Customer Reviews

Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Hope, Healing and Forgiveness (Chicken Soup for the Soul)

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just received my copy of Chicken Soup for the Prisoners Soul. What a beautiful book! I am the leader of Prison Fellowship Ministries at my church, and I am often questioned on this ministry I choose to serve. People don't question other ministries. If you help the elderly or people of poverty everyone pats you on the back. Our ministry is not as easily accepted. Many are baffled as to why anyone would bother.

I'm going to order a box of books for my volunteer group. It is a must for prison ministry volunteers! Plus I will keep a copy on hand at work. For now on when I am asked, "Why," I will loan out your book. Thank you so much for caring about the forgotten ones. It is actually a loved one in prison who told me about your book. He said it's helping him cope with doing his time."

Antonette Flamenco

We highly recommend this book for anyone who is incarcerated, has a family member or friend in jail or for anyone who has compassion for their fellow man. We conduct a support group at the local county jail based on this incredible book, "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul". In our group, inmates take turns reading the stories out loud and many times we have to pass the tissues around. These true life stories open all of our hearts as they help us to realize our connection with one another. One man read a story about a Dad and his son and when he was finished he began to cry openly. He shared that he knew he needed to talk to his Dad and that he was so ashamed. Another woman cried as she read the words of a poem, "I'm scared, alone and stuck in this place." These are stories that touch the Souls of those incarcerated since they are so very real and personal. The inmates cherish these books and treat their copies like a treasure. Our second recommendation for everyone is to not only read this book but to buy another copy and ask that it be sent to your local prison library! Thank you Tom Lagana, for authoring this much needed book!

i am so thrilled to see this book finally be available to the general public. The stories in this book are enlightening. As a mental health professional in a maximum security prison, i have used the book in prisons as a tool of healing and expression.
As the founder of a peace organization we have been providing this book free to prisoners around the world for the past two years as well as doing workshops in prisons utilizing the book.
Not only is it good for prisoners but it is a powerful tool of education for those NOT connected with "the system." It brings a voice of humanity to people many in society would like to throw away. This book reminds us of how closely connected we all are.
(i also have two stories in it and am honored to be part of such a positive book!)

I FOUND THIS BOOK ON AMAZON AFTER JUST BROWSING AROUND. MY SON IS IN PRISON IN UPSTATE NEW YORK AND I SENT HIM A COPY. HE TOLD ME HE GOT THE BOOK BUT NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ELSE. WELL THE OTHER DAY HE CALLED AND SAID "OH BY THE WAY YOU KNOW THAT BOOK THAT YOU SENT ME A FEW MONTHS AGO CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE PRISONERS SOUL WELL ITS THE BEST BOOK I EVER EVER READ". IT IS SO INSPIRATIONAL AND HE SAID IT HELPS HIM THROUGH SOME DEPRESSING TIMES. HE HAS PASSED IT AROUND HIS PRISION DORM AND EVERY ONE TELLS HIM HOW THEY LOVED THE BOOK. HE EVEN GOT INSPIRED TO WRITE POEMS AND SEND IT IN TO THE AUTHOR WHO TAKES POEMS AND STORIES FROM PRISIONERS AROUND THE COUNTRY. HE AS WELL AS I HAVE READ THE SAME STORIES OVER AND OVER AND NEVER GET TIRED OF READING THEM.

"Chicken soup for the Macedonian prisoner's soul"
Reviewer: Zoran

My name is Zoran Stojanovski. I'm 41 years old psychologist employed as an educator in a Youth's center for correction in Tetovo, which is a small town in Republic of Macedonia.
Recently I read the book " Chicken soup for the prisoner's soul" and I was delighted of her contents.
I immediately recognized many situations with which I used to meet in my 12 years working experience.
Also I could feel a hug educational power of the stories.
I translated some stories at Macedonian language and they challenged a big interest at our juveniles.
There was appeared a need of a certain number of the books in our institution, but there also was born an idea for distribution of the book to all Macedonian prisons. So I find my fulfillment mission.
Thank You Tom Lagana for gave me opportunity for making a difference in my country.

Unfortunately, we have a large number of individuals in our society who believe prisoners are not worthy of being treated as fellow human beings. "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul" proves them wrong. It shows a compassionate and tender side-something completely opposite of how prisoners are sometimes portrayed. I'm thankful for "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul." I started volunteering at the Missouri State Penitentiary, thinking I had something to offer the offenders. What I soon found out was that they had much more to offer me. I have been blessed beyond words. Now, I volunteer in two prisons in the State of Missouri with Toastmasters. One club is in the Missouri State Penitentiary (The Walls), which is a maximum security prison for males in Jefferson City and the other is a women's prison in Vandalia, MO. This book is sooooo good for the soul! I laughed, I cried, and I could relate to so many of the stories.

Pam J. Oestreich

Missouri

Reading this particuler book has opened and enlighten my heart and soul. I've been made aware of that people placed behind prison bars are not to be forgotten. One needs to separate that it's the behavior which placed them here. They are as human as anyone else and shed tears, feel pain, love and have regrets. Who ever reads this book or has a loved one incarcerated will reach another level of understanding in one's life. Open yourself truly when reading this book and you will feel what I'm trying to say.

The book "Chicken Soup For The Prisoners Soul." is kewl. I have told all my pals,
inside and out about the book. Quite a few of them have bought it, read it, and wrote
to a few of the inmates. I did too just to let them know I read their stories and
enjoyed their open honesty. Did not hear back from any of them yet, and that is ok.
I laughed, I cried, and the cartoons were hilarious :-) One of my lady friends saw the
book on my table, picked it up, and got so engrossed in it she stayed the afternoon reading while I went about my chores :-) I look forward to reading the follow-up book " Serving Time, Serving Others."

Sharon
Delaware

As a therapist and group facilitator, I can depend on a story from P-Soup with a related poem or quotation to set the stage for a jail or prison group to be successful. Group members become engaged and trust the process because "their story" is heard and respected. It helps me to to "get out of the way" of my own perceptions and listen with humility and awe at the shared wisdom of the stories. P-Soup speaks directly to the needs of each human being behind bars---no one is excluded: everyone counts and everyone can make a contribution. This the essential message that can foster healing, hope, and a new direction for the many man and women who will return to our communties as neighbors. They are hungry for the chicken soup that will address and honor their dis-ease and struggle towards emotional wellness and relational respect. Each story helps a person to think about whether or not you are using your time wisely, a question asked by Dr. Cook in the story entitled August 25 by Gail Valla. P-Soup reminds us that we are all--- in and outside of the walls--doing time on planet Earth, and what heals one, heals all. This is a book for everyone.

"Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul: touched my heart. I remember my father telling me of how many fine, interesting people he had met while living in Graterford Prison. While I wanted to believe him, I was a child then. wanting to agree but so unable to "know" this for myself. This book is not only for prisoners, it is also a splendid ministry and comfort to help the loved ones of those incarcerated.
Angela Phelan