therefore we are imperfect. While funny and a little irreverent - maybe with

a touch of cynicism; it's a different and direct approach to teaching

survival in the trenches. This is a reality check, not about selfishness but

rather a discussion of the unique individual perspective that each of us has

as we each struggle to interpret, survive and overcome the world around us.

It is an illumination of the human condition and a discussion of how to

navigate the world with that in mind.

In this sense, I Come First is more aptly about forgiveness. It forgives

each of us for our flaws, and forgives the political process and recognizes

its value. Nicholas explains that politics, at its core, is really just the

way in which a group of people make a decision. And it forgives all the bad

stuff as part of the human condition. We are surrounded by people with

differing perspectives and values, and becoming offended is a

counterproductive distraction. Rather, it reminds us to be understanding and

perhaps even empathetic, and with this knowledge each of us can be vastly

more effective.

I Come First discusses subjects such as becoming more effective, perception,

managing and being managed, politics and surviving day-to-day. This is a

story about each one of us. It's a bit of How to Swim with the Sharks and

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, with a little Dilbert

and Stanley Bing thrown in. The result is unique and more than the sum of

its influences. It deals with how we behave and interact, what we want and

the tools we each use to accomplish (or prevent ourselves from reaching) our

goals.