Customer Reviews (84)

An excellent book - a happy book that will make you cry.
I am in the middle of Chicken Soup for the Pet-Lover's Soul, and I am loving it. I try not to read too many stories at once, because I want the book to last! I am emotional anyway, but this is a real tear-jerker. If you love hearing stories about people who love their pets, and go out of their way for animals, I highly recommend this book!

Inspiring book that will make you laugh and cry!
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul is a fantastic book for anyone who has a special place in his or her heart for animals. The book was made up of many different stories describing the special qualities that make our pets and furry friends unique. I rated this book a 5 because I found myself crying one minute and laughing the next. There are stories that will make you giggle, one in particular describes buffalo playing a game on ice. It made me realize that there are many things about animals that we don't understand- and never will. Who would have guessed that buffalo play games? The book also included stories that sent tears down my cheek. The story that stands out the most in my mind is a story about how far a mother cats goes to save her kittens. The love of the mother cat can relate to human mothers as well, they will do anything to protect their children. I believe that animals are fantastic teachers. One story in the book talks about how a gorilla helped to rescue an injured (human) boy after he fell into her area in the zoo. The author of that story explained that what is truly amazing about the gorilla is that she helped the boy without caring about recognition. She helped the boy because she wanted to, she didn't know that recognition was even a part of the act. That is exactly what us humans can learn from these animals. We need to help somebody because it's the thing to do, not because we want to be remembered as a hero.
I would recommend Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul for anyone who enjoys animals or just wants to read a book that make you warm and fuzzy inside. The stories in the book will show you exactly why pets are teachers, healers, heroes and friends. You will realize how special they really are.
Also check out Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul for stories about teenagers that will inspire you.

Warm and fuzzy
Most of the series of 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' has the kind of warm and fuzzy story that many find endearing and sweet. They are not 'deep' most of the time, but do point to things beyond themselves; for my own use, I often find sermon illustrations and stories within the pages of volumes of Chicken Soup -- as chaplain at a retirement centre, many of the stories help people to recall happier times, and help them deal with their present situation.

This particular volume involves stories with animals. The relationship between animals and people of all ages can make for some of the funniest, most heart-warming, most sad, and most meaningful stories. There are contributing authors of some note (Barbara Bush, James Herriot, Jimmy Stewart, Gilda Radner, Art Linkletter) among other authors who had stories to tell and volunteered them. Much in the manner that Readers Digest accepts unsolicited stories from amateur authors, so does the Chicken Soup series. Often the most meaningful stories are those that happen to people who are not professional writers.

Few animals are left out here, as many animals have come to be companions with humans over the centuries. Dogs and cats feature prominently, as do horses and other farm animals, but there are also wolves, birds, dolphins, deer, wild turkeys, gorillas and even a Christmas mouse. The stories cover a wide range of topics, including pets as friends and healers, animals as rescuers and performers of other amazing feats, animals whose companionship meant a lot, and finally on the sadness and meaning of saying goodbye to an important family member.

Each of this stories can easily be read in a short time. This makes it a good source for 'falling-asleep reading', for use in public speaking and preaching opportunites, for shared reading-aloud times, and for simple enjoyment and entertainment. Many of the stories here are ones that stay with you; the story about the wild turkeys and the story of the Christmas mouse are stories I use again and again in my chaplaincy, and they are always appreciated.

The editors of the primary series 'Chicken Soup' are Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen; for purposes of this volume, they are joined by Marty Becker and Carol Kline, authors and animal-professionals in various capacities.

My cats give their paws-up to this! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes   2. Animals   3. Essays   4. General   5. Human-animal relationships   6. Inspirational   7. Inspirational - General   8. Pet owners   9. Pets   10. Nature / Animals   

Customer Reviews (7)

Useful if cumbersome
This review applies to the edition WITH CASES. This isn't recommended for anyone who is just starting out with choosing investments. Beginners might be better off with a more general overview of financial statement analysis (FSA) like Higgins' "Analysis of Financial Statements" or Fraser and Omriston's "Understanding Financial Statements".

This was one of two textbooks used in a financial statement analysis course I took for my MBA. Most chapters are down-to-earth and as a whole the book is well-written.

The other text we used was Penman's "Financial Statement Analysis and Security Valuation" which was also a great resource as far as gaining a basic understanding of the mechanics of financial statements and how to build a valuation model.

I contrast the two books because while Penman provides a run-down of several different models analysts can use (and does a good job of arguing for the Residual Income Model of valuation model as being the best), Palepu delves into the implications of companies' choices of accounting methods and provides more insight into what different kinds of businesses should look like in terms of their financial statements.

The cases at the end of each chapter add a lot of value to the text because they get students to focus on the specific issues detailed in each chapter. By picking apart different companies' financial statements we learned to use financial statements to assess the success or failure of companies' efforts to carry out their business strategies.

I rate it "Good - 4 stars"

Required Text
This is a required text at my school, but after having read the first 5 chapters there is almost nothing of value that I have read. I have spoken to several people that have used this text for the class in prior semesters and they told me that they had stopped reading it after the first several chapters also.

Excellent Capstone Book
This book is an excellent description of all the elements that would go into reviewing a potential investment opportunity. It is not a detailed book in one category, such as financial accounting, but it ties business strategy analysis, financial analysis, forecasting analysis, and valuation analysis together. Most other books focus on one area and don't tie all of these together well. This one takes you down the path to evaluating the opportunity to its fullest. It is an excellent capstone book after you have sifted through the details of strategy, finance, and accounting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance   2. Business enterprises   3. Business/Economics   4. Case studies   5. Corporate Finance   6. Finance   7. Financial statements   8. Management - General   9. Valuation   10. Business & Economics / Accounting / Financial   

Customer Reviews (3)

A Treasury of Great Holiday Recipes
For the last couple of years I have shared these stories with my family at Christmas time. I am eager to see if there is a sequel to this book already published or one in the works. It is so easy to get caught in the commercial mess and frenzied pace of Christmas that it is so easy to forget what the season is about. From what I understand some of the stories were directly written for this book and others came from other Chicken Soup for the Soul books. Higher recommended reading for anyone who loves the holidays but occasionally forgets what the meaning of the season is.

Great "feel good" Book
Easy to read, hard to put down. Thats the best way to explain this book. I recommend it for people of all faiths. The stories are both touching and funny. Well written and includes short stories from well known authors like Fulghum and Buscaglia.

The Best Chicken Soup book since the Pet Lover's Edition!
More than enough great stories to warm my heart for the holidays ahead. Loved the story about the Cat named Christmas. That one little story is worth buying the whole book!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas   2. General   3. Holidays - Christmas   4. Inspirational   5. Inspirational - General   6. Miscellanea   7. Self-Help   8. Self-Help / General   

Customer Reviews (86)

Death takes a holiday ...
Needing a break from the daily grind, DEATH takes on an apprentice to help him with the field work. He hires the awkward boy Mort (great name!) at a village job fair, and begins teaching him the trade. Mort seems to have found his calling, and as he grows into the job, DEATH leaves him with more responsibility. Until one day Mort breaks the rules, setting chaos in motion, which he must now scramble to set right.

I really liked Mort (the character, that is.) I liked the way he grew from a gangly kid into an imposing figure ("more solid" than everything around him.) And, of course, DEATH a major character in this book. (We get to see his warm and fuzzy side). We also meet the Four Horsemen again, whose dialogue is hilarious (especially the way it is presented), as well as a new inept young wizard (not Rincewind), and DEATH's buxom daughter.

"Mort" is my favorite Discworld book so far (although I still have a long way to go!) I'm reading them in order, but *you don't need to have read the others to get this one*. It stands on its own just fine.

Being Death's apprentice ain't all it's cracked up to be
Mort, the 4th Discworld book by Terry Pratchett, is one of the funniest Discworld books out there. It's a hilarious book that's missing some of the social commentary that permeates his books later in the series. You don't miss it, though, as you continue to laugh out loud at some of the shenanigans. Only a weak ending prevents it from being the best book of the bunch.

Death takes on an apprentice. Mort, the unlucky chosen one, has a bit of trouble settling into his role. It's not very fun to be present when people leave the mortal coil. One time, however, he spies a princess (who can actually see him as well, even though people aren't supposed to be able to) and is very attracted to her. Unfortunately for him, this attraction leads him to try and change the course of destiny, and Mort finds that it's a lot harder to do then it looks. The princess finds out that it's quite hard to live when you're supposed to be dead. Death doesn't seem to notice all of this as he's busy trying to experience humanity. But when he finds out, Mort may wish he hadn't.

I really enjoyed this book. Death has always been my favourite character in Pratchett's books, so I decided to start reading the books that are actually about him. Mort is the first, and I can now see why I've always liked the character. Death has a dry wit about him, but he's always matter-of-fact when he's doing his job. He tries to impart that onto Mort, with limited success. I like the fact that he always speaks in capital letters LIKE THIS, thus giving him a real presence when you read him. It's even better when he's out learning about humanity, sitting in a bar and lamenting about the fact that he has no friends. The dissonance between this very human feeling and his powerful voice is really neat.

The other characters in Mort are also wonderful. There's Ysabell, Death's adopted daughter who he's obviously trying to pair Mort with. She's feisty, never slipping into the stereotypical female role. Albert shines as Death's servant, a man who's not all he appears to be. When things finally let loose with Albert, it's both powerful and funny how it happens. There's Keli, the princess that Mort tries to save. She's a petulant child, even more so when people can't seem to remember that she's not supposed to be living. Finally, there's Cutwell, the wizard that Mort enlists to help him learn to walk through walls and Keli employs to make people remember her. All of these characters are complete and well-rounded, with none of them missing a beat. Their interactions are marvelous and the jokes come out of the characters rather than at the expense of the characters. Heck, even Rincewind, the incompetent wizard from the first books, makes an appearance!

There's more to this book than the characters, though. The plot is simple, but very good. While there's not much commentary in this book, it does make a bit of a statement about how powerful an emotion love can be. It also shows what a curse being human can be, as Death loses himself in the experience. He even lowers himself to become a fry cook at one point, just to see what it's like. No insult intended to fry cooks, but when you're the anthropomorphic projection of an aspect of life, then you have lowered yourself when you start working a kitchen. The plot moves quickly, with little padding. There are no unnecessary characters placed in the book just to make a joke, which is a sin Pratchett starts to commit in later books. When somebody appears, you know they're going to have an impact.

The only bad thing about this book is the ending. It's very arbitrary, and seems to go against the rest of the book. It seems to come out of nowhere, just being used as an excuse to end the book. The final conflict is resolved way too quickly and neatly. It's almost like Pratchett knew how he wanted to end the book, but couldn't figure out how to get there. It makes sense, but only if you reach a bit.

Still, it's well worth the time spent getting to the ending. The jokes are great, Death is wonderful and you'll really love reading about him. I can't wait to read the next Death book and see what happens. This book is a wonderful place to start your Discworld experience, being the start of a subset within the Discworld series. You won't regret it.

Second-funniest Death book to date
This is the story of Death and his young sidekick, Mort. There are lots of nice details about life in Ankh-Morpork as well as various hinterlands. The coming-of-age aspect is nicely done, with Mort proceeding from an inept farmhand to become Death's apprentice and eventually his rival. Like Pratchett's best Discworld novels, there is a light touch of serious philosophical inquiry here about the nature of reality and just what would happen if you really could change history. When Death walks off the job, to wander Ankh-Morpork drinking top-shelf liquor and working as a short-order cook, the results are hilarious. The story is somewhat comparable to Piers Anthony's _On a Pale Horse_, but Anthony suffers by comparison for his lack of real world-building and his insufferable seriousness. The side characters here are great, and include Death's daughter, and his servant Albert, who turns out to be of more importance than he seems. As is unfortunately typical in Discworld books, the ending is a mad scramble to tie up loose ends, but this is still one of the better Discworld novels. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fantasy - General   2. Fantasy - Series   3. Fiction   4. Fiction - Fantasy   5. Fiction / General   

Customer Reviews (7)

The best book on the subject, for what it is
This is a very comprehensive book on the subject of neurology. Unfortunately, I was only interested in about 25% of the book's contents---those dealing with mental illness. Maybe I should have bought Neurology for Psychiatrists, but that book is smaller, so this one probably has almost as much psychiatric information anyway. Unlike many of the other reviewers, I actually LIKE the amount of detail in this book, although since I don't have an M.D. or a Ph.D. I could not understand all of it. I did also notice from the other reviews that there is a demand for a for user-friendly book dealing with Neurology, that parents can read to help understand their child's neurological deficits. Well, I have the solution! My book, The Failures of American Medicine (available at Amazon for [price]), contains five chapters on mental illness, and is both technical and relatively easy to read. I hope I have provided an answer for the parents who are struggling to find understandable information.

Among the best....
This text is not easy to read, but it packs a lot of information. You can almost guarantee that this book will provide useful info on any neurological disease. It is one of the best reference books for general neurology. I also find its end-chapter references to be fairly complete. One criticism is that it does not offer too many tables or illustrations.

Comment on the review from Orleans
The sentiments expressed by the father are admirable, if somewhat inaccurate in areas. But I don't think parents should be asked to read *this* book - it's a specialist medical textbook! By all means, laypersons should read up on medical issues affectin their lives. But I think more efficient methods would be to read patient summaries etc - literature written speciffically so laypeople can *understand* what they are reading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diseases   2. Medical   3. Medical / Nursing   4. Mental Disorders   5. Nervous System Diseases   6. Nervous system   7. Neurology (General)   8. Neurology - General   9. Neuropsychiatry   10. Surgery - Neurosurgery   11. Medical / Neurology   

Customer Reviews (3)

The most inspirational book I have ever read
I never write reviews, but everyone needs to know how wonderful and what an impact this book can have on a person. I am not a very religious person, but I picked up this book and found, that being religious or not had nothing to do with enjoying and appreciating this book. I LOVED IT and could relate so much thank you KIMBERLY KIRBERGER, once again.

A Great Read!!!
The minute I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. As an reader of the Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series I was blown away by this particular book. I found it inspiring and moving, making me laugh and even cry. I recommend it to any teenager who wants to feel more connected to Christianity and regain their sense of faith.

The "Test" was great!
I really thought that the story about cheating, "The Test", was a valuable lesson for all students, regardless of faith. The structure and craftsmanship was equisite. Over all, I am tiring of this series but have alot of hope for it now. Well done, Ms. Ayers and Canfield/Hansen of course.
Once again, this series has made an outstanding contribution to the lives of people everywhere. In these troubled times, it is truly a blessing that this thoughtful volume has been provided for Christian teens everywhere.
The reason why this series has struck such a chord with readers across generations is the feeling of authenticity it generates within readers. My only criticism is that some of the stories sometimes seem a bit formulaic. A striking exception is found in the story "The Test", which involves the dilemma of a student who cheats on a school exam. The narrative pulls off the rare combination of being impecably written while still ringing true with its audience. As someone who works with young people on a regular basis, I know it will inspire my students for years to come. Thank you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Inspirational   2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)   3. Christian life   4. Christian teenagers   5. Juvenile Nonfiction   6. Religion - Christianity   7. Religion - Inspirational   8. Religious life   9. Teenagers   10. Juvenile Nonfiction / Religion / Christianity   

Customer Reviews (24)

If you love your pet...
If you love your pet, you'll love this book. The stories capture how important pets are in our lives. My whole family has read it. I'm writing stories about my own pet with the help of a journaling book, THE BOOK OF MY PET. It's helping me capture my endearing animal's life in the way the Chicken Soup authors did.

Chicken Soup For The Cat and Dog Lover's Soul Was Great!
I loved this book! It is amazing to read these stories about how animals can touch our lives. This book will make you look at your pet ar any animal in a different way! If you love animals you are sure to love this book! If you don't this book will change your opinion of animals forever. I f you liked Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's soul you are bound to enjoy this collection of stories.

Awesome!
This book is amazing. If you don't like animals, no problem - I'm sure this book will make you! The stories are great and all, but the most important thing is that they make you really appreciate animals in all forms. The book teaches us that we share this world with fascinating, intelligent and beautiful creatures who should be valued and appreciated. They, too, have personalities, likes and dislikes, and everything else; I have four dogs and each one has a distinct personality. This book appreciates each and every personality-type. In the end, everyone is a winner and each dog, cat, horse or whatever animal it might be, is a hero, if only in their owner's heart. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes   2. Cats   3. Cats - General   4. Dogs   5. Dogs - General   6. Essays   7. General   8. Inspirational   9. Pet owners   10. Pets   11. Self-Help / General   

Customer Reviews (4)

Unmasking the CIA?
If you believe that the authors were actually permitted to reveal the secrets contained in this book, it is monumental.

But knowing "The Company", it is more likely that this work is some sort of 'controlled' leak, softening the blow for the revelations of the inevitable congressional investigations that followed in the aftermath of the Watergate fiasco, the death of J. Edgar Hoover, and the continuing insinuations implicating the CIA of complicity in everything from the murder of JFK, to secret, malevolent control over the war in SE Asia.

Irrespective of ones' take on the voracity of the means of disclosure (whether legitimate whistle-blowing, or CIA damage control) this heavily-censored/redacted book ostensibly blew the lid off at CIA, with at least superficial examination of the structure, operations, methods, and mind-set of the U.S. intelligence apparatus. In the main, time has tended to validate this contents of this expose'.

Out of print and hard to find, this book nonetheless remains must-reading for anyone interested in intelligence, the Cold War, Vietnam, and the defense of the Free World up to the early 1970s. Buy it.

No Better View of the Clandestine Mentality Exists
This is one of perhaps ten books from prior to 1985 that I decided to include because of their continuing value. I believe that both history and historians will credit these two individuals with having made a difference by articulating so ably both the clandestine mentality and the problems extant in the lack of oversight regarding proprietary organizations, propaganda and disinformation, and intrusive not-so-clandestine operations.

"REVIELING"
Professionals at work. This reviels it all. Don't read encyclopedias read crediable books by credible authors in the know. It teaches you the truth. Highly recommendeed by me and everybody else. Thanks for reading my review. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Espionage   2. General   3. History - General History   4. History: American   

Admittedly, we sometimes become oversentimental about motherhood. But in a climate of rampant cynicism and family disintegration, stories about maternal love, courage, devotion, and triumph can be immensely comforting and inspiring. Contributors such as Dave Barry, Barbara Bush, Reba McIntire, Erma Bombeck, and Joan Rivers offer celebrity appeal. But even more heart coddling are the stories by everyday women, sharing their intimate experiences about becoming a mother, almost losing a child, discovering miracles, and honoring the wisdom of grandmothers. Mothers of all ages will appreciate this book as a gift to themselves or as a gift to a beloved mom. But get out your handkerchiefs, the editors showed no restraint when it came to including tearjerkers. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

A pleasure to read, warmed my heart.
I thought this book was very enjoyable. I am an avid reader of the Chicken Soup for the Souls series and as a new mother I thought this book was perfect. Of course some of the stories are more touching than others, but they all sparked an emotional response from me. The format of short stories makes the book easy to read and hard to put down. I often find myself at night, saying, " Okay, I'll just read one more story" and 45 min later of course I'm still reading. I would recommend this book to all, mothers, children, fathers, grandparents. . ., but its a tear-jerker so remember the tissues!!

A must read for all women
I received my first Chicken Soup book from my father six years back and since then there has been no stopping. I continue to be a voracious reader of these lovely series. I have recommended them to many of my friends too.

Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul is one book which I feel all women must read irrespective of whether they have arrived at the threshold of motherhood or not. Heart-warming stories, personal experiences, and moving tales comprise this book, which will on more than one occassion make you grab a tissue and wipe your moist eyes. The illustrations in this book are hilarious too. As you read this book, you shall reflect upon the happiness and pain of your own relationship with your mother. One of the finest and sweetest books you can gift to your near and dear ones. They will always thank you for this book.

I shall take the liberty of quoting one of the proverbs in this book.
"God cannot be everywhere so He made mothers."

There...I rest my case. Nothing further needs to be said in honor of this exquisite book.

highly recommended
If you've ever been a mother or a daughter this book is definately for you. The stories will make you laugh and cry and, best of all, you'll recognize yourself in many of the pages.
This book is one of my favorites. It's a real treasure. Five stars! Debbie Farmer, parenting author of 'Don't Put Lipstick on the Cat' ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General   2. Inspirational   3. Inspirational - General   4. Literary collections   5. Motherhood   6. Mothers   7. Personal Growth - Happiness   8. Self-Help   9. Family & Relationships / Motherhood   

Customer Reviews (3)

Energizes the motivation to plan your wedding
This book is great for Bride's to be and Veteran Bride's alike. I bought this book prior to my March 2004 wedding. It offered me insight and motivation to keep planning my wedding. It is hysterical and touching. The cartoons are amusing and they can almost guarantee you will find at least one you can relate to. Highly recommended for anyone who has or is about to embark on the path of marriage.

Interesting!
Great book for newly married couples.

Connection
I brought the book with the intent of giving it to my older sister who is getting married. I decide to tumb through it and see what kinds of stories it had. After reading one story that took place in the same location as my wedding, I was moved. My husband is currently deployed and the story made him feel a little closer to home. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes   2. Brides   3. Customs & Traditions   4. Inspirational   5. Inspirational - General   6. Manners And Customs   7. Marriage   8. Motivational & Inspirational   9. Reference   10. Social Science   11. Sociology - Marriage & Family   12. Weddings   13. Reference / Weddings   

Customer Reviews (5)

Wisdom and Foresight
Go back and read both of Hanson's books that sprung from 9/11. You will see how deeply this man understands historical trends. Read them and understand that no one knew how things were going to turn out. Some of his predictions and observations are almost exactly what wound up actually happening.

A man of such deep and broad learning has a lot to offer how we conduct our affairs in the current struggle. This volume serves as a valuable aid to understanding events and their consequences as they actually unfolded at the time.

Between Rush & mush: Non-lessons from a classical education
If Hanson wants to claim a scholarly foundation for his political drivel, he would do well to discover something about the histories of Afghanistan and Iraq and the effects of British and U.S. (and Soviet/Russian) interference in these countries. Unfortunately, neither his knowledge of the region nor his expectations for stupendous "coalition" success in the warmongering that has taken place since 9-11 provide the reader with much reason to waste money on this example of Rush-mush when you can get the same thing on talk radio or "fair and balanced" FOX News on a nightly basis for free -- and with similar effects on a naive mind. A UCSC education was wasted, and California tax-payers should demand their money back!!

Don't let Victor Hanson (neo)con you...
I think that there are some valid arguments from people on the conservative side of things, but this book does not contain any. Hanson is the kind of author that rightly points out the bad things about people like Saddam Hussein and why they shouldn't be in power, but advocates the same type of aggressive behavior if the U.S. or Israel is the ones doing it.

You can look at Iraq and at Afghanistan as perfect examples of why America shouldn't throw its weight around in order to achieve short term goals. More problems end up being created in the long run that are more harmful to everyone. Hanson just doesn't seem capable of this type of reasoning, and that's a shame because it's this type of thinking that does more harm than good. Besides being ideologically driven, it just doesn't make sense from a security standpoint. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General   2. International Relations - General   3. Iraq War, 2003   4. Middle East   5. Middle East - General   6. Political Science   7. Politics - Current Events   8. Politics/International Relations   9. Relations   10. United States   11. United States - 21st Century   12. War on Terrorism, 2001-   13. Current Events / Military   

Customer Reviews (31)

Soul Growth in Us All
As an educator in a state correctional facility, I am always looking for reading material that can interest and inspire. As a human being struggling with the difficulties of my own little life, working with human being beings who for many reasons are going through the very difficult life experience of incarceration has assisted me in my own soul growth and the awareness of the one soul by which we are all connected.
Reading "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul" before I read it in class with my adult incarcerated students aided that development. I bought copies of the book for my students to read in class. Each student practiced his story. Then read it to the class. We have had many soul-stirring discussions.
I have never been the victim of a violent crime. I feel very much for victims and their families. The sections of the book that moved me to reflect on forgiveness were the ones telling about the forgiveness of the victim's family member for the perpetrator. I have trouble forgiving small slights. To read about the forgiveness of a violent crime that led to a taken life...well, I am still working on that. We live. We think. We change. This book encourages new thoughts to enter my mind and new changes in awareness of the soul.

Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul
Thank you! Finally someone has addressed the possibility that there are real people in prison! Kudos on your collection of wonderful stories. Even though one can make a mistake, I believe there can be forgivness and good in all. This book gives us a glimpse of the hearts of many prisoners that are forgotten. God can and does work through them. We outside can learn much by way of theses short poignant tales. I have used a number of them in class. Great cartoons! Is there a second book in the works?

Teacher in PA

A "Must Read" for Everyone
This book is great! It opens your heart in an area you never new existed. I use it as a devotional each day. There are lessons on love on each page. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life   2. Education   3. Inspirational   4. Inspirational - General   5. Moral education   6. Motivational & Inspirational   7. Prisoners   8. Religion   9. Spiritual life   

Customer Reviews (46)

I think this book was well written.
Chicken Soup For The Kids Soul is about kids of all ages who write stories about sad deaths, achieving dreams, and making choices in life. I would recomend this book for a 9 year old because I liked it and I think they would like it like I did.

This Book Will Always Be My Favourite Chicken Soup Book!!
I have read a fan of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books since Grade 8 and I must say that out of all of the series I have read, this is my favourite one. This book is great for kids. It includes stories, and poems that were written by kids FOR kids! This book is great and I love to sit in my bed sometimes at night and read stories from Dating and Relationships to Death and Divorce. Kids can face many troubles out in the world like Gangs, Drugs, AIDS, Death and many other situations. Kids have to make difficult choices sometimes. This book is good because it can really make you think. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who wants something great to read! It can make you laugh or cry. It can make you feel good about yourself. I know it will definetly make you think, it made me think!

A mixed bag.
Overall the stories are both entertaining and heart warming. Some of them are quite sappy but all of the stories are thankfully short which keeps the flow of the book going at a comfortable reading pace. It's the type of book to read in small chunks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children   2. Children's 9-12 - Inspirational   3. Children's writings   4. Children: Grades 2-3   5. Conduct of life   6. Juvenile Nonfiction   7. Religion - Inspirational   8. Social Studies - Sociology   9. Juvenile Nonfiction / General   

Customer Reviews (7)

Chicken soup for the Surviving Soul
After my diagnosis with breast cancer five years ago at age 28,this book was part of my salvation. Reading stories of otherssurvival helped me to realize that cancer is beatable. I now recommend this book to other cancer patients.

Faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love
"Malignant", to hear this word when you or someone you love is diagnosed brings feelings of despair, fear and abandonment. The "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series gives you bits of humanity and makes you feel hopeful, trusting and accepting. The stories, poems and essays are put together to give to us encouragement. I myself am a 5 year survivor of stage 2 breast cancer and find the pages filled with new beginnings.

Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul
Very good book! Having been diagnosed with Cervical cancer, I found it encouraging to know that there are many cancer survivors out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cancer   2. Case studies   3. Consolation   4. Courage   5. Diseases - Cancer   6. Inspirational   7. Inspirational - General   8. Motivational & Inspirational   9. Self-Help   10. Suffering   11. Health & Fitness / Diseases / Cancer   

Subjects:  1. Fiction   2. Fiction - General   3. General   4. Literary   

Customer Reviews (14)

Helping to Revive Our Hope
Sheltered by the walls of academia, I had forgotten that the writing process itself is a mantra of social change, that our awakenings lead to a more united world. Reading the poignant and inspirational stories submitted to Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul reminded me of the many people who give selflessly of themselves, who teach us that heroes are everywhere we cast our eyes.

Janet I. Buck, Ph.D.

An Insightful Invitation to Volunteers
I would recommend reading "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul" to anyone who has a sincere interest in his fellowmen and possesses the capacity to relate to the needs, sorrows, and joys of others. I was impressed by the work's intent, format, and content. The selections are comprehensive and meaningful, offering a wide range of volunteer experiences for the information, delight, compassion, and consideration to the book's readers. Hopefully, this publication will encourage countless individuals to find the necessary reason and desire to give of their own time, talents, and hearts to those in need in our society. For others, it will provide an understanding of the wonderful gifts of volunteering for the volunteer.

Inspired to Volunteer
I just finished "Chicken Soup for the Volunteer Soul," which is an excellent and inspirational book. Also, a few weeks ago, I went on a Social and Service Justice Retreat. Since reading this book, making the retreat, and other inevitable signs, I feel inspired to find a place to volunteer.

Sarah

Gurnee, Illinois ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caring   2. Conduct of life   3. Helping behavior   4. Inspirational   5. Motivational & Inspirational   6. Social Science   7. Sociology   8. Sociology - General   9. Voluntarism   10. Volunteer Work   11. Volunteers   

Customer Reviews (75)

An exquisitely told tale!
When I was an English Literature major in college in the early 1990s, I wrote my senior thesis on the significance of Chicano literature. "Rain of Gold" was included in my study. It is a beautifully written book and a tremendously valuable contribution to American literature.

In Victor Villasenor's "Rain of Gold," the dominant theme or metaphor is the struggle for survival. The mythic structure provides a rich and meaningful context for the characters and their inner struggle for identity and survival. "Rain of Gold" is the story of two parallel lives -- those of Juan Salvador and Lupe Gomez, characters delineated from Villasenor's real-life mother and father, who grow up with their respective families in two distant towns in Mexico and meet as young adults in California.

The novel can be divided into three parts: the families trying to survive in Mexico, but opting to find a better life in the U.S.; their harsh and harrowing journeys through the rough terrain of the Mexican deserts; and finally, their miraculous arrival and struggle in the U.S. The novel challenges the reader to experience the harsh realities of the characters' hardships and triumphs. Their struggle is internal and personal. Villasenor's adherence to myth, religion and a little of the magical paints a vivid image of a people -- survivors not only of physical challenges, but spiritual ones as well. His story is well detailed and well developed. It is truly an epic in every sense of the word.

The Best I've Read!
Rain of Gold is a book written by Victor Villaseñor an author of Mexican Heritage. Villaseñor wrote this book when he felt the urge to pas down to his children the history behind their name. Villaseñor traveled to Mexico and after years of hard work and several conflicts he published "Rain of Gold", the biography of his family. In "Rain of Gold" Villaseñor describes with full detail the lives of his ancestors in Mexico and later in the United States. More than just a story, Villaseñor gives a vivid image of life during the Mexican Revolution {the times of Pancho Villa}. He explains how his family was forced as well as other families to abandon their beloved country because of the violence and danger the Mexican Revolution brought to its citizens. Villaseñor also explains the hardships his family had to got through to adapt and survive prejudice, hunger and unfair work in the states. Not only does Villaseñor capture the struggles of his family but also the exciting and glorious moments his ancestors lived. This book has a vivid message to everybody of Mexican background. Especially to teenagers who usually don't get the chance to be taught their history with out somebody making fun or putting down their culture. This is the first book that I have truly related to, because of my Mexican background and hardships I've faced in this country. This is a book you just can't stop reading because you get so close to the characters. By the end of the book I assure you that not only will you know all of the people in the book but you will also respect and consider them part of your family! More importantly, I recommend this book to everybody who has parents or somebody who has immigrated to this country in search of opportunities and better life.

This book needs an editor
This book deserves 1 star, not the 5-star rating it receives on Amazon. I can open up to any place in this 562-page novel that is 500 pages too long and find a poorly crafted paragraph. Jeez -- ever hear of an editor? The writing is so bad at times it's unintentionally funny ("Love was in the air, choking the atmosphere" -- "Their home was leaping in flames").

This is NOT a great book. It's not even a good book. It's an OK book, an historical account of one man's family history. The characters are colorful but not especially deep. The book jumps back and forth from believable family saga to trite Mexican soap opera stocked with cliched characters. Men are weak but lovable, women stoic and boundlessly loving, and gringos are all greedy, untrustworthy SOBs. The narrative has big wide seams that disrupt the flow. The author has an annoying way of jumping between past and present without any skill.

If Villasenor was trying to evoke the magical realism of Garcia Marquez' 100 Years of Solitude when he wrote this, he failed miserably. There's no magical realism here, just absurd realism. Anyone who gives this book five stars needs to read more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography   2. Biography & Autobiography   3. Biography / Autobiography   4. Biography/Autobiography   5. California   6. Ethnic Cultures - General   7. Latin America - Mexico   8. Literary   9. Mexican Americans   10. Minority Studies - General   11. History / Mexico   

Customer Reviews (3)

The old standard--but outdated
This book is still used a great deal in law schools, but there are better casebooks now with modern, more interesting cases and more thoughtful analysis. Instead, try Goldberg, Sebok and Zipursky, Tort Law: Responsibilities and Redress.

Best Textbook Ever
Wohoo! Great book! Read it cover to cover in 2 days! Makes law easy! I love it! My kids love it! Kids everywhere will love it! Read it to your children at bedtime!

Excellent introduction and review of all Tort law subjects.
A first year law school case book. Covers all relevant Tort Law in historical and modern contexts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice   2. Cases   3. Law   4. Legal Reference / Law Profession   5. Torts   6. United States   

Customer Reviews (7)

An excellent read
Reading this book renewed my pride in being a veteran, and it was heartwarming to read about the sacrifices made by our vets, and the honor they possess. I highly recommend this book to any vet, or to anyone who knows a vet.

Veteran's lives unfold in the turning of the pages
As a veteran, I was amazed that I have never read any of the stories in this book in the past. It took me a while to realize that these stories were in fact very personal, they effected the lives of the people deeply. Some of the stories made me cry others made me laugh. Many people do not realize how much so many have give to keep this country free, the only complain about the way thing are run in Washington, never have ever sacrificed even a small portion of what our great countries veterans have. Read this book, and thank God for the things you have, and for not having to go through what some of these veterans did.

Those who have family in the military this book is a must!
As the daughter of an Air Force pilot and the wife of an Army Cavalry Scout, this book touches me personally. The stories relayed in this collection are heart-warming, prideful and on occassion tear provoking, but for anyone who has had a family member in the armed forces or knows someone who is serving their country or has served in the past, this will definitely hit home. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Armed Forces   2. Biography   3. Conduct of life   4. Inspirational   5. Inspirational - General   6. Military   7. Military - General   8. Self-Help   9. Spiritual   10. United States   11. Veterans   12. Biography & Autobiography / Military   

Subjects:  1. 356-323 B.C   2. Alexander the Great,   3. Ancient - Greece   4. Ancient Greece - History   5. Biography   6. Biography & Autobiography   7. Biography / Autobiography   8. Biography/Autobiography   9. Dryden, John, 1631-1700   10. Early works to 1800   11. Generals   12. Greece   13. Historical - General   14. Kings and rulers   15. Military   16. Presidents & Heads of State   17. Biography & Autobiography / Historical