REVIEWS
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“A Canadian businessman shares stories from his life and career. Klein opens his memoir with an anecdote from the time he was a little boy in 1930s Saskatchewan, a back-seat passenger in his uncle’s brand-new Buick, scanning the roadsides for discarded bottles that could be redeemed for cash deposits. The combination of humor and passion in every chapter proves irresistible, and the author’s willingness to look squarely at his own darkest times gives the book an unexpected dramatic heft.”
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─Kirkus Reviews
Listen to a reading of the full Kirkus Review
​"I have just finished reading this amazing book written by Life Member Will Klein (National President 1965-66). He was a member of the Saskatoon and Regina Queen City Kinsmen Clubs. Several of the chapters are dedicated to his time in Kin.It even has a chapter on Kin Founder Hal Rogers and how he was a mentor to Will.An interesting bio read - Will discusses his failures and successes (he became a successful businessman), and life hardships and how he overcame them. Truly a motivating and uplifting book which I highly recommend."
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─​Randy Sidhu, Executive Director, Kin Canada,
Amazon Reviewer, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
"As we meet people throughout our lives, we get to know what they’re about -- but only later do we learn who they truly are, and the people, circumstances, and events that have shaped their lives.
We met Will Klein nearly 25 years ago when we first became associated with his SkyMed International. We knew he loved hockey since hockey memorabilia adorned his office. But it was not until we read Will Klein’s From Nothing to 90 that we learned how he overcame overwhelming adversity growing up as an adopted child in Saskatchewan, where he constantly pitched in to help his parents, brother, and sisters when enormous challenges abounded in the 1930s. Will was consumed by the constant desire to help others, and in pursuit of that singular goal he met many people, including hockey legends and many others -- the kind of people the rest of us simply read about as they accomplish global recognition in the press.
From Nothing to 90 is a remarkable life story in which we learn the details of Will Klein’s life, marked by events we’d expect only in folklore. But it is a consummately real story of a gentleman whose warmth, intelligence, exuberance, and passion are beyond mortal expectations: From Nothing to 90 is a book you will want to read in a single sitting. It has been our great pleasure to know Will & Eleanore Klein for these many years."
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─​Ilene S. Berger, Amazon Reviewer, Plymouth, Massachusetts and Saint Maarten
“I have known the author as a friend and business associate for more than 35 years.
Will Klein was the President of Pioneer Life Assurance Company which set a record within the life insurance industry by it annual profit record for 15 years from its inception. When a sister company, Pioneer Trust, went into voluntary liquidation, a friend of mine with ownership of a $3 billion trust company acquired the assets of Pioneer Trust.
They suggested we meet to see if we could find some opportunities for Will through our common bond within the life insurance industry. We met in my offices in an old Victorian mansion we owned in downtown Toronto. Expecting to meet an innocent victim of negative financial circumstances. Will arrived with a smile on his face and was filled with stories of his situation in Western Canada and an enthusiasm for the future.
He was 53 years old. He had other ideas which would lead him to begin anew in Arizona, first as an insurance consultant and then as a business entrepreneur again.
A few years passed, we met again with Will, who had just acquired the name SkyMed. He saw a business opportunity in the burgeoning snowbird industry, a medical repatriation company for recreational vehicle travelers.
This led him to Lloyds of London through a lawyer friend of mine, who was experienced in international law, to examine a program of mutual risk taking of SkyMed's member services. It was a 2-year learning experience for Will Klein. Over more than 30 years SkyMed has grown into a global leader having multiple services for a cumulative membership of 600,000 travelers (about half the population of Hawaii).
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We have remained good friends to this day when at the age of 90 his energy and lust for life is as remarkable as when I met him. FNT90 is an amazing story worth reading to learn what a man who never gave up could achieve in life. A great read.”
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─​Paul Lane, President Lane Insurance Agencies, Toronto, Ontario
“We have just finished your book, how exhilarating. We are the same age, looking back over 25 years, one of our regrets is that we never got to know you better until FNT90. I too was a paper carrier for Cambridge Jeffersonian and the Indianapolis Star.
Thanks, Will for “being who you are” and doing what you have done. You inspired lives, saved lives, made us all better, we want to thank you for that. What a wonderful collection of events to leave for us.
The greatest compliment we can pay you, we will order more books for our three adult children: James, Jill Dee and Dan.”
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─Loretta and Jim Moss, Cambridge, Ohio
“A fascinating personal reflection and insider account of key political figures, issues and events that shaped Saskatchewan.”
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─Dale Eisler, Canadian journalist, author and screen writer, his most recent,
​Anton: A Young Boy, His Friend and the Russian Revolution,
has been made into a movie
“This is a How to Book on recovering from adversity. If there is one word to describe Will Klein, for me, it would be inspirational. In the 37 years I have known him I have always been impressed by his business acumen. His positive nature is contagious.
We first met at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I was a young, aspiring life insurance agent that needed a jump start and a mentor. Will inspired and encouraged me. Years later I remembered those generous traits and reached out to him to be Audit Committee Chairman of FTFC.
You can always count on him. Read From Nothing To 90 and you will know why.”
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─Gregg Zahn, Chairman, President and CEO,
​First Trinity Financial Corporation, Tulsa, Oklahoma
“Your experience with early television brought back some great memories. We received the set on a Saturday and the first night we watched Hockey Night in Canada, so many years ago but I still remember the Maple Leafs and Canadiens right in our living room.
Your experiences with Kinmen/World Council. Challenge, responsibility, dedication and accomplishment. Wow. What a ride Will!
Reading Morris Schumiacher congratulations on your appointment to the Order of Canada, what an eloquent message. He was the drafter of the Saskatchewan Bill of Rights.
You have a few topics in FNT90 that could generate other books. Your journey to dual citizenship, Today’s Arizona Woman magazine and the current SkyMed story.
You have had a great ride so far, keep riding.”
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─Jack Fleming, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
“Will Klein is an exceptional Canadian and proud life member of an all-Canadian service club organization, Kin Canada. In From Nothing To 90, Will shares how his journey in Kin led him down a life-changing path to personal and professional excellence.”
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─Terri MacCannell, Past National President, Kin Canada 2017-2018
“Every business student needs to have access to your story of bumps and bruises to success, every person in the travel industry needs to read FNT90 and learn.
Never giving up is the most solid advice. Your tribute to those who were your mentors is not only interesting for who they were but the profound effect they had on your journey and the respect they had for you and you for them.
One of the best quotes I found fitting for me was from Herb Pinder, ‘You only get to sell your good name once’ Oh, so true.
I want to give several friends a chance to read FNT90. From Nothing To 90 was a most enjoyable read.”
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─Jerry Kohout, Denton, Texas
“From Nothing To 90 reveals a treasure trove of historical pearls which shaped the great people of Saskatchewan in the early 1900s (and beyond), including my father, ‘Mr. Hockey,’ Gordie Howe. Will Klein reminds us that EVERYONE has a story (or stories) worth telling.”
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─Murray A. Howe, MD., Musculoskeletal Radiology & Sports Medicine Imagining, Toledo, Ohio,
Radiology Associates, Pro Medical Health Care Systems.
And a national best-selling author of Nine Lessons I learned from My Father
“To read the autobiography of someone you have known and admired your entire life and learn so many wonderful, inspiring and ambitious things about them is truly incredible. In his deeply personal memoir, Will Klein has done a wonderful job of mapping his life from the beginning to the present.
His humble beginnings, chosen into a family of love, set the foundation for his ‘never give up’ personality, which served him well in his leadership roles. He shares details of family, countless friendships, and opportunities, including his Leader Post days, career into transition into the dawn of television, Kinsmen, Pioneer Life, Today’s Arizona Woman and SkyMed.
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Will’s story is a testament to perseverance and accomplishment, filled with examples that highlight his dedication to his work and community. Each chapter tells of ambition, resilience and significant achievement making it clear why this man is so admired. The author’s words resonate with truth and determination, never, ever give up.”
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─Shelly and Mike Daniel, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
“From Nothing To 90 is a heart-felt story of a great person whom I admire and respect, Will Klein. It is a story of triumph, adversity, and Will’s ascension to the pinnacle of success.
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The book is truly a journey of a life filled with firsthand experiences, some great, others of hard knocks and some that brought tears to my eyes. A must read.”
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─Gary L. Sherrer, a founding board member of First Trinity Financial Corporation,
Oklahoma’s first Secretary of Agriculture and a proud Vietnam veteran
“I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Saskatchewan, its trials and tribulations. It was so riveting that I could not put it down. I laughed aloud many times when you said the early television advertising industry characters and lifestyles were accurately displayed in the series Mad Men.
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Debi is reading it and she has given me strict orders to not tell her about any details as it would spoil the suspense of finding out what happens next, She is right as I feel it is a real ‘page turner’ because I could not wait to see what was going to happen in the following chapter.”
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─Jerry Rush, CNE, BRE, Royal Lepage Network Realty Corporation, Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada
“You are so supportive, never threatened by anyone else’s success. Your attitude and work ethic have made you wealthy and successful. You define networking. Public speaking is never a natural trait but is nurtured and developed.
I had no idea you were a world traveler at such an early time in your life when air travel was a rarity.
Newspapers have been exceptionally good for you jump started your career, found a solution for Eleanore’s breast cancer, and put you on a path to find your biological dad. Wow. God bless you, Will, thanks for authoring your amazing story.”
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─Catherine Gonzales, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico and Houston, Texas
“Will – I LOVED your Memoir!
Your command of the English language is amazing and your recollection of all the things that happened in your long and rich life is phenomenal. Your writing about the Kinsmen years brought back so many happy memories. It was an honour and a privilege for me to serve on your National Executive during the year that you were National Kinsmen President.
Your life story is a perfect blueprint on how to age gracefully in our modern world. You have always had a purpose in your life, you have devoted much of your time doing volunteer work, but you have always put your family first. In other words, you have managed to have what most people try to achieve – a perfect work/life balance.
You are the Number One choice for the Poster Person for the senior set.
I hope you will continue writing and that there will be books of fiction in your future. You are now an accomplished author; you are truly ‘a force of nature’.
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Congratulations on a job well-done.”
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─Betty Stein, Calgary, Alberta
"In my 33 years with Airstream, many mutual beneficial long-term relationships were formed, none more rewarding than with Will Klein’s SkyMed team. They literally saved the lives of many close family friends during my tenure and beyond. SkyMed has served Airstream owners regardless of world location, to return home quickly for medical treatment. SkyMed is the longest tenured service provider to Airstream owners, a testament to its value.”
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─Larry Huttle, retired President and Chairman of Airstream, the iconic recreational vehicle
"Will Klein is the epitome of what I and millions just like me aspire to be when we turn 90. I told Will for years he was a gifted writer. He just proved me right.”
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─Patricia Drain, motivational and personal coach to thousands seeking life improvement via PatriciaDrain.com. Author of 15 books including Hire Me, now in its 12th printing and available in several languages