A 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul: 101 More Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit (Paperback)

by Jack Canfield (Author), Mark Victor Hansen (Author), Hanoch McCarty (Author), Meladee McCarty (Author) "Even before I finished dialing, I somehow knew I'd made a mistake..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Mary Louise, Merry Christmas (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The authors of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books (Canfield and Hansen) now team up with the Acts of Kindness authors to bring forth yet another collection of sentimental anecdotes. These stories are grouped into the categories of love, kindness, parents and parenting, teaching and learning, death and dying, gaining perspective and overcoming obstacles. Most are personal experiences illustrating moments of tenderness, justice, self-sacrifice, appreciation, pride or the bonding of people to one another. Some are parables, a few are genuine epiphanies and one or two, as welcome relief, are actually humorous. Following the stories is a section entitled "Eclectic Wisdom," which offers a few poems, and a list of "101 Gifts to Give All Year Long," such as "smile," "say something nice to someone," "be optimistic," and "use just one parking space." Readers who loved the first three servings of this fare will not be disappointed in this latest effort. Others may find the soup a bit too sweet. 50,000 first printing; major ad/promo; simultaneous audio; author tour.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Motivational speakers Canfield and others present another collection of inspirational stories and life-affirming wisdom, organizing stories by theme and creating memorable revelations which will appeal to many. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: HCI; 1 edition (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558744592
• ISBN-13: 978-1558744592
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #617,278 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too good to describe, December 2, 1999

By A Customer

I have read several of the Chicken Soup books and love them all. A five star rating is not high enough, it should be ten! I recommend all of the ones that I've read to all of my friends and even give out the Chicken Soup Calendars as gifts. I want them to experience the feelings that I have when I read the books. (My favorite story is the one about adoption when a child says that an adopted child is one that grows in her mommy's heart instead of her belly.)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book, like the first three has moved me., June 17, 1998

By A Customer

I had read all three of the Chicken Soup books until 5 days ago when I recieved book 4 for my 11th birthday. There was one story that I read that made me realize what beautiful really is. That story was called "Beautiful on the Inside". It was about a little girl who when told she was beautiful, replied boredly, "Yes, I know!". Then her mother explained to her how to be beautiful on the inside. Then two years after, the child's friend's mother had died and they went to visit her grave. The little girl showed great care and love and sorrow to her friend. Then, after the child's friend left, she asked her mother,"Mommy, was I beautiful on the inside?"

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul, April 29, 2003

By A Customer

A 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul

By Melody Beattie, Bob Greene, Edgar Guest,
Harvey Mackay, Pat Riley, and many more

Stories, motivational excerpts

Chicken Soup for the Soul is a fantastic, true book with hundreds of stories inside all about people's real live experiences. The sections covered in here are about love, kindness, parents and parenting, teaching and learning, death and dying, matter of perspective, overcoming obstacles, and elective wisdom. Everyone and anyone who reads this book can find stories that they can relate to, while enjoying them. Happiness and sorrow is merely a speck of all the emotions felt throughout this amazing book. When reading this you are able to learn the different kinds of situations there are and the everyday people who go through them. This book is extraordinary and unique; how it slams real life into your face and shows exactly how unpredictable life can be. It also shows us how we should value those around us, for we do not know when it is anyone's time to go.
All of the characters are real people who have gone through an event and have decided to share it with us. Each story has a beginning, middle, and end to it; just like life. Their stories are there to help others or to send a powerful message across that has once touched them. Each and every story is unique, interesting, and 100% true. So be prepared for any kind of emotions, because in real life you don't always know what the outcome will be.
The stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul are all directly from those who experienced the story. They are all easy to understand and follow. The voice in each story is so strong that it actually feels as though the person is right there telling you their story; it's unbelievable! Though not all stories may be your type or make you feel comfortable, just skip them and move on to those that interest you more. There is something for everyone in this original book. After reading Chicken Soup for the Soul you will be able to truly see how precious life really is.