4 out of 5 Stars
"The narrative is clear-sighted, open, and honest; as it traces Davidson’s transformation, it becomes inspiring. Mastership by Lorne Davidson is a memoir about overcoming financial failure and finding success through martial arts. Davidson shares his personal story in the two decades since he declared bankruptcy, as he climbed the ranks of taekwondo, finding success both on and off the mat. His story begins in a difficult moment, with his music career and finances in shambles; he reluctantly accepts his friend’s invitation to a taekwondo class. From that moment forward, his whole life shifts..."
- Foreword Clarion Reviews
For the full review visit Foreword Clarion Reviews
"The narrative is clear-sighted, open, and honest; as it traces Davidson’s transformation, it becomes inspiring. Mastership by Lorne Davidson is a memoir about overcoming financial failure and finding success through martial arts. Davidson shares his personal story in the two decades since he declared bankruptcy, as he climbed the ranks of taekwondo, finding success both on and off the mat. His story begins in a difficult moment, with his music career and finances in shambles; he reluctantly accepts his friend’s invitation to a taekwondo class. From that moment forward, his whole life shifts..."
- Foreword Clarion Reviews
For the full review visit Foreword Clarion Reviews
"Part memoir, part self-help book, this debut work chronicles how taekwondo gave a musician the tools he needed to restart his life after a major failure.
In 1996, Davidson and his wife, Carole, declared bankruptcy. He had been trying to support his family as a musician, but couldn’t make ends meet. The couple had three children to care for and not many options. The author began to study taekwondo at the suggestion of a friend. It was a good way for him to work out his frustrations at first. He had no interest in learning to fight. Not long into his initial training, he discovered what the martial art could do for him in terms of discipline, spirituality, and mental health. It forced him to set goals and gave him the motivation to achieve them, and the ability to respect and learn from mistakes..."
- Kirkus Review
For the full review visit Kirkus Reviews
In 1996, Davidson and his wife, Carole, declared bankruptcy. He had been trying to support his family as a musician, but couldn’t make ends meet. The couple had three children to care for and not many options. The author began to study taekwondo at the suggestion of a friend. It was a good way for him to work out his frustrations at first. He had no interest in learning to fight. Not long into his initial training, he discovered what the martial art could do for him in terms of discipline, spirituality, and mental health. It forced him to set goals and gave him the motivation to achieve them, and the ability to respect and learn from mistakes..."
- Kirkus Review
For the full review visit Kirkus Reviews
5 out of 5 stars
What an incredible book, and one that far surpassed my expectations. "Mastership: The Journey from Bankruptcy to a New Life" by Master Lorne Davidson is one of the most powerful, moving and inspiring memoirs/autobiography/self-improvement books I've read in a long time. The writing is stellar. The strong word choice and fluid narrative prose as he tells us how he turned his life around - from being bankrupt in his 40's, to living successfully and debt free and doing what he loves in his 60's - makes it a very easy book to sink into and stay there until the end. Davidson's writing style is so natural and authentic; really pulls us right in, in an intimate manner as he shares his candid life experiences with us, admitting his faults and sharing his path to turning it all around, proof that if he can do it, anyone can. It wastes no time getting right into it, as he tells us how he's basically hit rock bottom and it was through his experience with Taekwondo and the lessons and disciplines he learned through it and in building his business that enabled him to make huge shifts in hi life - how he managed to find the power to turn it all around was incredibly inspiring. Regardless of your life situation, there are valuable lessons here that can benefit everyone. Recommended for fans of real-life memoirs and inspirational/motivational-type books. (5 stars) Essie Harmon - Goodreads; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviews
What an incredible book, and one that far surpassed my expectations. "Mastership: The Journey from Bankruptcy to a New Life" by Master Lorne Davidson is one of the most powerful, moving and inspiring memoirs/autobiography/self-improvement books I've read in a long time. The writing is stellar. The strong word choice and fluid narrative prose as he tells us how he turned his life around - from being bankrupt in his 40's, to living successfully and debt free and doing what he loves in his 60's - makes it a very easy book to sink into and stay there until the end. Davidson's writing style is so natural and authentic; really pulls us right in, in an intimate manner as he shares his candid life experiences with us, admitting his faults and sharing his path to turning it all around, proof that if he can do it, anyone can. It wastes no time getting right into it, as he tells us how he's basically hit rock bottom and it was through his experience with Taekwondo and the lessons and disciplines he learned through it and in building his business that enabled him to make huge shifts in hi life - how he managed to find the power to turn it all around was incredibly inspiring. Regardless of your life situation, there are valuable lessons here that can benefit everyone. Recommended for fans of real-life memoirs and inspirational/motivational-type books. (5 stars) Essie Harmon - Goodreads; Barnes & Noble; Indie Book Reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Wow. Okay at first I thought this would be more geared towards people who are having financial problems and how to handle bankruptcy - and yes, while it can help those people, it also is very applicable for just about ANYBODY who needs to somehow make a positive change in their life, and know it's never to late to change. The author tells how he did it in his late 40's - 60's and that is a very remarkable process. I've never read anything like this before and I was mesmerized by his amazing journey and found so much relatable insight here. I was drawn in from the very beginning and was completely hooked the whole way through. Enjoyed the realness, and then the positive message of finding strength, discipline, and the ways to change your thinking - inspired by taekwondo. Master Lorne Davidson is such a great storyteller, it's like a friend or family member is talking and we just want to keep listening. It is told all in narrative prose, which is nicely-written and very well edited. A very inspiring tale of perseverance and overcoming one's past to creating a better life. Absolutely recommended. (5 stars) Claire Middleton
Wow. Okay at first I thought this would be more geared towards people who are having financial problems and how to handle bankruptcy - and yes, while it can help those people, it also is very applicable for just about ANYBODY who needs to somehow make a positive change in their life, and know it's never to late to change. The author tells how he did it in his late 40's - 60's and that is a very remarkable process. I've never read anything like this before and I was mesmerized by his amazing journey and found so much relatable insight here. I was drawn in from the very beginning and was completely hooked the whole way through. Enjoyed the realness, and then the positive message of finding strength, discipline, and the ways to change your thinking - inspired by taekwondo. Master Lorne Davidson is such a great storyteller, it's like a friend or family member is talking and we just want to keep listening. It is told all in narrative prose, which is nicely-written and very well edited. A very inspiring tale of perseverance and overcoming one's past to creating a better life. Absolutely recommended. (5 stars) Claire Middleton
4 out of 5 stars
"Mastership" by Master Lorne Davidson is a powerhouse, intoxicating read that I read in the course of a few nights, and wished there was more because I was disappointed when it was over....I wanted more! I like reading nonfiction on occasion to switch it up from my normal routine - in this case his memoirs re: life before and after going through bankruptcy with a motivational/self help vibe - and because I feel that when done right it can affect you in a different, stronger way than a fiction novel can. Overall I found the writing quality to be superb, and I was truly impressed with the way Lorne managed to put so many concepts and ideas and experiences into a highly readable story that continued to engage me page after page, chapter after chapter. I really enjoyed the epic journey that he tells not only of taking charge of his life and key lessons he follows, but how he delivers his story in a way that is helpful to people from many different circumstances facing life's challenges. This book is a guide, a tool that can help improve your mind set and give faith that things can get better. Great reading list at the end too, and the photo's were interesting as well. (4 stars) Jean Oliver - Goodreads
"Mastership" by Master Lorne Davidson is a powerhouse, intoxicating read that I read in the course of a few nights, and wished there was more because I was disappointed when it was over....I wanted more! I like reading nonfiction on occasion to switch it up from my normal routine - in this case his memoirs re: life before and after going through bankruptcy with a motivational/self help vibe - and because I feel that when done right it can affect you in a different, stronger way than a fiction novel can. Overall I found the writing quality to be superb, and I was truly impressed with the way Lorne managed to put so many concepts and ideas and experiences into a highly readable story that continued to engage me page after page, chapter after chapter. I really enjoyed the epic journey that he tells not only of taking charge of his life and key lessons he follows, but how he delivers his story in a way that is helpful to people from many different circumstances facing life's challenges. This book is a guide, a tool that can help improve your mind set and give faith that things can get better. Great reading list at the end too, and the photo's were interesting as well. (4 stars) Jean Oliver - Goodreads
