What I Wish I Knew at Eighteen

If you could go back in time and give your eighteen-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be? The everyday wisdom of more than 80 extraordinary people from around the world from all walks of life shows that everyone's story is important.

If you could go back in time and give your eighteen-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Everyday life can be so busy we only skim the surface and forget to talk about the things that really matter. But when we do take the time to listen deeply we can learn so much about others and ourselves.

What I Wish I Knew at Eighteen brings together the everyday wisdom of more than eighty extraordinary people from vastly different walks of life: from Steve Plakotaris, who on 11 September 2001 missed his seat on United Airlines flight 93, which crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, killing all on board; to actor and comic Mary Coustas; reiki practitioner and teen mum Tammy Romer; and chef Neil Perry.

Life in a modern world can be so busy that we often forget to talk about the things that really matter. Ad men, comedians and authors Daniel Gregory and Marty Wilson discovered that when we do take the time to listen deeply we can learn so much about others and ourselves - and hear some amazing stories! What I wish I knew at eighteen brings together the experiences of more than 80 fascinating people from around the world and from all walks of life. Daniel and Marty were blown away by the conversational wisdom people shared. The result is a book that features real stories that make us laugh, cry, more human and more compassionate.

Contributors include well known people such as Anh Do who left Vietnam with his family on a fishing boat, were shot at by communists, attacked by pirates, and ran out of food and water before they were rescued. This book also features ordinary people who have done extraordinary things, such as George Blakeman who in 1943, was shot down over France but survived thanks to his parachute which was blown open by the explosion. Or, Robina Courtin who went from being a radical feminist to a Buddhist nun who now brings Buddhist teachings to prisoners on death row.

Everyone's story is important; everyone's life can make a difference.

What I wish I knew at eighteen is an inspiring read which makes us realise that there is far more that we have in common as humans, than what separates us.

About Daniel Gregory and Marty Wilson
Daniel Gregory and Marty Wilson are award-winning ad gurus and stand-up comedians, whose quest to extract the wisdom of others has proved life-changing for them.

"Never intentionally hurt anyone" - Steve Plakotaris, a man who missed his United Airlines flight 93 on September 11th

"Seek balance" - Neil Perry: chef, restaurant owner, author, television presenter

"Just tell the truth" - Mary Coustas (aka Effie) actor and comic

What I Wish I Knew at Eighteen
Allen & Unwin
Author: About Daniel Gregory and Marty Wilson
ISBN: 9781741752588
RRP: $16.95