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Chicken Soup for the Country Soul
This latest collection of Chicken Soup for the Soul comes to readers from the heartland, the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Capital of the World. This treasury identifies the common threads that weave the tapestry of the human spirit-the traditions of family and faith at the heart of America. Chicken Soup for the Soul readers will also discover a special treat within its covers; a Country Soul CD. This CD includes a heartfelt rendition of some of country's best-loved performers as well as some of the biggest stars of country music reading their stories from the book. This CD is a first for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and is sure to be a hit with readers and country music fans alike.
250 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1998
9 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
Jack Canfield
1,286 books1,747 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 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 20, 2020
This book is a nice collection of essays and short stories by and about those involved with the country music industry. Some well-known artists have contributed pieces: Dolly Parton, Lee Greenwood, Joe Diffie, Bill Anderson, Porter Waggoner, Mel Tillis. As in the other "Chicken Soup" books the stories are Christian based, touching and heartfelt. I enjoyed many of them quite a bit although I hesitate to say that there are a few that just don't come across as true. That doesn't make them any less poignant but a bit less realistic for me. The personal stories are always the best such as Mel Tillis learning to deal with his life-long stutter, Lee Greenwood standing in front of thousands of military men and women as they all san "God Bless the U.S.A.", and Joe Diffie embracing the love for his Down's Syndrome child Tyler. It was an enjoyable read.
July 15, 2019
I am a fan of "Chicken Soup" books. If I find one at a second hand store or at the book place where I volunteer, I scarf it up. Yes, this book is old, but every story warmed my heart. It takes me a while to read a Chicken Soup book, because I only read one story a day. It restores my hope in humanity when I need it.
February 16, 2018
I love the stories. Some of them will always be in my memory.
September 16, 2019
Would love an updated version with the newer artist and fans and concert goers
December 24, 2021
Not as good as some of the other Chicken Soup books. However, the store by Minnie Pearl was probably the best one. It's a story about being yourself, and not trying to be someone you're not.
July 14, 2022
Amazing book. Loved reading stories from country music stars
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November 22, 2017~ Just to be alive and to be of service to somebody is a reward. ~ Jo Ann Cayee
~ The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. ~ Victor Hugo
~ Any definition of a successful life must include service to others. ~ George Bush
~ Our happiness is greatest when we contribute to the happiness of others. ~ Anonymous
~ It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had. ~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
~ Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness, but manifestations of strength. ~ Kahlil Gibran
~ Count your blessings, instead of your crosses. Count your gains, instead of your losses. Count the yes's, instead of the no's. Count your friends, instead of your foes. Count your full years, instead of your lean. And count on God, instead of yourself.
~ The Bible says, "All things are possible." I believe that. ~ Dolly Parton
~ A dream is a wish your heart makes. ~ Walt Disney
~ Always know in your heart that you are far bigger than anything that can happen to you. ~ Dan Zadra
~ If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with a little rain. ~ Dolly Parton
~ Music has a way of reaching into the hidden corners of the mind and heart and stirring a soul. ~ Reverend Robert Schuller
~ Your talent is God's gift to you. How you use it is your gift to God.
~ The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. ~ Victor Hugo
~ Any definition of a successful life must include service to others. ~ George Bush
~ Our happiness is greatest when we contribute to the happiness of others. ~ Anonymous
~ It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up that we begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had. ~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
~ Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness, but manifestations of strength. ~ Kahlil Gibran
~ Count your blessings, instead of your crosses. Count your gains, instead of your losses. Count the yes's, instead of the no's. Count your friends, instead of your foes. Count your full years, instead of your lean. And count on God, instead of yourself.
~ The Bible says, "All things are possible." I believe that. ~ Dolly Parton
~ A dream is a wish your heart makes. ~ Walt Disney
~ Always know in your heart that you are far bigger than anything that can happen to you. ~ Dan Zadra
~ If you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with a little rain. ~ Dolly Parton
~ Music has a way of reaching into the hidden corners of the mind and heart and stirring a soul. ~ Reverend Robert Schuller
~ Your talent is God's gift to you. How you use it is your gift to God.
March 17, 2013
Don't let the guitar on the front fool you, this isn't a Chicken Soup for the Country "Music" Soul, this is a Chicken Soup for the Country Soul. So most of the stories are not from country singers, like you would expect.
In the tradition of Chicken Soup for the Soul Books, this book is filled with short stories that are meant to be inspiring and uplifting. From tales about getting to me country hero legends to stories about a mother doing what's best for her family, they are supposed to spread warmth and joy. And while the majority of the stories were ok in this book, there were none that I thought fantastic or that stuck with me. In fact, there was one that actually made me a little angry. The first story in the book, "Love Goes a Long Way" was a story about a man, who after an accident didn't have the will to live until some favorite country singers stopped by to visit him. Sounds sweet right? Well this man also had a wife and kids and apparently they were not enough to bring him back from the brink, it took the country singers to do it. And that just disgusted me a little bit that they weren't enough for him to live for. But anyways...
I have to say that even though I like country music, I didn't recognize a lot of the artists who were featured in this book. It seemed that most were older performers so if you're a modern country music person, this book probably isn't for you. But if you like the classic stuff, you'll probably get a lot of worth out of this book. And as I said before, it wasn't just country singers in this book. A lot of it was just tales of family life that they stretched into fitting the country model. Really, a lot of it was about loving your family and that fits all types of families, not just the country ones.
This is a religious publication. All of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books are. But it was especially noticed in this one. I don't know if it was because of the country theme (and the belief that they are among the most religious) but there was a lot of preaching going on in this book. I can't say that it made it less enjoyable for me, but it was something that was noticeable. There didn't seem to be as many stories in this book as there are some of the other editions either. It was definitely smaller in size than some of the others I have sitting on my shelf. And I just didn't feel drawn into the stories of this book. None made me cry, and there's usually at least one that does.
An ok book. Maybe a different audience than me would like it better. But I found this just an average Chicken Soup for the Soul book.
Chicken Soup for the Country Soul
Copyright 1998
236 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
In the tradition of Chicken Soup for the Soul Books, this book is filled with short stories that are meant to be inspiring and uplifting. From tales about getting to me country hero legends to stories about a mother doing what's best for her family, they are supposed to spread warmth and joy. And while the majority of the stories were ok in this book, there were none that I thought fantastic or that stuck with me. In fact, there was one that actually made me a little angry. The first story in the book, "Love Goes a Long Way" was a story about a man, who after an accident didn't have the will to live until some favorite country singers stopped by to visit him. Sounds sweet right? Well this man also had a wife and kids and apparently they were not enough to bring him back from the brink, it took the country singers to do it. And that just disgusted me a little bit that they weren't enough for him to live for. But anyways...
I have to say that even though I like country music, I didn't recognize a lot of the artists who were featured in this book. It seemed that most were older performers so if you're a modern country music person, this book probably isn't for you. But if you like the classic stuff, you'll probably get a lot of worth out of this book. And as I said before, it wasn't just country singers in this book. A lot of it was just tales of family life that they stretched into fitting the country model. Really, a lot of it was about loving your family and that fits all types of families, not just the country ones.
This is a religious publication. All of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books are. But it was especially noticed in this one. I don't know if it was because of the country theme (and the belief that they are among the most religious) but there was a lot of preaching going on in this book. I can't say that it made it less enjoyable for me, but it was something that was noticeable. There didn't seem to be as many stories in this book as there are some of the other editions either. It was definitely smaller in size than some of the others I have sitting on my shelf. And I just didn't feel drawn into the stories of this book. None made me cry, and there's usually at least one that does.
An ok book. Maybe a different audience than me would like it better. But I found this just an average Chicken Soup for the Soul book.
Chicken Soup for the Country Soul
Copyright 1998
236 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
August 23, 2016
I loved all the inspiring stories that come together into this book. I had started this book back towards the beginning of the new year and I was starting a new semester for school so the start and finish dates for this book are not right since I had to stop reading this book so that I could read another. After I started reading it again I end up actually finishing the rest later on since I will go back and forth with books. Some of the stories in this I had to skip since I wasnt understanding what was happening or I just wasnt keeping up with the story while I was reading plus their was a couple about sports so I felt like I wouldnt be able to understand that too since I am not into sports such as college and high school games and so on. I would recommend this book but dont do the same thing I did with taking forever to read it....Lol. I also hoped that there would be more country singers that I would be familiar with like Loretta Lynn (Big Fan) and Tanya Tucker if you know what I mean.
July 28, 2011
If you were a fan of country music in the early to mid 1990s, you'll enjoy this collection of Chicken Soup stories quite a bit. Many of the stars who contributed peaked in that time period, so many of the names will be unfamiliar to the very new fans or those who've followed the genre for a long time but chose not to listen to mainstream radio as it tended towards the pop side.
That said, there were a few star names I didn't recognize plus those of the fans, but that didn't make the book any less enjoyable. Not all of the stories focused on country music either, though I'd say the majority do. Those that don't still embody the values and ways that are commonly associated with the country lifestyle.
I enjoyed reading this book in bits and pieces while working out at the gym and listening to country music on my iPod, a perfect soundtrack to this book.
Have not listened to the enclosed CD, so I can't rate the song, but I suspect it's a good one.
That said, there were a few star names I didn't recognize plus those of the fans, but that didn't make the book any less enjoyable. Not all of the stories focused on country music either, though I'd say the majority do. Those that don't still embody the values and ways that are commonly associated with the country lifestyle.
I enjoyed reading this book in bits and pieces while working out at the gym and listening to country music on my iPod, a perfect soundtrack to this book.
Have not listened to the enclosed CD, so I can't rate the song, but I suspect it's a good one.
July 14, 2014
Another nice Sunday spent partaking of some chicken soup. A nice variety of stories with some connection to country music, including some songs I knew and some I didn't. I picked this book to read off the pile because a friend said she was willing to consider country music as an acceptable genre if I could give her a list of some songs she should investigate to understand it. I figured this would help me come up with a list and it did, although none of the ones on the list were covered in the book.
March 4, 2009
This is the only Chicken Soup book that I read in order. My favorite story in this book is 'The Chain of Love'. I also love the song just as much. I mean they are the same story. :D
I read some of the stories that are in this book again the other day, I guess that I can never get tired of any of them.
I read some of the stories that are in this book again the other day, I guess that I can never get tired of any of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2012
"I saw at last that I had become a failure only because I wouldn't accept what I truly was..... When I learned to accept that role, the one God had given me, he turned my failure into success." - Sarah Ophelia Cannon
April 4, 2016
One of the best books I've read so far.
December 18, 2014
Wonderful, inspiring stories for anyone who loves country music or the country way of life.
June 3, 2015
Heartwarming stories as always
December 9, 2016
loved it explained all the ideas that were put together to write a song.....
June 28, 2012
Love this book
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews