Chicken Soup for the Soul of America: Stories to Heal the Heart of Our Nation (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mark Victor Hansen (Author), Matthew E. Adams (Author) "The patterns of human history mix decency and depravity in equal measure..." (more)
Key Phrases: please reach, New York, World Trade Center, Ground Zero (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Stories of compassion and heroism celebrate those who are making a difference.

Most American heroes aren't in our history books, nor do they have monuments erected in their honor. Their names aren't in the headline news or memorialized in song. The true hero is simply someone who makes a difference-large or small-in the lives of others. They battle disease, crime, poverty and human rights violations. They clean up environments, mentor neglected children and truly care about others. Most importantly, anyone can be a hero in the eyes of another.

In Chicken Soup for the Soul of America, everyday heroes are celebrated. Heroes have always been in our midst, but the recent terrorist attacks on American soil have revealed many more heroes who have given their lives, love, time and strength to those in great need. In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 events, Americans have found courage and inspiration from so many heroes, and this book pays tribute to them all, as well as those who appear every day in our lives.

At a time when so many are in pain, these unique stories will touch you with love and wisdom, the cornerstones of the American people and the hallmark of the well-loved Chicken Soup series. This special volume includes helpful resources for those suffering a loss or struggling to overcome post-traumatic stress.

From the Back Cover

The citizens of this country, as well as our friends around the world, truly do stand united.

Heroism has been redefined, our core values have resurfaced and a new sense of local and national community has emerged.

You won't find most American heroes walking through the pages of history books or atop huge monuments. Their names don't generally make the headlines or the 6 o'clock news. A true hero is simply someone who makes a difference—large or small—in the lives of others.

On September 11, 2001 our nation suffered the tragic loss of thousands of lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Immediately, policemen, firefighters and other emergency workers in New York and Washington, DC along with thousands of other Americans responded with an outpouring of courage, selfless service and faith.

The overwhelming and passionate stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul of America honor and celebrate the men, women and children who stepped forward in this great time of need and, through their actions, exemplified the true nature of the American Spirit!

Celebrate The Soul of America with your loved ones ... with hope and determination—now and for the future!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HCI; Presumed 1st Edition edition (February 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0757300065
• ISBN-13: 978-0757300066
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #792,829 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Wir alle sind Amerikaner", March 7, 2002

By	Suzanne Frost-Delane (rye, new york United States) - See all my reviews

Truly remarkable!! The horrible events of September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten, but the way Americans, as well as most of the world , reacted to these events will need to be told over and over again. This book shows you the best of America through personal stories of rescue workers, survivors, and victims families, as well as reactions from people around the world. It is clear from these stories that out of America's worst tragedy emerged the greatest nation in the world. This book should be required reading. "Wir alle sind Amerikaner"!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars United States of America Heroes, March 12, 2002

By A Customer

When I was shopping in Sam's with my mother and nephew and fiance I was looking for a dvd. I found nothing I really wanted to buy. Seemed to me I can no longer really buy a good flick these days. So there I was walking the aisle getting bored out of my mind when I stumbled on this book. At first I was a bit angered that the Chicken book series would sink so low to print a book about the September 11, attacks to make a quick buck. I started to read just to see what they printed and I came across the poem "I AM THE AMERICAN FLAG", by: Howard Schnauber on page: 206. There I was reading and feeling some pride about to burst through me and I wanted to cry. The partiot in me shed some tear. My fiance asked me what I was reading that was making me cry. I showed him. In turn he asked me why not buy it. I did. It'll be worth it. Some of the stories are beautiful and some will make you grateful we live in the greatest country in the world. But this patriot who believes in God and Jesus is proud to say that I am proud to be an American living in the Republic of United States of America.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The healing continues, April 12, 2002

By	Matthew Dodd (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

I picked a great one as the first "Chicken Soup" book to read from start to finish. I read the majority of this uplifting book as a metro train commuter to and from my duty station, the Pentagon. Having known three of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon, I had personal reasons to read this book. I found the many short, direct, and moving stories from common people, and their sharing of their deepest emotions, very comforting. I consider this book to be another step in my continuing personal program of coping and healing. I believe many others would also find reading it a great spiritual and emotional experience.

The only flaw with this outstanding book is that it is almost exclusively devoted to or focused on the World Trade Center heroes, victims, survivors, and volunteers. The book has very few stories about what happened at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. I commend the authors for their tremendous job in compiling these great stories from the thousands received and for publishing such an important book in such a short time to help so many. Tragedy and devastation were equally shared by friends, family, and acquaintances in New York, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. I believe this book should have included a few more Pentagon and Pennsylvania specific stories since the book's cover proclaims, "Stories to Heal the Heart of Our Nation."