Customer Reviews

Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song and the Power of Perseverance

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David Archuleta has been one of the most inspiring singer/songwriters I've ever known (and I've been around awhile haha!). His book, "Chords of Strength," follows the same path, as I found it to be very inspirational, with a message that everyone could be uplifted by. I love how the book is written - on the one hand, you get some of David's rambly teenaged thoughts, and on the other, you get some VERY mature, profound statements that are sure to resonate if you are really listening. I love how David discusses how important his faith is and how it has affected the way he deals with life, without assuming that everyone has that aspect in their lives, and without "pushing" it onto the reader. Though age 19, David does have a mature perspective on the challenges and struggles that life gives you, and how to turn those things into growth for your own life. I read this book, almost cover-to-cover in several hours. It's riveting. I highly recommend this book to anyone, any age, any sex, any faith, who wants to explore their own life's challenges or who needs hope to push forward. David is not a "privileged kid" who got everything he wanted in life. David had parents who encouraged him and gave him tools to pursue his interests, but he found the strength he needed to make the tough choices along the way. I believe anyone who reads this book will find a little of themselves in it, and learn a thing or two!

Enjoy!

I loved this book. Could not put it down! It was inspiring and I smiled, laughed, and even cried at times. His thoughts were so clear to the reader that you didn't have to second guess what he was trying to get across in his words. David may come across as young on the outside, but after you read this book you will realize how mature he is when relating his beliefs and struggles to the reader. David shares in his book his deepest thoughts and beliefs and in turn the book was a huge inspiration to me. David is one of the best role models a young person could have these days. I would recommend this book to people of all ages. It will truly touch you in a way you will not soon forget. It is one that will sit on my bookshelf to be read over and over.

I am so happy that Chords of Strength is finally here. What an amazing book by an amazing person. The writing is so "David" and feels like he could be sitting and talking to you. David really understands the path of his life so far and expresses how he has been led along this path with it's bumps, curves, turns and detours. For such a young man David has a lot to teach each and every one of us about our own lives. I challenge everyone to take the time to read this wonderful book. Oh, yeah, listen to David's music, too. His voice will fill your heart.

I've loved David since he was thrust into the eyes of the public two and a half years ago. Not only am I a fan of his music but of him as a person. His humble, kind nature has shown me what a true role model should be like. After reading "Chords of Strength", my respect for him has grown in size. Although I'm only a few years older then him, his perspective and outlook on life is so much more mature then mine.

The book was an inspiring read. David takes us on a journey from his early childhood, his challenges with his vocal paralysis, his journey during American Idol, and then he shares with us his outlook and what he values in life. As a fan, I found the stories about his childhood and the challenges he faced during that period to be quite interesting. Also interesting to read was how he described his life during AI and what went on behind the scenes. The last 3-4 chapters really captivated me. David describes what he loves about music, what he believes the meaning of success is, what he thinks brings true happiness, etc. As someone who is going through a rough time in some areas of my life, the messages contained in those chapters were what I needed. They helped me examine my own outlook on life.

I recommend it to any fan of David. A casual reader may enjoy it too. David may only be 19 years old, but he's had to face challenges and fears that anyone any age can relate to.

Not only is David Archuleta a MEGA musical talent...he is a man of principle. This is a FUN and INSPIRING read!

I must confess upfront that I am huge fan of David Archuleta. Frankly, his music and how he presents it makes me happy. Let's face it, it's not often you can say that about a current singer/songwriter.

All that being said, I truly enjoyed Chords of Strength. I already knew a lot of little details (i.e. that he had been on Star Search, etc) but it was nice to see all of the little subtleties here. How his family came to be members of the LDS church, for example. As David says in this memoir, who better to tell his story than himself?

I assumed when I heard David was writing a memoir that it would be inspirational, but I'm not sure I was expecting it to be SO moving. I don't often read stories about one's personal faith, so my context is limited, but I have never read someone talk so frankly about what God has done for them and how they try to incorporate Him in all that they do.

Many things David shares are deeply private. Like how he overcame his uncertainties about trying out for American Idol (which I won't spoil here). Although you expect a memoir to be, well, personal, David went beyond the call of duty to let the reader feel at home. Like one of the reviewers so aptly put it, it's like he is talking to you.

Can someone who has never heard of David Archuleta enjoy Chords of Strength? Certainly! You do not have to know anything about David to read this book and come away with both an understanding of who he is, where he has come from and be inspired.

Is it appropriate for all ages? Yes! I only wish I had read something like Chords while still school age!

How's the writing? It's David and yup he's spacey sometimes, but it's what makes his music and this book so endearing.

This book is great! The stories and thoughts are just what anyone needs to read. They really give us the side of David that makes him who he is---an amazing person. The photos are classics!! I would recommend this book for all ages.

by how much this book affected me. I have been David's fan since the early rounds of Idol season 7, and knew some of his story. Still, I couldn't put the book down once I started reading. David has a unique and rare way of looking at the world -- I am not at all surprised that the book isn't a 'tell-all' about his dad or anyone else in his world, because that isn't David, but I guess I am surprised at how this 19 year old person manages to treat everyone in his world with so much love and respect. I found myself chuckling in quite a few places and crying from profound emotion in quite a few more. I've been at David's concerts, too, and loved reading the parts where he shared his ideas about connecting with his audience.

I'm fresh off my first read and might give it some time before diving in again, but I know that I'll read this one again, many times.

Chords of Strength is an amazing, uplifting, inspiring book. David already is inspiring, and to read what he has to say about life is incredible. And also to read about his life and how he grew up and why he is the way he is was really interesting. I found things out that I didn't already know, it it was a long, but really enjoyable read.

This book is as inspiring as I knew it would be, based on the David that we all have come to know. I laughed a lot and cried a bit too, switching back and forth from one emotion to the other. I especially found myself in tears, or fighting to hold them back, as I read parallels relating to my own life when I was his age. I could relate to the emotion one feels when singing and how great it felt when you knew others were being blessed by it, for I too was a singer from a very young age. There is no doubting the sincerity of every word as David conveyed to us the events as they unfolded throughout the book. You could really feel the love. The fact is that I wish everyone, both young and old, could be like David. If the world were like him, we wouldn't be in the mess that we're in today. This book is gentle and easy to read. It is filled with hope and yields the courage that is inspiring to us all. You'll experience a genuine love from a young man who has learned its value early in life and will hold it dear to the end. Although I am many years his senior, I assure you that when I grow up, I definitely want to be like Archie. Thanks David :)