Life is Good: The Book

by Bert Jacobs, John Jacobs

Overview

This inspiring book of wisdom, life lessons, and self-help from National Geographic celebrates the power of optimism: the driving force behind the authors’ beloved, socially conscious clothing and lifestyle brand, now worth more than $100 million.

Following the chronology of their personal and professional journeys, Bert and John share their unique ride—from their scrappy upbringing outside Boston to the unlikely runaway success of their business. The brothers illuminate ten key "superpowers" accessible to us all: openness, courage, simplicity, humor, gratitude, fun, compassion, creativity, authenticity, and love. Their story, illustrated with the company's iconic artwork, shows how to overcome obstacles and embrace opportunities—whether it's growing stronger from rejection, letting your imagination loose, or simplifying your life to focus on what matters most. 

In these colorful pages, Bert and John's plainspoken insights are paired with inspiring quotations, playful top-ten lists, deeply moving letter from the Life is Good community, and valuable takeaways from tapping the power of optimism to live your best life. Both entertaining and profound, Life is Good: The Book is the ultimate guide to embracing and growing the good in your life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426215636
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	09/01/2015
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	498,347
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

In 1989, brothers Bert and John Jacobs designed their first T-shirts. They began selling their designs in the streets of Boston and out of an old van at colleges and street fairs. Today, the company offers more than 900 different items in 14 categories, and products are sold in approximately 4,500 retail stores in the U.S., and in 30 countries worldwide.

Editorial Reviews

10/19/2015
In 1989, the Jacobs brothers decided to make a living creating art, and in 1994 debuted the Life Is Good clothing brand, with just one simple mission—spreading the power of optimism. This book provides the backstory to their subsequent success: an upbringing as two of six siblings in a "chaotic" lower-middle-class home in suburban Boston; the cross-country road trip that generated their career path; and the inevitable ups and downs on to the way to a $100 million business. While growing the company, the Jacobses identified "Ten Superpowers" as key to a sunny perspective and, not incidentally, a terrific business plan: openness; courage; simplicity; humor; gratitude; fun; compassion; creativity; authenticity; and love. Practical self-help tips and funny anecdotes are accompanied throughout by color photos; eye-catching graphics (including T-shirt designs); sidebars with lists of favorite feel-good songs, movies, and books; and "Fuel"—letters from fans relating how the Life Is Good brand helped them overcome adversity. All of these ingredients combine to make for a fun read full of charming life lessons. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

In their new book…the Jacobs brothers describe a rollicking entrepreneurial journey that began as a fun way to scrape out a living and evolved into the expression of a simple philosophy based on optimism. That philosophy—laid out in 10 “superpowers” that are the company’s core values—is instructive whether you want to be a better person or build a better business.”—Inc.
 
 
“LIFE IS GOOD: The Book is Bert and John Jacobs’ vessel for sharing their philosophy and providing practical self-help to inspire and empower readers to embrace the good stuff. “—Boston Magazine
 
 
“[T]he book devotes a chapter to all 10 of the Life is Good “Superpowers,” which include practices like gratitude, creativity, simplicity, love and openness and how to apply them to every day life. Not only that, but it also includes inspirational stories from letters that they’ve received over the years . . . the book isn’t just about inspiring journeys out of darkness and into the light, and not all of its content is quite as heavy. In fact, most of it is intended to be light, with various top 10 lists like ‘Top Ten Comedy Movies,’ funny stories, and life tips and wisdoms intertwined from cover to cover” —Frederick News Post
 
“[The book] chronicles their path to success and offers tips for living your best life.”—Improper Bostonian

From the Publisher

★ 11/15/2015
This book, written by two ordinary brothers who started a $100 million clothing company called Life Is Good, is the embodiment of the spirit of optimism. Bert and John Jacobs present their message in the form of the development of ten "Superpowers" including openness, humor, compassion, and authenticity. Besides the stunning photographs and graphics, the brothers share uplifting stories of those who have made it through difficult times and are grateful for what they have and who they are. Steps toward achieving the "good life" can be as simple as rephrasing "I have to" into "I get to" or listening to motivating songs such as "Respect" by Aretha Franklin. VERDICT An outstanding book for all ages. One cannot browse through it without smiling and feeling that, despite everything, life is good.

Library Journal