Mountain, Get Out of My Way: Life Lessons and Learned Truths

Having long admired Montel, I decided to read this book. What a fascinating life this man has led. From the ghettos of Baltimore, a child of hard-working parents, Montel became a good student and class president in high school. He started playing in a band, bass and trumpet, and also sang. His plan was to save money for college. Then he took notice of one of his brother's friends who had joined the Marine Corps, and how the friend had changed for the better. It was then that Montel began to think that the Marine Corps could provide him with a college education. He enlisted, and gained a great respect for the demanding, disciplined, character-building aspects of the military system. Eventually, thanks to his leadership potential, his superiors recommended that he apply to the Naval Academy Prep School, which led him to Annapolis. There he struggled with the rigorous curriculum, but made it through with his strong perseverance. Throughout the book, we are privy to Montel's challenges, trials, and triumphs, all the things that have led him to his monumental success today as a motivational speaker and TV host. He shares his thoughts on many subjects, and shows his concern for our younger generation. "We're in danger of becoming a mediocre society, shaped by mediocre minds, because we promote mediocrity in our schools." His thoughts on the breakdown of our society are compelling. "Once we legislated religion out of everything, we had to replace it with something else, so money and success became the gospel...all of a sudden, it wasn't good enough to be a hardworking person, making a living, supporting a family. Now we all have to be millionaires, and we have to be millionaires right away. Everyone's looking for shortcuts, but there are no shortcuts, not a single one." The title of the book comes from a line William's used to hear from a drill instructor, who got it from an old gospel song. Montel's mantra now, "Mountain, get out of my way, " means "if you have faith, you can move mountains. If you have faith in something bigger than yourself-in God, community, family, whatever- then anything is possible. Faith alone will give you the strength to clear any obstacle in your way." I found this book to be inspiring, enjoyable, and informative, and confirmed my impression of this fine man. I believe he's a tremendous role model, a man of grace and courage, who writes in a clear, concise, entertaining style. Highly recommended!

I loved this book. Montel puts alot of love in everything he does. Not only in the show but in his book as well. He really cares about his viewers and guests. I love his show and I think he is a gift from God for many.

I have read the book from front cover to back and it is a book that not only teaches you but makes you laugh and cry at him and yourself. I really enjoyed the book. He is a wanderful man and it really does show in the book. thankyou Montel hugs and kisses

Contrary to the Kirkus review of Mr. Williams' book, this is an excellent book with a great story. It should be required reading of all high school students, regardless of race or socio-economic backgrounds. Yes, his solutions may be simple; that does not mean they are easy. His version of the 3 "R"s- restraint, responsibility, and respect are the fundamentals missing from our children's upbringings in today's world. However, his message of the great equalizer, education, and the free resource available to all Americans, our public library system, is preaching to the choir since the ones reading his book are the ones already using the libraries and taking responsibility for their own learning. But, overall, one finishes the book with the reinforcement that maybe good things do happen to good people who hold to their values as they pursue a more noble vision.

Montel Williams is the ONLY talk show host that I watch. He addresses real issues and provides help to those that wish to receive it. His book does no less and provides the reader with how he "came to be". With the many issues that we have in the world today, especially those that face our younger generation, Montel has quite a bit to offer. I would recommend reading this book for all ages. There are many helpful ideas he presents that we can implement into our own lives as adults as well as parents who are or will be facing the difficulties today that our teenagers must live through. EXCELLENT reading - I couldn't put the book down!