Laird HamiltonForce of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul, and, of Course, Surfing

You will be inspired.

This book is full of inspiring stories, anecdotes and experiences by a world class athlete, inventor, entrepreneur and a fully self-realized human being. It's not preachy or patronizing and the unusual format makes it fun to keep reading.This would be a GREAT book for young adults, especially boys (I'm waiting on his wife, Volleyball superstar Gabrielle Reece's book to arrive). Laird didn't have an easy upbringing, yet he never whines about it (not even for being beat-up and bullied daily for being a White kid in Hawaii. Lot of people could take a lesson in that alone) or cries poor me.Although I usually loan-out/give away most of my books after reading, I'll be keeping this one for reference. I've already highlighted, dog-eared and put post-its on many pages. Wish I could give it more stars!

This book has held up well in the 13 years it's been published. It contains a little something for everyone - not just fans of surfing. The four sections: Mind, Body, Soul, and Surfing all have good information in them.I bought the hardback version, and it's beautifully designed. Although I'm a Kindle fan, this is a book to be read on paper. It's almost like a coffee table book because of all the photos, but it's packed with useful information.If you're looking for inspiration to do something with your life, give it a read. It's an easy read, and it's easy to pick up and set down if you have a lot going on.Laird's book is inspiring and motivating, even if you're landlocked. The book is written by someone who's much more than a professional athlete and surfer. This book is a guidebook on how to live a rich, fulfilling life.

Laird Hamilton has the best attitude about life. You don't have to be a surfer to read his book. I, personally, can't see any way that I can be as satisfied with life as he is and as he wants 'us' to be. I envy him & his family. I bought the book for my brother who adopted his boys after age 50 because "life was too simple". He is now a single dad of a 17 & 14 year old. He is 7 years older than me and is raising them as I grew up. We would be on a hike with our family and they would just leave me, knowing, back in the 60s that I was fine and the trails had a lot more solitude for miles than they do now. I would complain that my pack (which was supposed to be my weight, always) was too heavy or I was too tired or the mosquitos were eating me alive. They would say okay and off they'd go. I would play on the trail & find my elf friends (yes) in the tree roots for awhile, then catch up with them eventually. Usually they were at the destination already and having a picnic which was a great reward. All this to attempt to say that I feel Laird Hamilton is bringing up his family with a keen independence and appreciation for life. He says we should all scare ourselves at least once a day (to live to our fullest). Wow, I so agree, and am not there yet, but still appreciate the goal.

I have had Laird's book for almost two years now, and I constantly carry it with me in my backpack and take it out to read when I am unmotivated or need a mental charge up. It is one of the best books I've come across in terms of motivation and aspiring to live a positive active healthy life. Laird gives immensely wise information and tips regards diet, supplements, exercises and aiming for a healthy positive attitude, something that sorely missing from the majority of people in this day and age. Topics such as Dealing with fear & negativity, Being the best and striving for excellence, and elite-level athletic tips on training and recovery. Laird gives a list of great natural food ideas with the philosophy of "if I can't pronounce it or don't know what it is, it's not going into my body". I would highly, highly recommend this book for all young people trying to build character and better themselves. Easily one of my favorite non-fiction books along with Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court & Epictetus, The Art of Living: The Classic Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness.

Good read and it keeps pulling you along. Not too kosher with the couple of contributors that were all oogling over "Laird is so awesome, Laird is the master of the universe, Laird shoots sparks out of his ears". Laird is pretty awesome at what he does and his philosophy is admirable but if Laird asks you to contribute to his book, just say "sure or thanks" and do a great job of contributing. No need to foam at the mouth over Laird...and if Laird had them put that in there...shame on you. We can read your book and enjoy your outlook on life and think you're a pretty bitchin dude without having someone build a verbal alter to you.Nonetheless, the book tells us nothing new but reinforces many of those positive life lessons that we all know but easily forget on a regular basis.

A friend recommended this book to me, and I'm ever so grateful that he did. This book is packed full of amazing gems and wisdom, and I just couldn't put it down! It is truly food for the mind, body and soul. What stood out initially, in the very beginning, is a quote by Mark Twain: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones that you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." After reading this book, I realized that this whole book can be summed up by Mark Twain's quote, and Laird is a living example of that philosophy. The book is divided into four sections: Mind, Body, Soul & Surfing. Whether you are an athlete seeking to improve your performance in your particular sport, an average person interested in improving your health or someone on a spiritual and soul-searching path, this book has it all!!

It's worth a read, if only for the circuit training

Vorneweg: Ich konnte mich schwer zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen entscheiden, 3,5 Sterne aufgerundet ergibt dann aber 4.Generell ist das Buch leicht und schnell zu lesen, wobei man auf vieles nochmal zurückgreifen kann (Ernährungsrezepte, Yoga- und Fitness-Workouts, Tipps zum surfen, ...) sodass das Buch eher als Nachschlagewerk dienen kann. Das Buch ist von hoher Qualität mit vielen hochauflösenden Fotos, was meiner Meinung nach auch den etwas erhöhten Preis rechtfertigt. Das Buch ist KEIN allgemeiner Lebensratgeber, das Buch ist KEINE Biografie über Laird Hamilton und das Buch ist NICHT in einem zusammenhängenden Text geschrieben, sondern thematisch stark aufgeteilt. Das Buch ist hingegen ein Mix aus allem: Teils erzählt Laird aus seinem Leben, teils gibt er Ratschläge zum Leben.Positiv fande ich:+ Detaillierter Einblick in die verschiedensten Lebensweisheiten des Autors, aufgeteilt in die Themen "Mind, Body, Soul, Surfing"+ Viele Gedankengänge regen zum eigenen Nachdenken und Reflexion an. Ich denke, einzelne Passagen werde ich noch öfters lesen+ Einblicke von Leuten aus den verschiedensten Bereichen (Yoga-Lehrerin, Köchin, Fitnessexperte, ...)+ schöne Bebilderung+ guter SchreibstilNegativ hingegen:- viele Close-Up Bilder von Laird Hamilton selbst. Für Hardcore-Fans vielleicht toll, für mich als eher allgemeinen Surf-Enthusiasten etwas zuviel des Guten- Durch den stark partitionierten Text geht teilweise die Tiefe verloren. Oft sind 2 Seiten Text vorhanden von Laird, dann direkt ein Einschub von jemand anderem, dann wieder Text von Laird, etc.- Ich weiß noch nicht genau, was ich von Laird Hamilton persönlich halten soll. Manches erscheint etwas paradox: Auf der einen Seite propagiert er natürliche Ernährung mit wenig chemischen Zusätzen, auf der anderen Seite nimmt er täglich dubios wirkende Supplements. Auch wiederholt er wie stolz er ist, Vater zu sein, blendet dabei aber seine erste Heirat und seine daraus entstehende Tochter komplett aus.Natürlich ist dies eine sehr subjektive Betrachtung. Obwohl ich mit einigen Ansichten wie den Supplements (vielleicht ist das aber auch typisch amerikanisch?!) nicht mit dem Autor übereinstimme, war das Buch dennoch eine interessante Inspiration, die mich oft zum Nachdenken angeregt hat. Und dafür ist das Buch auch da: Einblicke geben in ein sehr außergewöhnliches Leben eines außergewöhnlichen Sportlers und Erfinders.Insgesamt ein sehr spezielles Buch, welches bestimmt keine Fehlinvestition ist, solange man sich entweder für den Autor selbst, das Surfen allgemein, oder einfach an einer gesunden Lebenseinstellung interessiert ist.

Incredible book, I am a big fan of laird. The man is very inspiring and has had a very positive impact on my life

well im biaised as i think laird is uber cool. really inspiring though and the sections on food and injury are really interesting. dont forget though that this guy wakes up on the hawaiin island of oahu and picks fresh papaya every morning which is a lot more motivational than making yourself train in this miserable wet rock of a country! so its not always as simple as he makes out when it comes to living the lifestyle. the book only really touches on a few subjects and he tells you his thoughts on them without going to deep. But if your a laird fan then this is definitely must have that you can trot out on a rainy fat day to inspire you to eat well and get out and do something!

This book is the story of a great man who is married to a great woman and made a great family. The fact that he or his wife are respected athletes and celebrities actually comes second. Throughout the book he shares his views on life and family, as well as the facts that he is famous for. He comes across as very modest, yet the information he shares could be used as staples for a better life. Seriously, the world would be a greater place if we all had neighbours like them!It is a quick and comforting read. I am glad I purchased the book.