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What are your plans now?" Any recent graduate who gets asked that inevitable question will appreciate the insightful and eclectic interviews gathered in the new book, Kickstart: How Successful Canadians Got their Start. Authors Alexander Herman, Paul Matthews and Andrew Feindel, all high school friends, experienced that uncertainty when university is completed and going onto that next step is often un-definable and overwhelming. So after sitting around with a few drinks and realizing how many of their friends felt the same, they decided to start interviewing well-known Canadians to explore what paths they'd taken to kickstart their careers.

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From left: Alex Herman, Paul Matthews and Andrew Feindel are touring the country to promote new book.

Recently in Fredericton as part of their book-tour, the authors shared some of their thoughts on writing and the difficulties of the publishing world. Their persistence paid off and the result is a series of interviews that prove to be inspiring for both the authors and readers. Particularly for the authors was an interview with Annette Vesture, the CEO of Home Depot Canada.

"She grew up on a farm on Cape Breton Island and, along with her brothers, had to run the show after her father had some health problems when she was a teenager," Herman says. "She's inspiring for the simple reason that she's taken any adversity - being a woman in the business world, coming from a small community - and used it to her advantage. Now, they have her in charge of Home Depot's expansion in China."

From politicians (Former PM Brian Mulroney), to artists (Christopher Pratt), astronauts (Roberta Bondar) and law (Eddie Greenspan), the wide range of more than 70 interviews is as wide as the range of great Canadian personalities. The stories are in their own words and not always as one would expect. Some found early success and had a direct passion while others took the long and windy road to success and even some others help us to redefine what we consider success in the first place. Indeed, what stands out in the book is just that; the definition of success. It seems that's the one common thread in all the interviews. Success was defined on their terms and becoming successful is really finding what you love and doing it with integrity, passion and commitment. The intent for the book was to feel like a casual conversation and it doesn't disappoint. Where else can you sit down and read about Raffia's musical aspirations or laugh out loud on June Callwood's astute sociological observations or get career advice from an ex-Prime Minister.

The book has a natural dialogue feel which extends nicely into the authors' plan to invite others to submit stories, interviews and especially get young people talking.

"We're really enthusiastic about bringing Kickstart into universities and high schools," Herman says. "On our tour, we've been lucky to speak with students and people in administration. We really think young people should know what options exist out there. Often they're told they have to decide on career paths at an early age, but have no idea what route to take. We'd like this book to perhaps provide some answers."

Pick up this book at your local bookstore and enjoy having vicarious conversations with some Canada's most well known people and how they define success. This is a great book, and simply put, written by some great guys. A part of the proceeds of sales go towards CanLyme, a foundation raising awareness for the fight against Lyme disease in Canada.

For more information on Kickstart visit www.kickstartcanada.com