I was provided a complimentary copy in exchange for a review. This book found me just as I was finishing up on a Daniel Fast which focused on .. calling on God for wisdom regarding a difficult decision I needed to make. With that, this book was very thought provoking and I appreciated what I walked away with when finished.

This book is hospitable. Enjoy a plate of cookies and some warm milk.
It seems to be an authentic offering of one man’s reflection on his life’s experiences, sharing what has been helpful for him: emphasis on for him. This is Mr. Britt’s philosophy, attributed to and gleaned from his family, friends, acquaintances and media such as books and movies. It is shaped in a friendly, conversational manner.

However, as a lifelong student of philosophy and wisdom teachings, I don’t consider the title represents the contents. Maxims, yes. A few life insights, yes. Read further. This is a playbook of beliefs, formed by maxims, from a man who states his beliefs in God, in hunting, in the glory of competition and sports. Unfortunately, for the few useful guidelines herein, the author’s overt claim that there is a God, and that as his creator led him to create this book, puts up a bill board that blocks the view of usefulness from non-religious yet very capable readers. Then, there's the rub of hunting if one believes in the sanctity of life. Killing for survival may be necessary, but isn't killing for sport destroying your 'God's' creation?

We can certainly applaud the call to seek wisdom! I endorse inspiration and encouragement to be open to the lessons of skillful teachers who walk their talk. While these are helpful folk sayings, helpful ancestral teachings within a certain ancestry, it is merely a collection of a very specific, cultural transmission. Wisdom is a weightier concept, requiring sagacious discernment, deep insight into the essential nature of life, of universal application -- different from this friendly, coaching playbook.

In the sagging shelves of ‘self-help’ books, what makes this book stand out? Potential buyers should peruse the table of contents and a few maxims to decide for themselves. I consumed many such books in my 20-40s, seeking ‘success’ and ways to improve. Ultimately, these Hallmark flavor books offered diversion, a few confirmations of my experience, and fewer substantial insights or inspirations by which I developed more fully. I wasted a lot of time within the chain of fast food ‘success’ books. (For example, he offers a maxim/rule that “It’s going to be okay”. Really? Experience parenthood, marriage, decades of working to survive and realize everything is not okay and may not be okay. There is much tragedy, suffering, and ignorance that is not abated in this life. Wisdom reveals that suffering is part of reality and carries many into death).

Overall, this is a fitting family tribute, a gift from an elder to his family and friends. It is, as a family album, sharing the highlights of one’s man's life. A maxim is a rule of conduct; this may be a useful guide if the recipients are not rebuffed by the author’s religious claims and business-sport-male mentality. And beware, while ‘feel good’ sells in America, often everything may not be or turn out okay. It doesn't mean you haven't lived as wisely as possible.

Yes, true wisdom helps us navigate the dangers and difficulties of this mortal experience. May we keep seeking.

There are books you read to know and they are books where you just have to have a pen and paper to write down so you don't forget, highlight for extra measure. Seek to be wise is that book, it's that book that feels like your hanging out with a friend and that friend happens to be Chess Britt as with real stories to buttress his points guides you to appreciating Wisdom in the everyday what i also loved about this book is the questions to ponder to get you thinking and wanting to take action as well.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I'm sure anyone reading this will as well

All our answers are already answered if we listen to ourselves and find the wisdom within. We have to seek to be wise.
Britt shares timeless truths he picked up from family, friends, her life experiences.

This is a book you’ll want to read and leran from it again and again.

Love it.




***Thanks Netgalley!***