Customer Reviews

Chain Reaction A Call To Compassionate Revolution

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read the book Chain Reaction and I would like to say that I am very proud of my dad who wrote it. I know that for him it is a personal tribute to Rachel, as well as his passion to make a difference. And he is. I know that I am biased in my opinion but I wanted to take the opportunity to say how proud I am of him and I know that if my sister Rachel was here she would say the same thing. My dad has spent countless hours and hours educating himself and others on the issues facing our society today. This book challenges us all to be proactive in reaching out to others.

About a month ago, I read "The Diary of Anne Frank" and was moved by that young girl's struggle to discover and express her humanity during the Holocaust. In "Chain Reaction", Darrell Scott, the father of Columbine victim Rachel Scott, uses his daughter's journals to describe her similar struggle when faced with the modern teenager's Holocaust of sex, drugs, alcohol, bullying, materialism, broken homes, and violent culture. In particular, he explains the code of ethics she developed (forgiving, loving, helping, leading, and showing mercy for others), which caused her to be a force for good at her high school, reaching out to the most vulnerable students (the disabled, the new kids, and the outcasts) regardless of how it might affect her popularity. Although this code grew from Rachel's deep Christian faith, the book is nonsectarian and emphasizes the universality of her everyday successes and failures at trying to figure out what the right thing to do is and then have the courage to do it. The book also points out that Rachel was no saint and no namby-pamby, cloyingly sweet idealist--just an average teenager whose numerous small, simple acts of kindness had a huge impact on those around her. In fact, this is the meaning of the book's title. In an essay written a month before her death, Rachel wrote, "I have a theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same." Ironically, a month before his death, killer Eric Harris made a video saying he also wanted to "get a chain reaction going," only his, of course, was one of violence and hatred. As we all know, on April 20, 1999, Eric and his friend Dylan Klebold won the first battle, brutally murdering Rachel and 12 others. This book, and the speeches he gives all over the world, are Darrell Scott's attempt to make sure Rachel wins the war, namely, by telling her story and encouraging others to follow her example and start a chain reaction of kindness in their families, their schools, and their communities. I strongly recommend this book, especially to high school students, parents, and teachers--to students, so they can understand the terrible pain caused by bullying, and to parents and teachers, so they can begin to recognize and address the alienation and spiritual vacuum so many high school kids feel today.

Right after the Bible, this book should be required reading for every person on the planet. The concepts in this book are so simple to grasp but for whatever reason difficult to put into practice for most of us these days. It will have a positive impact on anyone who reads it.

This book is all about the golden rule. If everyone took this approach, there would be a lot less time for hate and anger and more time for thinking about what really matters. Jesus said, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" I think that it is far easier to love than to hate..

Thank you again Mr. Scott for a thought provoking book. May God's grace continue to work through you and your familiy.

This book follows 'Rachel's Tears', the story of a young Columbine High School student who's life was cut short. Rachel had a philosophy and a dream that her father Darryl Scott shared on Oprah one day and left the audience in tears. Rachel knew her future was short as evidenced in the first book 'Rachel's Tears'. I don't believe I need to say more because you will want to read this book. Rachel was a courageous young girl who was a true inspiration in a time when we need to have hope. I hope you enjoy 'Chain Reaction'.

Every teen and parent should read this book. It is about making a difference in the lives of those we love and those we meet each new day. Read this now and begin the "Chain Reaction"!

I thought that that the "Chain Reaction" book(which expresses and explains Rachel's beliefs and ideals) is a pretty good book, however the reason why I gave this book 4 stars is because I don't agree with what Rachel's father said about the Harrises and Klebolds and their households, apparently, not being so "cozy" and I thought that it was disingenious for him to suggest something like this when he doesn't know their home life anymore that I do.

I enjoyed this book overall but I would prefer it if there was less about the massacre and more about improving the world. I know this is Rachel's vision and that she was KILLED in Columbine but there are many books about what happened and it sort of dampened my spirit when I read repeatedly about what Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold did. Personally I don't know whether this has inspired me to do more for the world because I was already that way inclined and I sought out books like this deliberately to give me ideas.

I know it is sad that Rachel died but surely it would have been better to celebrate her life instead of dwelling on her death which it seems the book is doing. I believe she was a very special person and I'm grateful that there are other teenagers in the world trying to improve it because sometimes I feel as if I'm the only one and in that way this book was very helpful to me.

This book is so inspiring....I would like to see this book in all schools as a class read...everyone would get so much out of this...If only one would start the chain reaction more would be sure to follow....