The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews Book Summary [Notes]

After losing his full-time job, David Ponder struggled to feed his family and make ends meet. The guilt of not being able to provide for his family compelled Ponder to drive dangerously on an icy road where he’d then crashed into a tree. There he’d remained unconscious, to then fall into a coma at the hospital they took him at. He dreamed many dreams. Except they weren’t quite “dreams.” One minute he’s collecting timeless wisdom from biblical figures. Next, being in the middle of a battleground in Gettysburg — receiving encouragement from our history’s greatest heroes.

Historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Columbus, President Truman, King Solomon, and many others were in his dreams. These spirits guided him and gave him advice on how not to fuck up his life any longer so that he could take care of his wife and ailing daughter. 

Sure enough, David Ponder listened and shared with us these seven critical decisions for personal success. 

Without further ado, please enjoy, The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews.

The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews Book Summary and Notes 📝

The first person David encountered was President Harry S. Truman. Who, at the time, was on the verge of detonating two nuclear weapons over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.

Truman informed Ponder to not look for excuses and to accept responsibility.

Decision #1: The Buck Stops Here 🛑

Decision #2: Seek Wisdom

After his brief meeting with Truman, Ponder teleports to the biblical King Solomon court.

Upon his arrival, he witnessed a dispute between two women; each claimed to be the mother of the same baby.

The wise King suggested that the baby be cut in half and split between the two women to settle the dispute. 

One of the women was deeply moved by love for her baby — and asked for mercy. while the other woman agreed to the split decision. 

After observing each woman’s reaction, Solomon then made a wise decision and restored the baby to its rightful mother.

The wise King, who alone can see Ponder, led him to a private quarter where they discussed the importance of pursuing wisdom and seeking intelligent associates.

Then handed Ponder a tiny scroll — advising him to seek wise associates.

God moves mountains to create the opportunity of his choosing. It is up to you to be ready to roll. — KING SOLOMON

King Solomon was a biblical king of Israel who reigns the throne around the tenth century BCE.

Decision #3: Become a Person of Action

Amid the bloodshed during the Gettysburg Civil War battle (1863), Union Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain noticed Ponder on the field and promptly emphasized the need to act with confidence even when circumstances were uncertain.

He then handed Ponder a tobacco pouch with a note — highlighting the importance of acting decisively as a leader and always doing the right thing.

Many people move out of the way for a person on the run; others are caught up in his wake. — JOSHUA CHAMBERLAIN

After reading the note, Ponder teleport to the next location.

Joshua Chamberlain (1828–1914) was an officer in the Union Army during the Civil War and a governor of Maine.

Decision #4: Have a Decided Heart

Ponder was now standing on one of Christopher Columbus’s ships, the “La Santa María (1492).

The story was: that the sailors left their homeland searching for new lands, but sadly were settled at sea for over 64 days.

Frustrations outweighed the once optimistic dream of the sailors; they now were overshadowed by a lack of faith and beliefs.

Despite it all, Columbus was inevitably faithful to his vision and knew he would find dry lands sooner or later.

Once he meets Ponder’s gaze, Columbus then hands him a scrap of paper, pinpointing the importance of having faith and maintaining a clear vision.

Criticism, condemnation, and complaint are creatures of the wind. They come and go on the wasted breath of lesser beings and have no power over me. — CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

Christopher Columbus (1451–1506) was an explorer who stumbled upon the New World for the Spanish monarchy to open new trade routes across the Atlantic Ocean.

Decision #5: Choose to Be Happy

Ponder next emit into Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam, where the whole family remained hidden from the Nazi party, during the second world war.

Given the challenges these folks were facing, Ponder was surprisingly moved by the cheerful presence of Anne Frank — despite the unfortunate events she had endured.

Courageously, the young girl tore up a few pages from her diary and encouraged Ponder to be happy and gracious regardless of life’s situation.

Ponder would soon realize, that happiness is an inside job. No one can give it to you or take it away from you. 

Anne Frank reminded Ponder that, “During turmoil and stressful time, choose to be happy.”

As Mexican author Don Miguel Ruiz observed, you don’t need to change the world; you need to change yourself. 

Our very lives are fashioned by choice. First, we make choices. Then our choices make us. — ANNE FRANK

Anne Frank (1929–1945) was a Jewish girl who died in the Holocaust. Her diaries were published after her death.

Decision #6: Greet This Day with a Forgiving Spirit

Ponder soon returned to Gettysburg, but this time, he was inside a tent President Lincoln was preparing to give his famous Gettysburg Address speech (1863).

Watching Lincoln, Ponder was amazed by how quickly the President could forgive the Confederate States.

Then Lincoln reassure Ponder that forgiveness is necessary for both, his future and that of the State.

“Greet this day with a forgiving spirit.” Declared Lincoln, “Forgive even those who do not ask for forgiveness. Forgive those who criticize you unjustly.”

You will find that God rarely uses a person whose main concern is what others are thinking. — ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) was president of the US during the Civil War.)

Be willing to forgive others as well as yourself.

Decision #7: Persist Without Exception

Ponder finds himself in a vast warehouse assisted by none other than the archangel Gabriel.

The warehouse consists of dreams and wishes others prayed for but lacked the persistence or the mindset to follow through.

Upon his arrival, Ponder saw his family photos, the financial stability that never comes to fruition, the good health — and all the while, wondering where it all goes wrong.

The angel, who saw Ponder sobbing, puts hands on his shoulder (or wings? I’m not sure) and advises Ponder not to abandon his dreams, to work ceaselessly with absolute faith to achieve them. 

With persistence, explains the angel, prayer, and planning — anything is possible.

Reason can only be stretched so far, but faith has no limits. The only limit to your realization of tomorrow is the doubt you hold fast today. — ARCHANGEL GABRIEL

The archangel Gabriel is known as the angel of revelation. He’s often met in dreams by many people and has a significant role in many religions. 

Into the Future

Lastly, Ponder teleported to a future version of the city he once lived in, then saw himself owning a successful business — teaching effective decision-making strategies, and so on.

In that future, Ponder was a happy, fulfilled being.

Both; his business and personal life were thriving. 

His family was in great care.

Everything felt…surreal, yet promising. 

He then soon woke up in the hospital. His family was by his side, and that’s when David Ponder realized he had been in a coma since the accident.

Though with confidence, Ponder reassured his family that everything would be okay and quickly wrote down everything he remembered:

• The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future. (Truman)
• I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others. (Solomon)
• I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now. (Chamberlain)
• I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured. (Columbus)
• Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit. (Frank)
• I will greet this day with a forgiving heart. I will forgive myself. (Lincoln)
• I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith. (Gabriel)

When he reached into his pockets, he found the tobacco pouch that was handed to him by Colonel Chamberlain in his possession.

He smiled, then hugged his family.

Final thoughts 💭

Life is under no obligation to give us what we expect. 

Control your thoughts and emotions because they govern your actions.

Happiness is a choice. As shown by Anne Frank.

And as Lincoln reminds us, forgive anyone, even those who are not seeking forgiveness.

Believe in your paths to success. 

Have an ideal vision for the future you wish to have, then work your butt off to make it happen. 

And as David Ponder realized, a promise made was a debt unpaid. 

Especially the promise he’d made to care and provide for his family.

The Traveler’s Gift is, overall, a solid great book. Easy read, that can be done in one sitting.

This narrative-driven fable would appeal to anyone interested in history, spirituality, and personal growth.