The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die

By: John Izzo

Narrated by: John Izzo

Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Imagine for a moment that you are about to take a foreign vacation to an exotic destination. You have saved your entire life to travel there. It is a destination with almost unlimited choices of how to spend your time and you know you will not have enough time to explore every opportunity. You are fairly certain that you will never get to take a second trip to this destination; this will be your one opportunity.

Now imagine that someone informs you that there are several people in your neighborhood who have been to that country, explored every corner. Some of them enjoyed the journey and have few regrets, but others wish they could take the trip again knowing what they know now. Would you not invite them over for dinner, ask them to bring their photographs, listen to their stories, and hear their advice? 

This is precisely the journey explored in this book. Dr. John Izzo and his colleagues interviewed over 200 people over the age of 60 (up to 106 years of age) who were identified by others as having lived happy lives and as having found purpose and contentment. The interviewees ranged from aboriginal elders to town barbers, from Holocaust survivors to former CEOs. In these interviews, each person was asked to reflect back on his or her life to identify the sources of happiness and meaning as well as lessons learned, regrets, major crossroads, and what did not contribute to meaning in their lives. Based on these interviews, and Dr. Izzo’s 20 years experience helping people find more spirit and purpose, the book explores the secrets to finding contentment, happiness, and purpose. 

Using a powerful narrative voice, Dr. Izzo helps the listener understand the common themes from the lives of those interviewed, the commonality of what really matters in their lives, and especially how to put this wisdom into practice.

©2008 John B. Izzo (P)2008 John B. Izzo

One of the few books you that I’ve listened to twice

Very real subject that has made me take pause in my life and inspired me to reflect on it.

Great book

Give you alot of good things to think about and alot of wisdom. loved it

Should be mandatory reading for anyone ever born

One of the most important and meaningful books ever written and audiobooks ever recorded (especially for those of us with little time to read through a whole book). I wish I had had this as a blueprint for my life back in high school. The author did a great job narrating it, which is pretty rare. Usually authors do a terrible job narrating their own books, because they think having written it turns them into instant actors. Not the case here. He did a fantastic job connecting. Not only am I going to listen to the audiobook again many times, it inspired me to buy the print version so I can study it every morning as a part of my morning practice. It’s so easy in life to forget the values he covers in this book, and suddenly life is gone. Thank you so so so much for this audiobook. It also helped me surrender a lot of fear I carry as a result of watching my old mother live with a debilitating illness and a lot of lifelong emotional misery and regret. I don’t want to become her. I feared it. This book helped me surrender that, and clearly delineates a way out. For me it is now in my top 5 most important books ever, right up there with “Man’s Search For Meaning.” No words can express my gratitude enough. Thank you.

Best book ever heard!

This is by far one of the best most meaningful books I’ve listened to, wisdom from people who have lived their lives is priceless.

How do we go, now that we know?

Love it. Chapters 1-7 lays the ground work. Chapter 8 and on answers the question.

Phenomenal

Content from chapter 1 to the end is epic
Fantastic reminders for everyone. This book is life-changing and I will read many times to come, to keep my priorities straight. Blown away. I’m also going to see about the authors other offerings as well. Love it!

PS: probably just my own thing but intros and prologues that talk about what the book is gonna talk about without talking about it are the most annoying thing in the world. I skipped it. Chapter 1 on!

Insightful, Brilliant

Downloaded this book at the beginning of my work day and had it finished by the end of the day, I was sucked in. This book is full of insightful secrets to living life and I would recommend it to anyone in my life. This book isn’t just for certain people, I feel this book is for all people.

Perspective of why it is okay to want to be our best

With always striving to improve verses hearing other ask “why”? Good enough as things are… Well, it should be more in the lines of “normal” to want to be your best from the inside out. This book shares those insights to a healthy approach to quality of life combined with matching your outsides to your insides. Refreshing and real. Seems like the ideal time to do a bit of introspection. Perfect timing!

Nothing ground breaking

Maybe my age is showing (45) but this felt like a collection of ideas I’ve heard before. Maybe for a younger audience it will be more eye opening.