Customer Reviews

Laugh and Live (The Bestsellers of 1917)

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

 

 

Absolutely fabulous! This book really is a lot of fun for anyone who appreciates Doug Fairbanks, or just wants a nicer view on life for a change. It's totally cliche, yet completely honest, and at times you really will laught outloud reading it... which I think Fairbanks would have appreciated.

This is truly the most worthwhile book I've ever read, and anyone who thinks more deeply about things or who has had to struggle in life to overcome obstacles will understand what I mean. And anyone who fully understands what Dr Phil is all about will also appreciate this book.
Get to know yourself - then change your weak or problem areas and become a positive, self-confident and self-reliant individual! That's the message Douglas Fairbanks was giving to everyone nearly a century before Dr Phil and other counsellors began saying the same thing only in more cliched and psychological terminology. This book, in contrast to self-analysis books, gets right to the point in plain language that you will immediately understand if you've ever done any soul-searching yourself. I personally have had to do so due to a congenital heart problem and various other trials and tribulations in my life, and I came to exactly the same conclusions as Fairbanks did, and I fully agree with his opening words that everyone can CHOOSE to be happy, regardless of their circumstances.
The language of this book is pleasant and easy to read, but also hard-hitting to get the most important points across. I didn't find anything humorous in it, as another reviewer stated, but rather felt it was all most serious and written sincerely from the heart. In turn, I took it all to heart as well and found more strength and inspiration to continue my own pursuit of happiness.
One slight downside to the book is that it feels more like a photocopy than a re-print, especially seeing the dozen or so photos (some from Fairbanks's early films, others private) throughout the book which are very unclear. However, I'm giving it the full 5 stars because it's the words and message in the book that count here!