NEW BOOK Reveals How a Generation of Bold, Innovative and Generous (BIG) People Is Mastering Life and Giving Back in Extraordinary Ways - Despite the Economic Meltdown

Author and Financial Expert Jeffrey Smith Profiles Philanthropic Visionaries -
Including One Laptop per Child founder Nicholas Negroponte - and Shares
Financial Strategies in a Step by Step Guide to Living and Giving BIG

A Portion of Book Proceeds to be Donated to Charities Profiled
ST. LOUIS--(Business Wire)--
Economic downturns lead most people to hunker down, bemoan their fate, and wait
for forces beyond their control to bring back better days. But even in a time of
unprecedented economic uncertainty, it is possible, through innovation, boldness
and careful planning to realize the financial freedoms that lead to an
extraordinary lifestyle that empowers one to give back. Author and financial
planning expert Jeffrey Smith reveals how in his new book "GenerationBIG ~ The
Rising Tide of Dreams to Action" (Brand Artist Press, 179 pp, $19.95,
booksales@GenerationBIG.com, www.amazon.com). $5.00 from each copy sold is being
donated to charitable organizations, including those profiled in the book.

"While others ride out the economic tsunami in the storm cellar, BIG people
develop bold vision, devise innovative game plans, and change the world with
generous action," said Smith. "Our goal is to inspire you with stories of BIG
people, guide you with innovative ideas, and connect you with others in the
rising tide."

In "GenerationBIG ~ The Rising Tide of Dreams to Action," Smith, together with
co-authors Tom Ruwitch and Mark Patterson, profiles a number of extraordinary
21st century philanthropists who, through a combination of passion, vision,
determination and connections, have given back in a BIG way.

Profiles include:

* Nicholas Negroponte, founder of One Laptop per Child, whose bold vision is to
distribute two billion low-cost laptop computers to children in developing
nations around the globe.
* Brian Mullaney, co-founder of Smile Train, which has repaired the cleft lips
or palates of more than 500,000 children and was the subject of Academy Award
winning film, "Smile Pinki - A Real World Fairy Tale."
* Will Austin, the indefatigable visionary and founder of the Institute of
Affordable Transportation, a non profit with a mission to improve lives and self
reliance in impoverished countries by facilitating the spread of simple Basic
Utility Vehicles - designed by Austin and a team of volunteers and student
engineers to have 95% fewer parts than an average car - that can be assembled
almost anywhere, anytime.
* Bruce Cohn, owner of B.R. Cohn Winery and lifelong manager of the Doobie
Brothers, who weaves massive generosity into all his business ventures - and in
so doing, makes those businesses more fruitful and his life more fulfilling.
* Jeremy Courtney, a 29-year-old from central Texas, who has moved to northern
Iraq, from where he helps Iraqi children receive life-saving heart surgery in
Israel - and in so doing, helps connect communities that are otherwise at odds.
* Betsey Beckmann, a stay-at-home mom who, together with her young daughters,
runs a charity out of her basement to supply coats, hats, and gloves to school
children who can`t afford them.

While amazing stories have the power to inspire, Smith recognizes that
inspiration alone is not enough. "GenerationBIG," says Smith, "is more than a
self-help book offering feel good stories and positive thinking." It`s an
invaluable tool providing financial expertise, real world guidance and insider
insights - drawn directly from the authors and people profiled - to help the
reader become BIG or get even BIGger.

Highlights include:

* Nine key attributes of BIG people
* Six financial planning principles to help you fuel your BIG dreams.
* Exercises to help develop and clarify your BIG ideas without potential
obstacles clouding your vision.
* Ideas to market your unique expertise so you can escape the "hours-for-dollars
cage" and pursue BIG dreams with more money and fewer time constraints.

"GenerationBIG: A Rising Tide of Dreams to Action" is part of a larger
grassroots movement, identified by Smith and his partners, that includes the
GenerationBIG.com website and the BIG Across America campaign, designed to
inspire, guide and connect BIG individuals with their BIG dreams. In his
research for the book, Smith discovered that BIG people come in all ages and
from all backgrounds. "BIG is not a demographic," he noted, "It`s a mindset, and
it`s a movement. Through our GenerationBIG book, website and Big Across America
effort, we want to help as many people as possible join this movement." For more
information, visit www.GenerationBIG.com.

About GenerationBIG.com

GenerationBIG.com serves a hub for the BIG community, providing inspiration,
guidance, connections, news and resources. Visitors to the site are invited to
share their own BIG story and to join the GenerationBIG community to receive
regular e-newsletters, invitations to special events and other information.

About BIG Across America

To celebrate and grow the BIG movement, Smith and his co-authors are launching
BIG Across America - a yearly campaign to identify and celebrate one or more BIG
people from each of the country`s 435 congressional districts. The GenerationBIG
team will seek to identify and honor people and organizations that are bold,
innovative and generous. Those selected will have an opportunity to be profiled
on the GenerationBIG.com website, included in local and national events and
media coverage, and featured in future GenerationBIG publications.

About the Author

Jeffrey Smith is a writer and Certified Financial Planner with more than 20
years' experience in estate, tax and financial planning, with a special emphasis
in assisting clients with their philanthropic endeavors. A recognized leader in
his field, Smith lectures regularly and has published numerous papers, articles
and newsletters on estate planning and other financial matters.

* Interviews & Photos Upon Request

GenerationBIG
Jeffrey Smith, 314-256-9172
js@GenerationBIG.com
www.GenerationBIG.com
or
Coats PR
Michael Coats, 707-939-1243 (Media)
Michael@coatspr.com
or
Marty LaPlante, 707-939-1243 (Media)
mlpspotzy@aol.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009