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Relentless: Mark Victor Hansen
The minute you start to read this page-turning memoir, you’ll understand why Relentless, is the unprecedented winner of NINE book awards.
Mitzi Perdue, one of the top female biographers in the USA, finally gives us a candid look behind curtain, of the remarkable life of Mark Victor Hansen, the co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® Series. You’ll hear how a boy who struggled with reading in grammar school, went on to achieve New York Times Bestseller 59 times.
It’s hard to imagine one man from a blue-collar upbringing in a small town was able to conquer so many mountains. He did it by never letting any obstacle get in his way and by inspiring others to make a difference in the world around them. His story is exceptional, but it is his extraordinary perseverance and generosity that led to his long-term success.
Once Mitzi Perdue got to know the man, she knew Mark’s uncommon life journey needed to be shared. She captures the essence of Mark with true stories from his life, both humorous and poignant. These stories will inspire and amaze you as they demonstrate the tenacity of one man who learned early in his life, in order to receive, first you must give.
Mitzi Perdue, one of the top female biographers in the USA, finally gives us a candid look behind curtain, of the remarkable life of Mark Victor Hansen, the co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® Series. You’ll hear how a boy who struggled with reading in grammar school, went on to achieve New York Times Bestseller 59 times.
It’s hard to imagine one man from a blue-collar upbringing in a small town was able to conquer so many mountains. He did it by never letting any obstacle get in his way and by inspiring others to make a difference in the world around them. His story is exceptional, but it is his extraordinary perseverance and generosity that led to his long-term success.
Once Mitzi Perdue got to know the man, she knew Mark’s uncommon life journey needed to be shared. She captures the essence of Mark with true stories from his life, both humorous and poignant. These stories will inspire and amaze you as they demonstrate the tenacity of one man who learned early in his life, in order to receive, first you must give.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2022
20 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 3, 2026
Who is Mark Victor Hansen? Some of you may know him from The Chicken Soup for the Soul series, while others may recognize him for his generous personality or speaking and inspiring abilities. Some, like me, would have been unaware of his identity until they came across this book. What is he like outside of the spotlight for someone whose books have been huge successes in American history, with 7 - 8 books simultaneously on the Top 10 New York Bestselling Authors list? What challenges, inspirations, and motivations drove him to become a successful speaker and best-selling author? What can we learn from his impressive list of successes and failures? Well, "Relentless: Mark Victor Hansen" by Mitzi Perdue is an excellent read if you want to know the answers to these questions or aspire to achieve the same level of success as Mark.
Mitzi Perdue's "Relentless" provides a captivating glimpse into the extraordinary life of Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the iconic Chicken Soup for the Soul® Series. Perdue, a renowned female biographer, skillfully reveals Hansen's journey from a boy dealing with his childhood to a New York Times Bestselling author an astonishing 59 times. From humble beginnings in a small town, Hansen defied odds and shattered barriers, demonstrating unwavering determination to overcome obstacles. His incredible resilience and unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the world serve as a source of inspiration for readers.
This book has its own set of benefits and disadvantages. First, as an autobiography, it takes us through Mark's life, revealing the man behind the best-selling books, his struggles, and his perseverance. Perdue has included a section titled "Learn from Mark" after each chapter that practically summarizes the lessons that can be learned from that specific period of Mark's life, giving it a unique touch. Second, Mark's life, like any other person's on this planet, was full of ups and downs, as detailed in the book. Even when Mark was at his worst, his story continues to inspire others to learn and grow. It is as if the book said, "If Mark can, so can you." Third, the book contains phrases that Mark believes in, which provides readers with inspirational quotes to follow. There are a few typos that can be overlooked given the book's value, but there is nothing I disliked about it.
Perdue's narrative skillfully weaves together a tapestry of Hansen's life, combining humor and poignancy to provide readers with a genuine and intimate portrait of the man behind the best-selling books. Readers learn about Hansen's ethos of perseverance and generosity, which underpins his long-term success, through anecdotes and personal accounts. The book exemplifies Hansen's indomitable spirit and belief in the power of giving back. Readers will gain valuable insights into resilience, determination, and the transformative power of generosity from his personal experiences. Anyone who has big dreams and wants big results in life but doubts themselves should read this book. But, in my opinion, everyone should read Mark's story at least once in their lives to inspire them to do and be more than they are now.
"Relentless" is more than a biography; it is a testament to the human spirit and the limitless opportunities that await those who refuse to be discouraged by adversity. In summary, "Relentless" is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, motivation, and a deeper understanding of the power of persistence and manifestation. It deserves five out of five stars for all the reasons I mentioned earlier. Because of Hansen's incredible journey and Mitzi Perdue's skillful storytelling, this book is an engaging read that will stay in readers' hearts and minds.
Mitzi Perdue's "Relentless" provides a captivating glimpse into the extraordinary life of Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the iconic Chicken Soup for the Soul® Series. Perdue, a renowned female biographer, skillfully reveals Hansen's journey from a boy dealing with his childhood to a New York Times Bestselling author an astonishing 59 times. From humble beginnings in a small town, Hansen defied odds and shattered barriers, demonstrating unwavering determination to overcome obstacles. His incredible resilience and unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the world serve as a source of inspiration for readers.
This book has its own set of benefits and disadvantages. First, as an autobiography, it takes us through Mark's life, revealing the man behind the best-selling books, his struggles, and his perseverance. Perdue has included a section titled "Learn from Mark" after each chapter that practically summarizes the lessons that can be learned from that specific period of Mark's life, giving it a unique touch. Second, Mark's life, like any other person's on this planet, was full of ups and downs, as detailed in the book. Even when Mark was at his worst, his story continues to inspire others to learn and grow. It is as if the book said, "If Mark can, so can you." Third, the book contains phrases that Mark believes in, which provides readers with inspirational quotes to follow. There are a few typos that can be overlooked given the book's value, but there is nothing I disliked about it.
Perdue's narrative skillfully weaves together a tapestry of Hansen's life, combining humor and poignancy to provide readers with a genuine and intimate portrait of the man behind the best-selling books. Readers learn about Hansen's ethos of perseverance and generosity, which underpins his long-term success, through anecdotes and personal accounts. The book exemplifies Hansen's indomitable spirit and belief in the power of giving back. Readers will gain valuable insights into resilience, determination, and the transformative power of generosity from his personal experiences. Anyone who has big dreams and wants big results in life but doubts themselves should read this book. But, in my opinion, everyone should read Mark's story at least once in their lives to inspire them to do and be more than they are now.
"Relentless" is more than a biography; it is a testament to the human spirit and the limitless opportunities that await those who refuse to be discouraged by adversity. In summary, "Relentless" is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, motivation, and a deeper understanding of the power of persistence and manifestation. It deserves five out of five stars for all the reasons I mentioned earlier. Because of Hansen's incredible journey and Mitzi Perdue's skillful storytelling, this book is an engaging read that will stay in readers' hearts and minds.
February 23, 2023
Great experience
“Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable” by Mark Victor Hansen is an engrossing read into the life and journey of Hansen, a well-known serial entrepreneur and one of the greatest self-help writers of today. In this book, Hansen takes readers through a profoundly inspirational path to success and personal growth.
The book is divided into four parts. In part one, Hansen focuses on “No excuses” and outlines his belief system on achieving success through hard work and perseverance. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear goal and staying on course, no matter the circumstances. In part two, he details the “Relentless Five” traits necessary for success: passion, planning, style, savvy, and service. Here, he dives into the specifics on how to acquire these qualities and how to use them to fashion an unstoppable future.
Part three focuses on strategies for how to protect mental, physical, spiritual, and psychological health. Hansen aims to inspire readers to become active participants in their own lives and warns against the “losing out” mentality. He provides readers with simple direction and useful advice on how to protect themselves from the traps of complacency.
The final part of the book focuses on Hansen’s life philosophy and how we should lead our lives with passion, conviction and pure ambition. He shares his invaluable experiences and special message of living with a purpose, and encourages readers to unleash their inner power and make the impossible possible.
In “Relentless”, Hansen has packed a wealth of advice and motivational strategies that go far beyond any of his other books. He paints an inspiring portrait of success and provides his readers with the essential tools they need to move forward and accomplish their dreams. Every chapter of this book is filled with stories and life-learning lessons that will benefit any reader, regardless of their profession or current situation. I highly recommend this book for everyone looking for an unstoppable path to personal triumph and surefire success!
“Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable” by Mark Victor Hansen is an engrossing read into the life and journey of Hansen, a well-known serial entrepreneur and one of the greatest self-help writers of today. In this book, Hansen takes readers through a profoundly inspirational path to success and personal growth.
The book is divided into four parts. In part one, Hansen focuses on “No excuses” and outlines his belief system on achieving success through hard work and perseverance. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear goal and staying on course, no matter the circumstances. In part two, he details the “Relentless Five” traits necessary for success: passion, planning, style, savvy, and service. Here, he dives into the specifics on how to acquire these qualities and how to use them to fashion an unstoppable future.
Part three focuses on strategies for how to protect mental, physical, spiritual, and psychological health. Hansen aims to inspire readers to become active participants in their own lives and warns against the “losing out” mentality. He provides readers with simple direction and useful advice on how to protect themselves from the traps of complacency.
The final part of the book focuses on Hansen’s life philosophy and how we should lead our lives with passion, conviction and pure ambition. He shares his invaluable experiences and special message of living with a purpose, and encourages readers to unleash their inner power and make the impossible possible.
In “Relentless”, Hansen has packed a wealth of advice and motivational strategies that go far beyond any of his other books. He paints an inspiring portrait of success and provides his readers with the essential tools they need to move forward and accomplish their dreams. Every chapter of this book is filled with stories and life-learning lessons that will benefit any reader, regardless of their profession or current situation. I highly recommend this book for everyone looking for an unstoppable path to personal triumph and surefire success!
August 23, 2022
Mark Victor Hansen – Relentless by Mitzi Perdue is a captivating biography about the life, successes and failures of the founder and co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Mark Victor Hansen. Perdue’s careful study of the life of Mark Victor Hansen will help readers understand how they can also attain success at any stage of their life.
Though the book’s written about a famous inspirational and motivational speaker, Perdue spoke with Hansen himself and sixty-six individuals who have had personal encounters with Hansen at some point. Through the interviews with the sixty-six individuals, readers will understand Hansen’s personal principles and how they can also apply them to attain success in whatever they want to do.
This is an enlightening biography that provides readers with the truth of Hansen’s life. The book includes his ups and downs, making this a candid and interesting read. The author shares his intimate moments with readers and I enjoyed these moments because it brought a humanity to Mark Victor Hansen’s story and made him more relatable. Hansen also shows readers how one wrong choice can affect your dream in the long run.
Purdue takes a deep dive into Hansen’s life and by the end of the book I felt like I was well informed. There is a wealth of knowledge shared in this biography and I felt inspired after finishing the book. The author includes quotes from Hansen on different pages of the book and chapter summaries titled ‘Learn From Mark’ at the end of each chapter.
Mark Victor Hansen – Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul by Mitzi Perdue is a motivational and fascinating biography that educates readers about an interesting man that has affected so many people in life.
Though the book’s written about a famous inspirational and motivational speaker, Perdue spoke with Hansen himself and sixty-six individuals who have had personal encounters with Hansen at some point. Through the interviews with the sixty-six individuals, readers will understand Hansen’s personal principles and how they can also apply them to attain success in whatever they want to do.
This is an enlightening biography that provides readers with the truth of Hansen’s life. The book includes his ups and downs, making this a candid and interesting read. The author shares his intimate moments with readers and I enjoyed these moments because it brought a humanity to Mark Victor Hansen’s story and made him more relatable. Hansen also shows readers how one wrong choice can affect your dream in the long run.
Purdue takes a deep dive into Hansen’s life and by the end of the book I felt like I was well informed. There is a wealth of knowledge shared in this biography and I felt inspired after finishing the book. The author includes quotes from Hansen on different pages of the book and chapter summaries titled ‘Learn From Mark’ at the end of each chapter.
Mark Victor Hansen – Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul by Mitzi Perdue is a motivational and fascinating biography that educates readers about an interesting man that has affected so many people in life.
September 4, 2025
Imagine tracing the life of someone who refuses to see obstacles as dead ends, but instead as puzzles to be solved. That’s the essence of Relentless. Mitzi Perdue doesn’t present Mark Victor Hansen as flawless; rather, she frames him as a man whose life has been a series of experiments in persistence. From childhood ventures selling greeting cards to the global success of Chicken Soup for the Soul, each story underscores how resilience compounds over time.
This book will appeal to readers who value candor over polish and want to see how success is shaped not only by victories, but also by the lessons found in rejection.
This book will appeal to readers who value candor over polish and want to see how success is shaped not only by victories, but also by the lessons found in rejection.
May 8, 2023
Slow start, empowering finish
I thought Relentless was going to be inspirational. Ultimately It was, but it started as a biography. I took a while for me to see the more of this book. A lot of Mark Victor Hansen experiences and thinking stems from deep-rooted connection to his God and savior, and it was that connection that allowed me to finish. His thinking and way of being aligns alot with how I am and think. It also encourages me to keep on with my own writing as I believe there is reason to hope.
I gave it 4 stars for the slowness of the start.
I thought Relentless was going to be inspirational. Ultimately It was, but it started as a biography. I took a while for me to see the more of this book. A lot of Mark Victor Hansen experiences and thinking stems from deep-rooted connection to his God and savior, and it was that connection that allowed me to finish. His thinking and way of being aligns alot with how I am and think. It also encourages me to keep on with my own writing as I believe there is reason to hope.
I gave it 4 stars for the slowness of the start.
March 24, 2023
Amazing Biography of an Amazing Man
This unusual book about Mark Victor Hanson, the larger-than-life man who co-authored the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, has changed my perspective on my life. The author, Mitzi Perdue, a larger-than-life person herself, tells us about him, then summarizes each chapter with info on what we can learn from his experiences. You won’t regret reading this book and having it on hand to refer back to.
This unusual book about Mark Victor Hanson, the larger-than-life man who co-authored the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, has changed my perspective on my life. The author, Mitzi Perdue, a larger-than-life person herself, tells us about him, then summarizes each chapter with info on what we can learn from his experiences. You won’t regret reading this book and having it on hand to refer back to.
December 29, 2022
Relentless teaches valuable lessons!
Mitzi Perdue’s book, Relentless, about Mark Victor Hansen’s life teaches through her stories valuable lessons potentially more so than reading Mark’s iconic books themselves. A great read from a great writer!
Mitzi Perdue’s book, Relentless, about Mark Victor Hansen’s life teaches through her stories valuable lessons potentially more so than reading Mark’s iconic books themselves. A great read from a great writer!
August 15, 2022
Very inspirational book. Makes you want more for your life and to try harder.
May 25, 2023
Inspirational
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews