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Donor Authors Book and Donates Author's Proceeds to CFWNC and Others

At 47 years old, with rugged good looks and leaping energy, Tony Brown has ridden bulls, climbed mountains and piloted planes. The Asheville native has raced cars, fought in a Toughman Contest and helped found the successful management consulting firm, Public Consulting Group. Now Brown adds "author" to the list.

He recently published "A Happy Guide to a Short Life: A Response to Ms. Quindlen’s Fine Book"– inspired by journalist Anna Quindlen’s book “A Short Guide to a Happy Life” – and is donating the author’s proceeds to a handful of nonprofits across the country, including The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Readers can choose the organization they wish to support when they purchase the book on Amazon.com. The Brown family has held a charitable endowment fund at the Foundation since 2004.

"The Community Foundation, in my words, is all about making life better for folks who live in these beautiful mountains," Brown says. "Who can argue with that? Better schools, helping the needy, cleaner water and air, industry-leading health care. Pick one, pick any, pick all of these efforts. The Foundation understands what is important in the greater Asheville area, helps folks prioritize and organizes focused grants to have a real impact. It is very powerful."

He didn’t set out to write a book, he says. But after a particularly grueling day, an employee gave him Quindlen’s book, which he read during an airport layover and flight. He immediately reacted to her advice to find meaning outside of work, marking each page margin with his thoughts as he read. By the time he’d finished reading, his book was nearly complete.

Now available in paperback and peppered with spectacular photography, Brown’s book says life should be "one circle" where work, family, friends and play are indistinguishable. Brown says he hopes his book will, among other things, encourage thoughtful generosity, a philosophy he aims to live by. Though he lives with his wife, Kathryn, and children Daniel, Miles and Julia in Davidson, N.C., he still spends much of his time with family who live in Western North Carolina.

"In the words of Anna Quindlen: 'C’mon, let’s be honest. We have an embarrassment of riches,'" Brown says. "For many of us who grew up and live in Western North Carolina, her statement rings exceptionally true. What a great place to be born. The least we can do is give a little back."

The book is available for $14.95 here. For more information, visit www.happyguidetoashortlife.com.

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