Stoke the Fire Within: A Guide to Igniting Your Life

Charlie Adams
Corby Books (2008)
ISBN 9780977645831
Reviewed by Vicki Landes for Reader Views (2/08)


Keynote speaker and author Charlie Adams makes it his business to know what motivates people and he’s compiled this strategy into his new book, “Stoke the Fire Within: A Guide to Igniting Your Life.”  Utilizing plenty of inspirational stories from his career in broadcasting and a seemingly limitless source of energy, he puts his methods into an easy-to-follow approach for his readers.

“Stoke the Fire Within” begins with the defining moment in his life when he learned the difference between ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ – and from a most unlikely source.  Since that time, Adams strives to consciously rise above ‘average’ and work in much more meaningful and touching ways.  Utilizing his own formula for success:  Commitment + Determination = Excellence, he explains how others can follow the same method to reach greatness in their own lives.  Not that Adams hasn’t had his share of failures during the process, though – in fact, he says, “a common denominator of my life has been that anything I have been totally committed to is something that I have succeeded in almost every time…when I look back at failures, I see a lack of commitment.” 

“Stoke the Fire Within” is a well-organized and highly motivating message of self-scrutiny.  Adams looks to optimistically nudge the reader into a deep and honest look within themselves and evaluate where they have set their operating standards in the past.  His enthusiasm for life and his intrinsic value of excellence is absolutely overwhelming – I could almost see him jumping up and down with excitement while cheering me on as I read each page.  He takes such an extreme delight in other people’s accomplishments as well…almost as if he’s shared in their struggles and can truly relish in their triumph.  He sees the world as a limitless source of success for everyone – and genuinely hopes this for all, as evident through his writings.

Author Charlie Adams is a perfect read for the sports lover looking to ‘up the ante’ on their life standards.  “Stoke the Fire Within” is chock-full of athletically-centered stories – at professional, college, and even high school levels - meant to uplift and inspire the reader.  Although his many sports analogies were completely lost on me (as my husband watches his NFL team, I’m wondering how and why those Foot Locker employees got on the field to watch the game.  Apparently they are called ‘referees’…), the book still got me motivated.  Whether or not you understand the difference between a touchdown and a goal, you’ll still feel what it means to ‘love your game’.

“Stoke the Fire Within: A Guide to Igniting Your Life” lights a flame under that lack of enthusiasm and propels you into an existence of excellence.  Full of passion, energy, and drive, author Charlie Adams gives you a glimpse into your own potential while describing how others have reached their goals.  If you are in need of a pep talk, huddle with Adams and score!

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