Review: Kerry LePage's Some Day Never Comes
Posted: Friday, April 20, 2007
by ngoldman
Norm Goldman
Author: Kerry LePage
ISBN: 978-1-4343-2855-0
When Kerry LePage looked back on his life that has spanned fifty plus years, he sincerely felt he had something to pass unto anyone who would listen to him. What's more, he believed that now was the right time to do it or as my own father used to tell me, do it now, tomorrow never comes.
As LePage points out in his introduction, what motivated him to write Some Day Never Comes was that the only memories he has of most of his relatives are their photos. He states: “how sad that not one single relative left anything behind in the way of diaries or written thoughts." He wasn’t going to make the same mistake.
LePage’s modus operandi has always been to question everything and not to be certain of anything. His hope is that his readers perhaps will learn something from his blunders and benefit from some of his successes.
There have been numerous books and articles about most of the topics covered in LePage’s Some Day Never Comes, thus the book raises the question: can another one about the same topics be worth reading, particularly when the author is just an ordinary citizen and not exactly a household name?
I would have to reply in the affirmative that although what LePage has to say has been presented in a variety of formats; it is the way he presents his thoughts and ideas that have some merit creating a lasting effect long after you have read the last chapter. In essence, his appeal lies in his down-to-earth perception of human behavior. His writing style reminds me a little of Andy Rooney of the TV program Sixty Minutes with his acerbic wit and thoughtful wading into waters that inevitably stimulates discussion.
In the introductory section of Some Day Never Comes LePage adopts a no-nonsense approach in addressing a variety of issues that he rightfully claims are preventing us from living a better and more fulfilling life. Some of the topics explored and examined are striving for individuality, the flock mentality, how we are prisoners of our habits and behavioral patterns, procrastination, people who complain that they can’t find employment because nobody is hiring, the importance of mental discipline, knowing where and how to manage your time, offensive people and behavior, paying attention to your health, being honest with yourself and with others, embracing new technology without fear of failing, pointing out that not all television programs are useless, learning to appreciate, the cell phone and some of its common abuses, respect of others and taking what is not yours.
The next three sections is a retrospective journey into LePage’s successful and failed business experiences, where he mixes his own personal anecdotes with some constructive advice. As LePage is a super salesman, he provides his readers with some valuable tips concerning effective sales techniques, which incidentally, he reminds all of us of the truism that even though we may state that we have no interest in sales, we must always bear in mind that “Life is sales; sales is life. We sell products, ideas and even ourselves." We have a good idea as to where LePage is coming from and what he is made of when he devotes considerable ink concerning his experiences as a salesman of office furniture- a job where he devoted fifteen years of his life prior to going out on his own.
Some Day Never Comes is certainly thought-provoking, but one might want to read each chapter in isolation in order to reap maximum benefits and to appreciate its strengths. And although I don’t agree with all that LePage has to say particularly where he takes issue with expressions as “have a nice day," where he states that “I don’t determine whether I’ll have a nice day based on how many people tell me to do so. I decide to have a nice day based on internal programming. It’s my decision not someone’s else’s," I will respect his point of view, and yes, I will still say to him, if I ever meet him, have a nice day Kerry. I hope he doesn’t bite my head off!
The above review was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN: Retired Title Attorney: Editor & Publisher of Bookpleasures. Here are Norm Goldman's Reviews
To read Norm's Interview With Kerry CLICK HERE
It sounds like a good book, thanks for the preview!
Very impressed with your website homepage, just wonderful, and the set-up!
Thanks Jessie. The book is quite interesting and the author is very sincere. He wrote it as a legacy he wants to leave to his children. Glad you like Bookpleasures-do come by often and check out some of our reviewers that have been written by some great reviewers! Norm
Sir Norm, I give you credit for an excellent book review. As if I can add another book to my very high stack that's waiting for me but indeed I will! You've convinced me to do just that! After pulling up all of the articles you've contributed here, you have a fan! I respect the talent of book reviewers immensely. You have that talent. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Thanks Kay for your kind comments. Please pay us a visit at Bookpleasures where you will find many execellent reviewers who have contributed their time and talents. You will also find some interesting author interviews. Norm