This is a great Children book to read for adults.

A boy shepherd looking for his personal “legend” went on his journey to find the treasures next to the pyramid of Egypt. He sold out his herd of sheep and became a well-heeled crystal sales person and accumulated enough wealth to continue his journey. Then he got tricked/robbed and ran into the Alchemist, who taught him how to listen to his heart and blocked out the aches and distractions like falling in love with a woman of the dessert – Fatima. At the end he found the treasures in his own backyard in Spain and reunited with his Fatima. Ultimately, it’s the boy that turned into an Alchemist.

By definition, an alchemist transforms “cheap” metal like lead into precious metal like gold. (It’s scientifically unfeasible but seems to be catching phrase in the old days.) If one takes the journey of his life with courage and overcome his failures, he’s basically a alchemist, metaphorically. There are many people who get comfortable in life and forget to pursue his/her own “legend” or purpose/meaning of his life like the crystal store owner and the robber who gave him the hint where the physical treasures are. He/she may live through his/her life never knowing what he/she really means to the greater purpose, if he/she does’t pursue them with great efforts. Besides, the world “conspires” to help us one way or another when we pursue our dreams. In any way, everyone makes an impact to the world to various degrees.

The book is nice and short and full of life teachings. Wish I read this book earlier. Somehow it means more to a middle-age person than to a young man or an old man, I suppose.

Yes, USA has lots of ills: budget deficit, extreme partisan, and crime and etc., and “American Dream” is becoming more of a mirage, as pointed out by the authors. It’s nothing new. Many smart people already highlighted them since the “Great Recession” of 2008. China in contrast is progressive (Tienjin’s great conference hall being built in 9 months vs. much delayed repair in the DC subway station) and yet lack the right elements (legal, democracy, and etc.) to overtake US, yet.

The book helped to clarify some of the histories of budget deficits and how Ronald Reagan managed to raise taxes (enhance revenue) in light of the huge deficit during the Star War initiative era and how Clinton did the same because of the Ross Perot. It’s only until George W. Bush’s time that any attempt to reduce deficit was abandoned. “Budget deficits don’t matter,” according to Dick Cheney. It’s sad.

The globalization force (“the world is flat) has taken many of “good” or middle-class jobs from America and the war on physics – denying the global warming reality puts us at a disadvantage.

What’s the author’s proposal/answer? A great 3rd-party candidate that would force the two existing parties (too similar and stodgy to change) to consider the much needed agenda: like reducing the deficit and invest in the “future.” Mmmmm, which rich guy is going to get suckered into becoming a martyr or losing hero? Tough one.