Don't Tell Me It Can't Be Done

Don't Tell Me It Can't Be Done
Ray Hickey
Ship's Wheel Press
ISBN: 978-0-615-19483-7
Non-Fiction, Memoir
Reviewed by Kate Greenwood

Reading Ray Hickey’s memoir, Don’t Tell Me It Can’t Be Done", is like having a fascinating conversation with your grandfather as he shares the stories and strategies of his success in life. Hickey lived out the American Dream by using hard work and dedication to go from deckhand through the ranks to owner of Tidewater Barge Lines, a profitable and well known barge company on the Columbia River. Hickey created his inspirational book by weaving together his personal stories with sound business advice. He is enthusiastic in spreading the knowledge of how to take control of your career while also cautioning the reader that his success was largely due to a lack of career plan.
This book is ideal for people in all levels of the workforce because Hickey’s recommendations are useful and applicable for anyone looking to be successful whether in their current position or in moving up the corporate ladder. Hickey has an extremely practical view on work and life and it is refreshing to read of an executive so in touch with his employees. “I’ll never forget the maintenance superintendent who every once in a while used to say to me as I moved up in the company, Hey, Hickeystein- do you think all this so-called success that you’re having is worth it? I think I finally have an answer for him. If by success he meant developing close friendships with some of the best people on earth, then the answer is yes. It was worth every bit of it.”
For Ray Hickey, Tidewater Barge Lines was more than just a job, it was his passion, his family and his inspiration. Hopefully some of this will rub off on you, the reader, as you enjoy his book.