“The Story of a Thousand Fears” by Tomasz Kozłowski
The title doesn’t lie – it’s a book about fears. About a thousand different fears, crawling out from nobody knows where. About social fears, completely unjustified needs to satisfy the expectations of others, about catastrophic visions of the future that keep growing in our minds.
It’s also an extreme transcript of the continuous overcoming of our own limits and difficulties while leaving our “comfort zone”, which eventually leads to setting an unofficial world record and three official European records in formation parachute jumping out of a hot air balloon.
In a funny, and sometimes touching way, the book talks about overcoming fears, crossing our own limits and barriers, and about difficulties in keeping up with the labels that have been placed upon us. The book exposes social fears, unjustified needs to satisfy the expectations of others, shows catastrophic visions of the future that keep growing in our minds. It depicts the strength of the little things that become monstrously huge and start having an almost unlimited influence on the process of making crucial life decisions.
The leitmotiv of the book is represented by several stories from the life of a regular man who, despite his previous failures, manages to set an unofficial world record and three official European records in formation parachute jumping out of a hot air balloon.
The book concentrates mainly on the two and a half year period of preparations for the event and the perspective taken by the author who observes the three-member team. The members of the team present different, sometimes opposite attitudes, but thanks to their rich differences, they manage to achieve the desired goal.
After reading the book, Gen. Mirosław Hermaszewski has written:
It’s hard to believe that the modest figure of Tomasz hides such a huge life potential. His youthful dreams were quite average. The more courageous of them were hiding behind the horizon of inaccessibility. His internal strength and the willingness to tackle difficult challenges, allowed Tomasz to try to fight the impossible. With his inexhaustible internal strength, and having acquired a profound, comprehensive knowledge, he tried – although not without fear – to take a look behind that mysterious horizon. He proved it was possible. Before that, he had to defeat himself. And he did. To find out how he did it and at what cost, read “The Story of a Thousand Fears”. I know something about it from my own experience – Mirosław HERMASZEWSKI (the only Polish Astronaut)
Buy the book at www.historiaskoku.pl
READERS’ OPINIONS
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I first met Tomek and Paulina at a Tuesday meeting at the table at “Czytelnik” (Reader) café. Every Tuesday, a few nice people, at Krysia Kofta’s request, appear in this famous café in Wiejska Street, where, years ago, Gustaw Holoubek, Tadeusz Konwicki and Andrzej Łapicki used to have their own table. It’s a place of cult, frozen in time. It’s worth coming here for lunch to freeze in time, too. Listen to some chitchats. And well, dear Reader, one day Mr. and Mrs. Kozłowski appeared there. Incredibly nice people. Tomek passionately talked about his parachute adventures, his travels through the world, the jump from the stratosphere… He mentioned, modestly, that he had described all of it and published his first book by himself. It’s just a tiny book, I’m not sure if it’s good after all… Well, it’s more than good!
It’s a beautiful, sometimes touching story about overcoming our fears and weaknesses, but also about a great curiosity of the world, a continuous search for challenges. It’s been written in a light and funny manner, by someone who’s a perspicacious observer of the smallest crumbs of everyday life. The portraits of the described protagonists reveal the author’s psychoanalytical talents and some of the brilliant phrases and reflections could be quoted entirely in a notebook with aphorisms and words of wisdom. The expedition to Mont Blanc, the incredible stay in New Zealand, and, finally, the step-by-step description of the preparations for the record parachute jump from the stratosphere – you just can’t stop reading. Moreover, the reading experience is enriched by the amazing, colorful photographs.
In my opinion, however, “The History of a Thousand Fears” is, above all, a story of a great love. Because it’s the relationship with Paulina – a wise, patient relationship, full of support, respect and reciprocated feelings – that constitutes the trampoline that makes Tomek fly so high in the sky. For me, this balancing between the man’s adventures in the sky and the responsibilities of a father and a husband is not a history of fears, but a history of a great bravery. Both of Tomek and Paulina. Thank you very much for this history!
Bożena Stachura
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There are books that lift us up. Elevate us. Make us stronger. Provide the ground. Work as a trampoline. Soothe. Cuddle. Bring hope. Give strength. And, at the same time, entertain us, arouse our curiosity and make us happy. There are books… THERE IS A BOOK. “The History of a 1000 Fears” is a history of 1 man. It’s a history of each man who’s going to read it. It’s also a history of a 1000 victories. Our own, private, everyday victories, or the great ones. It’s a history with no place for boredom, but with a lot of space for making our dreams come true.
Paulina Holtz
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I’ve met many crazy people in my life but Tomasz Kozłowski is among the leaders. Psychologist, coach, mountain rescuer, alpinist, skydiver, husband, father. He’s able to listen. He’s able to talk. He looks as if he has just come out of the gym. And, damn it, he’s also a writer. How is it possible not to hate him?
But seriously – he wrote an extraordinary book. About fighting our fears. He probably described all the situations in his life where he was afraid. It’s the first book of this genre that I’ve ever read, because I’m not a fan of how-to-live manuals.
However, the book by Tomek is definitely worth reading in order to find out that all our extraordinary, exceptional fears – the big, serious fears and the small, everyday, sometimes childish ones – are a part of us. And in order to learn that we shouldn’t be afraid of fear.
I recommend it very, very much. And thank you, Tomek.
Bartek Węglarczyk
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Kinoteka cinema. Room no 4. Wawrzkowicz. Pacek. And Him.
It’s not like we’ve known each other for a short time, they say. It’s just that we’ve seen each other for a short time. Mass of people. People seating on the stairs. Crowds by the entrance.
‘How much is the book?’, I ask at the cashier’s desk.
Forty zloty, a young girl answers.
‘But what’s the normal in-store price? Because it’s discounted today.’
She looks at me, surprised. I take the book and reverse it. 49 zloty. I pay. The full price. Tomek published it by himself. He deserves it. He gave me a copy with a beautiful dedication. The other copies will serve as gifts. Tomek says he’s afraid of my opinion. He says he even talked about it to his wife. Lately, I’ve been told by a friend that I’ve probably read everything. Even the bad staff, just to say that it’s bad.
But, somehow, it took me a while before I was ready to write why you should have this wise book with a beautiful cover on your shelf, in your hands and, most importantly, in your head.
The beginning. I meet Tomek Kozłowski at Radek Kietliński’s place. Radek says that he’s friend will come over shortly, a psychologists, a parachute jumper and a madman. He says that he adores him. There he is. We talk. I watch. We sit there for nearly three hours and it still seems a moment. I listen to him. He talks a lot, wisely, he’s got a sense of humor, he’s brilliant and very strong.
You meet someone who impresses you. Stuns you with his personality. Intellect. Sense of humor. Brilliance. And then, he writes a book. On the radio, he talks beautifully, smoothly about life. You listen with interest. But what if he’s a good talker but a horrible writer, what if the book is bad? You’ll tell him the truth. What else can you do? Well, I didn’t have to do it.
Tomek Kozłowski wrote a book in which the jump is just a background for describing Life, beautiful meetings, our weaknesses and strengths. The starting point is facing what restricts us physically and mentally. And, although it may sound trivial, we are our biggest constraint.
Because we’re so nitpicky, we always go on a wild goose chase, look for a needle in a haystack. We head towards a weirdly planned objective and forget that it’s the path that’s the most important.
Tomek Kozłowski writes beautifully, wisely, maturely, openly and truly about life, choices, his wonderful family, about breaking records, about looking further, beyond the tip of your nose, about searching and finding.
In the context of parachute jumping and fear, but especially in the context of life, Tomek says:
“You can fool everyone around, you can fool your friends, your wife, me, but you cannot fool yourself!”.
Thank you for this book.
I’m happy to have met you.
It was one of those unforgettable encounters.
I will jump with you in April! I can do it!
You’re a great guy! I don’t have words to describe you. But I hope I’ll be able to use some of them to say much more about what you do.
I recommend this book to everyone! And you’re also invited to listen to my interview with Tomek, coming shortly. And to spend some time with “The History of a Thousand Fears”.
Magdalena Kasperowicz
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Tomasz Kozłowski – psychologist, motivational speaker, coach, experienced trainer, crisis intervention and leadership team development specialist. Mountain rescuer, parachute skydiver… and, for me, most of all, a GREAT MAN, an intelligent, fulfilled guy with a huge sense of humor, who doesn’t take himself too seriously.
In his book “The History of a Thousand Fears”, he describes not only the record jump and the preparations for it, but also what we all probably face in our everyday life. Each day we face new challenges, make changes, take decisions, and it all usually involves fear. Am I doing the right thing? Maybe I shouldn’t… What if… ? Questions are endless. It’s natural that we feel safe in the places and situations that we know, in our “comfort zone”. And whenever we leave it, we’re afraid of the unknown. How many times did you say: ‘I’d like to, but I’m afraid’… By putting on paper his thoughts during different stages of his life, Tomek proves that we’re actually all afraid, and admitting it is nothing to be ashamed of. The world constantly requires us to be tough. Strong, ambitious, determined people are put on the pedestal, while it’s through overcoming our weaknesses that we improve our self-esteem and get motivated to take further actions. The motivation is even bigger if you have the support of your family. Tomek writes about his family with a great love and respect – it’s something beautiful and it rivets the attention.
While reading “The History of a Thousand Fears”, it’s easy to come across excerpts that seem to refer to ourselves somehow. We notice similar situations and our fears related to them. We can’t help thinking “finally someone says it loud!”. “The difference between the possible and impossible lies in a man’s determination” – this is my favorite sentence which, in my opinion, is a perfect conclusion of “The History of a Thousand Fears”. It’s a great book for those who don’t believe in their own strength, who don’t believe to be able to do something or are simply afraid to do it. Of course, you can stand still, “in the draught”, as Tomek says, feel safe somehow, but is it happiness? Our main rival in the race towards achieving our goals and making our dreams come true, are ourselves, and the limits that exist only in our heads…
Thank you, Tomek, for the motivation!
Edyta Żakowicz
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…to say that this book is great is not enough…
Reading this book is like listening to a captivating story of a Wanderer who wants to relax and warm up by a domestic fireplace before continuing his journey… And that fireplace is surrounded by a circle of flushing, smiling, curious faces… In the room, apart from the sounds of the wood burning in the fireplace, you can hear sighs of the concentrated, dreamy Listeners… That’s how I see it. Written with humor and authenticity, it’s your history, it’s the history of your inspiring life. I’m fascinated not only by the description of the impressive achievements, but also by the bravery allowing you to reveal yourself to the world. It’s something rare, this kind of emotional exhibitionism (the physical one is not rare at all, nowadays ;)). In times of the omnipresent mediocrity, it’s a great pleasure to interact with a text that doesn’t only open horizons, but also teaches us how to safely reveal our weaknesses and fears … so that we can build ourselves once again and start living… It inspires and shows us how to transform our fears into a catalyst for changes, in order to make each day a wonderful experience.
This is the quality, the measurable value of your life. By putting it on paper, you transfer it to the Readers.
I’m very impressed not only by your words, but also by your achievements, your Personality, your Being, Energy, Soul…
MW
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‘A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for’
– Grace Murray Hopper
Fear. We all know this feeling. Irrespective of our age, gender, experiences – we are afraid. In our life, we constantly feel some kind of fear, anxiety. Sometimes it’s slight, vibrating in the background. Other times, it’s strong, overwhelming, like a cold rim knotting our stomach, our solar plexus, our heart. Potentially, we can be afraid of almost anything. Darkness, air travel, water, bad people, sicknesses, being ridiculed. We’re afraid of dying and living, at the same time. We’re afraid of loneliness and being really close to someone. We’re afraid of changes and stagnation. Failures and successes. Falling down and soaring up, high, above the mediocrity. To the stratosphere, for example, like Tomasz Kozłowski, the author of “The History of a Thousand Fears”. In spite of being afraid, he soared so high to perform the highest parachute jump in Europe.
Tomek says that his life is a never-ending History of a Thousands fears, a thousand struggles and a thousands changes. He confesses, courageously, that he was afraid in kindergarten and in school, in the backyard and in the mountains. He was afraid of traveling to the end of the world, but he was also afraid of taking the subway to the city center. He was always afraid at work, in the relationships with other people, in the water, in the caves, during the jumps. ‘And, probably, I will always be afraid until the end of my life’ – he adds with honesty.
Each man is afraid but many of us are ashamed of their own fear. They don’t admit their fears, not even to themselves; they push their fears out, pretending they’re not there. Results? Fear will find another way to let you know it’s there, for example by panic attacks, depression, hypertension, heart problems, chronic muscular tension or migraine. In Poland we say that fear has big eyes. So we have to look in those eyes with courage. We must not underestimate it, we must experience it just like every other emotion. In his book, Tomasz narrates the history of his conscious struggle with fear at different stages of his life. He proves that we must accept the fact of being afraid while gaining new skills and accepting challenges. Whenever we enter an unknown area, whenever we do something for the first time – there’s always fear, it’s natural. We shouldn’t really expect our fear to evaporate like camphor at some point, disappear, melt like soap in hot water, suddenly making us become absolutely courageous and ready to face any new challenge with pride.
While describing the preparations for the jump of his life, Tomek often underlines: ‘I will never be ready for it’. He takes care of all procedures, he prepares perfectly, but there’s still a risk. He’s afraid and, in spite of that, he acts. He experiences his fear and, at the same time, achieves his goals. As probably the only member of the team of parachute jumpers working on this huge project, he honestly meets his fear without denying its existence. And that’s why he’s able to domesticate his fear that is no longer an obstacle on the way to achieving his important objectives. Tomek: ‘I saw that fear was going to elevate me to the highest summits of satisfaction, on condition that I surrendered a little to it and started collaborating with it. I mean, does it make any sense to do things that don’t arouse any emotions in us? Isn’t it worth going against the wind, the very wind that makes us cower so much? It’s only beyond the famous comfort zone that we can experience unimaginable things. So there’s no need to plan our fears, no need to plan our victories, all we have to do is hit the road, and the subsequent doors will open to us as soon as we approach them’.
It often happens that we stay in our safe harbor for the most part of our lives. We remain stuck in a place we know, where nothing bad can happen to us. Almost nothing. Except for the sense of stagnation, routine, impasse, apathy, and, as a consequence, discouragement and indifference evolving into the loss of the meaning of life, and even depression. The development is only possible beyond the comfort zone, which means that we need to open ourselves to the risk of failure. There’s always something that can go wrong. However, as shown by statistics, the great majority of catastrophic visions in our heads will never happen.
Sometimes, however, it’s well worth listening to our fear… and taking a step back, refraining from actions. When he was climbing in the Alps, Tomasz was struck by terrible headaches, nausea and nosebleeds. He decided to give up. Although his more experienced colleagues said he was just wallowing in self-pity, he decided to end this important journey and leave the climbing group. In spite of being afraid of descending the glacier alone (he could have fallen down into a crevasse and die instantly after all), it was the best possible decision – to give up. Shortly before entering the huge hot air balloon and reaching the altitude of 12,000m to perform the historic jump, he also thought of giving up for a while. Dozens of thoughts were running through his head: “What do we actually need it for? Will this damned jump help me somehow? Does it make any sense to be afraid for months in order to perform one single jump?”. But, finally, after about a quarter of an hour, he was already in the basket and ready to go. He was about to start going up, higher and higher. He felt a clear relief at the moment when he accepted the fact that he was flying. “I agreed with myself that I wouldn’t give up”. It was the moment of breakthrough.
When, despite being afraid, we decide to face the challenge, our sense of empowerment and self-esteem increase. We become stronger, we feel safer with ourselves, our fear decreases. Until… the next jump from a high altitude. And the accompanying appearance of the new Big Fear that, initially, inhibits our actions.
I recommend this exceptionally valuable book to all those who are often paralyzed by fear, but also to those who stubbornly claim not be afraid of anything and anyone. This is also a must-read if we just want to accept our fear and make it become a natural companion in our exciting journey through life.
Anna Czarnacka
www.inner-garden.pl
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I’m not particularly good at writing reviews, but I’m going to make an exception today. Read it, please. I’ve just finished reading “The History of a Thousand Fears” by Tomek Kozłowski and you just can’t remain indifferent towards this book.
It’s a mature and wise history of a man who’s been dealing with different fears at all stages of his life. If you claim not to be afraid of anything – you lie, obviously. Tomek, however, managed to tame his fear, domesticate it and use it to fly high, very high. Both figuratively and literally, he reached the absolute heights of his capabilities and the boundaries defined by the entire team created by the Polish Stratosphere Project.
But this book is not only the history of a three-man jump out of the balloon, from the edge of the stratosphere. It also contains many plots that have nothing to do with jumping, that somehow allow us to share with Tomek his fears, concerns, joy, relief, disappointment, despair and fulfillment. The palette of emotional shades is wide, and the hues are deep.
Tomek, in an exceptional manner that is very close to my heart, describes the way of making difficult decisions. The crucial moment is based on a subtle connection and synergy of three powers: emotions, intuition and rational assessment of the situation. And it works. For Tomek, and also for myself.
I really recommend this book to all those who must deal with fear in their lives, to whatever extent. Fear for the future, health, family, or just themselves.
And for parachute jumpers, who face different shades of fear on a regular basis – it’s an absolute must-read. And please, read it with comprehension.
Marta Molińska
www.skycamp.pl
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I’m reading… crying… I’m at the thousandth jump… damn, Tomek, you’re probably not aware of what a wonderful journey this book is. And what an adventure… because “people are the most interesting adventure”, and this is a goddamn honest story about you!!! I will thank you for it many times again! And you write about Paulina and Adam in such an amazing way – I love you for it!
I’ve just come back from the author’s evening with Tomek. Huge congratulations!!! On my way to the meeting, in the taxi, I couldn’t stop talking – cell phone, chatting with the driver – that’s normal for me. On my way back, I was silent… As if I wasn’t myself… I was very impressed by the meeting… Not just because it was dedicated to the wonderful book written by Tomek…And not even because of the record parachute jump out of the balloon that he performed together with his friends… There was more to it. Something that will keep making me restlessly shiver inside… an extraordinary joy of seeing the spotlight shining on someone who has made it; someone who came back from New Zealand a few years ago and had absolutely no idea that one day dozens of people would stand in line for his autograph. I was listening to father Szustak this morning ( #jeszcze5minutek). He was talking about a guy (a farmer) who participated in a several-day long run, defeated all professional athletes and suddenly became an Australian hero. And I thought that Tomek’s evening closed that day with a significant bracket… Because the history of Tomek also shows that doing everyday things with great heart, simply with love, will sooner or later lead you to the Great Victory. For me, it proves the existence of God. For me, it proves that Good is good.
Ola Kosmęda
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It’s arrived!! Yes, I’ve finally got my own copy… of “The History of a Thousand Fears”. After reading several initial pages, I already know that it’s going to be one of my favorite books, not only on the shelf…
“Only the imagination lined with fear or hope, growing with the approaching end of the struggle, set the tone for my mood – everything could go very well or very wrong. But, every time, it was only my vision, for I still didn’t know what I had under my shoes”. Everything that is new, different, unknown is lined with this fear. We avoid changes because of fear of failure that hinders all our steps…
With this book by Tomek, I’m starting a better day. And so, I’m changing my life, hoping it’s for the better…
Tomasz Kozłowski thank you for the wonderful dedication, you’re an extraordinary person.
Katarzyna Andrzejak
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Sunday reflections
“Close the door and open a new one, because you’re not going to change anything by standing in the draught”. – The History of a Thousand Fears
Fear… Does it make any sense to do things that don’t arouse any emotions in us? Fear has always been a part of our lives, we’re scared of everything, from flying to darkness.
The author, Tomasz Kozłowski, describes his thousand fears, but, in spite of that, he makes a jump from the altitude of 12000 meters. He doesn’t deny his fears, he learns to live with them instead. As he says: “you cannot experience the feeling of fulfillment if you don’t defeat yourself first”.
Thank you, Tomasz Kozłowski, for this book. It’s a true revelation that will arouse any emotion…
Monika
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I read this book with a great joy, a big smile and sometimes even a deep breath, while discovering that my panicking counts as normal.
That’s all by way of introduction…Because I think, however, that fear relating to adrenaline is the one that shapes us. If it wasn’t for this fear that keeps raining on our parade, we wouldn’t be present in many places and we wouldn’t be so “internally attractive”. We would be nothing but coach potatoes, interested in nothing more than TV series.
I’ve also started wondering if we can eliminate our fears (I’m talking about the “healthy” fear environment, not the one of “toxic fear, affecting people with mental health problems”). This “healthy” fear prompts us to act, to face challenges, to want more and more.
Your degree of humor and sarcasm in the book is exactly what I look for in literature. I laughed until my stomach cramped, as I kept reading the funniest excerpts to my “partner”. I’m delighted and full of respect for this kind of literary language. Really, start writing books or a diary for Ania, because you’re a genius (and yesterday’s photo at “Dorosły Tata” rules!).
Tomek,
I congratulate you on your child, that is “The History of a Thousand Fears”. It’s a fantastic book, I thought it would be rather psychological, but what I actually got was a piece of good literature about how to fight, how to fear and how to prove that “fear has big eyes”. You presented this fear in a great manner in your stories – and I think that most of us experience such fears, but some of us are afraid, or just ashamed, to talk about it. Respect!
AJ
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Lately, I’ve been living with my head in the clouds – LITERALLY! “The History of a Thousand Fears” is a great book written by Tomasz Kozłowski. It’s sincere and original, and totally captivating!
Beata Waszczykowska
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What I great book I brought on vacation! I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but it’s written in such a wonderful way, with no embellishing. It talks about the preparations for the parachute jump from the altitude of 12 thousand meters and about defeating yourself on the way. The author and the main character is a very brave man, but, at the same time, he appears to be so close and similar to us with all his weaknesses. He isn’t idealized, which is a good thing. I couldn’t stop reading. Bye, have a nice day everyone!
Ewa Ciechu
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I’ve just finished reading… Interesting, touching history of great achievements made by a great man. Great in his simplicity and modesty <3. Thank you Tomasz Kozłowski for what I was able to take for myself while reading this book.
Agnieszka Pilczyńska
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I’ve just finished reading… Interesting, touching history of great achievements made by a great man. Great in his simplicity and modesty Agnieszka Pilczyńska
Tomek! After only 30 minutes of reading I already had goose bumps, wet eyes, and a big smile on my face, alternately! You’re a surprise! The dedication is wonderful! Thank you!!!
Kasia
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Thank you Tomasz Kozłowski for proving that our internal fears are just self-produced limits that prevent us from jumping from our private stratosphere into knowing and experiencing something new. It depends mostly on ourselves how our change will end, and whether we will open the parachute and land safely, or if someone will help us.
The book is fantastic – I spend every free minute reading it and I’m already worrying about what I’ll do if I finish it to soon! I’ll be waiting for your next books.
Teresa
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Tomasz, I’ve been listening to the audiobook, alternating between tears and laughter. It’s amazing how you describe everything in a way that most of us feel, but are afraid to admit it, or just forget it, without making any efforts, giving up on ourselves. Congratulations! I recommend it to everyone! Great interpretation by the Reader.
Maja Majewska-Sadowska
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I’ve read “The History of a Thousand Fears” and I recommend it to everyone.
In a public confession, Tomek Kozłowski cuts himself off from the demons of his past.
While talking about himself and his private war against his internal fear, he reveals his true self. And it’s different from the image presented in the media: the “tough guy” providing others with guidance in difficult life situations, solving their problems, explaining mechanisms and giving advice…
In the book, we can see a regular man, sometimes even a coward, who still has enough strength to move forward, despite of the wind blowing in his eyes.
While working at the Polish Stratosphere Project, I often witnessed the described situations, but I wasn’t aware of the difficulty of the internal war conducted by Tomek.
By writing “The History of a Thousand Fears”, the author lifted the veil separating him from us, intentionally broke the wall in order to find out what it was hiding.
By shamelessly revealing his true self, by describing his weaknesses and his fight against them, he proved once again to be extraordinarily brave. In my opinion, it required much more courage than jumping from 12,000 meters!
Patrik Mółka
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Great material about being a fulfilled (no)hero. You must definitely read this book by Tomasz Kozłowski – “The History of a Thousand Fears”. It takes you to the world of Matrix, making you alternate between laughing, drying your wet eyes, nodding with understanding, while thinking that it is all so difficult, so easy at the same time, and so wise. Tomek for president!
Kamil
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“- a thousand fears and a thousand decisions are a thousand changes leading to a thousand splendid victories”. “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man’s determination” and “I saw that fear was going to elevate me to the highest summits of satisfaction, on condition that I surrendered a little to it and started collaborating with it. I mean, does it make any sense to do things that don’t arouse any emotions in us? Isn’t it worth going against the wind, the very wind that makes us cower so much? It’s only beyond the famous comfort zone that we can experience unimaginable things. So there’s no need to plan our fears, no need to plan our victories, all we have to do is hit the road, and the subsequent doors will open to us as soon as we approach them”.
These are my favorite excerpts from this very personal, touching and, at the same time, extremely motivating book. Congratulations Tomasz Kozłowski! Now I’m even more eager to demand your autograph, and maybe even the famous dedication.
Beata
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Thank you, Tomasz, for the meeting. It was an honor for me. “If you’re 100% ready, it means that you’ll rank second” – a beautiful annihilation of perfectionism. This is a book for everyone, not only for parachute jumpers. We can stop ourselves, limit ourselves – but what for? For fear? Wise, self-distanced perspective. I’m absorbing the book.
Kasia
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(…) And now about the book: it’s excellent. I started it in the morning and couldn’t stop. I read the final part unnaturally slowly in order not to overlook anything. Congratulations on your achievement, on defeating your fears and describing it all without playing a hero. Perfect time-framing, everything is coherent and very emotional, from the masculine point of view. Excellent job. Excellent.
Anna