Life's Golden Ticket: A Story about Second Chances Audio CD – CD, May 3, 2016

This is a really good book filled with emotion. The author takes you on a journey on his story. It really helps you see the change is possible and the author shows you how to achieve it. It's not really a self-help book, as it's written like a novel. It just really helps you understand and achieve a better life. 5 stars.

When I first started reading, I didn't realize Brendon had written a novel. I had already read Millionaire Messenger, and I wanted something more. I had intended on looking at The Charge, but came across this one first and started reading...At first, I was confused. the story jumped right in. I suddenly had a disconnect and didn't know who I was reading about. I was pretty sure it wasn't Brendon. Once I realized it was a novel, my thought was, oh, no, this is going to suck. Why is he writing fiction? The only one thing that prevented me from not buying the book was that in just the few paragraphs I had read, I was already hooked and wanting to know, "what happens next?"From there, I was so hooked, I read the first half of the book live on screen (I was too engrossed to even stop, go upstairs and grab my e-reader.)So what's so great about this book?Brendan takes you on a journey where you are intensely engrossed in following the story, yet it doesn't take long before you are weaving your own story between the lines. Along with the characters, you begin to review your past and the themes that have shaped it. You begin to see where you went wrong as well as where you went right. Better still, you are not taught lessons or insights, instead, you LIVE them through the characters of the story. You are not asked to write in your journal. You're not asked to do exercises. You're not asked to "take time to contemplate this." You simply read a story. Just reading the story, you get all you need.Recently I had read the Afterlife of Billy Fingers. Billy talks about a life review and how you not only have access to what you experienced in your life, but also what those around you experienced as well. I found this theme somewhat echoed in The Golden Ticket, with the greater exception that you are not dead and have time to fix or enhance the life you are living. Moreover, you suddenly are revived in grasping and reaching for what you want most out of life, regardless if that has to do with a business idea, someone you love, or some other goal.I plan to highly recommend this book to my friends.

I am not quite sure where to start...I looked at many of the other reviews across the 5 to 1 star spectrum and was a bit confused by many of the reviews. I was frankly surprised...ok Mr Burchard is not Earnest Hemingway or F. Scott Fitzgerald admittedly but he IS a NY Times Best Selling author so let's at least tip our hats in courtesy to that.His book "Life's Golden Ticket: An Inspirational Novel" was for me, cathartic, enlightening and frankly a darn fine read. I found myself plugging in my life story all through the book and I believe sincerely, after reading the book I am a better "Me" than before.His metaphor of a Carnival as the backdrop for his story is wonderful. Each familiar portion of the midway was another look into some painful and cancerous parts of my life and while I am not healed or magically transformed...I feel great....maybe better than ever. I have forgiven parents and am looking at them in a new light...I am reexamining personal relationships and my own relationship with myself and my history. After reading the book, this will hopefully make more sense.The writing style is good solid prose without pretense or excessive use of simile and the read was smooth and logically laid out.For what it is worth I purchased the Kindle version which was just fine but the good old paper version would have improved my voyage a bit. Kindle is a great platform but somehow after my boohoo fest, paper might have been somehow more appropriate.And just to silence a few detractors: 1. I read the book! 2. This is not my only review!David Rodwell

A story of hope and determination. This is a great read for anyone who’s life isn’t going a# they had planned.

Adding another book to my list of favorites! This phenomenal parable is about the story of an average man whose ordinary life is dramatically changed one evening with a phone call regarding a car accident and the mysterious 40 day disapperance of his fiancé. While in the hospital, she pleas with him to deliver an envelope for her. He finds himself standing at the gates of an old abandoned amusement park that magically comes to life after he arrives; blood-stained envelope in hand. He is there to get answers, but is first taken on several intrapersonal and interpersonal journeys of reflection and insight with each character he meets. The entire story of every character resonates with my soul, along with the lessons they teach, but The Strong Man chapter had me in tears! I mean, actually whimper-crying.There are many, but one of my favorite quotes from the book...(In regards to 'miracle workers')"You can't wonder where miracles go or where they come from - you just have to be thankful for them when they arrive, and thankful for them after they have departed."This story has moved me, changed me, and shaken the ground beneath my feet. The way I look at relationships, whether it's the one I have with myself or the ones I share with others, is forever impacted. I have already shared this title with a few people I know who are struggling horribly in hopes that they also find inspiration from its meaning.#GoldenTicketRedesigned our guest room last summer and forgot that this tin sign is hanging on the wall. How fitting...

Absolutely amazing book. Men and women be good to your spouses. Listen to them before it’s too late.