Life's Greatest Lessons: 20 Things That Matter [Paperback]

Hal Urban (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 24, 2002

Life's Greatest Lessons is a wise, wonderful book. In it, Hal Urban, a parent and an award-winning teacher, presents twenty principles that are as deeply rooted in common sense as they are in compassion. The topics, gathered from a lifetime of teaching both children and adults, span a wide range of readily understood concepts, including attitudes about money, understanding the real meaning of "success," and the importance of having fun. The book will help you find the best -- in the world, in others, and in yourself. Classic in its simplicity and enduring in its appeal, Life's Greatest Lessons helps us all rediscover that the desire to live a good life is timeless.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Urban, a psychology Ph.D. specializing in "peak performance," draws on his own life experiences, wisdom imparted by his mentors and basketball coaches, observations of high school and college students, and the writings of other self-help gurus like Stephen Covey and M. Scott Peck to compile this catechism of conventional truisms. According to Urban, life’s great lessons are exactly what you always dreaded they’d be (they’re also his chapter titles): life is hard and not always fair; there’s no substitute for hard work; you have to give up something to get something. Although slightly disdainful of the hug-happy self-esteem movement, Urban does insist that we all have a potential to live up to. Fortunately, since "attitude is far more important than intelligence, education, special talent, or luck," with enough positive thinking success is virtually assured—as long as we buckle down, set goals and stick with them, manage our time efficiently and find Jesus Christ or some other kind of spiritual content to nourish our lives. Urban is an ex-high school teacher, a self-admitted former "growth junkie" and a leader of the "character education" movement, and is thus awash in good lessons; his prose, though, tends toward the bland and platitudinous, which may make the lessons hard for some to swallow.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A tremendously enriching book full of classic wisdom to live by."

-- Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

"A wise and wonderful book. It will enrich anyone who reads it."

-- Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People

"With its timeless message for people of all ages, this book is going to become a classic. It should be in every home in America."

-- Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Whale Done!™

"This book can help all of us assemble our priorities."

- -Mel Levine, M.D., author of A Mind at a Time

"A great book about character for kids, teachers, and parents!"

-- Thomas Lickona, author of Educating for Character

"Hal Urban has put into bite-size pieces some of life's most important truths. Read, learn, and enjoy!"

-- Laurie Beth Jones, author of Jesus, CEO; The Path; and Teach Your Team to Fish

"Life's Greatest Lessons helps to unlock your mind to a treasure chest of life's opportunities and possibilities."

-- Pat Croce, author of I Feel Great and You Will Too! and 110%

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (December 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074323782X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743237826
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Twenty Things I Want My Kids to Know, May 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Life's Greatest Lessons or 20 Things I Want My Kids to Know (Paperback)

A very thought provoking overview of the simple (yet not so simple) job of making the most of your life. Written in a down-to earth style that makes it easy to understand, yet still challenges you to reach to become more of what is good and right in order to succeed in life. Begins with a look at what success is and is not, and moves on to how your choices and reactions to circumstances direct where your life will go. Topics include, Life is hard, Life is Fun, Attitude, Habits, Thankfulness, Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Self-motivation, Goals, Hard work, Sacrifice, Time Management, Self image, Balanced Care of Body, Mind and Spirit, and Persistance in the Face of Failure. A great choice for teachers, parents and those who guide youth. A very enjoyable read...because it is so true! I'm planning on giving several as gifts! What a fabulous book! Read it! You won't be sorry!

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an Owners Manual for a Happy and Successful Life!!!, January 23, 2003

By 

Paul Hughes (Needham, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Life's Greatest Lessons: 20 Things That Matter (Paperback)

Its timeless message on character education should be read by every child, parent and teacher. It is sure to become a classic.

I have given away at least five copies to family and friends!

It was awarded Best Inspirational Book of the Year 2000 by Writer's Digest Magazine.

I have donated a few select books that have been added to my local Public Library. This is by far the best inspirational and motivational book I have read so far. It contains the wisdom of the ages and essential life truths.

A few of the books I have donated are: HOW TO SUCCEED IN LIFE: Ideas and Principles They Don't Teach in School by Ned Grossman, MASTER SUCCESS: Create a Life of Purpose, Passion, Peace and Prosperity by Bill FitzPatrick, a local author from Natick, MA, FREEDOM FROM FEAR: Learn How to Live Life to the Fullest by Mark Matteson, The story of one man's discovery of simple truths that lead to wealth, joy and peace of mind, and I DARE YOU By William H. Danforth.

I highly recommend Life's Greatest Lessons, as it teaches the wisdom of the ages. This book is so wonderful, that after I finished it, I went back and re-read it again. Periodically, I will reread certain chapters again. I am very select in what I choose to donate to the library. I am donating it to the library so it can benefit the most people possible. This book on character education is a topic not normally taught in schools. It is an "owner's manual for a happy and successful life." It describes in a simple easy to understand manner, common-sense life skills that can be applied immediately to enhance and enrich anyone's life.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!! What an Eye Opener, March 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Life's Greatest Lessons: 20 Things That Matter (Paperback)

I can't believe the amount of direction this book can give in life. It has some very good lessons about living life to the fullest and making the most of who you are. I would recommend this book to everyone because I think at some point it is good for all of us to evaluate ourselves.

I think that this book is especially good for teachers so that these lessons can be passed along to children/students. Too often children are not exposed to these lessons, which I believe would make them much more aware of what they want to do with their lives.