Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mark Victor Hansen (Author), Barbara Bergman (Designer)
Key Phrases: New York, Girl Scout, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's like homemade chicken soup that warms the chill and heals the ill. This collection of 101 stories is based on the belief that true testimonies of goodness and loving transformations can nourish us to the bone and heal the cynicism in our hearts. Indeed, most every story seeps in deeply. It's hard not to shed a tear of gratitude, feeling thrilled to have been touched and soothed so easily. Some of the authors are famous, such as Dan Millman, who writes an exquisite vignette on "Courage," and Gloria Steinem, who writes of "The Royal Knights of Harlem." Many, however, have a short, simple story to tell about an event, a person, an everyday miracle that exemplifies the best of the human spirit. --Gail Hudson

Review

"After interviewing hundreds of rich and famous people, it is clear to me that money and fame don't automatically make people happy. It has to come from within. I'd rather have a million smiles in my heart than a million dollars in my pocket. Chicken Soup for the Soul will help you put a million smiles in your heart."

—Robin Leach, TV personality and author (Robin Leach )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.; Revised edition (May 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155874262X
• ISBN-13: 978-1558742628
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #504,364 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Sentimental (And That's Being Nice), February 19, 1997

By A Customer

Perhaps, I am too cynical. Perhaps, I have lost my innocence. But once again, I picked up a book, I thought might reach deeper, might have meaning . . . but alas, I found a book that made happiness and meaningfulness seem easy, too easy. I didn't buy it. This book tries so hard to please that it smacks of a cheesy attempt to make money on a public truly searching for meaning. Don't get me wrong, there are some wonderful stories in here but too often they are surrounded by those quick anecdotes about someone who would have comitted suicide if a stranger hadn't said I love you to them on the bus and now their life is wonderful. Or Big Ed who after one seminar finally learned to love his wife and ended-up executive vice-president. To me, this book makes me wonder why I have such a difficult time changing my life and finding true happiness. It seems so easy to these people. If you lower your expectations, feel free to read this book, you'll find a few gems. If you want short stories filled with more depth try Anthony de Mello's One Minute Nonsense or Song of the Bird. And if you are truly looking for books that will get you thinking about the meaning of it all go try John Irving's Prayer for Owen Meany or David James Duncan's River Why or Daniel Quinn's Ishmael. I found this book to be less like Chicken Soup and more like lifesavers. They sound good and taste good, but if you are really hungry they do not come close to filling you up

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chicken Soup For The Soul, November 23, 1999

By	Melissa (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chicken Soup for the Soul (Hardcover)

This book was excelent. It warmed my heart and tickled my soul. Please read this book. It is well worth it. I learned so much from the book. First, I learned that there are people who really care about others. Secondly, I can be the same way and know that I will be a happier person.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will shine a beautiful light into your life!, September 10, 1999

By	ANGELA BARROW (MOE, VICTORIA Australia) - See all my reviews

In my deepest, darkest hour I borrowed this book from the library. It has restored my faith in human nature and shone a light for me to follow. The stories can bring such a huge emotional release. Truly wonderful and I look forward to reading many more.