Title: Life On A Road Less Traveled
Language : English
Paperback : 266 pages
ISBN-10 : 199878441X
ISBN-13 : 978-1998784417
Item Weight : 13.9 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.6 x 9 inches
LIFE ON A ROAD LESS TRAVELED is a memoir of Loudell Insley. It takes its readers on a journey throughout the more notable moments in her life, including a personal perspective of one of the notable moments in US history.
The book begins with Insley’s journey in South America as part of a missionary trip. She details her journey across Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, and her observations of the locals and their activities.
A large part of Insley’s life in New York and Washington is recounted through her many stories from studying at the Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School, and her long and challenging work under Senator Ted and Robert Kennedy. Insley tells of her experience living and working in Atlanta and its differences from being in New York before moving to Washington for a new job.
It is during her time in Washington that readers see how her life was affected by her past when she worked under Senator Kennedy. In this part of the book, Insley also talks about her experience working in the Peace Corps and the Democratic National Committee.
Insley finally ended her political career when she made her way back to her hometown. She also writes about her experience working at Perdue Inc. in Salisbury, Maryland.
Insley left her long secretarial career and jumped into the real estate industry in 1976. She shares her experience of struggling to step out of her comfort zone in her first attempt to sell door-to-door and having to take self-defense and martial arts classes due to the safety risk of being a female realtor.
Her life as a realtor paused abruptly when she decided to enroll in a three-week survival course under Outward Bound. Insley goes into detail about the many physical hardships she went through as one of the oldest participants in this wilderness experience. Insley returned as a realtor in Florida after the survival course, and recounts how some of her sales happened and the little things she learned from her clients, such as the difference between new and old money.
The book ends with the growth of Insley’s spiritual journey through reading, meditation, and her experience with her parents’ death.
LIFE ON A ROAD LESS TRAVELED reads very much like Insley catching up with a friend over coffee, which makes it a book that is quite easy to read. Insley is able to include many vivid details in the different stories of her life that paints an almost three-dimensional picture for her readers. However, it may prove to be a bit challenging for readers who struggle to go through longer chapters.
The following excerpt perfectly captures the message of Insley’s book:
“The view from the top of your personal mountain is always beautiful. It doesn’t matter if you climbed it alone or had help along the way. When you reach the top, the victory is yours and it is very sweet indeed.”
Readers who are interested in life’s ups and downs through a different lens will find deep recollection in Loudell Insley’s LIFE ON A ROAD LESS TRAVELED.