Don Fergusson’s story is an inspiring journey from struggle and resistance to a state of flow and equanimity. His lessons could be touchstones in your awakening as well.
–Deepak Chopra
I love this book as it’s a true story of someone who seemingly had it all, realized what he had was worth very little, courageously set about to truly find meaning and purpose in his life, and has succeeded. It’s a true love story in that he is now living a life he loves.
–Ron Hulnick, President, University of Santa Monica, and co-author with his wife, Mary of Loyalty To Your Soul: The Heart of Spiritual Psychology
Marvelous book! The insights into love and relationships and life priorities are so deep and so helpful. It is rare to find someone who writes from the heart and writes well – Don has a powerful message and a wonderful story to tell.
–Steve McDonald, author of House of Mirrors
This book lays out constructive steps that people can take to achieve happiness in their lives. There is a strong message when someone with Don’s finances and opportunities admits that those material things do not always lead to satisfaction in one’s life. It is also a strong testament that Don was willing to reject the status quo and make the tough decision to chart a different path in regard to his life’s work. A person who gives up the prestige and safety of running a company can certainly be inspirational to readers who are thinking of charting their own separate path and changing what they are doing.
–Tom Reed, retired CEO, Rust-Oleum Group, RPM International, Inc.
I think this book is terrific. It is very well written and accessible. The insights are extraordinary, and the way in which they are packaged in the five principles makes it easy to remember the principles and put them to work. In fact, I think I’ll post the principles in a place where I can see them and remind myself of them on a daily basis. This book taught me there’s a different way to live life, with less effort and more results. It helps me to observe more, do less, and make careful choices where I apply my energy. This is a great book for anyone in pain or a mid-life crisis.
–Robin Ferracone, Founder & CEO, Farient Advisors, author of Fair Pay, Fair Play: Aligning Executive Performance and Pay
This book reads like a good novel–a good page turner where you can’t wait to see what happens next. The style of writing is very comforting. It is candid. Humorous at times. Deep at others. But always an easy read. I took away practical ideas that will make me a better person, husband, friend, father. In YPO terms – Take Home Value. I see myself in so many of these situations. It resonated. The skills can be transferred and learned by others. Great opportunity for people.
–Robert J. Zollars, Chairman and Member of Governance & Nominating Committee, Vocera Communications, Inc.
This book reflects the wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of striving toward authenticity, excellence and loyalty to loved ones while learning the most important lesson of all: being loyal to one’s own soul. Don’s journey provides valuable lessons to those with ambition and drive, who yearn to live life with a deep sense of fulfillment, peace and power.
–Dr. Noushin Bayat, Leadership Coach and Consultant
The book kept my attention, I didn’t want to put it down, and I thought about it when I went to sleep that night. This is what equates to me as a good piece of literature–just like a good movie, you tend to think about it when you go to sleep. If you don’t, then the movie wasn’t worth the time.
–Aaron Kessler, manager of Meredith Kessler, Ironman champion
The book is an inspiring piece of work in that it lays out a cohesive set of guiding life principles in the context of an intimate telling of a spirit’s growing pains. That is not possible without a high level of self-awareness and a sincere drive to extract the lessons learned through self-examination. The author went from being embroiled in deep personal relationship struggles and steeped in corporate culture to starting a rock band and finding a deeper kind of love with a new woman in his life, among many other things. What a contemporary story! The 5 Vital Principles are a powerful distillation of what the author has learned through his journey and are laid out well. He does a great job of weaving them into very personal examples.
–Bryan Ierardi, Hilliard, Ohio
The context of the struggling Salmon is one everyone can relate to no matter where they may be on life’s journey, and it provides a great recurring image during those times when you feel yourself slipping back. Likewise, for Siddhartha – a great image and framework to provide a way to organize thoughts, understand where in the process you might be, and a stepped discipline and strategy for moving forward. The book candidly exposes the reality that most advances are never straight lines, but paths riddled with twists, turns, breaks, and breakthroughs. Having the 5 Principles to call upon in those times of uncertainty and potential slippage would benefit many folks – whether they’re facing marital, career-related or even addiction challenges.
–Andy Pitler, Vice-President Sales, Health Integrated, Inc.
This book helps readers achieve their goals and dreams. A reader’s ideal response would be: this guy really was a certified salmon and he went through all these awful experiences and believes the Siddhartha way is better all the way around, and I believe him, so I’m going to make some adjustments to avoid, or minimize, butting my head against boulders going forward, and look for some helping hands on the banks.
–Rich Layne, San Francisco, CA
What comes across to me is how life can be so bleak at one point and then do a 180 today. This book could give hope to people at low points in their lives (depression, suicide, etc). This would also play out to be a really good movie.
–Ed Voorhees, President, Rust-Oleum Group, RPM International Inc.
I have just finished this book. As my wife will attest to, I normally take 2 months to read a book as I can only get about 5 pages read before I usually fall asleep, however I finished this book in just two sittings! The Salmon in me would never allow me to have “me time” to read a book when I just felt like it, and once I started the book I could not put it down. I am certainly the Salmon, however reading this book, I will tend now to pull over on the side of the bank and enjoy the calmer waters where possible and enjoy the ride.
–John Kerr, owner Stonefly Lodge, New Zealand
Salmon to Siddhartha will definitely find its audience gracefully …and people will love reading it–it’s a personal true story that is so touching and has so much humanness and wisdom that people can relate to … plus it is so easy to read yet full of interesting and profound truths ….and I can see a movie being made on even just the first 3 chapters!
–Alpa Patel, Thousand Oaks, CA
It was great reading about how the founder of Rust-Oleum worked to solve one of mankind’s problems and set his vision in motion. The author losing his father and making serious decisions must have felt like quite a bit more than swimming upstream. Throw in a marriage breakup and the paradigm shift that was about to take place, and it hit close to home for me. Having gone through two divorces and raising three kids myself, having money then losing it, then making it back never felt easy until I made changes–changes much like the ones made by the author.
–Ray Benenate, Santa Barbara, CA
Jesus encouraged his disciples to follow an approach similar to the Siddhartha way: Sit in the presence of God, pray, seek His vision for your life, listen to the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit within, trust God in discerning the opportunities that float by, and then step out proactively in faith. It takes faith to believe that God will add His divine grace to our human effort and enable us to live up to our full potential.
–Kimra Green, Midlothian, VA
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it very inspiring and full of deep wisdom and practical knowledge. The author, as teacher, really shined. The book really flowed, the writing was very, very good and I was able to follow the storyline and teachings, visualizing each scene. It took me awhile to get through it–it was so compelling that I could have devoured it, but I wanted to savor it and go slow. I am applying the principles to my current life circumstances.
–Virginia Lee, Chico, CA