MBA at 58: Book Reviews
Reviewed By Lesley Jones for Readers’ Favorite
Many of us find ourselves stuck on the treadmill of a career that does not inspire or challenge us. So, why do we remain in a place that does not utilize our unique talents and strengths and fill our hearts with achievement? In 2016, Doug Keipper decided to study for his MBA and four years later he achieved his goal. While many people believe that your dreams and ambition should cease to exist by a certain age, Doug proves that it is never too late. In MBA at 58: And Other Improbable Stories, Doug Keipper shares his incredible story, along with others to highlight that a wasted talent and a dream ignored are so tragic and needless. The stories include those who have overcome personal loss and tragedy, health conditions, and constant rejection. Discover how they found the strength to continue in the face of such adversity and how you can make changes to your own mindset and finally live a happy and authentic life. Are you where you want to be in your life or is there an achievement you have longed to accomplish? Would you be in your current position if you could turn back the clock? Have you longed for change but either felt fearful or maybe that it was too late to alter your current circumstances?
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of inspirational stories and I challenge anyone who reads this not to want to take the first steps toward positive change. Each one of the stories has a common theme, a pivotal person, a life event, or a strong belief that drove them forward. They all faced obstacles and challenges and even rejection but they persevered. My absolute favorite story was Julia “Juju” Hook; her words of wisdom and encouragement to ladies over 50 were simply life-changing. The fixed or growth mindset section really made me self-evaluate myself. I adored the Popcorn theory, this was such a great analogy to use. I also completely resonated with the 6 Stages Of Behaviour Change and it will inspire me not to give up at the first setback. I would highly recommend MBA at 58 by Doug Keipper to anyone who is in desperate need to change their current circumstances but needs some inspiration. This is my favorite quote from the book as it is powerful: 'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.’
Reviewed By Joe Wisinski for Readers’ Favorite
MBA at 58 and Other Improbable Stories by Doug Keipper contains the stories of 11 people who took non-traditional routes to get to their currently successful lives. Stories include two physical therapists, a tennis pro, a life purpose coach, and others. Most of the lives depicted in the book contain rough spots and the subject tells how he or she overcame the adversity. Other stories encourage readers that it’s never too late to make a change, such as the man who was out of high school for 20 years before going to college and subsequently earning a master’s degree. A compelling chapter is from a book by Julia “Juju” Hook—5 Reasons Women Over 50 Should Start Something Big And New. She explains why women of that age believe they can’t change their lives, along with reasons why they’re in an excellent position to do so. Another section discusses how to take action in your life or help someone else do so. Topics include advice on creating a vision board, getting a GED, finishing college, and earning an MBA. There’s also a reading list for those who don’t want to go back to school.
Although MBA at 58 and Other Improbable Stories is directed at those who may want to make big changes, it’s useful for anyone. Don’t let the MBA in the title make you think it’s written like a textbook. Keipper writes in an easy-going, entertaining style. His book should be an encouragement to others who have faced adversity or want to change their current lives. One or more of their stories will most likely speak to every reader. I can testify to the truths of Doug Keipper’s book. Like some of the contributors, my academic performance in high school wasn’t stellar and I floundered in college and in my early career. But at age 49 I earned a master's degree and became an adjunct professor. I mention this to attest to the universality of the stories in Keipper’s book and that the results he relates are possible for anyone. As Keipper writes, “Just because you didn’t do it at 24 doesn’t mean you can’t do it at 34, 54, or 74. Just start.” I recommend Doug Keipper’s book.
Reviewed By Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite
MBA at 58: And Other Improbable Stories by Doug Keipper is a collection of real-life inspiring experiences of people who overcame limitations, difficult backgrounds, and challenging experiences in their lives to achieve their dreams. David, a fifty-eight-year-old with a Masters in Applied Statistics, grew up with many friends and enjoyed drawing and being outdoors as a child. Though his life appeared perfect on the surface, he grew up with a father who struggled with gambling, and often his family would struggle financially. When his father later left, David had to step up and become a parent to his younger siblings. Despite these setbacks, he established a career, went to college later, and changed careers. Like him, others in the book overcame fear, setbacks, and societal expectations to become who they wanted to be.
MBA at 58 stands out as it features ordinary people who overcame difficult situations to achieve their goals. They also come from various backgrounds and are in different professions hence readers from different backgrounds can relate to the narrators and the lessons they share. I liked that the people featured were also flawed and they sometimes made mistakes in their lives. They share these mistakes and draw lessons from them, including the lesson that failure is a temporary setback and it is possible to shift perspectives, move forward, and keep pursuing the dreams they once had. The book also contains inspiring quotes and a list of educative books that address specific issues. It also contains resourceful information about how to create a vision board, how to get a GED, how to finish college, and how to get your MBA. MBA at 58 by Doug Keipper shows that regardless of age and other limiting circumstances, dreams can still be achieved.
Reviewed By Jon Michael Miller for Readers’ Favorite
Doug Keipper, author and compiler of MBA at 58, uses his own experience along with quite a few others to motivate people who feel stalled in their lives. He shows how it is possible for those drifting in the doldrums to pick themselves up and “just start.” After the prefatory material, he presents stories based on interviews he conducted—Taika, a physical therapist; Dr. Wesley, an ex-gas station attendant who became a dermatopathologist; Sara, a massage therapist after some global wanderings; April, a director of a physical therapy center; James, a tennis pro; David, head of a household at 16 and now a statistical analyst; Shon, a teen mother now a counselor; Samantha, who overcame cerebral palsy to become a self-taught book editor; and Christine, a massage therapist.
These are regular people who overcame great odds to realize their dreams. Interspersed with these testimonials, many of which include religious faith, are entries from John Maxwell’s The Mindset of a Billionaire, which promises to teach us how to think; and from Julia Hook, who shows us why women over fifty should “start something new and big.” It’s impossible to go through this “get up and go” manual and not see that starting from any point, no matter how low, can eventually get you to your goal. For me, who also started my life dream in midstream, the book indicates also that it’s great to live in a country that provides an unlimited array of opportunities for those who want to use them. Doug Keipper goes on to inform us of his own success as a motivational speaker and how we can get involved. There is no doubt that he is the supreme example of which he speaks.
