Showing Up for Life

April 27, 2009
Gates, attorney, philanthropist and father of the Microsoft scion, shares thoughts and family memories in this warm collection of short essays. Counting his children-Kristi, Libby, and son Bill--among his proudest achievements, Gates stays close to home and largely abstains from name dropping, though the Gates keep some impressive company (Gates prizes a photograph of himself, Nelson Mandela and Jimmy Carter at the Zola Clinic in South Africa). With a conversational tone, Gates enumerates his tenets for successful life-hard work, generosity and curiosity-along with what he's learned from people like his scoutmaster Dorm Braman, his son Bill, his late wife, Mary, and his current wife, Mimi, as well as friends from the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. government. Along with some impressive moments from exotic locations, such as his many trips to Africa, Gates's cascade of small, private moments build to an impressive and very personal life survey.

May 15, 2009
Father of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Gates Sr. has compiled his reflections on life as a father, lawyer, activist, and citizen to inspire others to help make the world a better place. The 50 short narratives detail the lessons Gates learned, e.g., the need for involvement and the importance of living according to one's values. While Gates's points are well taken, they're nothing we haven't heard before from more forceful writers in the genre, such as Mitch Albom's "Tuesdays with Morrie" and Alice Schroeder's "The Snowball: Warren Buffet and the Business of Life".

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.