When I Woke Up: One Man's Unbreakable Spirit to Survive

This book definitely speaks volumes. It is an easy read, although I have paced myself so I don't just finish it and have to jump to another one again.

I bought this expecting an Richard Branson style F&B business lesson. However it was more focused on his challenges and life experiences particularly in Egypt. Good stories would like to hear more.

This book reads like a captivating novel. Fascinating and moving, i found myself cheering for Paul Evans. I recommend it.

Think Walter Mitty but with more dire situations. I really didn't think I was going to like this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a memoir, written by Paul Evans and his life coach Carolyn Coe. The story details his life from adolescent until adulthood. The Cliff Notes version is Paul is treated by his peers and teachers as let's just say "less than bright". When his dad encourages him to take an IQ test it turns out that he is a genius and this changes his whole inner thought process and he becomes much more self confident. Paul has many personal things happen to him that should have taken the wind out of his sails. But he pushes on and prevails in every case.Getting beat up in school, wrongly accused of a crime and spending 6 months in prison, coming down with a life-threatening illness, 3 months in a coma, two months in a prison in Cairo (because he's a witness) and living in Egypt while it's society implodes in 2011; Paul survives all this to become a celebrated entrepreneur.This is the kind of book that you just have to keep reading because you get caught up in his, sometimes, self-inflicted maladies and wonder how he is going to recover. But, fortunately he does and is able to use his business acumen to achieve business and personal success.Give this memoir a try. I don't think you will be disappointed.

"May you live in interesting times," a well-known curse, the corollary of course is living in uninteresting times when things are well, you are safe, and in good health. Paul Evans, by some twist of fate, lived in interesting times. He might not be "the world's most interesting man" as the beer commercials preach, but life for Paul was never ever boring. He tells an exciting story with a great narrator's voice. As a reader, you want to hear the rest of the story. Starting with a dyslexic childhood in England before joining Mensa, Paul persevered. Even persevered when he went to prison and when he lost all consciousness for months in a coma as he lived a remarkable Singapore gaming fantasy world life. A remarkable entrepreneur, Paul could sell anything and run any business whether it was selling at home in England or opening a chain of nightclubs in Cairo. He even survived a tour of the Cairo justice system as he found himself once again at rock bottom. At times, inspirational, always filled with his zest for life.

Got to be 5 stars! An excellent read, brilliantly written and extremely interesting.This book had me laughing uncontrollably within its first 2 pages. Another 15 mins in, and I found myself sobbing quietly. This book will take you on an emotional jurney through different stages in the life of Paul Evans; from a small kid with a typewriter to a man who survived prison and cheated death.I stand in awe of the strength of Paul's character. The first word that comes to my mind after reading this book is AMAZING. The second is brave. An Inspirational read and a real lesson to never stop believing in yourself.

An absolutely amazing story of challenge and triumph. Evans describes events of his life that, separately, could prove enough to topple the life of the person experiencing them. Yet he continued to simply get back up, look at where he had landed and decide where best to proceed from there. It is certainly not a fairytale, or a story of it all working out in the end. It is a reminder to keep putting one foot in front of the other, because nothing good comes from wallowing in self-pity. At the very least, if you are moving there is an opportunity for good to find you. I loved the very real picture Evans painted, it was one of the most captivating stories I have read in ages.

Fascinating autobiography of Paul Evans's life in the UK and Egypt from his bullied schoolboy life to very successful times as a restaurant, bar and club owner with all of the highs and lows, successes and failures, wins and losses along the way. He's a man who doesn't know how to quit and whenever faced with failure finds a way to raise himself from the ashes to triumph over it all. A story well written and well told makes for a good read. Recommended.

I enjoyed reading Paul evans life story that is presented in his book called when i woke up , highly recommending it for those who might think that being successful at life is a matter of luck also to those who will want to learn how to turn problems into opportunities

This book is beautifully written and a great read! I giggled, I held my breath in anticipation and I had my eyes filled with tears. "When I Woke Up" is not just a story, but a man's real life, with all it's incredible ups and downs. It's about falling hard, getting back up and starting to walk again - more than just once.I admire Paul's unchallenged perserverence and tenacity, his courage and above all, his strong sense of family and friend values.I'm sure that anyone buying the book will enjoy each and every page and will come out a little stronger, a little more confident and a little more in love with life itself.

What a page turner! Had me gripped from the first chapter. I couldn’t put it down! Finished reading at 1.30am!!!Absolutely brilliantly written and in particular I really like the “wake up” summaries at the end of each section-a very unique way to present and inspire the reader.The book is compelling and takes the reader on an emotional journey; it will have you laughing out loud, fighting back tears and gasping in amazement!I was in Egypt at the time much of this was happening and know Paul and many of the characters and found it an inspiring journey. I am sure that this book will be a phenomenal success and prove to many that anything is possible with the right attitude and determination to succeed.Waiting for the movie :)

This book is truly inspirational, Paul never gives up, his resilience is perhaps the key to his success, he has a great family who show that love can conquer anything. An amazing example of how you can get through many challenges and still enjoy life. I truly hope that my sons can be as close to me as they enter adulthood. Truly touching to read. I came across this book due to the wonderful charity work that Paul”a mother does, I’m so grateful to read this book and to be inspired.

A fantastic true story that I could not put down that mirrored so much in my own life, I felt every moment. A true success story against adversity that is the life we live. Never give up! Thank you Eliza for suggesting this book!