Solid Handshake

Temporarily out of stock

ISBN: 9780473690168
Title: Solid Handshake
Author: MCINTYRE ALISTAIR

LAUNCHGrowing up on civil construction sites, Alistair McIntyre was taught to look people in the eye and give a solid handshake. It was the ?rst of many lessons that have held him in good stead through a life of signi?cant ups and downs.Why write a book? “There are so many inspiring stories I tell over and over again, I thought if I wrote a book, I could just say to people, if you would like to, you can ‘Read the book!’” It started as a dream that turned into a massive personal challenge, especially as reading and writing weren’t his favourite subjects at school. Alistair’s success in his working life has never been to shy away from a challenge, but to accept it, ?nd a way, and achieve. Recognising his personal strengths and weaknesses, he started putting pen to paper, capturing all those stories, and other ideas and thoughts, as well as ?nding people to help him. Within a minute of meeting Alistair, you’ll either be listening to some amazing story – funny or serious or both – or he’ll be pulling a practical joke on you. “What’s that noise?” – What noise? – “Oh, it’s just the sound of you thinking”, or some other smart-aleck line.And once he convinces you to have a go on the mini-digger, you’ll see straight away why he’s so amazing with children. There’s patience, alongside method and thoroughness, and the old-school values he was brought up with. It’s clear that school isn’t the thing for all young people. Why not have a practical go at operating a mini-digger, mixed in with some numeracy and literacy lessons?School was a challenge for Alistair. He wanted to be out there, driving diggers and trucks, putting up fences, herding sheep, and growing his own businesses. And he did, becoming the youngest sheep and cattle trader in the country at just thirteen. By seventeen, he had two businesses – contracting, and refrigerated distribution – and was working all over Northland.In his mid-twenties though, things came to a grinding halt with a horri?c workplace injury, taking Alistair to hell and back. Spiralling downwards, and at a loose end one day, he drew some stick ?gures that eventually became Doug the Digger, a wee machine with a big heart. Thus began a new entrepreneurial opportunity inspiring children and youth to consider roadworks and civil engineering as career options. Alistair is a kinaesthetic learner and uses his own life experiences to provide hands-on learning with his mini digger. For many students, this can be the ?rst time they ?nd purpose and meaning in numeracy and literacy. A stickler for paperwork, Alistair inspires young people to gain the ‘theoretical’ skills they need, but in a practical way. He understands the challenges of learning because he’s been there. And wow! Look at him now! Even his former school teachers are blown away. From originally failing at school, today he passionately promotes doing one’s best at school. With more funny stories than you can poke a spade at, Alistair McIntyre recounts a colourful life with bullet points for L.I.F.E.: Learning Intelligently From Experiences. Covering the length of the country to Civil Contractors NZ national and regional Excavator Operator competitions, to MOTAT, various Field Days, A&P shows, high schools and primary schools, Alistair’s height, distinctive truck, and infectious enthusiasm stand out from a mile away. Always ready with a good ?rm handshake and a smile, don’t miss the opportunity to chat with him. And read his book! It’s an adventure!

Format: Paperback
Price: $65.00