Zig: The Autobiography of Zig Ziglar

By Zig Ziglar

Book Overview

"Zig Ziglar epitomizes determination, perseverance, excellence, and a loving Christian spirit more than anyone I know The world would be a better place if more of us were just like him."
--Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., The Cooper Clinic, Dallas, Texas

Zig Ziglar, the motivational speaker who has galvanized audiences around the world and written more than a dozen perennially popular books, brings that same unbounded energy and clarity of vision to this candid, inspiring account of his own life and the forces that shaped it.

Every year, Zig Ziglar travels all over the world delivering a resounding message of hope and commitment in forums ranging from high-powered business conferences and church leadership assemblies to youth conventions and educational gatherings. In Zig, Ziglar chronicles another kind of journey: his own transformation from a struggling, not terribly successful salesman to the sales champion of several different companies, and finally to his current position as one of the world's best-known and most highly regarded motivational speakers and trainers. As he describes his experiences, he brings to life the essence of his teachings: "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."

At the heart of Ziglar's story are the people who taught him the importance of balancing a commitment to hard work with compassion for others. His first teacher was his mother, who raised him alone after the early death of his father, and introduced him to the principles and values he has honored for the rest of his life. Her lessons were reinforced by many others-from the men and women who became his business mentors to the friends and spiritual leaders who comforted and supported him when things got tough. Paying tribute to each of them, Ziglar zeroes in on the philosophy and traits that have enabled him to achieve success in business and in his personal life: discipline, hard work, common sense, integrity, commitment, and an infectious sense of humor.

Ziglar's speaking engagements and seminars along with a wide array of audio and video materials, books, and training manuals, have helped to trigger positive changes in small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, U.S. government agencies, nonprofit associations, religious organizations, schools, and prisons. At once engaging and enlightening, Zig provides a riveting portrait of the man who has achieved so much by embracing the simple but profound goal of helping others.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385502974
• ISBN13: 9780385502979
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Prh Christian Publishing
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

The story of Zig's Life!

I found this book really great! Zig Ziglar is one of my favorite speakers and I always find him entertaining too. In this biography you get closer to Zig as you experience his ups and downs and I really apprreciated the importance he puts on his relationship with his wife. He really does walk his talk!

Zig has integrity and character

Zig's life was a great testament to what he teaches. He walks the walk. His life is in balance, and even through tragedy, still reached out to make a difference for all lives he touched through his motivational seminars. His character is outstanding, and his level of integrity speaks for itself.This book shows the good, the bad, and the ugly. Life has not always been rosy for Zig, but he is living proof that you can overcome anything. As he always says: "you can have anything you want if you just help enough people get what they want".This book shows that Zig has faults just like the rest of us, and he makes that really clear in this book. He is humble and in some cases ashamed of some of his past behavior. No sugar coating in this one. The fact that he is such a strong christian is also satisfying to those of us who are believers. He makes it very clear who gets the credit for all of the blessings in his life.This book is a great read, and will be hard to put down if you are a fan. True to form, it's humorous with only a hint sorrow in some parts. He really is an amazing person.

Zig Makes A Big Difference

If you ever need an inspirational help of great success in life then I would recommend Zig Ziglar. Ziglar is author of best-seller, 'I'll See You At The Top' and many other motivational books, has helped thousands improve their lives to achieve that success in every aspect of living. As you read his auto-biography you'll learn about his remarkable story how he beat the odds and applied it to the teachings of Jesus Christ. You will learn to take the next step in your plan and keep God's plan at the center of your plans just as Zig did. His approach is a down-home, wholesome manner with the business savvy of a wise, honest salesman. Most of what he learn of being successful and the importance of networking with honest and wise mentors. The first part of the book tells of his early life and the family that shaped his destiny. In his early adult years he was hard-working and used his knowledge to make money and there were times he made financial mistakes as a result of foolish decisions. This was a time God wasn't a part of his life where his life had no meaning or purpose. The last part of the book, is about his change in life when he reflected back on the moral values in his early childhood and his mother. He then gave his life to Christ. He then found his purpose as a public speaker. From then on instead of his self-centered ambition he gave it all to God. And Zig has been successful ever since. Like Norman Vincent Peale, Zig applied biblical principles to the goals he has with the plans God manifest in the center of his life. Zig's secret is never quit, have faith in God and a whole lotta love. He's a mentor you can trust with a solution. Wish there were more like Zig.

Well Written and Will Bring a Few Tears

Part I of the book is about his childhood, which gives a unique perspective of what life was like in a rural Southern town seventy-five years ago. His mother was a devout Christian and pillar of strength to her family and community. She taught strong moral values to her twelve children. Those moral values shaped Zig into an honest and hard-working man.Part II is about his early adult years. He developed into a talented, hard-working and honest salesman. He used every opportunity to earn a buck, which was a lot back then. He made financial mistakes and had no meaningful direction or purpose in life but to survive. God was not a part of his life during his early adult years. In retrospect, however, he believes God and His angels protected him from dangers and helped him through trials. Part III is the best part of the book. He discovers public speaking as his forte. At age 45, he commits his life to the Lord and finds meaning in life. The rest of the book is inspiring, full of miracles, and brings tears to the eyes.Overall, I learned from his experiences how important it is to network and find excellent honest mentors. Zig had A LOT of mentors; they were a huge contribution to his success. After he was called by God (at age 45!), his motivation to succeed made a 180 degree turn. He rejected selfish ambition for Godly ambition. It's a wholesome book and highly recommended.

A Great Book by a Great Man

Zig Ziglar's autobiography is a personal, intimate account of one of America's most beloved speakers. He presents his life story in great detail, with humor, wisdom and inspiration. His story can inspire us all to a richer, more fulfilling life. Mr. Ziglar's devotion to God and his family is very evident as you read this book, and is very touching to read about. Thanks a zillion, Zig, and "See You at the Top!"