Author: Jim Stovall
Page Count: 124
Published Date: May 2000
ISBN: 9780937539484
Format: Paperback

Red Stevens owned everything a man could ask for and gave his family a piece of that everything. However, right before he died, Red realized one thing. Looking down along the long list of things he had given his family, he suddenly came to the conclusion that in giving them everything, he had given them nothing. While most of his family were lost causes because of his mistake, one still stood out with potential to learn. That one was in store for the year to end all years. That one was his great nephew, Jason.

The Ultimate Gift takes the reader through Jason's incredible work to gain his Uncle Red's inheritance, the ultimate gift.

Every step of the way there is a lesson for Jason and the reader. Things such as values, hard work, the appreciation for money, and the love of giving are taught to Jason. Uncle Red hits a homerun when he teaches Jason the most important lesson of all:

Red paused (in the video) for another brief moment, cleared his throat, and began again. "Jason, I lived my life in a big way. I had a lot of big accomplishments, and I made a lot of big mistakes. One of the biggest mistakes I ever made was when I gave everyone in our family everything that they thought they ever wanted. It took me many years to figure out that everything we'll ever do, know or have in this life is a gift from the good Lord. He has a special plan for each of us, and He has provided everything we need to fulfill that plan. I spent many years trying to achieve happiness or buy it for friends and family. Only as an old man did I come to learn that all happiness comes from gifts that God has given us. Unfortunately, the money and possessions I spread around didn't help people to understand the gifts that have been provided for us. In trying to make up for all the times I wasn't there, I gave them all material things. In doing so, I robbed them of everything that made my life wonderful.

The Ultimate Gift will entertain, teach and touch you as you read about Jason's journey to receive his inheritance, the ultimate gift!

BOOK REVIEW

A LETTER FROM A TEENAGE EMPLOYEE THANKING HIS EMPLOYER FOR A BOOK

From: Chris       To: George & Veronica

George, when you gave me this book, I had no idea how much power you had placed into my hands. As I read, I took a journey just like Jason. As I read the first chapter, I felt the power, so much that I moved onto the second chapter. The feeling only got stronger, and was one of the best things I have ever felt. I read this book, not knowing what kind of lessons I was to learn. I hate reading, but would not have minded if this book had lasted forever. The Ultimate Gift is the only book I have ever loved, or even liked for that matter. Now I will tell you what I learned throughout this book.

Through the book, I slowly learned the value of life.  In one chapter, I learned that money is nothing but paper and can not buy any happiness. The only kind of happiness you can obtain from money is using it correctly, for example, when Jason helped the mother and child, the Boy Scouts, and the man with his heart problems. When he spent money on these people, and experienced true happiness through helping people.

Through another chapter, I learned that when you think about other people, before you think about yourself you are much happier, and so are the people you are thinking about. Another chapter taught me that all you need to learn the most important lessons in life is the desire to learn (which I now have). I also learned that problems are the only tasks that you need to accomplish in order to feel the true beauty in life, and that when you face, instead of ignore, your problems, you become a better person in the end. Problems are not bad, but good, because of what you learn in solving them.

The gift of family is something I've already learned and experienced. Family, are the most important people in my life. My parents, my best friends, my brothers and my sisters, and you and Veronica are my family. Also, let's not forget GOD.

The gift of laughter is something great that I've learned from this book. I can now laugh at the good and the bad, because that is what keeps you happy throughout life. 

The gift of dreams is what keeps me going. Since I've always had dreams before reading The Ultimate Gift, I know that all you have to do is keep dreaming. The more you dream, the more you have as fuel to keep you going.

The gift of giving is above all, the most important gift to me. It is something I've had a taste of before I started reading this book. The more you give, the more you have in a relationship between other people. For example, you give a boy a train set as a present. But as part of the gift, you give a part of yourself. This lets others know how much you feel about them.

I have learned to be grateful for the little things more than the big things. An example is a sunrise. If I had 24 more hours in a day, I would spend the extra time striving to feel the power that I felt as I read The Ultimate Gift.

I needed no help in understanding the gift of love. I've known since the day I was born, that my parents are my gift of love. And now, Jim Stovall, you, and Veronica are added to that list. You had enough love and faith in me to know I was ready for the power from this book. Jim Stovall did a brilliant thing in writing this book. My life is forever changed.

George, you gave me the ultimate gift by giving me this book. It is a tool that has changed my life forever. You and V gave me that power. Thank you so much. I cannot express my gratitude in words from what you've given me. All I know is that you will be on MY golden list when I wake up in the morning.

Thank you.

100% Sincerely, CD

PS. George, I've seen other leaders (boss is not the word to describe you) who were nothing like you. Obviously, they need this book. I want you to know that when you correct me on an area that I need improvement, I already know you're not picking on me. You and V and my parents are the people in my family who have made a big impact on me. I am so grateful to have you as a leader.  I can communicate with you and you can with me. I won't lie and I know you won't either. This is one of the best things in the relationship between us. Sorry this was so long, I could have written a book on The Ultimate Gift, not just a page.