The Butterfly Effect - How your life matters? by Andy Andrews

“With a little perspective, we can live a live of permanent purpose”

The above phrase epitomizes this book. The central character of this book, a simple teacher - Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, who rose above all difficulties to create history – history as we know now. If not for this teacher and his 80 obedient and brave soldiers, we may be reading a completely different version of history, with Hitlers, Hirohitos ruling the world under their thumb, or maybe, their foot. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was the Colonel of Union Army attributed with the responsibility of impeding the relentless progress of the confederate army.  This books tells us how he overcame his limitations of only a few men and minimal ammunition to resist the charge of the bigger army, with nothing but courage, self-belief and leadership. The enemy had the men and the ammunition, but not the conviction to meet such force that mankind is capable of when left with no choice. The story of the colonel is just a pre-cursor to many preceding events. The message of the story is extremely profound and needs utmost appreciation.

The author asks a pertinent question about whether the action of Colonel Chamberlain was only his, or if his action was a result of a very simple deed done decades earlier. Through his story, he emphasizes the need to perform a deed, however small it is, to trigger a much bigger one on a much larger scale that we could imagine. We all have apprehensions about our ability to act and to trigger a change. This book beautifully magnifies our ability to change the world with that simple act that we have been postponing for so long. Don’t think too much. Go ahead and perform that deed and it will take its natural course of Butterfly effect. You may be surprised about the things that your simple deed sets in action and its implications for the mankind.

I would recommend this book for anybody who needs motivation to act – Act on any plan that they might have. If you have inhibitions to act – let this books shed some light. If you are scared to act – let this book be your stimulant. If you need encouragement – here is your boost. A book that is not to be missed, for any reason whatsoever.