Wait, What?: A Thought-Provoking Guide To Asking The Right Questions

Samuel Taylor Coleridge once said that "What comes from the heart, goes to the heart." That aptly describes this book. James E. Ryan believes there are only five essential questions that you should ask in this lifetime, OK six because there is a bonus question. I'd add a seventh but I think he has most of the questions covered. Since I was called "question box" as a child I could totally relate to James E. Ryan's childhood. It was very amusing that he asked so many questions but if you think about it, he is probably such a success today because he was eternally curious and learned a great deal. I also love books that make me laugh and cry alternately throughout the book. The story of how the author met his birth mother and the story about Cindy had me close to tears. I also laughed more times that I can count. What I love about this author is he has the handy knack of looking at both sides of an argument. You will learn a lot of interesting facts like how curiosity helps you live longer. So get asking those questions. I found the question: "How Can I Help?" to be the most helpful for all sorts of situations. You can literally change the world by asking that question. We could end world hunger if we all asked it. I also felt this book was filled with a lot of practical wisdom. "Ask first, argue second" is excellent advice. The author has led a very interesting life and has lots of inspirational stories to tell. Some are also quite funny, therefore the laughing. This is a great book by an author who seems like a wise soul. I give this book 100 stars. ~The Rebecca Review

The author does a great job of pointing out good, better, and even great questions and ties them with relevant, practical stories. He could have, however, told fewer of the stories and gotten to the heart of the matter. But then, others may need to see those stories to get the point. The elitist Harvard, Northeast, mentality is clearly evident in the book, as well, and yet if you can overlook it, you can still enjoy the book. Definitely worth the read.

An easy to read book that will get the thinker thinking. Great questions used to frame up most of the daily things that you will uncover. Some of the personal examples will tug at your heart. Very effective. Very nice.

An easy, quick read with note worthy reminders. Good for any leader.

This book is a healthy reminder that sometimes the best path to take is by asking questions and letting those questions guide your journey rather than never starting out because you are so fixated on an ideal solution. By asking yourself (and maybe others) questions you can find new paths to that ideal solution or to a new perfect outcome you had never imagined at the beginning because you underestimated what you could do. Also a good book to get one thinking about how to slow down the pace of one’s life.

This was a nice quick read. It had some entertaining stories, but I felt like it was a little thin. The stories revolve mostly around the author’s life and while the questions are good ones, I didn’t walk away blown away by them. I felt like he took the speech and tried to expand it to turn it into a book.

This book is about 6 most important questions in our life. It is intriguing to say the least. But yes, I learn these 6 very important questions all right. However, I think there are other more important questions or at least as important such as a sincere "how are you today?" Or "do you know that I believe in you?" As a matter of fact, there are many many important questions that we must learn. But these 6 are a truly great start.

If Frank Capra were still alive, he'd want to turn this book into one of his quintessentially uplifting films. I read 'Wait, What?' in one sitting and found it to be full of modern parables for how to live a good life; to be good and do good. You will laugh, cry, and have all those good feels that come with a special kind of book. James Ryan's writing is accessible, likable, and has profound heart. The book left me reflecting on my own 'essential' questions and how I could employ his five in my daily life. It sticks with you and is a beautifully sweet and simple message, proving to be the perfect prescription for good living in this fractured world. I cannot wait for my newborn daughter to grow up so I can read her this book with comprehension -- in hopes that she too can live out a life of authentic character, kindness, and inquisitiveness that this book deftly showcases.

Not all great talks make great books, not all great books lead to great talks. This though is an example of a great talk followed up by the depth of the book as an extended conversation, an exploration of asking yourself and others though mostly yourself can do to advance understanding and direction in life. Watch the talk, read the book do both, you’ll be better for the time spent. That next bonus question What’s next...comes from President Bartlett of the West Wing presidency and for me it’s striving to apply the essential questions outlined in this book. Thanks

Lo que el autor ha escrito en este libro, me ha permitido poder cuestionar de mejor manera muchas situaciones, es un libro que se puede leer facil, sin terminos rebuscados, lo importante son las diferentes situaciones con las que nos enfrentamos y hacer las preguntas necesarias para mejorar en el desarrollo de nuestro trabajo o hasta en tareas de la casa y escuela.

simple and easy to follow. was really an eye opener for me as i was looking for how to think critically and how to ask relevant questions. really loved this book. hope i can ask this questions often in my life.

Grande leitura para aqueles que procuram algumas das nuances em nossas vidas, que mesmo parecendo simples, são elas que fazem enorme diferença. Neste livro somos introduzidos ao motivo da criação do próprio e a relevância de se manter curioso e ampliar nosso papel na sociedade com empatia.O autor utilizou exemplos de sua própria vida e reforça a aplicabilidade das perguntas com seu conhecimento de forma clara e sintétizada. Ler apenas uma vez pode ser um desperdício, arisco dizer que esse livro mudou drasticamente a forma com que lido com perguntas, recomendadíssimo!

Good to read a book which doesn't spin out a couple of good ideas into a massive text. Succinct, stories well told and clear messages.