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Chicken Soup Stories for a Better World
Do you believe that a story can change your life? That it can inspire you to be more happy, more confident and more caring? That it can lift your mood, clear your head and give you perspective? Now what about 101 of the most uplifting stories you've ever read about people reaching out, stepping up and transforming their lives and the world around them?
At Chicken Soup for the Soul, we know that a story can change your heart. It can touch your mind. It can free your soul. The moment might be as simple as a small child giving water to a dog on a hot day or as heart-wrenching as a parent responding with love to the murder of their child. It might be as common as a class of poor immigrants giving their young instructor a new coat she needed but couldn't afford; as life changing as an unruly student learning to love math because of a dedicated teacher; as satisfying as someone apologizing for a hurtful action of several years before; or as monumental as the international work of Jimmy Carter and Oscar Arias, former President of Costa Rica. As these stories so wonderful illustrate, the power to change starts with you, but it doesn't end there. When we change one heart at a time-our own and then those around us-we create a better world. We hope these stories will touch and change your heart today.
At Chicken Soup for the Soul, we know that a story can change your heart. It can touch your mind. It can free your soul. The moment might be as simple as a small child giving water to a dog on a hot day or as heart-wrenching as a parent responding with love to the murder of their child. It might be as common as a class of poor immigrants giving their young instructor a new coat she needed but couldn't afford; as life changing as an unruly student learning to love math because of a dedicated teacher; as satisfying as someone apologizing for a hurtful action of several years before; or as monumental as the international work of Jimmy Carter and Oscar Arias, former President of Costa Rica. As these stories so wonderful illustrate, the power to change starts with you, but it doesn't end there. When we change one heart at a time-our own and then those around us-we create a better world. We hope these stories will touch and change your heart today.
399 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 2005
14 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
About the author
Jack Canfield
1,286 books1,748 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 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 22, 2016
A collection of inspiring stories that prove humanity is not all bad. There are some caring, awesome people in the world and we should all strive to make a difference.
January 18, 2022
I generally like these books but most of these stories were boring, rather than inspirational. Quite dissapointing.
September 1, 2023
I always enjoy the Chicken Soup books, and this was no exception. These stories deal with making the world a better place with nonviolent solutions.
If you like short, thoughtful essays with a positive spin, you will really like this series.
If you like short, thoughtful essays with a positive spin, you will really like this series.
October 18, 2008
Chicken soup included 101 inspirational stories of people doing their part to make the world a better place. In some stories people make foundation in honor of a deceased love one, like in Awakening of the Soul, the man’s brother dies when his flight was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon on 9/11. The brother loved to work with children, so to heal his soul he created the Robert Speisman Memorial Basketball Foundation which lets underprivileged kids play on “Speis” sports teams in honor of his brother’s memory. In other stories, a person or group helps others in need or teaches them lessons. In Seeds of Justice, Seeds of Hope, the Master Gardener teaches the children to garden and sell products as their community has no healthy food. Plus, this keeps the children out of the unsafe activities they involve themselves in. Other stories have morals that others have gained from learning such as the lesson of forgiveness taught in many stories. A wide range of tales, but they all help make the world a better place.
The stories were inspirational in every way. I have learned so many new things in history and insight. They were captivating, motivating, and educational. I am going to take these stories with me on my journey through life. I liked the variety of stories because they show how many different ways you can help make the world a better place. Being a lot of stories were war-related or historic moments I wasn’t engrossed in the book, but I did enjoy it. I will remember the people’s life stories and the historic moments included in this book as I do my part in making the world a better place.
The stories were inspirational in every way. I have learned so many new things in history and insight. They were captivating, motivating, and educational. I am going to take these stories with me on my journey through life. I liked the variety of stories because they show how many different ways you can help make the world a better place. Being a lot of stories were war-related or historic moments I wasn’t engrossed in the book, but I did enjoy it. I will remember the people’s life stories and the historic moments included in this book as I do my part in making the world a better place.
Read
August 3, 2011For one, it's a Chicken Soup for the Soul book.. of course it's going to get a five star rating. But for this one in particular, the ratings go through the roof, I couldn't go past five... it wouldn't let me :)
I think, for me, the stories in this book touch me on a deeper level than some of the others. Mainly because of my undeniable need to help people. I cannot stand to see hunger, poverty, abuse, neglect,. etc.. etc.. and NOT do anything about it. However, after reading a lot of the stories in this book, I came to realize that there is more that I could be doing to help that I am not. In one story a woman helping out in a third world country held the head of a woman as she died in her lap from disease and malnutrition, and here I am singing the "woe is me" song because I am struggling to find a job. This book really opens the eye to the lives of others and makes you appreciate your own.
I think, for me, the stories in this book touch me on a deeper level than some of the others. Mainly because of my undeniable need to help people. I cannot stand to see hunger, poverty, abuse, neglect,. etc.. etc.. and NOT do anything about it. However, after reading a lot of the stories in this book, I came to realize that there is more that I could be doing to help that I am not. In one story a woman helping out in a third world country held the head of a woman as she died in her lap from disease and malnutrition, and here I am singing the "woe is me" song because I am struggling to find a job. This book really opens the eye to the lives of others and makes you appreciate your own.
July 12, 2010
Chicken Soup's make the best inspirational book: a collection of life-changing stories that you can pick up any time for a quick read. The authors do a great job at gathering these stories and making them available so that anybody can be inspired by them.
September 8, 2010
Renews my belief in the goodness of most of humanity. Sometimes we are told only about all the troubles in the world. This book reminds me that people are also working on solutions- both in the private realm of one's own spirit and in the public arenas of war-torn or impoverished societies.
November 28, 2009
Enjoy the feel good series, liked this one but it seemed a little preachy on pacifism.
Read
March 7, 2011i liked the idea of everyone sharing their stories on how to make the world a better place.
May 1, 2012
Can not beleived those stories , realy it will be a better world
January 11, 2013
Love Chicken Soup.
December 28, 2015
As always, Chicken Soup books have much to offer. The inspirational messages gave me much to think about. As stated on the back cover "Every story ... Is a vision of peace for our future."
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews