Chicken Soup for the Soul [Paperback]

Jack Canfield (Author), Mark Victor Hansen (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 1, 2001 | Series: Chicken Soup for the Soul

Two of America's best-loved inspirational speakers share the very best of their collected stories and favorite tales that have touched the hearts of people everywhere. Canfield and Hansen bring you wit and wisdom, hope and empowerment to buoy you through life's dark moments.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's like homemade chicken soup that warms the chill and heals the ill. This collection of 101 stories is based on the belief that true testimonies of goodness and loving transformations can nourish us to the bone and heal the cynicism in our hearts. Indeed, most every story seeps in deeply. It's hard not to shed a tear of gratitude, feeling thrilled to have been touched and soothed so easily. Some of the authors are famous, such as Dan Millman, who writes an exquisite vignette on "Courage," and Gloria Steinem, who writes of "The Royal Knights of Harlem." Many, however, have a short, simple story to tell about an event, a person, an everyday miracle that exemplifies the best of the human spirit. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"sure to restore you faith in the human race and inspire you to improve your life. Easy to dip in and out of, it is full o bite-sized wisdom on everything from relationships and parenting to learning to love yourself and overcoming obstacles. It will make you laugh, cry and marvel at the power of the human spirit" Spirit and Destiny --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: HCI; 1 edition (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558749209
• ISBN-13: 978-1558749207
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #416,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 98 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Sentimental (And That's Being Nice) February 19, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Perhaps, I am too cynical. Perhaps, I have lost my innocence. But once again, I picked up a book, I thought might reach deeper, might have meaning . . . but alas, I found a book that made happiness and meaningfulness seem easy, too easy. I didn't buy it. This book tries so hard to please that it smacks of a cheesy attempt to make money on a public truly searching for meaning. Don't get me wrong, there are some wonderful stories in here but too often they are surrounded by those quick anecdotes about someone who would have comitted suicide if a stranger hadn't said I love you to them on the bus and now their life is wonderful. Or Big Ed who after one seminar finally learned to love his wife and ended-up executive vice-president. To me, this book makes me wonder why I have such a difficult time changing my life and finding true happiness. It seems so easy to these people. If you lower your expectations, feel free to read this book, you'll find a few gems. If you want short stories filled with more depth try Anthony de Mello's One Minute Nonsense or Song of the Bird. And if you are truly looking for books that will get you thinking about the meaning of it all go try John Irving's Prayer for Owen Meany or David James Duncan's River Why or Daniel Quinn's Ishmael. I found this book to be less like Chicken Soup and more like lifesavers. They sound good and taste good, but if you are really hungry they do not come close to filling you up

28 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review: Chicken Soup for the Soul August 5, 1996

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

The book "Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Stories to Open
the Heart & Rekindle the Spirit" is an excellent book.
The book was originally given to me by a friend who thought
that I "would enjoy it". Me, the person who genuinely
dislikes reading any kind of book for pleasure, "enjoy"
this book. Definately not me, I thought to myself.

I had to travel on a business trip alone, therefore I
took the book along (just in case I got extremely bored).
Thoughtout my trip, the book didn't get cracked open. I
found other things to do with my time, than read a book.

Yet, on my return flight, my reservations were mixed up
for some reason or another. Therefore, I ended up having a
4 1/2 hour layover in the Dallas Airport. Being upset, I
didn't even want to shop. I also didn't want to look out of
place, so, I opened the book and started glancing at first,
pretending to read.

Then all of a sudden, as if a magnet were pulling me
closer, I began to read the first short story in the book.
It was so real and inspiring that I continued to read. I
couldn't wait to flip a page. As a matter of fact, I was
really thirsty. Not wanting to put the book down, I
continued reading. Every story hit close to home and I
could relate to most everything being read.

At one point, I heard a young man say "I think you
could use this tissue more than I can", as he handed me a
tissue. Looking up at him, I noticed that my eyes were
filled with tears. The story I had been reading was so real
that I found myself crying and feeling the characters
emotions. Being a little embarrased (but not much), I
explained how I typically do not shed a tear for most books.
I told the young man how this book was so capturing and
inspiring, that it pulls you in and holds your mind,emotions,
and attention captive. He laughed and said something to the
effect of "most women cry over mushy things".

Sitting next to me, he read over my shoulder as I
continued to read. When I finished the short story, I turned
and looked and him and noticed that he too had tears in his
eyes. I didn't say a word, but the spiritual emotions were
evident. We were both captured by this wonderful book.

Till this day, I thank my friend for giving me this book.
I have also given a copy of this same book to many friends
(the first one, being my new friend that I met at the Dallas
Airport that day).

I highly recommend this book to everyone, it will
rekindle the spirit of everyone who reads it (especially
the ones who think that this is just another one of the
"mushy" books.

If I could, I would put a money back guarantee if not
fully satisfied on this book. That is how much I enjoyed
reading it.

Thank You, and I hope that you have the opportunity
to pick up this book and give it a chance, I did and I loved
it.

From a real Skeptical,
Lucy R. Fonseca
3127 S. Nelson
Amarillo, Texas 79103
[phone]

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Will shine a beautiful light into your life! September 9, 1999

By ANGELA BARROW

Format:Paperback

In my deepest, darkest hour I borrowed this book from the library. It has restored my faith in human nature and shone a light for me to follow. The stories can bring such a huge emotional release. Truly wonderful and I look forward to reading many more.