The Promise of a Pencil

How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change

By: Adam Braun

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Adam Braun began working summers at hedge funds when he was just 16 years old, sprinting down the path to a successful Wall Street career. But while traveling as a college student, he met a young boy begging on the streets of India. When Braun asked the boy what he wanted most in the world, he simply answered, "A pencil."

This small request became the inspiration for Pencils of Promise, the organization Braun would leave a prestigious job at Bain & Company to start with just $25 at the age of 24. Using his unique "for-purpose" approach, he helped redefine the space in which business, philanthropy, and social media intersect. And a mere five years later, Pencils of Promise has now built more than 200 schools around the world, proving that anyone can create a movement that matters.

The Promise of a Pencil chronicles Braun’s journey through more than 50 countries to find his calling, as each chapter explains the steps that every person can take to ignite their own passion and potential. His trailblazing story takes listeners behind the scenes with business moguls and village chiefs, world-famous celebrities and hometown heroes. Driven by compelling stories and shareable insights, this is a vivid and inspiring book that will give listeners the tools to unlock their own extraordinary journey of self-discovery.

If you have ever wanted a more purpose-driven life, if you have ever felt like you could become more than your current circumstances allow, it’s time to ask yourself, "What do I want most in the world?" And through the lessons shared in this book, turn those ideas into reality.

©2014 Colleen Hoover (P)2014 Simon & Schuster

Ignore negative reviews

This book was such a great listen. I would easily say it's one of my favorite biography to have read

Inspiring

Real joy and deep step by step process of establishing and a sustainable organization! Strongly recommended!

Eyes opening. A guide to find one’s life purpose

Great book. Great story. This is an inspirational story to show all of us that we can do it. That we can make this world a better place.

What vision what integrity what character

Adam demonstrated the best we all would hope to have and to share. This was a wonderful story- held attention the whole time.

His intelligence in developing a great business plan was inspiring too-- but for me, the most touching was his ownership of each failure and how they never undid him-- he just should ya all how to keep trying to do better and more importantly, to BE better!!

Life changing boom

I make a note to read / listen to this book once a quarter. For anyone who desires making in impact in their life, this book will help you make it a reality.

Wow!

A book that provides the needed faith to follow the voice inside our hearts and minds to bless one another through the individual work we all have to accomplish.

Inspiring organization and story

This is the story of the founding of a great nonprofit organization with a great purpose. I really enjoyed the mantras from the chapter titles. I especially liked the story of his education that got him to the beginning of the foundation. I recommended it to my 17 year son who is listening to it now, about half way through and is liking it better than he expected. I really enjoy the business side of the story, but I'm afraid his interest will wane when he gets to the last quarter of the book where there are so many business details instead of human story. The business details are certainly part of the story, but probably not as interesting to my son. This is definitely a good organization and one I may donate to I the future.

Promise of hope.

Engaging, insightful and hopeful. I wish all people had the drive passion and determination to create this kind of change in our world.

Insightful Book for Entrepreneurs

Great book for anyone looking to make a difference in the world. It helped open my eyes to the many obstacles I may face in the future as my business continues to grow.

a must read/listen for everyone

Where does The Promise of a Pencil rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorite audiobook so far. Very inspiring , well told and I could not stop listening to Adam's story. Combines 3 subjects I love: children, charity and travel. I am also getting a book version to give to my 15 year old niece to read. A book that all young people should read. Follow your dreams, believe in yourself and do good in the world. Walking away from the promise of a bright future and money to the uncertainty of the future. Believing in yourself and following your dreams of helping others. Powerful.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I had never heard of Adam Braun or his organization, Pencils of Promise before this audio. But I am definitely a fan of Adam and POP. I even went online to donate money for POP. And it is great that all proceeds from the book sales will go towards the charity!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

So many but Adam dedicating his first school opening to his grandmother(a holocaust survivor) and that she was his inspiration.

Any additional comments?

Kirby did a great job with the narration. The tone and voice was perfect! One of the best I've heard . After listening to this, you will ask yourself the following: Are you living your life with purpose, passion and meaning? And if not what's stopping you ? 30 chapters, each a mantra, a story to provide a road map, inspired to help start and turn anyone's dreams into reality.