Review of The Mindset

[Corinna Borsato]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Mindset" by Ace Bowers.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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We do not choose the family we are born into. Nobody assesses the fitness of our parents before they raise us. Consequently, this lack of control can result in traumas, fears, unhealthy behaviors, and unhappiness—all direct consequences of the many things imposed upon us without our consent. This emotional baggage, over time, can weigh us down, press heavily on our chest, and threaten to suffocate us. It must be acknowledged. We need to make peace with what lies beyond our control and stems from the faults of those closest to us. Only by shifting our mindset from victimhood to resilience can we detach from past wrongs and move forward toward future success.

In The Mindset—a compelling and motivating memoir—Ace does exactly this. Born into a dysfunctional, alcohol-abusing family, he grew up quickly, always wary of his surroundings as he witnessed constant fights and financial struggles. As a child, he became increasingly frustrated with his socioeconomic condition and home life. He hid the truth from most of his peers, maintaining the appearance of normalcy at all costs.

Unfortunately, after finishing high school, the truth became unavoidable: while others had paths laid out for them or opportunities to grow, he did not. Failure and unemployment pushed him into a pit of self-pity and destructive habits. But life was not done with him yet. Through angel-like figures—what the protagonist believes to be God’s intervention—he was gradually offered the tools to initiate change. One of these pivotal moments came when he met Yuka, the love of his life.

Yuka understood him, listened to him, and soothed him. She found him at his worst and stood by his side through every challenge. She never gave up on him. More importantly, she became a catalyst for the transformation within him.
When she unexpectedly became pregnant and decided to keep the baby, Ace was confronted with the inescapable reality of his circumstances. He found himself at a crossroads. To provide his wife and child with a better life than the one he had endured, he realized he would need to work hard. He would have to embrace the mindset of an overcomer to escape his self-loathing and despair.

I truly loved everything about Ace’s story. His honesty, his willingness to learn from his past, and his determination to improve himself and set an example for others are deeply inspiring. Despite experiencing extreme lows, he overcame them all. This is no small feat. As evidenced by his friend Anthony, sometimes the darkness can be overwhelming, obstructive, and ultimately destructive.

Furthermore, I admire Ace’s work ethic. His desire to go above and beyond, volunteer, and demonstrate his dedication truly made a difference in his journey.

Finally, I respect his ability to let go of the anger toward those who caused him pain at such a young age. He realized that every story has different sides and that there are no true villains—only victims of circumstance.

The book is masterfully edited, with clear and vivid language. It was a short yet powerful read. I cannot find anything to criticize about Ace’s self-narrated story. The author has created a motivational guide to success, drawing from his own challenging personal history. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone—it is a masterpiece of autobiographical work. For all these reasons, I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars.

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The Mindset
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[Gerry Steen]

Your review of Ace's story convinces me that it is a book that is worthwhile to spend time reading. No one has a perfect family, and we all have to deal with the scars we received at a young age. This story can certainly resonate with anyone. Thank you for this thorough review. I am adding this book to my bookshelves.