This book really surprised me! At first, I admit that I rolled my eyes at these books. I thought they'd be hokey and a waste of time. I was so wrong.

The stories and poems here are actually...heartwarming. Although they can be kind of sad at times, there is always a lesson of some sort within them.

I like that the book is so easy to read. I can read a story here or there, or read long chunks of it if I want, and nothing is lost. I've bought this book for several family member and friends, and it's usually a hit.

But my complaint comes from the sad stories or poems. I know that the theme here is healing, but the tales of death and coping were a bit too much for me at times. However, the morality behind each tale is more than enough to redeem them

This is the book you get and curl up to read by the fire with hot chocolate. Extremely entertaining and inspiring. Just as one story begins to get dull and repetitive, the answer to it is exciting and refreshing. This book takes you on a journey, an emotional roller coaster that is great for every and anyone who has the time and patience to sit back, take some time out, and reflect. I really got into the Chicken Soup series about 10 years ago and they never disappoint. If you like this, definitely look into the specific ones that might concern you. The one for dads was particularly touching. The marriage one is great fun to read with your wife and great for stocking stuffers.

This book is an amazing book about real life experiences that everyone has to face some day or another. The bad, the good, the ugly and the beautiful. It contains stories about life, death, love, hate, marriage, kids, betrayal, happiness..and the list just goes on and on and on. The stories though are so real that as a reader reads them, they feel as if they are actually there in time. And the reader feels the emotions of the story, and then can related it to their own lives. Often the stories end in a happy note, which brings hope to those suffering with depression on certain issues or events. Basically the stories showed me some better ways and insights on how to deal with disappointments in my life, and how to accept happiness and to never take it for granted.

This book is absolutely fantastic! It's as nourishing and feel-good to the spirit as a bowl of hot soup is to the body. It is one of the most inspiring, emotion provoking books I've ever read and I firmly believe that everyone should read this. In fact, considering the sheer number of times I've turned to my copy for inspiration and enlightment over the past several years, I would encourage everyone to buy their own copy and leave it in a spot where it will be handy. Major kudos to Jack Campbell and Mark Hansen. The two of them have created a classic that will be enjoyed for many generations to come.

Found on the backs of toilets and the tops of coffee tables everywhere, the 'Chicken Soup' series has been incredibly successful- there are Chicken Soup books for everyone from teens to vets to teachers to pastors and beyond. There may be a reason for this success. While I think they suffer from the stigma of being a little too precious, a little too feel-good, there are actually quite a few really touching, really lovely stories contained in these volumes. Some will make you smile, some will have you fighting tears as you peruse a story in the doctor's office... some will leave you feeling not much at all, but with this many stories collected in one volume, there are bound to be a few duds.

Overall though, the editors have done a really good job at creating a consistently solid collection. Even though there are now many flavours of Chicken Soup, there's nothing quite like the original.

I truly love this book. I was pretty young when they first came out, perhaps in my early teens or a pre-teen even, but I have picked up this book and read it again so many times. It truly is a comforting book, easy to read and can give you hope and comfort when you are otherwise feeling down in your day or at a hard point in your life.

As the first book in what became quite a large series, there are many different sections, or chapters within this book on a variety of subjects. This makes it easy if you are going through a hard time with a particular subject, in that you can simply open the book to the area of your frustration and read stories that are truly inspirational to help ease your heart and get you through it. As for me however, it is such a great read that in each of the times I have picked up this book, I have honestly read it from cover to cover in pretty much one sitting.

This book, and others in the series, all make really great gifts to give to just about anyone you know, especially someone who is going through a tough spot in their life or is experiencing hardship or has just gone through a loss. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone - there is something in this book for you, no matter what you are going through.

This was the first book in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series that I read. I am a huge fan of these books and have never been disappointed by any of the inspirational stories and words of wisdom offered in this series. This is probably my favorite of all of the books, possibly because it was the first one I read. I truly believe that there is something to inspire anyone in here. The stories are all beautifully written and touching. These are perfect gifts as well, especially for those people on your gift list who seem to have everything. There is definitely a good reason why so many of these books make it to the best sellers list. They are great books that appeal to everyone- regardless of gender, ethnicity, or age! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for some inspiration.

I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma the year this book came out. I don't remember the who's or the where's but I was given a copy.
I laughed and cried with all of the people who shared their stories book, but most of all their inspirational events led to my own remission. I decided that I was going to be a person who could eventually submit my story to hopefully another edition of these wonderful short stories.
The up's and down's of the book mimicked life's up's and down's and Jack and Mark did a terrific job of compiling really great stories about love, caring and achieving success no matter what the odds.
If I could I would personally thank them for a book that was so re-readable that it got me through the rough spots while I fought Cancer and I still pick it up now and again even though I have been in remission now for almost 10 years.
I opted for the spiritual healing as opposed to Chemotherapy or Radiation, I was given a 40% chance with both of those and felt that I would do what so many of the stories did and utilize my faith.
I am still here when the doctors who diagnosed me said I had 18 months.
THANK YOU Jack & Mark, you did the thing that Chemo & Radiation could not, you gave me hope.
I recommend this or any of Chicken Soup books now available, for anyone who wants a lift or needs to see the man who is worse off than they are. This book was very good at that. I never realized how good I had it until I read several of the stories.
So, why not a 5 rating? Because, as much as I feel that this book aided in my remission I give the 5 to God who put me there.

I read this book back in my jr. high years as well. After picking up and reading the "chicken soup for the teenage soul" book, I went into my library and grabbed this book off the shelves and rented it. I really liked this book a whole lot better than the teenage book. I knew my age group shouldn't be reading a book in which doesnt apply to my age, but I went ahead and read this book anyways.

This book is a complete classic and I am glad this book went down in history. This is the generalzed book for the Collection "Chicken Soups" I'm also glad that because of this book and its success, they've made other Chicken Soup books relating to other peoples lives.

If you have never read any Chicken Soup for the Soul Books, you are really missing out. This book goes right to the heart and guts of what all Chicken Soup for the Soul books are about.

The real life stories, from regular people, talking about life changing events is really inspiring. When I bought this book, I spent a long Sunday afternoon reading this book from cover to cover, the feelings it invokes and the powerful messages it conveys, really makes you take a look at your life and your situation and how you can be motivated to make a change to lift yourself up.

Yes these books are hyped a lot, but in the case of these books, the hype is still not enough, they are worth every penny.

This book makes the perfect present for anyone, especially yourself :) It's heart warming, tear jerking and incredibly easy to relate to. I've found it to be one of those books that can be impossible to put down and is always great for a little pick me up.

The beautiful thing is it's not one writer telling you to do as he says...it's a whole bunch of people who contributed their stories of growth and inspiration and it's beyond heartwarming. There's something about a story that's coming from someone, for all intensive purposes, could be a neighbor down the street, your three times removed cousin or your best friend.

Absolutely wonderful book!

I don't know if I have ever read this book cover to cover. It is just not that sort of book. I leave the book in places where I will have a moment to read in hopes of gaining some inspiration for the day. Sometimes I have left it in the bathroom, sometimes in the car. Right now it is on the coffee table.

If you want a book to glean for good nurturing quotes from well known and some not so well known authors, then this is a good one. The book is divided into nine chapters each with a number of little one-page stories on a specific topic. Each is a stand-alone message. The topics cover loving, learning, teaching, parenting, dying, overcoming problems, dreaming, attitudes and wisdom.

You can read a little or read a lot. I usually read a few and the next time I feel like it I read a different chapter and a different couple stories. Some stories I have read over and over.

When I was small, my mom used to always give me a bowl of steaming hot chicken soup whenever I used to get the slightest of cold. 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' is that steaming hot bowl of delicious soup with excellent quality ingredients. Each story was inspiring and at the same time refreshingly comforting. The best part of this book is that it really does not try to teach you anything. It leaves that part to you. To learn what you wish, to take what you want from the stories. It is this feature of the book which gives someone the comfort they need, and someone else that special feeling of love. Try this book and you will be glad. I am sure it will be worth every cent you give for it. The Chicken Soup is for all ages, and has something for everyone. An excellent collection by 2 really great speakers.

I absolutely love this book. The topics relate to everyday life and the stories are so touching that it creates such emotion when you read them. Ever since I've read this book, I've searched for more books like it. I believe I completed this book within one week because it was hard to put down. I recommend this book to everyone even if you don't enjoy reading, I promise you will enjoy this book!

This book is all about everything in life.Death,sucsess,failure,determination,miracles.
The stories in the book as you know are real life stories and they are unbeliavable.
When you read the book you are forced to ask yourself "What am I doing"? Why am I wasting my life with stupid,so-called,mostly created by me problems? People achieve miracles.People cope with big problems,they overcome the difficulties and shine like a star.People achieve miracles and become an inspiration for other people.It is no surprise that chicken soup for the soul series are best-sellers.
This book woke me up from my sleep
Strongly recommended to everyone.

Some of the book has some great stories in it, I cannot tell a lie on that aspect, and in the very cynical world we live in it is great to be uplifted. However, I feel that the stories in the book lack real and true content, it fails to persuade me that the struggles in the book are down, gritty and as true to life as what I would like to see to truly be inspired.

It is very canned and corny in my opinion on many aspects, yes it is a "feel good" title, but reading it always makes me feel as if something is lacking in the substance. It draws strength well from humorous antic dotes, and can be entertaining, however, just not my cup of tea. It's more my mother's book.

It's a good read, when you want something light and frothy, however, if you want some meat and potatoes motivation, I would probably suggest looking elsewhere.

When I was younger my mother got me hooked on Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul so as I got older I decided to check this book out. I love reading all the Chicken Soup Books because they make your true emotions come out. Some stories have heart break while others are success stories. Either way they are inspiring and I enjoy reading these books. I recommend them for anyone because I think the stories could be useful to everyone.

I had worked in a small mid-western school district in a special program to get adults to get their GEDs and then go get better paying jobs. We had each of the students in this class read this book and then talk about the anecdotes and ideas brought up in the book. I know that at this point, this book has been around and many people see the plethora of "chicken soup for the whatever..." and think of it as just a money maker. But the book really does touch on key points and gets peoples' minds out of ruts and helps them to see problems or events in their lives in different ways. For example, so many parents today complain that their children don't value money or understand what energy has to be expended to get money to pay for the things that are necessary as well as taken for granted. In this book, the story of a little boy who came up with an idea for a bumper sticker is introduced. Then it is explained how the little boy got a loan!! to help him with his idea. It's a good idea to re-look at this classic book with eyes that are not jaded and see what gems you can find for yourself.

I love all the "Chicken Soup" books. Chicken Soup for the Soul is so good and so uplifting. You will find youself at times laughing and crying at once. It is a compilation of beautiful stories about real-life people. It gives power and hope to people who are feeling down about life in general. An overal great read, an easy read, and a complete page-turner.

Wow. Need a spirtual uplift? This book, Chicken Soup for the Soul gives a warm, touching feeling for anyone who reads the book. At first, the thickness seems a little intimidating but once you begin reading the stories and the meaning of the stories in the book, then all worries of being more than enough to read are gone. You want to read more as each story has a moral to be learned. There are a few stories that everyone can relate to in reading the books. From relationships, to child rearing to financial or life stresses, there is a message for people looking for a little motivation when times are rough. I started reading the book when I borrowed from a friend, felt loss emotionally and saw interesting stories that capture your heart or your mind. While the majority to reading the book falls into the female gender, there are stories for men and women because we are all humans and go through life changes and need a little encouragement. Suggested reading? Definitely.

If you've never heard of Chicken Soup for the Soul, welcome back from the rock you've been hiding under. When this series first debuted in the early 1990s, I avoided it like the plague, because I'm not one to go along with popular trends. However, due to the ubiquitous nature of this series, I found myself picking up a copy in a book store, and loving it. It has lots of practical, heartwarming thoughts that are short and sweet and, most importantly, they stick with you. If you enjoy reading quotes from the most preeminent thinkers of our time, this book is what you're looking for. It's a handy reference of modern proverbs for those who can't or don't want to read the same stuff online. There's over 100 books in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, so if one doesn't strike your fancy, then there is definitely another one that you're sure to like.