License to Live – The Michael Baisden Show’s “Book of the Week” Winner!
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License to Live: A Manual for Getting Past Life’s Roadblocks With A Dynamic Foreword by Les Brown License to Live is Heart of Darkness meets Chicken Soup for the Soul. The goal of this book is to empower the disempowered, uplift the downtrodden and give hope to the hopeless. Born the second child to a teenage unwed mother, Elvin Dowling came from a background rife with poverty, violence and hopelessness. Like many growing up in South Florida, the old adage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” was an apt one for Elvin and his family. By all odds, he shouldn’t have made it out of his neighborhood, much less achieved a level of success that defies conventional wisdom. By the time he was nineteen years old, he lost both of his brothers and many of his cousins to the scourge of street violence. Elvin Dowling is a man who knows from experience that even when mountains are placed in your way, all things are possible, if you only just believe. And believe he does. A licensed minister since age sixteen, Elvin knew he survived the mean streets of South Florida for a reason.
License to Live is "Heart of Darkness meets Chicken Soup for the Soul"
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His early years infused him with the character to lead by example and a commitment to “service above self.” In this cleverly written book, Elvin’s life experiences and the lessons that grew from them are structured around a rite of passage that is familiar to nearly every American, learning how to drive and earning a drivers license. The stages of becoming an excellent driver serve as metaphors for navigating the highway of one’s life. Throughout this cleverly structured work, License to Live, the author frames the harsh realities of his upbringing as Red Light Challenges. The way Elvin dealt with these he terms Roadside Responses and the life lessons learned become Universal Road Rules. Finally, each chapter offers a Real Life Road Map that readers can take to help direct them to their own destinations. The structure of challenge-response-life lesson carries throughout each chapter, creating a positioning that readers can relate to their own experience as drivers. Download a sample chapter of License to Live (330) and listen to the book’s theme song License to Live Theme Song (255) now, and see what others are talking about when they say that Elvin Dowling, The Architect of Change, is truly an inspiring individual. Order your copy of License to Live today.
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The Reviews are in… License to Live is a “Must-Read”!
5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh Honesty, February 7, 2011
This review is from: License to Live (Paperback)
License to Live is amazing to read. This book will give you a rare look into the realities of life and share with you that where your life may appear to be at the moment, does not mean that it is where it will end. License to Live shows you that every situation is just a comma to your next destination. This book tells a story of one man challenges but no matter the cost his quest to move forward and not look back. His choice not to hold on to the struggles as a excuse to stay in one place. License to Live is a what every young man should read to know that what it may appear does not have to be the way it is. License to Live is for every woman to read to understand that men have struggles to, but the struggles are not the final statement of his life it is just the beginning. Christ is the strength behind it all and the reality that he is needed in everything.
4.0 out of 5 stars inspiration, March 13, 2011
This review is from: License to Live (Paperback)
The book is also written with the analogy of the universal language of those who have learned how to drive and uses the language of driving (i.e. “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear” and “stop look and listen”) although it still doesn’t help me to turn right which I am prone to avoid forever I think!If you need inspiration then it is here for sure and the fact it is endorsed by the incredible Les Brown speaks volumes.
5.0 out of 5 stars An Adorable, Encouraging Book!, March 9, 2011
This review is from: License to Live (Paperback)
As they say, “The Underdog Overcomes…and So Can You!” This is an amazing book about an amazing man, Elvin, who overcame incredible odds to become a leader among men. His story inspired me to do much more with my own life and I wanted to write this review as my THANKS to Elvin for writing such a jewel. He opened his life and his heart for us. He explored the depths of his childhood problems and showed us how he climbed up from there to success that some only dream of. He now encourages others, not just through his writing but also in his seminars and speeches. I can’t wait to see him in person as soon as I can. If you want pointers, REAL pointers on how to achieve fame, success, fortune, or simply a calm, peaceful countenance, there is no better place to turn than to License to Live.
5.0 out of 5 stars When does the movie come out?, March 9, 2011
This review is from: License to Live (Paperback)
This is an awsom book with a great message! I am thankful that the author shares his lifes journey with us in such detail andallows us to learn from his choices. This book is inspiring, motivating and captivating. I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels they are stuck where they are due to their circumstances or environment. Invest in your life or the lives of others and get this book for yourself or someone you know who has the potential for greatness bbut is having trouble seeing past the problems of their current situation. I really think this would make a good documentary or film but for now I am glad I had the book available. Troy A. Bonar author of
Geocaching Your Life: Finding Your Treasure and Achieving Success and
365 Safety Tips (Volume 1)
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Nothing but a Rewarding Read, March 9, 2011
This review is from: License to Live (Paperback)
Is it still possible to pick yourself up by your own bootstraps, overcome a life of misery, and become an amazing leader that helps to reverse artifacts of the past? Yes and Elvin Dowling proves exactly that. In License to Live, both my husband and myself were so impressed with Elvin’s motivation, desire, and goals. He has become a man who has led some of America’s most historic institutions. He is a man who gives back to society even though society didn’t always give him a chance. The greatest thing Elvin taught us was that our past does not have to dictate our future. He teaches this very concept by his life and his story here. I know for a FACT than some of Elvin’s principles will help me achieve more than I would without them. His “Behavior Kinesiology” shows how you can combine both a physical and mental forces within you to be better in all walks of life.
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Inspirational, March 1, 2011
This review is from: License to Live (Paperback)
A license to live is an inspirational story of triumph and success. Elvin Dowling details his struggles in early life and the path he took to an extraordinary existence. He also maps out exercises to help the reader analyze their goals. This book was truly inspirational and a great read.
5.0 out of 5 stars live, February 23, 2011
This review is from: License to Live (Paperback)
Great book about a man who’s life looked very dim, but through God he came out on top. Our decisions in life make us what we will become. A bad situation can bring good results if we let out attitude be a positive one.
5.0 out of 5 stars Get a copy for yourself and one for a friend: Great Book, lots of insights, February 3, 2011
This review is from: License to Live (Paperback)
I just read this great book by Elvin J. Dowling. I didn’t know what to expect when I first started reading the book but I soon realized the true value of the teachings and insights within the book. It took me a while to finish as I had to stop and reread some paragraphs that made a real impression. I also took lots of notes:) It is an impressive work and I identified with sooo much of what the book covers… The story of loss and triumph in spite of so many loses is for everyone to admire and learn from. I will be re-reading License to Live a few more times as I know there are a lot more insights and lessons inside this wonderful and easy to read story; insights that I can learn from and apply in my own life. My thanks to Mr. Dowling for making his story available for us to enjoy, not only for his engaging writing style but also for his “life lessons” to open our eyes.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, February 1, 2011
This review is from: License to Live (Paperback)
Is there anything stopping you from living the life that you were purposed to live? In Elvin Dowling’s book, “License to Live,” he offers a guide to assist readers in maneuvering their way down life’s highways to achieve greatness and become what God intended them to be. Dowling gives readers the Universal Road Rules, Red Light Challenges, Rearview Glances and Roadside Responses to aid in designing our own “Real Life Road Map” in hopes that we will become productive citizens living life to the fullest. It is evident in this book that this journey down life’s roadways will not be without some potholes, u-turns or detours. It is up to the reader to use the many bumps in the road to their advantage because as the good book says, “And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28). The book gives a very personal, detailed look into the life of the author and is written in a “I’ve been there and done that so I know you can too” tone. This makes it an easy read and if you don’t know the author personally it feels like he’s your friend dishing out some good guidance. Dowling has shown that we all have something to contribute to society and that we can rise above the dust and soar like an eagle, just as he has! To a reader who is looking to be a better person, “License to Live,” gives practical guidance to enable the reader to make positive changes in his/her personal and spiritual life. You should not be able to read it without doing a complete self-evaluation. This reviewer has been able to apply the guidance located in these pages to every area of daily living. Why take guidance on becoming licensed to live from Elvin Dowling? He is obviously on a highway of success, and has offered to give you a road map. Take him up on it and see where it takes you! This book will leave a definite imprint on your heart, mind and spirit.
