In this fervent but insubstantial offering, pastor and executive consultant Pearce lays out a plan for getting "what every one of us wants-a life filled with purpose and meaning." Arguing that most Americans' careers are out of alignment with their vocations, he lays out a plan for demonstrating vocational courage and "building a life of significance and not just importance," in part through understanding that vocation is both a blessing and responsibility, and that chasing money and fame without purpose will only lead to being "successful but not a success." Using examples such as Barack Obama and, refreshingly, a proportionate number of women, Pearce walks readers through both putting vocational courage to work and helping others develop it. Readers may initially find his approach appealing, but those who don't share Pearce's Christian faith will likely find his frequent references to Jesus and God as the primary source of purpose, in a work not otherwise avowedly religious, off-putting. Though his presentation is earnest and enthusiastic, the content is skimpy and repetitive, falling short of Pearce's lofty ambitions for his treatise. Agent: Giles Anderson, Anderson Literary. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Speaker, pastor, and award-winning professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management Pearce offers an insightful look at how people in a variety of fields in different life stages have shaped or changed their lives. The first part of the book focuses on introspective questions: What is success? Who am I? Why am I here? Am I running the right race? and Am I running the race well? Pearce includes the stories of a wide range of people, from concentration camp survivors to students, along with personal narratives to illustrate points and share examples of jobs, careers, and vocations. In the second part, Pearce focuses on developing the courage to put one's vocation to work. He concentrates on not only persons but also companies. Zappos, for example, prioritizes cultural fit when hiring but offers employees three thousand dollars should they quit; most never do. These practices help the company maintain an engaged culture, keeping it viable. Although The Purpose Path has spiritual overtones, it reads practically, and those who are inclined can skip the occasional Bible verse and still take away solid messages.--Jennifer Adams Copyright 2019 Booklist