The Good Life [Hardcover]

Charles Colson (Author), Harold Fickett (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2005

Sharing from his own life, as well as the stories of others, Chuck Colson exposes the counterfeits of the good life and leads readers to the only true source of meaning and purpose, Jesus Christ. But he does that in an unusual way, allowing powerful stories to illustrate how people have lived out their beliefs in ways that either satisfy or leave them empty. Colson addresses seekers—people looking for the truth. He shows through stories that the truth is knowable and that the truly good life is one that lives within the truth. Through the book, readers get to understand their own stories and find answers to their own search for meaning, purpose, and truth.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Colson—bestselling author, political figure and ministry leader—wrote this book to help readers answer "deep questions... that [determine] how we will live and how we will die and whether our lives will count for something." It is part memoir, as Colson reflects on his own rights and wrongs. For Colson, how people live comes down to their worldview – how their core beliefs about life shape their actions. He covers key paradoxes (i.e., "Out of suffering and defeat often comes victory") and spends a large section of the book establishing the existence of "capital-T truth," a concept Colson argues provides hope and "makes life a breathtaking challenge." He addresses a number of social and political issues, including evolution, euthanasia and homosexuality. Stories are central to this exploration, and Colson incorporates many different kinds: his own Watergate experience, popular films, stories of war and oppression, and front-page business scandals. While he attempts to conduct his search "without relying on any prior assumptions or sectarian convictions," his Christian faith is ever present, and some who start from an opposing position may find his arguments weak. However, Colson's deep humility is striking, and many will welcome this well-researched book, built on his lifetime of learning and extraordinary experience. (June)
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From Booklist

With the aid of the excellent parable-writer/exegete Harold Fickett (see Conversations with Jesus, 1999), Colson reconfirms that he is a premier popular practitioner of Christian persuasion, especially for the un- and spottily churched. Instead of reflexively citing and quoting the Bible, he alludes to it, sparingly and pointedly, and his exempla come from broadly familiar sources, such as the movie Saving Private Ryan, and the lives of figures ranging from Olivier Messiaen to Madalyn Murray O'Hair, from death-row convicts to business tycoons. He considers good living and its grounds, which is to say, living for others while seeking and acting upon the truth. The book's long first part contrasts careers of self-motivation and hedonism with others of service and suffering to demonstrate that the former eventuate in disillusion and emptiness, the latter in fulfillment and satisfaction, independent of material success; the short second part discusses the rewards of giving. In the third part, Colson argues against relativism and for absolute truth, considerably more substantially than the ruck of "conservative Christian" commentators do; the exempla in this part are particularly engrossing and frequently high toned (e.g., the spiritual journey of Wallace Stevens). The concluding part considers ultimate things--providence, death, infinite love--and overtly proselytizes, very considerately, for the first time in the book. Colson's temperateness and reasonableness in all that comes before the call to faith increases its appeal, especially to those repelled by ranting and tears. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842377492
• ISBN-13: 978-0842377492
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another in a long list of superb books by Chuck Colson, October 13, 2005

By 

John Cannon (Chesterfield, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Good Life (Hardcover)

I've read so many of Chuck Colson's books and heard so many of his speeches, that I feel as though he's one of my great friends. Even though I've never met him, my heart definitely beats with his(!). This book centers on Chuck looking back over his life offering personal anecdotes and examples of how modern man defines the 'good life' in today's culture - and is left wanting. Colson, as usual, affirms the biblical worldview as the only perspective which offers the greatest joy and satisfaction in life. It's a book for 'seekers.' Chuck is one of those great men whose testimony for Christ, and articulate expressions about the Christian worldview in so many forms, makes one happy to have him as a fellow believer. He leaves a great legacy - although I'm sure Mr. Colson has a lot of great years ahead in Christian service. Continue on, my friend!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing - for all who read this book, October 4, 2005

By 

M. HOLCK - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Good Life (Hardcover)

One reviewer called this the "thinking man's purpose driven life", and I read the book and completely agree with that summary. Whether you follow Christ or if you know there are many religions and you're not sure why and what is the difference - this book will speak to you. Colson, a former attorney, uses logic and reason to take the reader through methodical reason on many different real-life subjects - from evolution, consumerism, infanticide, homosexuality and much more. Colson takes you through these thoughts logically - not biblically - to present what it means to live the good life - to find purpose, meaning and truth. Colson takes the reader to the point of absolute truth. Rick Warren said about this book - "read this and be changed"; Warren is right. All thinking, well-read people should explore this book. Also Colson shares his own hurt - from his prison stay, alienation and information about his autistic grandson; a very personal book for Colson readers.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Written For Post-Modern Man, September 19, 2005

By 

Sara Wright "Sara" (Winston Salem, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Good Life (Hardcover)

The perfect book for "Joe/Jane Postmodern".

I have been searching for an evangelistic book that is culturally astute, understands postmodern man, and weaves worldview themes throughout its presentation of the gospel. MY SEARCH IS OVER. THIS IS THE BOOK I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR!

The perfect book to give to a friend or family member that is "searching".

I highly recommend it!