Awards and Reviews
Awards
Inside Back Cover
Beginning when I was young, I spent time reading and studying about life and its complexities. I started early trying to learn how people became successful. I studied how to set and accomplish goals and how to make decisions. I also studied business and business leaders. In my business life and in my personal life, I have achieved a degree of success. I have accomplished many of the goals I set when I was young. But at times, I have also strayed away from my set goals, followed others’ goals instead of my own, lost focus, and flat
out failed at times.
Don’t picture me standing in front of you lecturing as a person who knows it all. I have learned much during my life and want to share what I have learned, but I am not the guy who proclaims his expertise as he stands lecturing at the podium. Think of this book as life lessons shared in the evening out back in the lodge and in front of the fire, sitting with boots up and sharing things learned from others, from success, and from failure.
Back Cover
Beginning when I was young, I spent time reading and studying about life and its complexities. I started early trying to learn how people became successful. I studied how to set and accomplish goals and how to make decisions. I also studied business and business leaders. In my business life and in my personal life, I have achieved a degree of success. I have accomplished many of the goals I set when I was young. But at times, I have also strayed away from my set goals, followed others’ goals instead of my own, lost focus, and flat
out failed at times.
Don’t picture me standing in front of you lecturing as a person who knows it all. I have learned much during my life and want to share what I have learned, but I am not the guy who proclaims his expertise as he stands lecturing at the podium. Think of this book as life lessons shared in the evening out back in the lodge and in front of the fire, sitting with boots up and sharing things learned from others, from success, and from failure.
Inside Flap
Alan Dahl believes the world would be a bit brighter if daily we all applied the lessons that we should have learned when we were younger. As he looks into the past post-retirement, he not only reflects on the things he did well, but also the mistakes he made and lessons learned as a result. Now he is ready to share his wisdom with his grandchildren – and anyone else interested in listening to someone who has walked the trail of life before them.
Through a series of heartfelt reflections, Dahl leans on his personal experiences to impart valuable teachings to the younger generation. Set in a cozy glow of firelight, he offers his Littles lessons and insights for navigating life’s choices and challenges while encouraging personal growth. Through his timeless wisdom, Littles will learn how to use their smarts to dig deep and know what is really going on around them, why failing is an essential part of realizing success in life, how to achieve financial independence, preserve relationships, align with God’s plan, and much more.
Fireside Reflections shares a Papa’s journey as he offers wisdom, fosters a strong bond between generations, and nurtures a deeper understanding of life’s experiences.
Reviews
★★★★★ Literary Titan gives Fireside Reflections 5 Stars
“Fireside Reflections stands out for its accessibility. Dahl’s clear, simple prose captures and maintains the reader’s attention…” “Fireside Reflections is a great resource that is brimming with life lessons that promise to resonate with the younger generation, helping them avoid costly mistakes and make wise choices. It offers a roadmap to a fulfilling, successful, and joyful life, making it a valuable read for anyone, regardless of age.” – Literary Titan ★★★★★
★★★★★ Literary Titan Gold Book Award Winner
“The tone resonates with the warmth of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s storytelling or the engaging humor of Bill Bryson, inviting readers to envision the glow of a campfire as they delve into Dahl’s narrative.” – Literary Titan ★★★★★
https://wp.me/p3cyvH-q7X
https://literarytitan.com/2024/07/05/literary-titan-gold-book-award-nonfiction-3/
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
“This is a very empowering and magnificent read that humanizes the practice of seeking guidance from the written word. This collection of stories and wisdom can either supplement existing support networks or serve as a surrogate that makes the reader feel cared for and looked after.” -US Review of Books
https://www.theusreview.com/reviews-1/Fireside-Reflections-by-Alan-Dahl.html
★★★★ Self-Publishing Review gives Fireside Reflections 4 Stars!
“A neatly woven memoir of stories, lessons, and time-tested insight, Fireside Reflections is a touching portrait of a life well-lived. Through detailed recollections and well-organized advice, Dahl imbues his tales with humble self-knowledge and honest reflection. This isn’t just a nostalgic stroll down the memory lanes of a growing family, the timeless advice is universally valuable, and the stories are charmingly extolled, reaching far beyond Dahl’s own family and offering frank and self-aware wisdom that is applicable to all of us.”
Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
https://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2024/06/review-fireside-reflections-by-alan-dahl/
BlueInk Review
“Dahl’s Fireside Reflections ultimately celebrates the human experience and provides sound advice for navigating life’s many challenges, making this an enjoyable, authentically helpful read that’s perfect for new high school and college graduates or young newlyweds.” – BlueInk Review
From the author
Post retirement I began the process of writing a business book centered around my experiences and lessons learned. As I worked that process my focus continued to shift to thinking about what advice and wisdom I could pass along to my grandchildren (our “Littles”). What lessons had I learned through both success and failings that would help them when they began their journey? Some may be business related, but many would reflect the challenges and choices that are a part of living a successful life. I soon dropped the notion of a book about business and fully focused on capturing the lessons learned, and often relearned, from experience and study that may benefit our Littles and others as they begin their own journey.
Fireside Reflections, at its core, reflects the love of a Papa for his Littles and his desire to provide a few nuggets of knowledge that can help his Littles and others find their path, set and achieve goals, and navigate the complexities of life.
Picture a Papa with one of his grandkids (one of his ‘Littles’) discussing life’s complications; providing advice, and sharing stories out back in the lodge in front of a fire. Boots up on the hearth casually passing along bits of wisdom as they discuss various topics.
Lessons and insights for navigating life’s choices and challenges delivered through a series of heartfelt reflections from someone who has traveled many of the paths before the reader and imparting these to the younger generation in a casual setting with the cozy glow of the fire.
Life often seems more complicated that it really is. Often just a few suggestions and a little direction can help someone find their path or make a hard decision. This book provides practical advice along with processes to help a young adult make their own decisions and decide how they want to live their life, what they want to accomplish, and how to stay true to themselves. When we are young, and often when we are older, we need a few bits of wisdom delivered in a way that helps us find our direction or get us back on the trail. This book shares life lessons and advice in the caring and loving way of a grandfather to the grandkids he loves.
This is what I set out to accomplish during the process of writting this book. I hope you enjoy the read and find a few nuggets that have real and practical value in your life today.
— Alan
