A Tale of Three Ships is an extended parable about the three possible directions every person's life will take. Using the metaphor of Columbus and his three ships, Edwards demonstrates convincingly that each of us will spend our days on one of the three possible approaches to life: the sinking ship, the cruise ship, or the battleship. The goal of the sinking ship is personal survival, the cruise ship is unbridled enjoyment, and the battleship is meaningful influence.

Edwards believes that every one of us has an "extraordinary dream"--the combined vision, ability, and passion that enables us to attack life and not just survive or enjoy. A Tale of Three Ships provides specific and practical guidelines for discovering one's extraordinary dream and how to embark on the great adventure of bringing it to reality.