The purpose of this book is to give to my family and offspring, for my friends, and for "Parkies", but its message is for everyone: A positive attitude is essential, and courage reward. The two add up to hope and hope is everything. It keeps the glass full.
We've all heard several of our friends state with conviction, those famous hollow words "write a book."
It occurred to me that I have a lot to say to my kids and grandkids. I'm thankful that I had the courage to say it all - the story of my life, my business, my commitment to my family, community, my friends and especially my battle against Parkinson's disease. My intent is to present hopefully, a philosophy of life and a positive attitude.
 

 Why do people read biographies and memoirs? Often such books contain intriguing historical insights. Sometimes they expose skeletons in closets. And sometimes which is the case with this book, they are guaranteed to make people laugh and give them hope and help them to take life one bite at a time, facing obstacles head on, handling failure with dignity and refusing to carry old baggage forward.

We've all heard several of our friends state with conviction those famous hollow words, "I should write a book". As Bruce Layne reflected on his life in the summer of 2002, it occurred to him that he had a lot to say to his kids and grandkids that would best be expressed in a book. He quickly dispensed with the "shouldas" and "couldas" and a year later there was the book.

Layne's story tells of overcoming the challenges of a family split up, a disastrous first attempt at college, his efforts to revolutionize the insurance industry, his bringing business acumen to the often helter skelter world of bit-time boxing, his foray into state politics and his latest major battle against Parkinson's disease. Through it all he's employed a gentle demeanor and a firm resolve that is beguiling and intoxicating to observe. One of his friends said of Bruce "He's a velvet hammer. When you see what he's faced and what he's overcome, you can't help but be inspired by his life."

 

BRUCE LAYNE NEEDED A COLLABORATOR ON HIS BOOK.. JACK SHEEHAN (AUTHOR OF SKIN CITY) COMES TO THE RESCUE

"I had met Bruce Layne a couple of times through the years at social functions and recalled his run for Lt. Governor about ten years ago, but I had never spoken to him at any length. So I thought it was old that his name kept coming up in conversations with different people in four or five instances, mutual friends of our told me that Bruce was working on his memoirs and that he needed help. One even said that Bruce was going to call me to get some advice.
But I heard nothing. And then one more person out of the blue told me that Bruce was in need of some editorial help, so I gave him a call. I was working on two other book projects at the time and didn't see how I could offer more than a few quick suggestions about different ways he might approach the challenge of writing history. But I volunteered to meet with Bruce and see how I might assist. I met with Bruce's office in Henderson and he handed me notes and outlines and questionnaires and scribbles and other puzzle pieces that Bruce was hoping would magically come together to tell the story. I realized that I was just not mechanically inclined to do this. Now Bruce being the bright guy that he is, quickly recognized that the assembler in the matter of his book needed to be me. And thus we struck a deal that led to the collection of words and thoughts and emotions you hold in your hands.

We found the rhythm that worked for both of us. It was not an easy task, but with Bruce it was effortless. Bruce Layne's story is one of achievement and success, of a man overcoming early struggles, always keeping his chin up and eye straight ahead and through perseverance and hard work and clear thinking building the largest private insurance agency in the state of Nevada.

Bruce's story is far more than that. It's having and nurturing a great family, and never sloughing off the obligations of matrimony and parenthood. And it It's about paying his civic rent to the community of Las Vegas, every inch of the way. And of course it's a story that includes his more recent battle, the one against and adversary named PARKINSON'S, and how at a point in his life when it appeared Bruce had cleared every significant hurdle placed in his life.

Instead of despairing and bemoaning his fate, Bruce has looked this new obstacle full in the face and set up a foundation that will eventually unlock the secrets of this debilitating disease.

On the following web link you can read about my book and find out how to order by going to .

All proceeds from the sale of "MY GIFT" and event presentations are donated to Parkinson disease organizations.

 BRUCE LAYNE

A LOCAL LAS VEGAS ENTREPRENEUR AND AUTHOR