Customer Reviews

You've GOT to Read This Book!: 55 People Tell the Story of the Book That Changed Their Life

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've read a number of books and articles about reading. I love to read and find it fascinating to see what others read and how the books have influenced their lives. More often than not, the list includes the same titles. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and THE CATCHER IN THE RYE are usual favorites. GREAT EXPECTATIONS and THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV are often mentioned by more adventurous readers and of course, a work of Shakespeare has to be included on such a list. I planned on passing by YOU'VE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK since I figured I already know what's going to be in it, but when I looked in the back of the book, glanced at the titles, I was impressed by the variety of contributors, the wide array of books selected, and the stories that followed. Each contributor selects a book, tells a personal story and the way the book impacted their life.

Author Jacquelyn Mitchard's entry begins the compilation with the story behind her choice, A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN, and how it influenced her as a writer and person. The book includes familiar standards: writer Debbie Macomber selected the Bible, businessperson Jim Guy selected The Teachings of the Buddha, and Rafe Esquith selected TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, which is a great choice considering that would probably be my choice if someone asked what book influenced me most, though if I ma truthful, it would be the Bible since I've studied scripture and am in ministry as a Catholic priest. Perhaps the most interesting choice is Hitler's MEIN KAMPF by Max Edelman, a survivor of the Holocaust. Edelman did not subscribe to Hitler's philosophy, but it did teach him a great deal about hatred and how hatred can be such a destructive choice which challenged him to work for the positive. While some of the contributors read a book at a young age that shaped them forever, for some the book came later in life. Bernie Siegel, the well known doctor, television personality, and writer was already practicing medicine for many years when a short story by William Saroyan and later his novel THE HUMAN COMEDY changed the way he practiced medicine and looked at life. Steven Covey has the unique privilege of being included as a contributor as well as having his book THE SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE selected by contributor Maynard Webb. Though if we also include editors, Jack Canfield would have the same distinction since one of THE CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL books was selected by contributors Danny Edward and Scott Caselenuovo.

The purpose of the book is to encourage people to read and discuss the ways books can change lives. For this reason it would be a great choice for a book club and could provide all sorts of discussions about what books have influenced us and why.

I came across this book at a very opportune time, as I'd been wrestling with a tough career decision for months and needed some fresh insight and perspective. Having read Jack Canfield's The Success Principles (and numerous Chicken Soups) and also seen Gay Hendricks speak in person, I had a feeling that this might be one of those special books that comes into your life at just the right time.

Once I started, I couldn't put it down. So many of the stories reminded me that if you really want to go for it in life, you have to trust your instincts and follow your heart. The central message that runs through here is that we are who and what we think we are. People who are doing big things with their lives, as well as really giving back to the world, have all had to develop a vision and take action. And for each of these 55 personalities, it was a book that either ignited their passion or showed them how to channel it.

It's quite inspiring to listen to some of the sharpest, most spirited and successful (in the true sense of the word) individuals around and find out what book transformed their lives. Kind of like getting the Cliffs Notes to an extraordinary reading list.

I don't know yet if this book will change my life, but it certainly got me thinking about it.

This book is one of the best I have ever read, I too could not put it down and finished it in 3 days! I was sad when I finished it. The stories were all so exciting. I couldn't wait to read some of their recommended books! I do hope there will be more editions of this book to follow.

I picked up this book hoping for a list of fascinating stories and biographies--and hoping there would be many new ideas for future reading. What a found was a list composed more of self-help books and spiritualist thinking (think New Age) than must read stories.

I could not finish this book, I was so disappointed in it; I got about half-way through. I could not recommend this book to anyone.

There's a question that I love to hear the answers to! I KNEW I had to read this book the first time I saw the title and skimmed through the pages.
This reminded me of a stranger I met several years ago. -while at the beach, a woman in the next room was out on her balcony and we got to talking. She loved books, (I didn't at that time) and I remember her telling me that whenever she met someone new she wanted to know what was the best book they ever read. She said it with such enthusiasm, I could tell that she really wanted to know. I thought it weird at the time, and even wondered to myself, "What difference does it make?" Now, I know! It's about sharing the meaning or inspiration we've found in life!

This book is essay style, and features various people who tell about the book that changed their life, along with the how or why's. Each chapter (essay) begins with the persons name and there's a brief paragraph about that person, what they're well known for or have accomplished in their life, then they tell their book story.

I love books like this! I like to find out about great books so that I can read them myself! I like to hear how books changed people for the better, because really, isn't that what reading books is all about?

I think so.

a quickly slapped together collection of of this or that book from this or that person - might make a good magazine article but even then, I got nothing out of this book. Also be aware of the viral marketing going on for this book. Sad to say that its become a problem on Amazon.

What a total waste of time. If you read at all why read this when you could be reading some of the books mentioned. Half the people mentioned in this boook I've never heard of. Besides what other people find inspirational is not necessarily what you will. If you read books based on what some no name celebrities read, you need to expand your horizons a little.

All readers who love their hobby will really get into this book. It's not just a narrow minded advertisement for a whole lot of other books, but an honest look at the affect various books have had on the lives of their readers. Books can be life-changing.

I guess the only problem is that some of us have books all over the house already... do we really want to be persuaded to pick up a whole lot more?

We need more good reading like this, to inspire us, to challenge us and to change us. Jack Canfield and Gay Hendricks are just the ones for the job!

For a good barebones listing of Western literature in chronological order (though the authors admit that it is potentially a biassed list) see the appendix of "How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren".

I loved the idea of this book, but I found almost all of the entries to be lightweight. I started every entry and had to skip most out of boredom or disgust. If you are into self-help books perhaps you will like this book. If you enjoy literature or just good writing I think you will be better served elsewhere. Somehow it seems telling that monsieurs Canfield and Hendricks included their own entries; I think this book is more about self-promotion (not necessarily only their own) than great-book promotion.

Each of us has at least one book that we cherish in our hearts. It's the type of book that beautifully captures the essence of an important life lesson. It provides the catalyst for real and lasting change in our life; written in such a way that it stays with us forever. THIS book captures the essence as well as the stories behind some of the greatest books ever written. It's an entertaining and useful contribution to get much more out of life and living. Read it and benefit. Peace.