“Dream, Dream Dream; Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action. You must dream before your dreams can come true. Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended,” thus wrote Dr Adbul Kalam, a great dreamer of all times.

This book is all about such a dream by a child Jake to fly by air and visit places.  Not he alone, but he wanted his parents too to enjoy the pleasure of flying in an aircraft.  How Jake fructified this dream – by his dedication, hard work and will to fulfill is narrated well.

It is the story of the journey of Jake from his birth to his travel from Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast of USA.  It is a detailed travelogue where Jake recalls his journey in USA and connects it with what he underwent growing in Kerala, Military School, University and over three decades of dedicated military service.  Throughout the book, Jake travels between his life in India and the journey through USA.

The book is akin to what Jake says – Life is a story that unravels page by page every day and we individually script and star in that story. The book can well be summarised into this line.  Jake felt very proud when the lady at the counter at Hollywood offered him a Veteran’s concession ticket and said, “Thank you very much Sir, for the service to Your Nation.”

Jake brings out many life lessons through his journey.  While apple picking, he realises – Those overtaken by greed end up with fewer apples and a torn bag.

Walking through the woods during the Fall, Jake philosophises – When winter wore off, green shoots sprang up all over.  Nobody noticed the dead leaves fall. People noticed only the green.

Jake is a foodie and he concludes – Food has a strong sense of identity.  It is one way of reaching and breaching cultural barriers.

Driving through Carmel Bay and on seeing The Lone Tree, Jake’s outlook is worth a read – She is called the Lone Tree, not the Lonely Tree. She exemplifies the will to live.

Looking at this book as a travelogue, it brings out many tips to the travelers to North America.

• Nothing comes free in this part of the world.
• Every town has a museum or two – every other street in a city houses a museum.  These museums display artefacts very well documented.  You must visit those which interests you.
• Research well before setting out.  Collect as much information about the place, weather, places on interest, buildings and monuments to be visited, etc. 
• Whatever you see, correlate with what you have seen in your motherland, learn what you can do to improve your life, your family’s, and the people around you.
• Observe courtesies extended to you by mostly unknown persons  – what ever small it may be -and try and practice it in your day-to-day life on return.
• Armed with the information, you will enjoy and understand the culture and history better.
• Observe the enactments of various historical events – least you can help your grandchildren to in their presentations to be Different.
• Your friends and well wishers are your life’s investment.  If you have been kind to them, they will be kind to you in a foreign land, where no one has time for anyone else.

The book is titled Dare Dream Different, but if you Dream then you will Dare which will make you Different.

The book is available on Amazon