The Pursuit of Happyness
by Chris Gardner
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Book Reviews of The Pursuit of Happyness
Book Review: Happyness leds to Love
Summary: 5 Stars
The book is very inspriring, it gives out great deatile. Gardner made a differnce to me from the way I view life. Now that I read the book I'm greatful for the things I have in life, because many other childern don't have the same advantage that I have. It's amazing to read about how hard his life was but always reching out for the best. There's a lot of things I can compare to with the book, that to see someone else make it through then I can do it too. Maybe at the beginning at the book it was a little confusing, beacause of all the characters coming in, but finally at the end it all made scense. I would recommend this book to many people, just because everyday we hear about all this problems and we always want to just give up. Then when you read this book it's like if I could Gardner talking to me and telling me that no matter what troubles I have I was got to look at the postitive. Also not everything had to be all specific, but I was able to picture many of the scense and picture myself being the same way as Gardner in the book.
I ranked the book 5 stars because the way it insprierd everything I believed in. Now I realize that when I have kids they won't have to suffer in that kind of way, I'll always be there for them. I also ranked it 5 stars because I heard it inspired many men to change from the way they used to be. I loved how the book was straight forward but had tons of details. It was a wonderful book and I would really like to know so much more.
Book Review: Great Story of Inspiration and Struggle
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to admit, I never knew anything about Chris Gardner before reading the book. I just knew it was suppose to be an inspirational story about a man, his struggles, and the climb up the stockbroker ladder into the hedge fund business.
I have yet to see the movie, but after reading the book I'm afraid I will be disappointed. About 75% of the beginning of the book gives an in-depth look at the struggles Mr. Gardner had early on in his life. Some of these struggles involve an abusive family unit, his mother in jail, and his on-going desire to unravel the mystery of his absent father.
The book also details not only Mr. Gardner's family and personal struggles, but the social and racial struggles of the day. It provides a glimpse into a past that is really only a two or three decades ago.
The remaining 25% of the book details his struggles with becoming a stockbroker and living homeless. If studying for a Series Exam and living homeless is not enough, he is also forced with raising his infant/toddler son at the same time. The movie previews I've seen portrait his son as somewhat older, but the book provides a clearer picture.
I was truly amazed at the struggles Mr. Gardner endured and the determination he had in accomplishing his dreams. Mr. Gardner is currently a multi-millionaire, and the fears of homelessness and his next meal are a thing of the past.
Great Motivational and Inspirational Story
Book Review: Great book: Don't personalize it. Learn from it.
Summary: 5 Stars
I was one of those who saw the movie and then picked up the book.
Surprisingly the book is not like the movie, not in all of the details. I'd say the movie is more of a condensed version of events that capture the "spirit" of Chris Gardner's life and success. For that, I can honestly say I can still watch the movie, which I loved, and not feel one is better or worse - very few book-movies can do that.
I wanted to mention that I couldn't help finding similarities between this book and "Gifted Hands," by Dr. Ben Carson (a recommended book with similar tones). Whereas Ben Carson's book is mostly filled with "goodness" and success at becoming a renowned neurosurgeon, Chris's book just lays it out there - barebones, good and bad - finding humor in events that would otherwise destroy people. In fact, I took more away from seeing him as a fallible human being, dealing with real life issues, trying to succeed with all the mistakes people make and regret, than knowing he goes on to run a multi-million dollar company!
I know some people have mentioned they don't like his bragging and sexual exploits - sure. Just keep in mind, this is a book about someone else's life, and perhaps you don't like the person, or agree with all of their choices, but it's THEIR life and it's how they view the world.
He's done well for himself, his family, and for other people. Don't personalize it. Learn from it.
Book Review: Not Like the Movie - VERY GRAPHIC
Summary: 4 Stars
I had been wanting to read this book since I saw and really enjoyed the movie. To my delight, my boyfriend's ex-wife purchased the book for their 9 year old son (he is an avid reader) while stuck in an airport nearly a month ago (so, that would save me from buying the book -- I would just borrow his when he was finished). She too had watched the movie and thought that the book would be appropriate for a child of that age due to the fact that the movie wasn't bad other than a minor cuss word or two. Unfortunately, she did not scan any of the pages and much to everyone's shock and surprise, and after the child was nearly finished with the book, I picked it up and scanned a few of the pages. The book is FILLED with graphic profanity (e.g., GD m-f'er and MF'er appear on almost every page), drug use, criminal activity, explicit and sexual scenes, a male rape scene, instances of adultery and many many depictions of graphic violence. This book is NOT like the movie. As a matter of fact, the Movie appears to be based on only about the last 50 or so pages of the book. I am not saying that the book is not a good read -- it is -- for an ADULT. I believe that some adults probably took their kids to see the movie and may think that the book is relatively harmless based on the movie. It is not. This is an adult book filled with adult topics and issues. I give it 4 stars because it's a very good book -- but definitely not a book to be read by a child.Book Review: About the movie and the issue of moral ...
Summary: 4 Stars
First the editorial remarks--I haven't seen the movie, so this review is not prejudiced by that. I Will (pun intended)see it, I am sure. In any event, I can certainly see the point many have made lamenting Mr. Gardner's written confessions of his youthful petty crimes and his occassional adulterous, but more often simple, mutually satisfying, fornicative conquests of beautiful soul sisters. As a Christian like Mr.Gardner, obviously one might hope to hear more of repentance and reconciliation--and more importantly of humility--especially in regard to the beautiful gift God bestows to mankind within the grace of a good and healthy sexual philosophy.
That being said, as an author myself, in this case I can overlook his subjective idiosyncratic need to perhaps vent if not brag a little, even when it isn't objectively advisable or righteous to do so, because after having been forcibly sodomized by a homosexual predator in his youth, Mr. Gardner's words are at least forgivable. I've read far worse than his words and have heard far more bragging from way less credentialed. Besides given today's culture all what Mr. Gardner writes about it amounts to little more than lawyers call "obiter dictum" anyhow.
I think Mr. Gardner is who he is, and he is a go-getter. We could all benefit by going after the things God gave us talent to achieve. America would be a better place. Mr. Gardner tells us it is completely possible.