The Cookie Never Crumbles: Inspirational Recipes for Everyday Living [Hardcover]

Wally Amos (Author), Eden-Lee Murray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2001

Wally Amos is a man of wisdom, a man of humor, and a man of joy. And he has learned the greatest secret in life: you can be happy no matter what. In this inspiring collection of "recipes," Wally will show you how adversarial situations are often blessings in disguise, and how the lessons we are to learn in life sometimes come from the most unexpected places. The Cookie Never Crumbles is Wally's philosophy, and this book will show you, through touching, hilarious, thought-provoking stories, how you can adopt this philosophy for yourself. From Wally's childhood, up through his days in the entertainment business, to the creation of "Famous Amos" cookies, and to his current way of life, Wally Amos will make you laugh, make you dream, and make you think. Read this book and learn why The Cookie Never Crumbles.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

How many times has someone tried to console you by saying, "That's the way the cookie crumbles"? The message implies that whatever we were hoping for was destined to crumble and fall apart. "Well, that logic just doesn't hold water," claims Wally Amos, author of The Cookie Never Crumbles. "It totally slanders the nature of the cookie. When the cookie breaks apart, you don't lose that cookie, you get lots of little cookies." Amos excels at this sort of optimistic, kitchen-table wisdom, as evidenced by the success of his previous book, The Famous Amos Story, which tells the story of building his cookie empire. (Although it's probably safe to assume that cowriter Eden-Lee Murray has perfected the cozy style of writing.) Written in a cookbook format, the narrative often crumbles into clichés. In his opening chapter, "Essential Ingredients for Your Personal Pantry," he includes the "Basics," such as "Honesty, Integrity, Positive Loving Attitude...." Yet his "Recipe for Recovery" is a poignant observation on how to rebuild after disaster strikes. Like the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, this is a spiritually safe book--nondenominational, inoffensive, and full of tasty, inspirational morsels. There are even a few real cookie recipes, such as "Classic Chocolate Chip and Pecan Cookies and "Courage Coconut Cookies." --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

A fifth book from the founder of the famous cookie company, this collection of cheerful vignettes presents approaches to life's challenges in a series of "recipes" for success (e.g., "Humble Pie I: Know When to Fish, and When to Cut Bait"), drawing on ingredients such as experience, appreciation, perseverance and faith, as well as on philosophical traditions (in chapters titled "The Tao of the Cookie," "The Karma of the Cookie"). Amos (The Famous Amos Story) is relentlessly optimistic about overcoming everyday obstacles and enthusiastic about sharing with others the strategies that have worked for him. While each "recipe" can stand alone, a narrative strand runs through the book outlining Amos's successes and failures in business and in life, though unfortunately these biographical details can be distractingly repetitive. Amos, with author Murray, manages to salvage an inspirational lesson from every setback and tries to show how the reader can use his formulas to achieve the same results ("expect lumps... but whether a lump is flour or sugar, it's still part of the batter of Life!"). He makes frequent references to religious faith as a staple ingredient, though escapes an overt religious didacticism that might be off-putting to some. Offering general business wisdom, lessons for personal life, an introduction by Neale Donald Walsch and a few actual cookie recipes at the end, Amos serves up a little lite wisdom for everyone. (Oct. 5)Forecast: Standing squarely on the shoulders of pan-inspirational giants like Robert Fulghum's All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten and Jack Canfield's Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and with a national author tour and radio campaign, this book will find a ready-made initial audience.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; First Edition edition (October 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312280327
• ISBN-13: 978-0312280321
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,360,106 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bite Size Morsels--Still Delicious, November 29, 2001

By 

Dr. Lindamichelle Baron "Lindamichellebaron" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cookie Never Crumbles: Inspirational Recipes for Everyday Living (Hardcover)

I so enjoyed this book. I read spiritually and emotionally uplifting materials all the time. Some are sooooo heavy. And I must admit that sometimes I need the weight of the information, in the same way that I need and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. But Wally's book is pure dessert, just like his cookies. When I need a quick energy lift I return to his book. I not only found myself vicariously enjoying the honest and fun loving individual, Wally (Famous) Amos, but I felt that I met a soul mate...a lover of life and a believer in the positive powers of the universe.

I have to admit, he should have written the book sooner. He might have saved my marriage. When he speaks of the process and power of his determination and commitment to keeping his marriage in tact inspite of some "infractions" I realized the impact positive, powerful, decisive action can make.

I share excerpts of the book with my graduate students(educators who are stressed). I give them bite size pieces of positive energy at the beginning or ending of the class. That way they can begin the session or end it with a smile.

I do plan to try the recipe for his famous cookies for Christmas. I'll be glad to let you know if they turn out famously.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Phenomenal Book To Uplift and Inspire!, December 15, 2001

By 

"philippematthews" (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cookie Never Crumbles: Inspirational Recipes for Everyday Living (Hardcover)

This is a terrific book Wally! I'm moved by your passion and determination to see life at its best and not its worst.

This book will inspire people to look past their challenges and forge forth toward their future. Keep making those cookies for life no matter how many may crumble!

Philippe Matthews
CEO, EmpowerMag.com & HowYouMakeMillions.com

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Vision from an Extraordinary Man!, May 5, 2002

By 

Shelly Mecum (Honolulu, HI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cookie Never Crumbles: Inspirational Recipes for Everyday Living (Hardcover)

The Cookie Never Crumbles is the manual on how to live an extraordinary, abundant, loving life. What flows from Wally's heart is nothing less than the secret ingredients of living. I keep this book nearby when I need to find my center in courage, joy, compassion and gratitude. I am so blessed to call Wally Amos my friend.