My Review Of
David McAlvany's New Book,
"The Intentional Legacy"

Dateline: 5 February 2017

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I am a longtime listener of the McAlvany Weekly Commentary, a discussion of "monetary, economic, geopolitical news and events." The show presents, in my opinion, the most balanced and level-headed economic analysis out there. So, when the show's host, David McAlvany, mentioned that he was working on a new book titled, The Intentional Legacy, I preordered a copy. That was four months ago, and I finally got the book last week. 

I don't know David McAlvany. I do not live in his cultured, upperclass world. And I don't have enough wealth to justify needing the services of his conservative, long-term, wealth-management company. But that is all beside the point, because what he has written is a book of down-to-earth wisdom that transcends wealth and status. 

I liked this book enough to write a review of it. I was going to post my review to Amazon today. But, for some reason, Amazon won't allow me to post it right now. No matter. I'll just post it here...


My Book Review Of
"The Intentional Legacy"
By David McAlvany


David McAlvany, author of The Intentional Legacy, is an erudite, analytical, reflective, and idealistic intellectual. He is also a serious Christian. That said, David's book is clearly written for intelligent people—which is to say, for people who are naturally inclined to read any book that might help them in their pursuit of wisdom and a life well-lived.

If you are such a person, and you are a father or grandfather in particular, and you have a Biblical (or perhaps even just a faith-based) worldview, you will like The Intentional Legacy. 

Though David McAlvany is a well-known economic analyst who heads up a second-generation wealth management company, his book is less about finances and more about how to deliberately strengthen the bonds of family. And, in so doing, chart a course for future generations.

More specifically, The Intentional Legacy casts a vision for a wholesome, life-changing family legacy, and then provides specific details for making the vision a reality. The focus is on deliberately cultivating lifelong redemptive family relationships, with grace, humility, selflessness, and integrity. When this is accomplished within a family, a truly successful legacy is pretty much assured. 

Once a legacy of strong family relationships and personal character has been established, you may then confidently pass on your material wealth (if you have any to pass on), knowing that it will not be foolishly squandered by your heirs. And, hopefully, your children will take the helm, charting a similar course of intentional legacy for your grandchildren.

That is, essentially, the concept of this book as I understood it.

Personally, I regret that this book was not around when I was a younger man, during those most formative years of my children’s lives. That said, if you are a father with a young family, you must  read The Intentional Legacy and take what it says to heart. You simply must do it. It has good stories, great lessons, and practical advice that you will not find anywhere else that I know of. You and your family stand to reap great blessings from the advice in this book.

But, even if you are older, like me, there is applicable wise counsel for you in the book.

My only criticism might be that the memoir aspects of the book are occasionally too reflective, bordering on sentimental catharsis. But that is just my opinion. It is no reason not to get The Intentional Legacy, and mine its treasures.

Excerpt from the back cover of The Intentional Legacy.



8 comments:

  1. That looks like a book I need to own. I just bought it....Along with 4 movies for Friday night movie night at Church next movie season so I could get free shipping. Thanks for the book tip.

    RonC

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    Replies
    1. Ron,

      I'm sure you will appreciate the book. I gave my copy to a friend at church yesterday. He expressed an interest and has a young family.

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  2. Hmmmm, with young adult daughters well on he way to flying the nest, I might be 15 years too late to apply the wisdom in this book.

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    1. Well, that makes two of us. But you'll probably be a grandfather someday. There is a very good story in the book where David McAlvany tells about his grandfather's influence.

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  3. @MrHomeMaker - It's never too late to learn or apply true wisdom, young or old. Herrick, Thanks for your review of this book. Is it possible to add a link from your website to the book on Amazon? Could possibly be another avenue to make a little commission money. I would certainly link to it from here if you do...

    Thanks for your efforts in this blog and the Deliberate Agrarian!

    -Chris, a long time reader and parts orderer

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    Replies
    1. Hi Chris,

      Thanks for the comment. The link to the book in this blog post goes to Amazon. If someone buys the book from that link, I get a few cents. That's usually the case with any Amazon link I put in my blog posts. Thanks again.


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  4. Thank you for sharing your review of "The Intentional Legacy." I truly do appreciate it and hope it fruitful to you and your family.

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  5. Elizabeth L. Johnson said, This subject of legacy means a lot to me. And boy, you do have to be intentional. I'd like to purchase the book for both our sons-in-law. It is thought-provoking and weighty. Something not taught to the young in public school. You have to want it!

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