to feel peaceful with ourselves and the life we have created. Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" is a highly popular book with a similar theme. But this book uses the scheme of "ABC's", easier to remember than seven habits. It is written in a down-home common-sense style anyone can understand. It is written from the heart. The author's personal experiences are related in dry humor - the kind that made me laugh out loud to myself and want to read late into the night. In addition to the humor and real-life events, the unfolding of the "ABC" scheme is intriguing.
The book is a product of letters written by the author to his daughter at key times and events, beginning with her graduation from high school. It is not so much "advice" but more "what I learned about life." Perhaps because this is a "true story," the letters were actually received over several years by the daughter, the book is so compelling for me. I cried when I wondered what it was like to receive these letters at unexpected times. I realized that I would like to have received such affirmation from my father. I cried when I realized I could have, but didn't, write such letters to my now-grown children.
I stopped in my tracks when I realized I now have grandchildren who would benefit from such affirmation from me. So I am buying copies as gifts for teenagers and young adults. And a couple extra for my grown-up friends and relatives!