Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
At age thirty-five, Cami Walker was burdened by a battle with multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurological condition that made it difficult for her to walk, work, or enjoy her life. Seeking a remedy for her depression after being hospitalized, she received an uncommon prescription from an African medicine woman: Give to others for 29 days. 29 Gifts is the insightful story of the author’s life change as she embraces and reflects on the naturally reciprocal process of giving and receiving. Many of Walker’s gifts were simple —a phone call, spare change, a Kleenex. Yet the acts were transformative. By Day 29, not only had Walker’s health and happiness improved, but she had created a worldwide giving movement. The book also includes personal essays from others whose lives changed for the better by giving, plus pages for the reader to record their own journey. More than a memoir, 29 Gifts offers inspiring lessons on how a simple daily practice of altruism can dramatically alter your outlook on the world.
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Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 36
 A must-read inspirational true story July 6, 2010
Sacramento Book Review (Sacramento, CA)
Cami Walker's //29 Gifts: How A Month of Giving Can Change Your Life// takes the reader smoothly into the day-to-day world of a young bride (Walker) who gets a devastating medical diagnosis just weeks after her wedding. Two years later, Walker is depressed, unable to sleep, in constant pain, and addicted to the pain killers prescribed for her multiple sclerosis. She calls a medicine woman, an old friend named Mbali, looking for comfort. Although Walker is open to alternative medicines, she is shocked at Mbali's advice to stop thinking about herself, stop concentrating on her pain, and to give away 29 gifts in the next 29 days. But with limited financial, physical, and emotional resources, Walker doesn't know how she can afford to give away anything.
This book, then, is the story of that 29 days, and how it changed Walker's outlook and life. It didn't alter her medical diagnosis, but it altered how she deals with it. Walker's work transcends the "inspirational and spiritual" genre, as this book is well-written to the point of approaching true eloquence. In it, she shares a favorite quote: "actually, good things come to those who can't wait." My advice to you is: don't wait to buy this book.
 A bit dubious... July 3, 2010
Joanna Mechlinski (CT, USA)
As someone with a serious chronic illness much like Cami Walker's MS, I have to be a bit skeptical about her story. Supposedly, the thirty-something Walker was afflicted with such severe pain and other symptoms that she was all but bedridden. Then, upon the advice of an African healer friend, Walker decides to try a project - giving away a gift a day for 29 days. The gifts could be as small or intangible as she wished, as long as she genuinely felt she was giving of herself.
Within days of beginning the project, Walker claims, she started feeling much better. She does a few small things over a few days, such as buying lunch for a homeless man or telephoning a friend she hasn't contacted in a long time, and suddenly she's walking around the block multiple times, even without her cane. Her long-neglected consultant business suddenly springs to life, conveniently providing her and her debt-ridden husband with much-needed income.
While it's certainly nice to think that a positive attitude is all one needs to overcome physical pain and adversity, it's just plain not the case. (Were it so, the world wouldn't have anyone in a wheelchair, because they could just think positive thoughts and do some volunteer work.) So it makes a person wonder whether Walker was truly as ill as she claims to have been at the beginning of the book, perhaps exaggerating her condition; or whether she's exaggerating the positive affects she claims to have experienced. After all, I've long tried my best to be a kind and helpful person, without being told there was anything in it for me -- and I'm still using medication and experiencing difficulty with mobility.
Walker's philosophy is a nice idea -- we could all certainly do with some extra kindness in our lives, regardless of the reason -- but don't expect a miracle.
 29 Gifts June 27, 2010
Kat
This is a fabulous book and one I would highly recommend to any and all. Following the concept of paying it forward, it describes a philosophy that could easily change one's attitude and life. Absolutely beautiful!!
29 Gifts June 5, 2010
K. Sweet (Goodyear, AZ)
I really liked this book. It was given to me as a gift
and I wanted a supply on hand to pass along to my friends.
Will probably have to order more.
k sweet
Optimism without a foul mouth would be nice June 3, 2010
xXxBATSxXx (Edmond, OK United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have to first admit that I didn't finish this book. I made it to Gift 6 and just couldn't stomach it any longer. I think the idea of the 29 gifts is a great idea, but maybe Cami Walker's friend, Mbali, should have written this book. It probably wouldn't have been riddled with as much foul language, temper tantrums, and self pity. I also have Multiple Sclerosis, and although mine is mild for now, I know what I'm up against and what I might have to deal with in the future, but I've never felt sorry for myself because of it. I've always viewed it as a sort of gift. If God saw fit to give me this disease, then He must know that I'm strong enough to handle it, so who am I to doubt Him? Cami's incessant whining just was too much for me to take, and the book was beginning to really make me feel more disgusted than inspired. I'm sure she learned her lesson in the end, but her journey to get there was just intolerable. I wish she had written her story with a little more class and tact, I might have kept reading then. It's no fun reading a "self-help" book that makes you feel miserable.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 36
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