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Chicken Soup for the Soul
Two of America's best-loved inspirational speakers share the very best of their collected stories and favorite tales that have touched the hearts of people everywhere. Canfield and Hansen bring you wit and wisdom, hope and empowerment to buoy you through life's dark moments.
428 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Jack Canfield
1,254 books1,713 followersJack Canfield is an American motivational speaker and author. He is best known as the co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book series, which currently has over 124 titles and 100 million copies in print in over 47 languages. According to USA Today, Canfield and his writing partner, Mark Victor Hansen, were the top-selling authors in the United States in 1997.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
Canfield received a BA in Chinese History from Harvard University and a Masters from University of Massachusetts. He has worked as a teacher, a workshop facilitator, and a psychotherapist.
Canfield is the founder of "Self Esteem Seminars" in Santa Barbara, and "The Foundation for Self Esteem" in Culver City, California. The stated mission of Self Esteem Seminars is to train entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and employees to achieve their personal and professional goals. The focus of The Foundation for Self Esteem is to train social workers, welfare recipients and human resource professionals.
In 1990,he shared with author Mark Victor Hansen his idea for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. After three years, the two had compiled sixty-eight stories.
Canfield has appeared on numerous television shows, including Good Morning America, 20/20, Eye to Eye, CNN's Talk Back Live, PBS, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Montel Williams Show, Larry King Live and the BBC.
Canfield's most recent book, The Success Principles (2005), shares 64 principles that he claims can make people more successful. In 2006, he appeared in the DVD, "The Secret," and shared his insights on the Law of Attraction and tips for achieving success in personal and professional life.
Jack Canfield was born on August 19, 1944, in Fort Worth, TX. He is the son of Elmer and Ellen (a homemaker; maiden name, Taylor). He attended high school at Linsly Military Institute, Wheeling, WV, 1962. He went to college at Harvard University, B.A., 1966; University of Massachusetts at Amherst, M.Ed., 1973. Canfield married Judith Ohlbaum in 1971 (divorced, November 1976); he married Georgia Lee Noble on September 9, 1978 (divorced, December 1999); he married Inga Marie Mahoney on July 4, 2001; children: (first marriage) Oran, David, Kyle, Dania; (second marriage) Christopher Noble. He is a Democrat and a Christian, and his hobbies include tennis, travel, skiing, running, billiards, reading, and guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,075 reviews
May 16, 2022
This series of books have the same tone as those cynical, anti-intellectual mega-church TV preachers who wear $30,000 wristwatches and claim to have all of the answers to your existence. If every story in this book isn't 100% fabrication, I'm certain that they have been generously embellished (sort of the same thing as fabricated).
Spoiler Alert! Your prayers are never answered; for every happy ending there are countless unhappy stories. Everyone dies, sooner or later. You can kid yourself about this with religion or hack bibles like this piece of trash, or you can just accept our fleeting existence on our humble planet and try to make the most of it. Just what it means to "make the most of it" is entirely up to you. For me, this means studying languages and piano and reading a ton of books and writing and seeing the world and experiencing new cultures, among other pursuits. Praying ain't one of them. To each his own.
The best part about trashing this stupid book is that there is no such thing as a soul and if you disagree with me, I suggest that you take flying lessons (don't bother with the bit about landings) and fly a plane into your computer right into my review of this book. That'll learn me!
The Goodreads blurb for this book describes the authors as, “Two of America's best-loved inspirational speakers.” Other famous inspirational speakers: Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Dale Carnegie, Jim Jones, Tony Robbins, Richard Simmons, and Reverend Lovejoy from the Simpsons, to name only a few. Not very good company to keep. Let's just consider that word for a moment. Inspire: to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural. Do you really want to be guided or influenced by these two hucksters? Life doesn't come with instructions; so why do so many people look for them in this sort of childish pabulum? There are no easy answers. You just have to take bits and pieces of the wisdom handed down to us through the centuries and cobble some meaning together on your own. I have news for you: none of this wisdom is to be found in the self-help aisle at Barnes and Nobles, and there is certainly none to be found in this collection of fortune cookie aphorisms.
Instead of wasting your time with this garbage, read something that will give you some true understanding of human existence. I'll bet that most people who rated this five-stars don't believe in evolution. Evolution is one of the most illuminating ideas in all of human history, but these people would rather ignore science and take refuge in religion, superstition, and this sort of “uplifting” silliness.
What does evolution have to do with these stories? The title of the book mentions the soul, something I don't believe in. Consciousness, yes, the soul, no. Just when did mankind attain a soul? Did the Neanderthals have souls? Homo erectus? Australopithecus?
Stephen J. Gold was asked if he had learned anything or if his thinking was altered because he had been diagnosed with cancer. He told the interviewer that his intellectual foundation would have been pretty weak if something as minor as his own illness could have rocked him off of it. If this sort of trash is your intellectual foundation, you are making a house of (greeting) cards.
Before you let me have it because I think this book is trash, look at your own ratings. I'm sure that there are books that you hate that other people treasure. I don't care if you don't like a book that I may think is excellent. The whole idea of this site is for readers to voice their opinions. I give most books 5 stars so if you're looking for something that I have written with a positive slant, read a review of a book that I loved.
Spoiler Alert! Your prayers are never answered; for every happy ending there are countless unhappy stories. Everyone dies, sooner or later. You can kid yourself about this with religion or hack bibles like this piece of trash, or you can just accept our fleeting existence on our humble planet and try to make the most of it. Just what it means to "make the most of it" is entirely up to you. For me, this means studying languages and piano and reading a ton of books and writing and seeing the world and experiencing new cultures, among other pursuits. Praying ain't one of them. To each his own.
The best part about trashing this stupid book is that there is no such thing as a soul and if you disagree with me, I suggest that you take flying lessons (don't bother with the bit about landings) and fly a plane into your computer right into my review of this book. That'll learn me!
The Goodreads blurb for this book describes the authors as, “Two of America's best-loved inspirational speakers.” Other famous inspirational speakers: Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Dale Carnegie, Jim Jones, Tony Robbins, Richard Simmons, and Reverend Lovejoy from the Simpsons, to name only a few. Not very good company to keep. Let's just consider that word for a moment. Inspire: to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural. Do you really want to be guided or influenced by these two hucksters? Life doesn't come with instructions; so why do so many people look for them in this sort of childish pabulum? There are no easy answers. You just have to take bits and pieces of the wisdom handed down to us through the centuries and cobble some meaning together on your own. I have news for you: none of this wisdom is to be found in the self-help aisle at Barnes and Nobles, and there is certainly none to be found in this collection of fortune cookie aphorisms.
Instead of wasting your time with this garbage, read something that will give you some true understanding of human existence. I'll bet that most people who rated this five-stars don't believe in evolution. Evolution is one of the most illuminating ideas in all of human history, but these people would rather ignore science and take refuge in religion, superstition, and this sort of “uplifting” silliness.
What does evolution have to do with these stories? The title of the book mentions the soul, something I don't believe in. Consciousness, yes, the soul, no. Just when did mankind attain a soul? Did the Neanderthals have souls? Homo erectus? Australopithecus?
Stephen J. Gold was asked if he had learned anything or if his thinking was altered because he had been diagnosed with cancer. He told the interviewer that his intellectual foundation would have been pretty weak if something as minor as his own illness could have rocked him off of it. If this sort of trash is your intellectual foundation, you are making a house of (greeting) cards.
Before you let me have it because I think this book is trash, look at your own ratings. I'm sure that there are books that you hate that other people treasure. I don't care if you don't like a book that I may think is excellent. The whole idea of this site is for readers to voice their opinions. I give most books 5 stars so if you're looking for something that I have written with a positive slant, read a review of a book that I loved.
Shelved as 'unread-forever'
March 28, 2015¡REVIEW #500!
one fine summer day, young mark monday - aged 4 or 5 - was tooling around the neighborhood on his Big Wheel. he was a happy lad and liked to make others around him feel happy too. this outlook soon saw its first challenge when he wheeled up to his friend Tommy - who looked miserable and had clearly been crying.
"What's the matter, Tommy?"
"Dad's going away!"
young mark monday was a military brat and so was Tommy, so mark knew exactly how he felt. he had felt the same way, many times. but he hated seeing his friend Tommy looking so upset. he thought for a moment, and as his thoughts tended to do, they moved towards his favorite shows, Sesame Street and Electric Company. what happened when kids had problems on those shows, problems that they didn't know how to solve? why, they sang about them! and then the problems just didn't seem so big anymore. and so young mark sang.
"Don't be sa-ad, Tommy!
Just be gla-ad, Tommy!
The sun is bright,
Let your heart take --"
mark was silenced when Tommy suddenly picked up a rock and smashed it right into his face. then Tommy ran off. mark sat there stunned... then slowly rode his Big Wheel home, crying and bleeding. from that day on, he knew the dangers of trying to turn a frown upside down.
one fine summer day, young mark monday - aged 4 or 5 - was tooling around the neighborhood on his Big Wheel. he was a happy lad and liked to make others around him feel happy too. this outlook soon saw its first challenge when he wheeled up to his friend Tommy - who looked miserable and had clearly been crying.
"What's the matter, Tommy?"
"Dad's going away!"
young mark monday was a military brat and so was Tommy, so mark knew exactly how he felt. he had felt the same way, many times. but he hated seeing his friend Tommy looking so upset. he thought for a moment, and as his thoughts tended to do, they moved towards his favorite shows, Sesame Street and Electric Company. what happened when kids had problems on those shows, problems that they didn't know how to solve? why, they sang about them! and then the problems just didn't seem so big anymore. and so young mark sang.
"Don't be sa-ad, Tommy!
Just be gla-ad, Tommy!
The sun is bright,
Let your heart take --"
mark was silenced when Tommy suddenly picked up a rock and smashed it right into his face. then Tommy ran off. mark sat there stunned... then slowly rode his Big Wheel home, crying and bleeding. from that day on, he knew the dangers of trying to turn a frown upside down.
August 29, 2024
Pick up the Chicken Soup for the Soul series ONLY WHEN YOU WANT TO READ SOMETHING POSITIVE AND NOT TO BASH THE BOOKS OR THE AUTHORS.
YES, this series is worth it. And I am still judged for actually checking out a book in this series in the bookstore.
It's fine. Various books in this series (parents, teens, teachers, pets as well as the one on grieving on the passing away of pets, on dogs) helped me cope at various situations in my life.
YES, this series is worth it. And I am still judged for actually checking out a book in this series in the bookstore.
It's fine. Various books in this series (parents, teens, teachers, pets as well as the one on grieving on the passing away of pets, on dogs) helped me cope at various situations in my life.
July 11, 2019
Chicken Soup for the Soul, Jack Canfield
Jack Canfield Co-authored Chicken Soup for the Soul with Mark Victor Hansen in 1993. According to USA Today, Chicken Soup for the Soul was the third best-selling book in the United States during the mid-1990s. The first book, like most subsequent titles in the series, consisted of inspirational true stories about ordinary people's lives.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: سال 1999 میلادی
نخستین بار با عنوان: غذای روح: داستانهایی کوتاه ...؛ با ترجمه جناب آقای «عباس چینی» و خانم «شهلا ارژنگ» توسط نشر البرز در دو جلد منتشر شده است. این سری از کتابها با عنوانهای مختلف و ترجمه های مترجمین بسیار در انتشاراتیهای گوناگون و در سالهای دیگر نیز چاپ شده اند
عنوان: سوپ جوجه برای روح؛ نویسندگان: جک کنفیلد، مارکویکتور هنسن؛ مترجم: علی اکبر راستکارمحمودزاده؛ تبریز، فروغ آزادی، 1377؛ در سه جلد؛
جلد اول این کتاب ترجمه بخشی از دو کتاب
Chicken soup for the soul
A 2nd helping of chicken soup
و جلد دوم ترجمه بخشی از سه کتاب
A 2nd helping of chicken
A 3rd serving of chicken
A 4th course of chicken
است.
مندرجات: جلد نخست با عنوان: 52 داستان کوتاه برای تلطیف و تقویت روحیه؛ جلد دوم با عنوان: 70 داستان کوتاه برای تلطیف و تقویت روحیه؛ جلد سوم با عنوان. 84 داستان کوتاه برای تلطیف و تقویت روحیه.؛
ا. شربیانی
Jack Canfield Co-authored Chicken Soup for the Soul with Mark Victor Hansen in 1993. According to USA Today, Chicken Soup for the Soul was the third best-selling book in the United States during the mid-1990s. The first book, like most subsequent titles in the series, consisted of inspirational true stories about ordinary people's lives.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: سال 1999 میلادی
نخستین بار با عنوان: غذای روح: داستانهایی کوتاه ...؛ با ترجمه جناب آقای «عباس چینی» و خانم «شهلا ارژنگ» توسط نشر البرز در دو جلد منتشر شده است. این سری از کتابها با عنوانهای مختلف و ترجمه های مترجمین بسیار در انتشاراتیهای گوناگون و در سالهای دیگر نیز چاپ شده اند
عنوان: سوپ جوجه برای روح؛ نویسندگان: جک کنفیلد، مارکویکتور هنسن؛ مترجم: علی اکبر راستکارمحمودزاده؛ تبریز، فروغ آزادی، 1377؛ در سه جلد؛
جلد اول این کتاب ترجمه بخشی از دو کتاب
Chicken soup for the soul
A 2nd helping of chicken soup
و جلد دوم ترجمه بخشی از سه کتاب
A 2nd helping of chicken
A 3rd serving of chicken
A 4th course of chicken
است.
مندرجات: جلد نخست با عنوان: 52 داستان کوتاه برای تلطیف و تقویت روحیه؛ جلد دوم با عنوان: 70 داستان کوتاه برای تلطیف و تقویت روحیه؛ جلد سوم با عنوان. 84 داستان کوتاه برای تلطیف و تقویت روحیه.؛
ا. شربیانی
March 6, 2011
احسن طريقة للتنمية البشرية
بدل الكلام المريب بتاع النور ف اخر النفق
وان جواك طاقة وانت بس مش واخد بالك منها
والدينا الخ الخ
القصص
تحكي قصة او تقراء قصص لناس
علشان تعرف انك علي الاقل مش لوحدك
و ان فيه ناس مرت باللي انت مريت بيه
وانك مش ملبوس ولا شئ
احبه احبه هذا الكتاب
بدل الكلام المريب بتاع النور ف اخر النفق
وان جواك طاقة وانت بس مش واخد بالك منها
والدينا الخ الخ
القصص
تحكي قصة او تقراء قصص لناس
علشان تعرف انك علي الاقل مش لوحدك
و ان فيه ناس مرت باللي انت مريت بيه
وانك مش ملبوس ولا شئ
احبه احبه هذا الكتاب
October 11, 2019
One of those books which forces one to think positive even if one is 100% doomed to failure, extinction, defeat, or death
August 30, 2013
About as spiritually enriching as the inspirational quotes you find on packets of instant oatmeal. If Nicholas Sparks were a motivational speaker, he would have churned out these tepid pieces of crap while bingewatching "Touched by an Angel."
March 14, 2011
I am done with self-help mumbo-jumbo... Don't tell me another story about this person who achieve this without giving me names, dates and factual evidence that is referenced!
April 24, 2020
مجموعة من القصص الملهمة جدا عن الحب وتقدير الذات والابوة والحلم والحكمة.. واسم الكتاب معبر جدا عما يحتويه.. دائما ما نحتاج شئ ما يعيد إلى نفوسنا اللين والحكمة والشجاعة والثقة.. بعد أن امرضتنا قسوتها ووتيرتها المتسارعة
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مجموعة من الاقتباسات التي جمعتها اثناء قراءة الكتاب
1- لم اسمع "ارني" يتحدث كثيرا عن والده وذات يوم استجمعت شجاعتي وسألته( انني اعلم ان والدك كان الشخص الوحيد المسئول عن تربيتك، ماذا فعل معك لدرجة أنك أصبحت هذا الشخص الذي اراه امامي؟)..
جلس ارني بهدوء واخذ يفكر بمعق لبضع دقائق ثم قال (مما أتذكره عندما كنت طفلا وحتى وقت تركي للمنزل كان أبي ياتي الى غرفتي كل ليلة ليعطيني قبلة ويقول لي أحبك بني
فانهرت الدموع من عيني عندما ادركت كم كنت احمقا عندما حكمت على ال بالفشل ..."
2-"ان هؤلاء الذين يرفضون المخاطرة والنمو.. سوف تبتلعهم الحياة.."
3-الاختلاف الأساسي بين الشخص العادي والمحارب أن المحارب ينظر إلى كل شئ باعتباره تحديا بينما الرجل العادي يعتبر كل شئ إما رحمة أو لعنة.. جون دوان"
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أحببت هذا الكتاب بالفعل.. وأرشحه لك بالتأكيد :)
.
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مجموعة من الاقتباسات التي جمعتها اثناء قراءة الكتاب
1- لم اسمع "ارني" يتحدث كثيرا عن والده وذات يوم استجمعت شجاعتي وسألته( انني اعلم ان والدك كان الشخص الوحيد المسئول عن تربيتك، ماذا فعل معك لدرجة أنك أصبحت هذا الشخص الذي اراه امامي؟)..
جلس ارني بهدوء واخذ يفكر بمعق لبضع دقائق ثم قال (مما أتذكره عندما كنت طفلا وحتى وقت تركي للمنزل كان أبي ياتي الى غرفتي كل ليلة ليعطيني قبلة ويقول لي أحبك بني
فانهرت الدموع من عيني عندما ادركت كم كنت احمقا عندما حكمت على ال بالفشل ..."
2-"ان هؤلاء الذين يرفضون المخاطرة والنمو.. سوف تبتلعهم الحياة.."
3-الاختلاف الأساسي بين الشخص العادي والمحارب أن المحارب ينظر إلى كل شئ باعتباره تحديا بينما الرجل العادي يعتبر كل شئ إما رحمة أو لعنة.. جون دوان"
.
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أحببت هذا الكتاب بالفعل.. وأرشحه لك بالتأكيد :)
April 2, 2021
Theese books were big when I was a kid. And I do mean fucking big. Just about all of the adults I knew were passing these books among themselves, going on about how awesome and inspiring these books were. And I was able to read these because hey, such Godly and inspirational books are soooo kid-appropriate/friendly!
And... yes, as far as "clean" and "appropriate" went, sure, the Chicken Soup books were fine for kids (older kids, at least, given the reading level) Now, some 20+ years later, I agree with that, at least from a neutral perspective. The stories are meant to be inspiring and uplifting.
However, the Chicken Soup books have a heavy religious/Christian bent, which isn't surprising given the two people responsible for the books, so many of the stories are about people finding God, or being inspired by God, or some shit. So while these books may be more appealing to Christians, there's less appeal to non-religious folks.
I see some reviewers questioning the validity of the stories, and now, thinking back, I can't help but wonder if some of these stories WERE indeed fabricated, to push the whole "you need Jesus to feel good" message. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me.
And... yes, as far as "clean" and "appropriate" went, sure, the Chicken Soup books were fine for kids (older kids, at least, given the reading level) Now, some 20+ years later, I agree with that, at least from a neutral perspective. The stories are meant to be inspiring and uplifting.
However, the Chicken Soup books have a heavy religious/Christian bent, which isn't surprising given the two people responsible for the books, so many of the stories are about people finding God, or being inspired by God, or some shit. So while these books may be more appealing to Christians, there's less appeal to non-religious folks.
I see some reviewers questioning the validity of the stories, and now, thinking back, I can't help but wonder if some of these stories WERE indeed fabricated, to push the whole "you need Jesus to feel good" message. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me.
July 10, 2012
I loved this collection of short-stories. They are inspirational, motivational, and beautifully written. Many made me cry, which is also very cathartic.
The real magic behind the Chicken Soup Series is knowing the effort that Jack Canfield put into the promotion of this book before it became popular. After being turned down 144 times, he persisted. He is a model of passionately pursuing your dreams until they are realized.
I also had the chance to meet Jack Canfield at the premiere of the Keeper of the Keys, a documentary movie that I am featured in along with Jack Canfield, John Gray and Marci Shimoff. Jack was also kind enough to read and endorse my book, The Upside of Down Times: Discovering the Power of Gratitude which can be found here: http://amzn.to/NjNs06
The real magic behind the Chicken Soup Series is knowing the effort that Jack Canfield put into the promotion of this book before it became popular. After being turned down 144 times, he persisted. He is a model of passionately pursuing your dreams until they are realized.
I also had the chance to meet Jack Canfield at the premiere of the Keeper of the Keys, a documentary movie that I am featured in along with Jack Canfield, John Gray and Marci Shimoff. Jack was also kind enough to read and endorse my book, The Upside of Down Times: Discovering the Power of Gratitude which can be found here: http://amzn.to/NjNs06
November 29, 2009
“Two seeds lay side by side in the fertile spring soil.
The first seed said, “I want to grow! I want to send my roots deep into the soil beneath me, and thrust my sprouts through the earths crust above me…”
And she grew.
The second seed said, “I am afraid. If I send my roots into the ground below, I don’t know what I will encounter in the dark. If I push my way through the hard soil above me I may damage my delicate sprouts.”
And so she waited.”
MORAL OF THE STORY: Seeds can’t talk, jerkoff. And having wicked-passionate earth-shattering sex on a daily basis will certainly do a lot more for your soul than this collection of insipid quasi-life affirming claptrap.
I found this book in the garage. I didn’t realize it was at the BOTTOM of a box of books for a reason. I thought, what the hell, I could use a few stories to open the heart and rekindle the spirit, so I put it next to the bed for a little dream inspiration. More like night-sweats and hideous thoughts of Mary Poppins on crack. If this is Americas ‘book of wisdom and solace for the ages,’ we are in deep doo-doo. I would line the cage these pages if I were inspired enough to have a bird. Instead, it’s back in the box. In the garage. Waiting to be taken to the next church flea market.
The first seed said, “I want to grow! I want to send my roots deep into the soil beneath me, and thrust my sprouts through the earths crust above me…”
And she grew.
The second seed said, “I am afraid. If I send my roots into the ground below, I don’t know what I will encounter in the dark. If I push my way through the hard soil above me I may damage my delicate sprouts.”
And so she waited.”
MORAL OF THE STORY: Seeds can’t talk, jerkoff. And having wicked-passionate earth-shattering sex on a daily basis will certainly do a lot more for your soul than this collection of insipid quasi-life affirming claptrap.
I found this book in the garage. I didn’t realize it was at the BOTTOM of a box of books for a reason. I thought, what the hell, I could use a few stories to open the heart and rekindle the spirit, so I put it next to the bed for a little dream inspiration. More like night-sweats and hideous thoughts of Mary Poppins on crack. If this is Americas ‘book of wisdom and solace for the ages,’ we are in deep doo-doo. I would line the cage these pages if I were inspired enough to have a bird. Instead, it’s back in the box. In the garage. Waiting to be taken to the next church flea market.
June 27, 2015
كتابى پر از شعارهايى مثل "مثبت فكر كن تا كيهان آرزويت را برآورده كند" و رازهاى موفقيت و...
من فقط به عنوان يه متن انگليسى خوندمش، وگرنه از اين جور كتاب ها چندان خوشم نمياد. قبلاً توی ریویوی مردان مریخی زنان ونوسی راجع به راجع به کتاب های روانشناسی عامّه پسند نوشته بودم.
هر چند بی انصافی نباید کرد. بعضی از داستاناش خوبن. ولی بیشترشون مبتنی بر عنصر اتفاق و تصادفن، یعنی نویسنده نمی تونه ادعا کنه که "حتماً برای شما اتفاق می افتد"، بلکه صرفاً می تونه بگه "شاید برای شما اتّفاق بیفتد"؛ در نتیجه خواننده میگه: "از کجا معلوم که این اتّفاق برای من هم بیفته؟" و این بزرگ ترین ضعف یه داستان اخلاقیه: این که نتونه پند اخلاقیش رو به طور همه گیر اثبات کنه.
من فقط به عنوان يه متن انگليسى خوندمش، وگرنه از اين جور كتاب ها چندان خوشم نمياد. قبلاً توی ریویوی مردان مریخی زنان ونوسی راجع به راجع به کتاب های روانشناسی عامّه پسند نوشته بودم.
هر چند بی انصافی نباید کرد. بعضی از داستاناش خوبن. ولی بیشترشون مبتنی بر عنصر اتفاق و تصادفن، یعنی نویسنده نمی تونه ادعا کنه که "حتماً برای شما اتفاق می افتد"، بلکه صرفاً می تونه بگه "شاید برای شما اتّفاق بیفتد"؛ در نتیجه خواننده میگه: "از کجا معلوم که این اتّفاق برای من هم بیفته؟" و این بزرگ ترین ضعف یه داستان اخلاقیه: این که نتونه پند اخلاقیش رو به طور همه گیر اثبات کنه.
April 1, 2022
My first read of April was a warm and kind one.
Chicken Soup for the Soul is a collection of many short stories, all intertwined with themes such as kindness, love, compassion, support, and all the good things people are capable of. Initially, I started this book purely because I wanted to finish it. I had bought it on a whim a few months back and somehow never finished it because I thought I knew what it would contain. It'd obviously contain cheesy stories about kind people and motivating experiences that may or may not touch me, and eh, just the usual self-help stuff, right? What else could it be? As happy as I am about spreading and receiving kindness in the world, I wasn't interested in a try-too-hard positivity book. Even when I started the book, this was my thought, and I read it just for the sake of finally finishing this book I'd bought.
I have to say, my heart warmed up. This book fits its name well; it is like a savory bowl of soup able to warm up our souls which are oftentimes cold and tired. You do get your typical (and real) “chicken soup” stories, from motivational ones of crippled people successfully chasing their dreams of being an athlete, to kindness-themed ones of people giving free Thanksgiving meals to strangers in need. You also get ones that aren’t so typical, like kind things said and done by little children, to poems that make you think about our endless possibilities we so often doubt and push away. I guess it depends on the reader how they would feel about these stories, but throughout reading it, I was warmed up. As predictable as chicken soup stories are, it still felt nice as I read about love and kindness in the world; I was reminded of how the world is always better with a little more love and compassion, and how we’re happiest not only receiving it, but giving it. From these short little stories, I thought to myself. I thought of the doubts I’ve been having about my current life, about my future, about the hate that so often surrounds us, and the little things I could do to love both myself and others. It could be cheesy, I know, and yet we lack being reminded of the existence of these ‘good’ things so much. We always read about racism, sexism, prejudice, and other forms of hate, whether it be the hate themselves or the attempted handlings of them. How often do we read about hate, and how often do we read about kindness? It’s been quite a while since I was just simply reminded of the good things and people still living in this world, and being reminded of them is really meaningful. When I see good things, I think good things, and when I think good things, I’d like to think that I become good things, too. Just a small book to remind me of goodness in the world still made me feel a little bit happier.
So in conclusion, it depends on the reader: don’t read this book if you’re looking to change your life (no self-help book is capable of that; it’s all up to you, buddy), and don’t read this if you’re looking for a masterpiece. It’s just a small book filled with stories. But, if you’ve been feeling tired lately and want to be reminded of some good things and ideas in this world, I think you’d like this book. I gave it 5 stars not because of how well-written the book is (and that’s unfair to ask from a non-fiction book sometimes), but more so for just the fuzzy feeling I got, and the hope that we can also be more like the ideas spread in this book: to be kinder, happier and more loving to both ourselves and others.
Chicken Soup for the Soul is a collection of many short stories, all intertwined with themes such as kindness, love, compassion, support, and all the good things people are capable of. Initially, I started this book purely because I wanted to finish it. I had bought it on a whim a few months back and somehow never finished it because I thought I knew what it would contain. It'd obviously contain cheesy stories about kind people and motivating experiences that may or may not touch me, and eh, just the usual self-help stuff, right? What else could it be? As happy as I am about spreading and receiving kindness in the world, I wasn't interested in a try-too-hard positivity book. Even when I started the book, this was my thought, and I read it just for the sake of finally finishing this book I'd bought.
I have to say, my heart warmed up. This book fits its name well; it is like a savory bowl of soup able to warm up our souls which are oftentimes cold and tired. You do get your typical (and real) “chicken soup” stories, from motivational ones of crippled people successfully chasing their dreams of being an athlete, to kindness-themed ones of people giving free Thanksgiving meals to strangers in need. You also get ones that aren’t so typical, like kind things said and done by little children, to poems that make you think about our endless possibilities we so often doubt and push away. I guess it depends on the reader how they would feel about these stories, but throughout reading it, I was warmed up. As predictable as chicken soup stories are, it still felt nice as I read about love and kindness in the world; I was reminded of how the world is always better with a little more love and compassion, and how we’re happiest not only receiving it, but giving it. From these short little stories, I thought to myself. I thought of the doubts I’ve been having about my current life, about my future, about the hate that so often surrounds us, and the little things I could do to love both myself and others. It could be cheesy, I know, and yet we lack being reminded of the existence of these ‘good’ things so much. We always read about racism, sexism, prejudice, and other forms of hate, whether it be the hate themselves or the attempted handlings of them. How often do we read about hate, and how often do we read about kindness? It’s been quite a while since I was just simply reminded of the good things and people still living in this world, and being reminded of them is really meaningful. When I see good things, I think good things, and when I think good things, I’d like to think that I become good things, too. Just a small book to remind me of goodness in the world still made me feel a little bit happier.
So in conclusion, it depends on the reader: don’t read this book if you’re looking to change your life (no self-help book is capable of that; it’s all up to you, buddy), and don’t read this if you’re looking for a masterpiece. It’s just a small book filled with stories. But, if you’ve been feeling tired lately and want to be reminded of some good things and ideas in this world, I think you’d like this book. I gave it 5 stars not because of how well-written the book is (and that’s unfair to ask from a non-fiction book sometimes), but more so for just the fuzzy feeling I got, and the hope that we can also be more like the ideas spread in this book: to be kinder, happier and more loving to both ourselves and others.
April 12, 2008
This book was given out at work. Very readable and unoriginal. I'm far too cynical to enjoy and find deep meaning in stories like these.
July 28, 2011
Once started, couldnt put it down! A real heart warmer, lifted my spirits no end, even when I didnt realise it needed lifting. TBH, it restored my faith in mankind, esp after watching the news all the time. This would also make a great gift for a reader or any genre, if they dont like it, then there must be something wrong with them! Many a time i found myself laughing out loud, crying to myself or just stopping to think to myself at the though-provoking story I had just read. Will definately read again some day!
December 27, 2020
"الحقيقة هي أن سعادتنا تعتمد على منحنا للحب، وليس فيما يعود إلينا ثانية، ولكن فيما ينبع من داخلنا."
قصص من الحياة تدفىء الروح والقلب كشوربة الدجاج الدافئة في الشتاء...
قصة تمنح حبًا، وقصة تمنح قلبًا، وقصة تمنح دمعة، وقصة تمنح ابتسامة، وقصة تمنح فرحة، وقصة تمنح امتنانًا، وقصة تمنح أملًا، وقصة تمنح رؤية جديدة للحياة، وقصة تمنح عناقًا،
وجميعها تمنح دفئًا للروح والقلب وسط ثلوج الشتاء،
كأنها تعانق القلب بحب ودفء...
"اصنع لنفسك معروفًا، وتأمل الحياة، سر فيها ببطء، وخذ وقتًا لترى بالفعل. خذ دقيقة لترى ما يدور حولك الآن حيث تقف؛ فربما يفوتك رؤية شيء رائع."
"تذكر أن تتوقف لتستنشق الزهور."~🌼💜💜
24.12.2020
قصص من الحياة تدفىء الروح والقلب كشوربة الدجاج الدافئة في الشتاء...
قصة تمنح حبًا، وقصة تمنح قلبًا، وقصة تمنح دمعة، وقصة تمنح ابتسامة، وقصة تمنح فرحة، وقصة تمنح امتنانًا، وقصة تمنح أملًا، وقصة تمنح رؤية جديدة للحياة، وقصة تمنح عناقًا،
وجميعها تمنح دفئًا للروح والقلب وسط ثلوج الشتاء،
كأنها تعانق القلب بحب ودفء...
"اصنع لنفسك معروفًا، وتأمل الحياة، سر فيها ببطء، وخذ وقتًا لترى بالفعل. خذ دقيقة لترى ما يدور حولك الآن حيث تقف؛ فربما يفوتك رؤية شيء رائع."
"تذكر أن تتوقف لتستنشق الزهور."~🌼💜💜
24.12.2020
November 24, 2022
♡ لقد تم تسجيل اسمك في مدرسة تقضي فيها جميع وقتك، تسمى الحياة، سيكون أمامك في كل يوم من أيام هذه المدرسة الفرصه لتعلم الدروس، ربما تحب هذه الدروس، وربما ترى أنها لا فائدة منها أو أنها غبية.
♡لا يمكنك أن تحب أو تكره شيئاً ما في شخص آخر، إلا إذا كان ذلك يعكس شيئاً ما تحبه أو تكرهه في نفسك.
♡ الإختلاف الأساسي بين الشخص العادي والمحارب أن المحارب ينظر إلى كل شيء باعتباره تحدياً، بينما الرجل العادي يعتبر كل شيء إما رحمة أو لعنة.
♡لا يمكنك أن تحب أو تكره شيئاً ما في شخص آخر، إلا إذا كان ذلك يعكس شيئاً ما تحبه أو تكرهه في نفسك.
♡ الإختلاف الأساسي بين الشخص العادي والمحارب أن المحارب ينظر إلى كل شيء باعتباره تحدياً، بينما الرجل العادي يعتبر كل شيء إما رحمة أو لعنة.
February 10, 2017
یک زمانی شاید این داستانها الهامبخشتر و پرکاربردتر بود، اما امروزه در عصر تکنولوژی که روزانه از طریق شبکههای اجتماعی و ارتباطی این داستانها به وفور جلوی چشم هستند، تأثیر کمتری دارد. ضمن اینکه شاید قبلترها اینگونه داستانها میتوانست تکاندهنده باشد اما برای من در حال حاضر کتابهایی که حالت نصیحت و پیام مستقیم دارند کمتر جذاباند. با این حال، باز هم بعضی داستانها جالب بود و در زمان خودش کتاب تأثیرگذاری بوده است.
-------------------------------------
بخشهای ماندگار کتاب:
مادر ترزا: به همدیگر لبخند بزنید، به همسرتان لبخند بزنید، به شوهرتان لبخند بزنید، به فرزندانتان لبخند بزنید، به همه لبخند بزنید (بدون توجه به اینکه طرف مقابلتان کیست) و همین امر سبب خواهد شد که عشق و محبت در میان شما در مقیاس وسیعی رشد یابد.
...
به قدری بلند صحبت میکنی که حرفهایت را نمیشنوم.
رالف امرسون
...
هر چه را که برای خودت نگه میداری از دست میدهی، هر چه را که میبخشی برای همیشه نگه میداری.
اکسل مونت
-------------------------------------
بخشهای ماندگار کتاب:
مادر ترزا: به همدیگر لبخند بزنید، به همسرتان لبخند بزنید، به شوهرتان لبخند بزنید، به فرزندانتان لبخند بزنید، به همه لبخند بزنید (بدون توجه به اینکه طرف مقابلتان کیست) و همین امر سبب خواهد شد که عشق و محبت در میان شما در مقیاس وسیعی رشد یابد.
...
به قدری بلند صحبت میکنی که حرفهایت را نمیشنوم.
رالف امرسون
...
هر چه را که برای خودت نگه میداری از دست میدهی، هر چه را که میبخشی برای همیشه نگه میداری.
اکسل مونت
April 13, 2019
لا أؤمن بالتنمية البشرية كعلم
بل اعتبر جل من يتخذونها وسيلة لكسب العيش أقرب للدجالين واللصوص
ولا أقتنع أننا جميعا يجب أن نكون مدراء تنفيذيين ورؤساء مصالح
أو نملك أصحاب أرصدة من ستة أصفار، وأصحاب سيارات وعقارات
التنمية البشرية علي الطريقة الأمريكية هي أسرع وسيلة للإحباط، والإكتئاب، والفشل
ولكني أؤمن بقصص النجاح الحقيقية العصامية والتي تحفزك
بعيدًا عن قصص الأبطال الخارقين، وهذا كتاب مليء بقصص من النوع الأول
April 11, 2019
This is a really odd book. Although I really liked a few of the stories, many of them seemed engineered to make the reader dab at the eyes with a tissue. The act of giving out hugs to randomly chosen strangers has been elevated nearly to the status of a religion. And as warmly as I feel toward some of my friends here on Goodreads, I'm just not a very spontaneous hugger. *Sigh*
June 8, 2020
One day, Justin Bieber saw a kid fall to the ground and asked his bodyguard to help him up. He then looked at the kid in the eye and said "If you learn to get up after falling over and not give up on your dreams, you can do anything that you want". And do you know who that little boy grew up to be? Albert Einstein
This is basically the book, some of the affirmations and messages of the stories were nice enough to even go through to the cynical heart of an auld woman like me. I liked the title and fancied reading something comforting but it just doesn't deliver. You can't manufacture wisdom and this just didn't inspire me. Obviously a lot of people like it and I hope that it's helped bring them some comfort. It is keen on championing the individualist underdog as they overcome obstacles which comes across as disingenuous in a society full of inequality and injustice.
Let's face it, chicken soup isn't very comforting if you're a chicken.
Also, some of it has really not aged well - I didn't like the message of "staying positive and keeping faith can cure illness" as I think that this is obviously shite and unfair to people who have lost loved ones to illness. And also, could they really not have edited the references to 'primitive cultures' out? It's really not aged well. And don't get me started on the inclusion of the inspirational story of OJ Simpson - it was quite the surprise!
This is basically the book, some of the affirmations and messages of the stories were nice enough to even go through to the cynical heart of an auld woman like me. I liked the title and fancied reading something comforting but it just doesn't deliver. You can't manufacture wisdom and this just didn't inspire me. Obviously a lot of people like it and I hope that it's helped bring them some comfort. It is keen on championing the individualist underdog as they overcome obstacles which comes across as disingenuous in a society full of inequality and injustice.
Let's face it, chicken soup isn't very comforting if you're a chicken.
Also, some of it has really not aged well - I didn't like the message of "staying positive and keeping faith can cure illness" as I think that this is obviously shite and unfair to people who have lost loved ones to illness. And also, could they really not have edited the references to 'primitive cultures' out? It's really not aged well. And don't get me started on the inclusion of the inspirational story of OJ Simpson - it was quite the surprise!
October 11, 2019
دوسش نداشتم و به زور کلاس زبان میخوندمش, یه مجموعه از داستان های کوتاه قابل پیش بینی و فوق العاده مثبت اندیشانه که تهش حرصت بالا میاد رسما از این همه خووب بودن شخصیت ها و درس زندگی هایی که به زور می خواد بهت بده...
July 20, 2020
Odioasă carte! Odioasă. O colecție de povestiri despre iubire, iubire și iubire, dar acea iubire de pe urma căreia poți scoate bani, cea pe care o caută oamenii în cărțile de dezvoltare personală sau pe la conferințele celor ca Hansen și Canfield. M-au făcut să râd, dar un râs nervos, povestirile despre oamenii care au avut un handicap fizic și tot au reușit să ajungă sportivi de performanță. Vai, trebuie neapărat să le urmăm modelul pentru că sunt exemple de forță spirituală! Bine, dar când vorbim și despre faptul că ei au avut bani pentru cele mai bune proteze și tratamente? Îmi imaginez că și oamenii săraci au ambiție și s-ar mulțumi să poată munci, nu neapărat să meargă prin turnee, dar ambiția nu e suficientă să plătească facturile, așa cum fac să pară autorii.
Povestea care m-a îngrozit este despre o fată care mai avea câteva săptămâni de trăit, iar ultima ei dorință a fost să meargă la conferința unuia dintre autori. Zău?! Nu, serios acum, zău?! Ăla tocmai vorbea atunci despre forța vindecătoare pe care o avem toți în noi și le-a cerut fraierilor, că altfel nu am cum să le spun, care erau în sală să ridice mâinile și să le frece. Nu ca să își electrizeze părul cum făceam noi când eram mici, dar ca să simtă forța aia. Apoi le-a cerut oamenilor să se gândească la respectiva fată din sală când fac asta. Ce s-a întâmplat? Păi, bineînțeles că aia s-a vindecat. Ptiu, ptiu!
Pe cuvânt, cartea asta m-a dezgustat și întristat deopotrivă pentru că nivelul de îndoctrinare a oamenilor promovat aici este inacceptabil de ridicat. E printre puținele cărți din viața mea pe seama cărora voi judeca un om. Nu aș ține niciodată pe nimeni în viața mea, dacă aș sti că este de acord cu spălarea asta pe creier și ce aiurează ăștia pe aici.
,,Da, zâmbetul reprezintă o punte de legătură între oameni, absolut naturală, neplanificată și fără prejudecăți."
Povestea care m-a îngrozit este despre o fată care mai avea câteva săptămâni de trăit, iar ultima ei dorință a fost să meargă la conferința unuia dintre autori. Zău?! Nu, serios acum, zău?! Ăla tocmai vorbea atunci despre forța vindecătoare pe care o avem toți în noi și le-a cerut fraierilor, că altfel nu am cum să le spun, care erau în sală să ridice mâinile și să le frece. Nu ca să își electrizeze părul cum făceam noi când eram mici, dar ca să simtă forța aia. Apoi le-a cerut oamenilor să se gândească la respectiva fată din sală când fac asta. Ce s-a întâmplat? Păi, bineînțeles că aia s-a vindecat. Ptiu, ptiu!
Pe cuvânt, cartea asta m-a dezgustat și întristat deopotrivă pentru că nivelul de îndoctrinare a oamenilor promovat aici este inacceptabil de ridicat. E printre puținele cărți din viața mea pe seama cărora voi judeca un om. Nu aș ține niciodată pe nimeni în viața mea, dacă aș sti că este de acord cu spălarea asta pe creier și ce aiurează ăștia pe aici.
,,Da, zâmbetul reprezintă o punte de legătură între oameni, absolut naturală, neplanificată și fără prejudecăți."
October 6, 2016
I remember reading this when I was still a young girl. I was a school librarian back then so I often read any Chicken Soup books. Sounds like I was slacking off huh. xD anyways I remember liking it as a young girl. It's a food for thoughts.
January 5, 2024
(reread) standout story by far is the moving tale about setting goals, all based on the life of *glances at notes* … OJ Simpson
January 31, 2009
I think the best thing in this book is the section about John Goddard, a kid who sits down and makes a "life's list" or a "bucket list" as it was popularized by the movie. And that kid did some absolutely amazing things! I was blown away, and still make copies of that story to share with teens when I teach them. It strongly influenced my habit of setting goals and trying to keep track of the adventures that I do have. But to be honest, I can't remember many (any?) of the other stories.
July 30, 2017
يك عالمه داستان كوتاه تاثير گذار اما نه اونقدر كه تا سه چهار روز ديگه يادتون مونده باشه ، مگه اينكه آخراى اون داستانا يه نمه اشك تو چشتون جمع شده باشه ..
July 31, 2011
أملك نسخة من هذا الكتاب منذ كنتُ في الإعدادية ولسببٍ ما قررتُ قراءته هذا الصيف، هو جميل فعلاً، يجعلك تعيد النظر إلى الحياة والإمكانيات المتوافرة، يدعوا هذا الكتاب إلى العديد من القيم الأخلاقية الجميلة التي يجب أن يلتفت لها المرء، خلّاق مفيد جداً.. ولا بد للبعض أنّ يعرّج عليه ولو مرة في العمر. علاجٌ جيد للمكتئبين والسوداويين هههه.
February 20, 2016
Douchey crap. These kind of platitude-laden opiates really do more harm in lowering the IQ of readers than in any salving they might accomplish.
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