Re: CALLING ALL STUDENTS, MENTORS, TEAMS -- SPREAD THE COOL
 

It's an honor to have been a part of the book; however, the thing I realized most while I was reading it (started at 2 am last night and finished it in a sitting) was how much I miss FIRST. Honestly, nothing has quite compared to the experience yet (enjoy it while you can!), and I really hope that I'll be able to mentor or get involved otherwise in a few years! Also, in case anyone was wondering, the events in the book were unbelievably realistic. I couldn't help but burst out in laughter when seeing utterly inane quotes from some of my teammates ;).
@Neal: The book turned out so well. I hadn't read any of your other works, and was surprised at how accurately and enjoyably the story was told. As I said, I read it in one sitting!

Order the book! It's a really fun read, and the there are so many things about build and competition that remind you how awesome the FIRST community really is.

Re: CALLING ALL STUDENTS, MENTORS, TEAMS -- SPREAD THE COOL
 

Thanks for the idea, Dan. Yes, by all means, please use the book to pass to colleagues, management at your company.

Another idea suggested to me yesterday was to have teams give copies as gifts to physics/math teachers at their local schools to promote the start of FIRST teams.

Keep'em coming and please spread this Delphi thread to other mentors/students/teams.

Neal

Re: CALLING ALL STUDENTS, MENTORS, TEAMS -- SPREAD THE COOL
 

I just finished reading up to ship. This book puts into words how FIRST is and could make anyone who hasn't experienced it appreciate what its all about.

Re: CALLING ALL STUDENTS, MENTORS, TEAMS -- SPREAD THE COOL
 

I got a copy at St. Louis Saturday, and even got it signed (you may remember me, from Team 3507). Thanks again for that!

It was an amazing read, I read it as soon as I could (finished it by Sunday night - it got a bit dark on the bus ride home and I didn't want to disturb the rest of the team), and the only other team member who's had a chance to read any of it was really enthused too! It's incredibly realistic, and reminds me yet again just how awesome FIRST is, and how much farther our team has to go to join the elite.

Apart from just the amazing story in general and Mr. Shaeer's incredible goals, it's even a better read for anyone related to FIRST. It's unbelievable seeing everything exactly the way it is, and you can learn a lot about how the process can, should, and will work from the book.

I think I'm going to donate that signed copy (We had already ordered another, but I wanted a signed one) to the team, and have everyone who will read it, read it. I'd almost consider making it required reading for newbies, show them what they're getting into, what it will require of them and what it's all for.

Thank you, Neal, for all the hard effort you put into writing that book!

P.S. I saw the D'Penguineers at St. Louis (we were actually in the same division), and if I'd known the book was about you guys I probably would have come to talk to you guys - and see if I could meet Amir. He sounds like an incredibly talented mentor and teacher!

Re: CALLING ALL STUDENTS, MENTORS, TEAMS -- SPREAD THE COOL
 

Great book, I both laughed and cried, more laughing of course. I let out a little yell in the airplane on the way back from Orlando and the VEX worlds when I read our team number. I forgot where I was, oops. I could sooo relate to Amir's story, so many parallels to my own. While I was in Goleta over the weekend I tried to talk everyone into a trip to Freebirds'. A no go.

Looking forward to the sequel. Now do I pass it off to a team member or should I read it again?