The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters

by Andy Andrews

The decisions you make and the way you treat others have more impact than you may ever realize.
Speaker and New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews
shares a compelling and powerful story about a decision one man made
over a hundred years ago, and the ripple effect it’s had on us
individually, and nationwide, today. It’s a story that will inspire
courage and wisdom in the decisions we make, as well as affect the way
we treat others through our lifetime. Andrews speaks over 100 times a
year, and The Butterfly Effect is his #1 most requested story. 
Also included with the purchase of the book is a link to view a 9-minute message of Andrews telling The Butterfly Effect story to a live audience.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Inspirational, History, Personal Development, Philosophy, Christian

112 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

~ Hailed by a New York Times writer as a "modern-day Will Rogers who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America."

~ Spoken at the request of four different U.S. Presidents

~ Every single minute a book by Andy Andrews is sold somewhere in the world!

~ New York Times Bestselling Author of The Noticer and The Traveler's Gift

Source:
http://www.andyandrews.com/

Reviews

[Nikole Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Every single thing you do matters. You have been created

as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference.

You have within you the power to change the world.”

A n d y A n d r e w s



The book was an unexpected delight and at the same time unexpectedly short. I’m all ready wanting to buy this book for my nephew. It’s inspirational showing the effects of small, every day people who chose to do the right thing and in turn their actions saved lives in future generations. One man’s actions saved our country. I don’t think people realize how every action is important from the conversation you had with a woman at the grocery store to life decisions you make. Your action has a reaction. This book shows how God designed each of us for a purpose, and when you look at the whole picture it is amazing to see how the dominoes fall.

The Butterfly Effect begins like a history lesson, but reads like a novel. I would encourage you not to skip over the Author’s Note. It is very interesting. Give it away to someone who needs to see that their life matters. So much of the time we go through every day without realizing our value in God’s eyes. We are much more than just a grocery store clerk, a government employee, an IRS man, or a custodian. Won’t you spread your wings and beat the air and take a chance on life?

From The Publisher:

The decisions you make and the way you treat others have more impact than you may ever realize.

Speaker and New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews shares a compelling and powerful story about a decision one man made over a hundred years ago, and the ripple effect it’s had on us individually, and nationwide, today. It’s a story that will inspire courage and wisdom in the decisions we make, as well as affect the way we treat others through our lifetime. Andrews speaks over 100 times a year, and The Butterfly Effect is his #1 most requested story.

Also included with the purchase of the book is a link to view a 9-minute message of Andrews telling The Butterfly Effect story to a live audience.

Book Provided By The Publisher To Review

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am sad to give this book only three stars, because the subject is something I really love to study and think about - this idea of the intricate choreography of human souls on earth, how our actions affect each other, and nothing is a coincidence - but I unfortunately feel that the message came across a little too theatrically for me in Mr. Andrews' treatment.

Of course the stories he mentions are true and accurate, and are no doubt inspiring examples of this idea, but because there seems to be an average of 1-3 sentences per page, surrounded by artwork and the like, it ends up coming off like a collection of Hallmark cards rather than a book that takes itself seriously and really analyzes the butterfly effect.

I consider this a good book for anyone who wants a nice 10 minute read (because that is how long it takes to read it), but for anyone (like myself) hoping for a more in-depth searching of how our everyday actions can have great influence in our life and the life of others, it would be best to look elsewhere.

[Hessah Alhashash]

شدني الاسم ! وانصدمت بالمحتوى :)) الكتاب فاضي .. صاحب الكتاب يريد ان يوصل رساله ان لك تأُثير في هذه الحياة وبس

[Msladydeborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my goals during this summer is to read books that a 100 pages or less. Achieving this goal lead me to select The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews.

This book starts out on a simple scientific theory that was once believed to be nonsense when it was first introduced.

The Butterfly Effect is a theory that contends that the motion of a butterflies wings while in flight has the power to eventually cause a hurricane. Please note that I am simplifying the theory because I try to avoid writing spoilers.

Andy Andrews uses a historical example to show how one person's actions can effect human kind in ways that are not easily seen or imagined at that the time the event occurs. There are three examples of how human thought and interaction helped to impact the lives of billions of people on a global scale.

This is a great take a break type book. It is colorfully illustrated, the story line is interesting and at the end of story, if you are not questioning what effect your actions are having on the common good, then you've totally missed the point of The Butterfly Effect

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Butterfly Effect" repeatedly makes the point that what you do matters, not just today, but far into the future. Mr. Andrews illustrates this point with the story of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a Colonel in the Union Army. It was July 2, 1863, in Gettysburg, PA. Colonel Chamberlain and his men were attacked over and over and are down to almost nothing when he tells them to charge. The results of that charge are amazing! Then, there is the example of Norman Borlaugh and his work with hybridized high yield, disease resistant corn and wheat for arid climates. It has saved millions of people. But, was it really just Norman?

There is an actual "Butterfly Effect," and I enjoyed reading how it went from something scientists thought was laughable to a scientific fact called, "The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions." It is a quick read that will change your philosophy about the seemingly inconsequential things in life. I am thankful to the Book Sneeze program for having the ability to read and comment on this book. This is great reading for everyone, and I recommend the children’s companion, "The Boy Who Changed the World."

[Paloma Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

My orthodontist gave me this book and it took me down a rabbit hole of the battle of Gettysburg

[Marie Weis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful idea and topic! However the actual content is very surface level. It’s a super quick read though!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a gift from a dear friend. It is a very quick read which allows it to be helpful when you need it most. It is inspirational, uplifting, and easy to consume when you need a boost. American themes, but you’ll get the gist of it.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short book, basically a transcript of a story that author/speaker Andy Andrews tells during some of his motivational talks. It demonstrates the effect one life — one decision really — can have on hosts of people across time. By the end of the book, you understand Andy’s point — everything you do matters. Every move each of us makes will always have an effect on someone (even if that someone is ourselves), rippling into the future. Essentially, our lives have a unique purpose because no matter how far into the future we have to go, we will find someone who has been affected by our actions. So we need to live every moment with that in mind.

There’s a lot of good history in this book, and it definitely makes you think about the permanence of your actions, big and small. However, I almost felt like it was too much pressure to think about. Maybe that’s because I’ve never heard Andy Andrews speak before. I know the goal is to show people their importance in this world, but there’s a certain magnitude that comes from thinking that every single thing you do has a far-reaching scope. Taken positively, it could be a very comforting reminder that you are important in the scope of the world. I simply feel that you have to be careful not to look at not-so-great past actions with too much negative pressure.

I think this layout is great for young adults or as a gift. It is a very simple book — it takes very little time to read. It really is a nice book, very encouraging for those who need a reminder that their actions can (and do) have positive consequences.

[writer... · Rating 4 out of 5]

exceptional historical examples of how one life can impact entire nations. the book's subtitle, *How Your Life Matters*, intimates the personal realities for readers. *The Butterfly Effect* inspires and challenges readers to consider the impact of their own lives and life choices.

historical figures of name and reknown are offered as primary means to support Andrews' premise, that our thoughts and actions result in rippling effects on others connected to us, known or unknown, and with far reaching consequences. actually, down through generations that become of historical record. Andrews challenges the reader, with the examples he provides, to live more deeply; to recognize our actions impact others, whether for benefit or harm. his engaging examples kept me avidly page turning.

well written and artistically illustrated, Andrews achieves the intended outcome of encouraging readers to apply wisdom, courage and thought before action. what we do matters. the choices we make matter. how we treat others matters. for the outcome of our choices effects more than ourself. it effects our world and generations to come...

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw this and was curious about the story of the solitary Union solider who's actions at Gettysburg were credited with changing the fate of our nation. So, I thought I'd check it out.

This is an inspirational book (if you want to call it a book) I think of it more as a speech set into book format with a nice layout including photographs of antique effects and paraphernalia. It takes about fifteen minutes to read.

I like the premise of the book; everything you do matters, even the smallest things can have a ripple effect in creating important changes somewhere in the future. I also liked that this was secular, not religious.

I think this would make a nice gift for the right occasion, graduation comes to mind now that it's June. I do wish the author had included some more mundane examples of how having a clean house and doing laundry can have a ripple effect in the world but I guess that wouldn't have been as pretty or appealing as this version.

[Thư Vũ]

hồi nãy đi nhà sách, đứng đọc ké đc tầm chục trang, mà ưng quá trời ưng. tiếc là lỡ mua mấy quyển kia nên k đủ tiền.
sang tuần nhất định phải rước về...

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book has such a beautiful cover and an inspiring message it is also one of the duh-types as this is one of those messages that has been over-preached if you will. For those who know history this will just be a repeat of what you know and for those who don't mind to think about the effects that we have on the world around us then may it help them to get some of their cells working.

The book basically offers to the reader the concept that would later become known unofficially as The Butterfly Effect and how it came to be accepted by science in the most basic retelling that can be given for a scientific event. Then following that the author gives a few good examples from history of people who may be considered butterflies and how their lives how affected certain events not only in the United States but also worldwide.

Short, easy-to-follow and understand this will be a quick read for those who need an inspiring pick-me-up. Unfortunately for those who would like other steps to follow on improving their own lives to give the most outreach there is nothing much else given so just read it for the good message then possibly keep it as a reminder to do good or pass it on to whoever else may need to hear this little message.

[George Huss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to enjoy The Butterfly Effect as much as I did, but it turned out to be a surprisingly delightful read. This concise yet impactful book illustrates how even the smallest decisions can create profound and lasting ripples through the future. It inspires readers to approach life with unwavering optimism and determination, reminding us of the power of our actions, no matter how small they may seem.

[Diana Ivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The topic is very interesting and relevant, but I was expecting a more complex approach to it besides the given examples. It’s a good inspirational short story which gives just enough to make you want to go and do more research on the theory itself.

[Chris Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a profound, thought provoking and beautiful little book. I was surprised and moved by each of the short, related stories.

[Gwyn Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read that has a powerful uplifting message

[Baiba Biseniece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read!

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty short, pretty cute

[Janet Helmcamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Read -Truth

So what if something you did today impacted history up to a hundred years from now. Each action, each decision creates an effect that continues to impact the next person and the next person. Your life matters!

[Raviteja Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick short read which solidifies your thoughts on the 'Butterfly effect'.

[Drennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I thought it would be, but it had a good message. Very quick read. It would be a good book to discuss with children. The author has a picture book version for younger readers.

[Belindachaplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Butterfly Effect

The Boy Who Changed the World

Both of these books deal with Andy Andrew’s idea that every little thing we do matters; we never know the impact that we will have in the end. The butterfly effect is a part of chaos theory and in essence states that when a butterfly flaps their wings on this side of the world, it makes a tornado happen on the other side of the world. The butterfly doesn't cause the tornado per se, but without that flapping of the wings that particular tornado would not have existed in that time and space, so the butterfly was essential in that tornado's formation...

Anyway, enough about theories and on to the books...

In “The Boy Who Changed The World”, he illustrates this effect through the story of Norman Borlaug, who won the Nobel Peace prize in 1970 for creating seeds that were able to withstand harsh conditions and thus increased peace by increasing food supply to poor nations. By going backwards in time and seeing who the people were who stimulated him to create the seeds and who inspired or helped them, the author shows that everything that we do is very important, and even little things matter. Also, we will never know how even a simple little action will lead to bigger things in the future.

In “The Butterfly Effect” these stories are explained in more detail, and others are interwoven so we truly see how the flapping of the wings of our decisions today can have an influence half-way around the world tomorrow. Through these two books, Andy Andrews is encouraging children and adults alike to believe that what they do has an impact, and to make good use of their talents and influence, because we all have the power to change the world.

I have been encouraged by these books, because sometimes I don't see the effect I am having through what I am doing and so become discouraged. It helps to realise that we will often not know what our influence on others will be and how God will use it to change things in the long run. This helps me to press on!!

Also, I am looking forward to using the book “The Boy Who Changed The World” with the children at the Children’s Home (it will have to be translated as it is read to them!) to encourage them that their lives are also important and show them that they can impact other’s lives even in the little things that they do. I would recommend it for any parents to use with their children. “The Butterfly Effect” is a great gift book for any special occasion, and will be an encouragement to everyone who reads it.

This review was for BookSneeze who sent me a free copy of "The Boy Who Changed the World" and an e-copy of "The Butterfly Effect". All opinions are my own.

For more details go to beeinbosnia.blogspot.com

[Cecilia Garavito · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a science book. It wasn't.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters by Andy Andrews


Andy Andrews in The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters asks the question, “Do I really matter?” Andrews answers the question by telling two stories. The first tale details the heroic efforts of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain at the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. Chamberlain, a man who refused to do nothing, ordered a historic charge that allowed Union forces to win the battle, when a Confederate victory could have decisively changed the history of the United States and the 20th Century. The second story Andrews presents is the chain of effects that led to the development of hybridized high yield, disease resistant corn by Norman Borlaug, a historical figure likely not to be familiar to most readers. Borlaug’s creation has saved billions from famine. But Andrews asks was it Borlaug’s efforts that led to the saving of more than two billion or was it the small efforts of others that lead to Borlaug’s work. Andrews shows that as the Butterfly Effect argues, all of our smallest actions have impacts, and Andrews inspiringly shows that those little things have long term impacts.

This is a gift book, so it’s short. To be honest I have thought about this book for more time than it took for me to read it. The book is visually pleasing starting at the cover, with a shiny butterfly graphic. As the great philosopher Jeff Foxworthy once argued, men are attracted to shiny things. The pages are more graphical than textual. I’m not a huge fan of gift books, but I found myself satisfied with The Butterfly Effect and am glad I took the time to read and reflect on it.

Review Copy provided by Thomas Nelson

[Phuc Thich Hao Hao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Một cuốn sách truyền cảm hứng tuyệt vời gói gọn trong vòng chỉ hơn 100 trang giấy. Hiệu ứng cánh bướm rốt cuộc có mối tương đồng rất lớn với quan hệ nhân quả trong cuộc sống. Bất cứ hành vi của bạn dù lớn hay nhỏ sẽ tác động tới tương lai của bạn và những người xung quanh, và thậm chí là của cả thế giới. Trong cuốn sách có đề cập đến câu chuyện việc Norman Borlaug, người đã cứu hơn 2 tỉ người khỏi nạn đói, và đào sâu hơn, ta biết được Herry Wallace, phó tổng thống của Hoa Kỳ dưới thời Franklin Roosevelt, ông đã thiết lập một văn phòng ở Mexico cho việc nông nghiệp và ủy quyền cho Norman Borlaug làm việc ở đây. Sâu hơn nữa, ta biết được George Washington Carver, 1 nhà sinh học đã truyền cảm hứng cho Herry Wallace. Lại đào sâu, ta biết thêm được rốt cuộc 1 người nông dân đã cứu ông trong cảnh xã hội loạn lạc. Nhưng, điều ấy khiến cho tôi ngẫm lại, liệu rốt cuộc người nông dân ấy có phải là người thực sự cứu 2 tỷ người khỏi nạn đói? Chắc chắn là không vì bố ông đẻ ra ông, rồi ông của ông đẻ ra bố của ông,... (Đoạn này buồn cười quá :)). Nhưng dẫu sao thì, mọi hành động của bạn trên dòng đời này đều quan trọng và nó có thể thay đổi rất lớn đến cuộc đời của không chỉ bạn mà của tương lai những đời sau, những người xung quanh và thậm chí là cả nhân loại. Thuộc dạng bán self-help nhưng sách không hề chỉ chứa đựng những bài học sáo rỗng, mà nó thực sự rất tạo động lực mạnh mẽ cho có lẽ cả tôi và bạn. Có lẽ sau khi đọc bài viết của tôi dù nó chưa thực sự hay, bạn cũng muốn mua cuốn sách này, đọc, suy ngẫm và biết đâu nhờ có bài viết của tôi mà bạn trở nên thành công, gây tác động đến xã hội thì sao?

[Lenore Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Butterfly Effect' that Andy has also written. We do not always see that what we do will be the next step for someone else. I am sure you have seen it in your own life in one way or the other. Small things. Like growing up my mom woke me by saying "Morning Glory" to me each day. Of course, I said it to my own College Girl when she was a child. Now all three of us will sit on our porch and watch the Morning Glories grow and each share in the love we have passed from one to the other. Small but it is something we all adore. I am even having a glass tile pendent of a Morning Glory made for College Girl's Christmas present. Now this is a tradition passed down. But in raising my daughter to be who she is, it is likely that one day she may teach (it is in the plans). In teaching she can touch a life of a growing mind, maybe one who will make a new discovery or change or notice life just that quarter turn different than most do. And on the effects pass. You also touch many lives each day. From your own family to neighbors to members at church to that person you wave at as you go for your daily walk. And like the wings of a butterfly the slight flutter sets off a chain reaction through out the entire universe. Have you thought about how you will be a part of that.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andy Andrews book, The Butterfly Effect, is a lovely little book. It's a hard-cover book of 100 pages, all sporting lovely graphics or photos. Don't be mislead by my saying it's 100 pages. Each page only has one or two sentences. Very easily read in 10 minutes.

The back of the book says, "Every single thing you do matters. You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference. You have within you the power to change the world."

That got me all stoked up and I couldn't wait to read how I could change the world. In actuality, the book wasn't about me at all :-). It was about people who really did impact the world. Very little was in the book about how "I" could make a difference.

It's a lovely little gift book that has a great little message. But I dare say, even if I do everything God created me to do, chances are I'll make some lives better and create a better world, but I probably won't be changing the world.

I want to be an asset to this world. I want to be all God created me to be and do all he created me to do. I'm not so sure, and this book didn't convince me otherwise, that I will change the world.

[Nandi Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little book with a couple of stories yet it reinforces the fact that everyone in this world has something of value to offer the world. The book starts with the fact that when one butterfly flap it's wings it sets the molecules in the air into motion causing more molecules to go into action and in effect cause a hurricane on the opposite side of the world. astounding. with that in mind, Mr Andrews asserts that everything we do in this world sets about a chain reaction for years to come. Case in point. During the Battle of Gettysburg, the Rebel soldiers outnumbered the Union soldiers and killed many in battle, but due to the split second action of one particular colonel, a group of 80 Union soldiers captured over 300 Confederate troops in effect turning the tide of the Civil War moreso into the hands of the Union and keeping it intact. If that man had not done that, the U.S. would be split up and when Pearl Harbor and WW2 occurred, we wouldn't have been united to fight Europe. very interesting little book that can be read under an idea and set your mind in thought.