Customer Reviews

The Pursuit of Happyness CD

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

I hear Will Smith is in the lead role in the movie based on this book. It is truly an incredible story of one man's rise from homelessness to being a millionaire! Not only that but he is forced to show up for his first important job interview on Wall Street in paint-spattered shoes, having been evicted - and he still manages to talk himself into the job!
This is one of those stories that is so incredible, so "making it against all odds". The author has a strong, passionate voice and he doesn't flinch from telling the truth, including the fact that when he lived in hotels with his young son, they played a game called, "Shhh..." which involved keeping quiet when people knocked on the door or tried to find out if they were there (to evict them). But he didn't let the trauma, the hard times, defeat him. He simply faced up to the fact that he'd have to dig himself out of a hole, hard as it was....and, miraculously, he did.
If you're feeling down, this book ought to inspire you!

I loved the grace and dignity which Will Smith portrayed in the movie, so I was inspired to read the book. To my dismay, the real Chris Gardner writes with anger, some of which revealed his pettiness, especially surrounding perceived racial issues. I am a minority who has overcome many challenges. While I applaud Gardner's mental strength and perseverance, I was disappointed that the real Gardner was cocky and brassy, lacking humility in situations which were enacted poignantly in the movie. By the way, Gardner reveals way too much information about his sexual life. If you want a good pick-me-up, buy the DVD and skip the book. Thank you.

This memoir is a shining example of the rags-to-riches story and the triumph of embracing a shot at success in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Mr. Gardner's tale is riddled with challenges, despair, and even violence, but it is foremost one of hope and love. It offers up a reminder that the "American dream" still exists, that given the chance, anyone can find it in themselves to reach up and climb to new heights. And this story goes well beyond professional or financial success, even that as impressive as Gardner's, to show that really, the deepest form of motivation is found in our love for another.

Whether you are facing or have overcome your own hurdles, or just need to be reminded that the demons of the past are no match for the human spirit, this book is for you.

Bottom line - this guy bares his soul... the good, the bad, and the in-between.

Only someone who has had a dream so strong the'd go through any obstacle to attain it can really understand.

What he did was completely, by the book, exactly what you're supposed to do if you REALLY want something... not just paying lip-service to a dream, but actually going for it with your entire being.

Most people "settle" and then do everything from drink themselves into oblivion, beat their wives, and blame life for what others did *TO* them.

Those few who dare... despite all odds... to do great things and never give up... those are the real heroes.

Those people who see something and want it so badly they can move mountains.

He followed the "magic" formula that gets us all everything - good or bad - that we have in our lives.

1. He knew EXACTLY what he wanted...
2. He knew WHY he wanted it...
3. He BELIEVED he could achieve it...
4. He had FAITH that it was on its way...
5. And he took MASSIVE action on every level towards its achievement.

He could have glossed over areas of the story... he could have cleaned up his actions and made himself a little more saintly... but he spent the time he did on what happened to him becaue it SHOWS that we are all WHERE we are as the SUM total of our thoughts and actions to that point.

He didn't end up on the street because of ONE decision... everthing he had came from everything that came before... the good and the bad.

I respect him and his story more because he told the WHOLE story.

You want to know the secret of his success? It's easy. He believed he could do it... he had no choice but TO DO it... and he took so much action (200 calls a day) that he HAD to do it...

If you've got a dream - read this book. It will show you that you don't have any problems... you only have opportunites or excuses.

You get to choose which one you accept as reality - I suggest you choose the opportunities.

Read the book - hear the message - let it show you that no matter how bad things get, there's light at the end of the tunnel if you only believe, have faith, and take as much action as you can with what you have where you are.

PEACE!

After seeing the film and joining in the chorus of those who were inspired by the story of his life, Chris' book was such a disappointment. At the end of the book I kept wondering if he ever learned from his mistakes, if he still sleeps around, if he still does drugs, if he is still violent with other people. I was hoping to recommend this book to my employees (in the brokerage business), but it is filled with one sexual exploit (in great detail) after another. The movie role model was a terrific image of who a man should/could be. The real man in the book is no role model. Watch the movie, skip the book

This book is a true story of an individual believing in himself and chronicles the journey he took to reach his dreams.

Chris Gardner's life experiences exemplify courage, strength and willpower. He never gave up on his dreams for a better life for him and his son - even though he struggled to find a place to live, food to provide for his growing boy, and a stable job. Gardner lived in the Oakland BART station bathroom, among other places, and just kept getting right back up every time something knocked him down.

What I personally find to be admirable about this story is the incredible and inspirational journey Gardner trekked down in an amazing turn from rags to riches. He is now an extremely successful businessman and a mighty wealthy one too!

The power of the American dream still lives on. One only needs to think that they can do it. Gardner is an example for us to follow - to have a dream and to find ways to reach it, regardless of the hurdles and obstacles which are put in our way.

Congratulations, Chris, on your magnificent success in life!!

I had been wanting to read this book since I saw and really enjoyed the movie. To my delight, my boyfriend's ex-wife purchased the book for their 9 year old son (he is an avid reader) while stuck in an airport nearly a month ago (so, that would save me from buying the book -- I would just borrow his when he was finished). She too had watched the movie and thought that the book would be appropriate for a child of that age due to the fact that the movie wasn't bad other than a minor cuss word or two. Unfortunately, she did not scan any of the pages and much to everyone's shock and surprise, and after the child was nearly finished with the book, I picked it up and scanned a few of the pages. The book is FILLED with graphic profanity (e.g., GD m-f'er and MF'er appear on almost every page), drug use, criminal activity, explicit and sexual scenes, a male rape scene, instances of adultery and many many depictions of graphic violence. This book is NOT like the movie. As a matter of fact, the Movie appears to be based on only about the last 50 or so pages of the book. I am not saying that the book is not a good read -- it is -- for an ADULT. I believe that some adults probably took their kids to see the movie and may think that the book is relatively harmless based on the movie. It is not. This is an adult book filled with adult topics and issues. I give it 4 stars because it's a very good book -- but definitely not a book to be read by a child.

This autobiographical story of Chris Gardner chronicles his impoverished upbringing in Milwaukee, homelessness in San Francisco, and ultimate rise to riches through sheer determination and hard work.

Gardner's childhood was wracked with the violence and abuse of a step father who routinely verbally and physically abused their family. He found some solace in learning through reading books at the library. He ran with various crowds as a youth and generally stayed out of trouble.

After finishing high school, he went on to enlist in the Navy having heard exciting stories from his uncle of traveling overseas. However, the majority of his time in the Navy was spent as a medic stationed at a Marine military base in the States. Through his solid work as a medic he was introduced to a leading surgeon who opened a research clinic in San Francisco and asked Gardner to join him there.

He helped with the surgeon's research and was respected as a very knowledgeable expert in training medical interns on surgical techniques. He eventually married and after prodding from his wife sought higher pay through a medical sales job. After several years of marriage he had an affair which resulted in the birth of his son and breakup of his marriage. He continued the sales job for a short period of time until meeting a stockbroker with a nice car and decided to change careers.

The internship offered a very low stipend and he was forced to live out of motels, homeless shelters, and sometimes sleep on trains or public restrooms. His tenacity at the internship as well as commitment to study resulted in passing the securities examine required to be a stockbroker and ultimate hiring at Dean Witter.

He then went on to build a portfolio of business first in San Francisco then working on Wall Street. Currently he owns his own investment company based out of Chicago and has a net worth estimated upwards of $60 million.

I first read the book and then saw the movie and though the book offered a good story of honest hard work the movie in this case had a better feel good aspect to it. The movie covers only about a third of the book and focuses on the positive elements of Gardner's relationship with his son and pure determination in reaching his goals. The book in contrast incorporates a generous amount of profanity and detailed descriptions of his promiscuous behavior. While overall I would recommend the book as a good read, a cautionary note should be kept in mind regarding the "adult" elements of the book.

My husband met Mr. Gardner when he was a keynote speaker at a corporate event. He was so impressed by this man's story and the way he tells it. He bought the book at the event, got an autograph, and ended up bumping into him and speaking to him later, in another city. He is a huge admirer of Chris Gardner, and rightly so. But all the things he has said about him/his speaking, and the movie, do not match most of this book! I was on page 200 and wondering when he would stop complaining or bragging (especially bragging) and get to the crux of the story. After reading about yet another public sexcapade in an airport baggage claim area, I put it down and haven't gone back. His story is inspiring; he has overcome much, but the book dwells too much and too long either on things that were out of his control, or that I simply do not want to read about. I wish him well and I'm glad he has done extremely well, but I would not recommend this book.

Recently I saw the film, "Pursuit of Happyness", starring Will Smith and his son. It moved me emotionally, spiritually, and paternally. Consequently, I purchased the book thinking it could not match the intensity of the movie. I was mistaken on many levels.

If you love a good story that is challenging, inspirational, and uplifting, The Pursuit of Happyness will take you on a tenacious journey that will break your heart at startling moments - then give you pauses for celebrations when you are beginning to feel all hope is lost. An example of this is in Chapter nine, entitled: "Turned out". This was a revealing and fascinating look into the "corporate jungle" which left me riveted, captivated, and "turned on".

The mother of his son plays an integral role in developing the author's character. She will remind the reader of the classic examples of tough love, suffocating passions, and denigrating support, all rolled into one. Mr. Gardner took these circumstances and refused to accept them as limitations.

In the earlier stages of her pregnancy, she would repeatedly ask him: "How can you hope to be a good father when you never had one yourself?" He faced this challenge not with experience but with a love, I believe, that is inherent in all mothers and fathers since the time of Adam and Eve.

The book covers the gamut of trials and tribulations, including dysfunctional parents, illiteracy, child abuse, drug addiction, and ultimately, homelessness. In spite of these hardships along the way - it is still a riveting, heart-pounding, and marvelous story of what one man can do for himself and his child.

Chapter three, page 59, is called: "Where's Momma?". It is a question asked by Mr. Gardner when he was eight years old. You will have to read the book for the answer. This section reminds us all; it takes more than a village ... it takes a mother, it takes a father, it takes time, it takes commitment, if we are to get it right for the ones we love.

I loved this book from beginning to end. If you are in pursuit of a good read, "The Pursuit of Happyness" is where you should start.
Reggie Johnson, Success-Tapes.Com