Ralph de la Vega came to the United States in 1962. He learned early on that obstacles were a part of life. Obstacles Welcome was written in response to the lessons he learned from the time of youth through his ascendancy to the President and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. The book takes a look at the obstacles that were presented to him and how he addressed each one.

I went into this book with great expectations. I have many friends who came from Cuba around the same time and I know their stories are intense and many things can be learned from them. Mr. de la Vega’s personal stories are gripping. I wish a larger part of the book were dedicated to the personal sides of the events.

However, much of the book is dedicated to the obstacles thrown at him at his job and as I would expect from an executive, he stated the issue, how it was addressed and the resolution. At times he put in how it affected his life, but not nearly enough. Because of this the book was a slow read. When I had 10 minutes in which I wanted to read, I found myself going to other books. Until I finally put myself to the plow to get through it.

I would have enjoyed the book more if it were told in more of a story form. I’ve read so many business books that grip me because of the way the story flows that I felt dry with this one. If you are a “Just the facts, Ma’am” type of person this may be a very enjoyable book for you, but for me, it just didn’t keep my attention.

Green is book zero of the Circle Series, being the beginning and the end of the series.  Green focuses on Thomas Hunter, his family and the, relatively, small group of believers that gather in a future where spiritual reality has physical manifestation.  To give more information may give away plot points, which is not my goal.

Being a huge fan of Ted Dekker and specifically the Circle Series, this book was an appropriate conclusion of the series and, ironically, a near perfect beginning.   The story, occurring 10 years after White, is frustrating to people who've read the rest of the series, but that is a good thing.  It brings out this emotion because you see what is happening and you want to scream at the characters.

Mr. Dekker, indeed, knows how to capture spiritual truth and create a compelling allegory that will blow the mind of any reader.

After reading Green, I'm now compelled to go back and read Black, Red, White and then Green again.  Green, in light of the whole series, makes me hunger and thirst after the love of God all the more.

Ultimately, I would recommend Green to anyone who is a fan of The Lord of the Rings or Chronicles of Narnia, or anyone who is willing to learn through a singularly compelling allegory.   I am one of those and I would give this book, and the entire series for that matter, 5 big stars and a high five to Mr. Dekker.

Click play… This is awesome!!!