"The Final Summit" is the newest book by Andy Andrews. While it is a sequel to his book "The Traveler's Gift", it can easily be read and enjoyed without having read the first book.
In the first book "The Traveler's Gift", you would have met David Ponder at the lowest point in his life. He lost his job and his drive and desire to live. He gets an opportunity to travel in time (after he is unconscious after a traffic accident) to meet with 7 historical figures (King Soloman, Harry Truman, Anne Frank, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, Christopher Columbus, and the archangel Gabriel) who give him seven decisions that are the key to personal success. He would then use those seven decisions to rebuild his wealth and become a very successful businessman. This basic idea of the story is that God, at different points in history, would allow selected people, called travelers, to travel back in time to learn secrets of success from important and influential people in history.
In "The Final Summit" we continue the story of David Ponder, 28 years later. We meet David again at a low point in his life. He has recently lost his wife and is questioning his will to live. The archangel Gabriel returns to David to take him to the upcoming traveler summit conference. This is to be the final summit conference and David is to be the leader. The summit is being convened to determine the fate of the world. The members of the summit must answer this question: "What does humanity need to do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?"
The book's cover describes it best:
"This is humanity's last chance. Centuries of greed, pride, and hate have sent mankind hurtling toward disaster, and far from its original purpose. There is only one solution that can reset the compass and right the ship--and that answer is only two words. With time running out, it is up to David Ponder and a cast of history's best and brightest minds to uncover this solution before it is too late. The catch? They are allowed only five tries to solve the ominous challenge."
David Ponder has the brightest minds available to help him discover the answer. Is the answer hope, wisdom, or something else? Will David and his team be able to solve this question and save the world? The two word answer might surprise you.
The author draws you in the summit conference as the characters race to find the right answer. Some of the most influential people in history are available to David Ponder and every answer they present sounds like it is the answer. But is it? This book is a page turner as you continue to read and try to answer this question yourself.
I'm not going to give away the answer--you'll have to read the book yourself! I will say that while you might think it will be some ultra spiritual answer it is a really practical answer that can and should be applied to anyone's life. I will admit that while I was surprised that I could not figure out the answer until the end of the book, the answer itself did not surprise me.
I really enjoyed reading "The Final Summit". While it was a sequel (I had not read the first book), I found that the author weaved enough of the first book in so a reader starting with "The Final Summit" would be able to enjoy the book . One thing I like about Andy Andrews is his gift of weaving a fictional story with a thought provoking message. His stories are interesting and enjoyable to read and you also finish the book inspired to live a better life.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
