Me to We: Turning Self-Help On Its Head [Paperback]

The concept of “self-help” is something of a contradiction, according to Craig and Marc Kielburger, two brothers in their twenties from Toronto who founded the renowned international relief organization Free the Children. In Me to We: Turning Self-Help On Its Head, the Kielburgers call for a complete overhaul of popular North American ideas about how to be happy. They argue that true fulfillment can only be achieved through serving others. Whether chronicling their own volunteer efforts building schools in war-torn Sierra Leone or their visits with the late Mother Teresa as she cared for the sick in the slums of Calcutta, the authors write convincingly of the rich rewards to be found in reaching out to those in need. Though not necessarily an original idea, the book is a thoughtful blend of inspiring stories of people helping people (including short essays on the subject by such celebrities as Richard Gere, Dr. Jane Goodall, and Oprah Winfrey) and pragmatic advice for how anyone can do the same, no matter what their current station in life. While not all readers interested in personal growth will be persuaded to cancel their gym membership and head off to Africa, some may think twice before pulling out their credit card the next time Tony Robbins is in town when the local food bank or homeless shelter could surely use an extra set of hands.--Patrick Jennings

"This book is a testament to the power of people to transform their own lives and the world in which they live."
—Her Majesty Queen Noor

"Me to We is a remarkable book that challenges people to improve their own lives by helping others. It also has valuable practical references for seniors, parents, young people and companies. Well done!"
—Anita Roddick, Founder, The Body Shop

"Craig and Marc Kielburger's work through Free the Children has inspired tens of thousands of people to bring about the changes they seek in their own lives and in the world".
—Margaret Atwood, Author

"Helping others is good for the soul, good for corporate morale and for the bottom line. This book shows us how to achieve a life of great personal worth – in every sense of the word!"
—Alex Cappello, 2004-05 Chairman of the International Board for the Young President’s Organization, (YPO)

How to find the balance between "self" and "help"

This book challenges the current state of the self-help industry, which has strayed from its roots of balancing personal growth and community building. Me To We helps readers redefine success, work on behalf of their community, and create a meaningful and fulfilling life, revealing the simple truth that by helping others, you help yourself. Authors Craig Kielburger and Marc Kielburger provide a unique insight into our self-help culture and share remarkable stories written by individuals who have followed the "Me To We" philosophy, including Richard Gere, Jane Goodall, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

In Me to We: Turning Self-Help on Its Head, the authors of the best-selling Take Action! series invite you to transform your own life and the lives of the people around you. Craig and Marc Kielburger have written an innovative book that outlines a philosophy of living that challenges the way we look at the world. It requires energy, ideas and maybe even courage, but the payoff is huge: a longer and healthier life, personal growth, gratification, and happiness.

In Me to We you will discover stories about people whose passion is infectious and whose life lessons are profound. You will learn that the self-help culture that has shaped so much of modern life has led us up the wrong path with its focus on "me" and not "we." The road to happiness and fulfillment is a much different road as told by the many people who have contributed to the book.

Best of all, Me to We is relevant to all readers including parents, young people, seniors and business leaders providing practical ways on how to incorporate this philosophy into your lives. Be inspired and share the feeling with your neighbors, friends and family. Your life will never be the same!

After you’ve discovered and absorbed the ideas presented in this book, your life may not end up as you had envisioned. You may not acquire a house on a beach in the Caymans, but you may find your toes grounded in the sand. You may not see an enormous change in your social life, but in your life you may very well see enormous social change. You may not find the person of your dreams, but you will help young people go beyond theirs…. This book will open your eyes and change the way you look at life. And it will change your life and the lives of everyone you meet.

"This book is a testament to the power of people to transform their own lives and the world in which they live."
—Her Majesty Queen Noor

"Me to We is a remarkable book that challenges people to improve their own lives by helping others. It also has valuable practical references for seniors, parents, young people and companies. Well done!"
—Anita Roddick, Founder, The Body Shop

"Craig and Marc Kielburger's work through Free the Children has inspired tens of thousands of people to bring about the changes they seek in their own lives and in the world".
—Margaret Atwood, Author

"Helping others is good for the soul, good for corporate morale and for the bottom line. This book shows us how to achieve a life of great personal worth – in every sense of the word!"
—Alex Cappello, 2004-05 Chairman of the International Board for the Young President’s Organization, (YPO)

Craig Kielburger is the founder of Free the Children, which has become the largest international network of children helping children, having impacted over one million children in 35 countries. The organization has built more than 400 primary schools, providing daily education to over 35,000 children and has been twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Craig’s work has been profiled on Oprah, 60 Minutes, CNN, CBC and in the New York Times, Time, The Economist and People Magazine. Craig has traveled to more than 40 countries, speaking out in defense of children’s rights. His first book, Free the Children, has been translated into 8 languages and was the winner of the Christopher Book Award.

Marc Kielburger is a Harvard graduate, Rhodes Scholar and Oxford educated lawyer. He co-founded Leaders Today in 1999, which annually provides leadership training to more than 250,000 young people and has worked with the United Nations, State of the World Forum and numerous school boards throughout North America. His work has been profiled on CBC, CNN, BBC and in Macleans, Report on Business Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. Marc has co-authored with his brother Craig Take Action! and Take More Action! used by tens of thousands of students and educators across North America. Marc was recently chosen as one of Canada’s "Top 40 leaders under the age of 40".