Living Life in the Zone - book review

Living Life in the Zone – a 40-day Spiritual Game Plan for Men

Kyle Rote Jr. and Dr. Joe Pettigrew - authors

Thomas Nelson – Publisher

Rote and Pettigrew’s approach to the program was simple – start with a thought for the day, then proceed to the coach’s corner to listen to the lesson before getting to the game plan – mention a few playmakers (examples) and leave you with an assignment (your practice). If it sounds like a very sports-minded approach… it is.

Honestly? The lessons (Coach’s corner) were great learning points; but the playmakers sections were too U.S.-centric for me. Most of the time, I did not know any of the people being talked about – and this made the lessons’ impact suffer a bit. Plus, I’m not a really sports-minded individual, so these stories… though useful as examples, were not hooking me.

Using sports analogy myself – I fumbled in the 30-yard line, and reprioritized… but I would go back once in a while, pick the boon up. This time I read selective lessons – not the 40-day path. I focused on stories appealing to my wants and needs. I did appreciate the book‘s Zones on how to have a better relationship with my children and wife.

Simply put, I was the wrong audience for this book (not a sport enthusiast – strike one, not an American exposed to U.S. local sport – strike two, and not a big follower of this 40-day programs that half-interested me – strike three). Hence I struggled to read ‘…The Zone’ from cover to cover. Would this have been different if they made use of well known, international figures to fit the book’s examples? Maybe. It would have better sustained my interest..

my review as it appears in Barnes and Noble:
http://my.barnesandnoble.com/communityportal/review.aspx?reviewid=1410529