Inspirational Book!!

The Pursuit of Happyness is a fascinating book about a man who, against all odds, figures out how to be successful in his career as a stockbroker and as a single parent father. His name is Chris Gardner and he grew up with a loving mother but very abusive stepfather that caused him a lot of emotional and physical damage. He made a promise to himself early on that he would always be present in his childrens¿ lives and would never harm them, unlike his stepfather. Throughout the many hardships of his adult life- including homelessness, divorce, and single parenting- he managed to do this all the while pursuing his own version of happiness. The major messages of this book were to dream big and to never stop reaching for your goals, no matter the roadblocks that may come your way. Chris¿ mother was highly influential in his life and she became one of his major role models. This was shown especially when it came to striving for the very best for your children, which was a value that Chris later managed to reflect in his own parenting style, even when he later found himself homeless with a young child to take care of. Some of the elements of this book that I really enjoyed were the positivity that could be found on every page of the book, and the family pictures in the middle of the book. Even during some of the toughest parts of Chris¿ life, such as when his stepfather became abusive, Chris came up with ways that he would cope with the violence at home by promising himself he would never act that way towards his children. The only dislike I had about this book was the technical language regarding his profession that was sometimes difficult to understand. Anyone who is interested in following their own route to happiness should read this book because it is full of inspiration and positive energy that will encourage you! Some other recommended works (not literary) would be to watch the Pursuit of Happiness movie, if you happened to enjoy the book. Other than this one, Chris Gardner has not written any other books so the movie is my personal recommendation. I would give this book an overall rating of a seven out of ten, because it something worth spending time reading but it was not written as eloquently as I would have preferred.

Never Will I Doubt Whether I Can

Never in my life will I find an obsticle where I will think "No I can't" to. This man has faced so much. Even in just the first thirteen years of his life he had faced more than I will ever dream of! I had to read this memoir for career management as an inspirational success story. And boy was it. It took a while to get through because I was forced to read it, and lets face it, no one likes to be forced to do anything, even something they love.
He was very open in his writing and so explicit it feels like listening to a friend opening up to a dark secret. He has inspired me to overcome any obsticle and I hope you read this book so you can be too.

Inspiring

This is truly an inspiring book! I can hardly believe that it is based on a true story.

The Book of Perseverance!

This book maybe called the Pursuit of Happyness but, I haven't read a book where one person had to overcome so much in his life. This was an excellent book about life if I ever read one. From growing up without knowing his biological father, to being abused by his stepfather, to being raped when he was about 10 years old and to trying to be good father in raising a child while homeless. It's no wonder I call this book, 'The Book of Perseverance.' It shows how one man no matter what obstacles are put in front of him he finds a way to hurdle them. I enjoyed the book more than I did the movie. Don't get me wrong, the movie was good, but the book was better. There were things in the book that I thought were important that weren't put in the movie. Like his stepfather, who physically abused him when he was child. The love for his mother and the abuse she had to endure with his stepfather. I was especially moved with the bond that he had with his son. It's the kind of bond I hope I have when I have a son. Especially when I myself never knew my biological father. It's an excellent book and I recommend everyone to read it.

Pursuit of Happness

To me honestly I think this book was really good and I would really recommend this amazing book especially to a person who has gone through this struggle to still be alive. The ending of the book made me really happy and the fact that he made it through all that he went to. The movie is what inspired me the most to read this book because the ending was in the movie but it just gave you a brief summary of how much money he ended up getting after such a long journey. The fact that the son didn¿t actually know what was going on or what happened at the time until he figured it out on his own as he got older. The one scene in the movie when the little boy dropped his toy so that they could catch the bus on time almost made me cry because just knowing that was basically his one and only toy. So to sum this all up I really would like any and everybody to read this. Trust once you start you don¿t want to put the book down.

A little too graphic

The tale of how Mr. Gardner made his way from rags to riches is an inspriational one. However, I could have done without the descriptions of his sex life.

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What an inspiration!

This is such a powerful story of a man's struggle to become the success he is today. Mr. Gardner didn't have an easy life and had issues that could have easily lead him down the wrong path. He shows us all that hard work and determination pays off.

Too much sex, too little on goal

The story was very interesting on how he got from poverty to success. However, I did not feel I needed to know so much about his sexual encounters and lusts. It made me lose respect for this man however incredible his success has been. Don't we know enough about sex already! I got rid of the book before my teenagers could read it, too graphic.

Great Book, Too Much Profanity & Sex

I would have given this book 5 stars were it not for the profanity and somewhat explicit sexual content. I am glad that Mr. Gardner let us see him with both feet on the ground, as one who could make some really dumb decisions in life, and yet continue to persevere to achieve his dream - learning every step of the way. I only wish he would release a version suitable for the 6 to 17 year age group. I manage a real estate sales team, and am keeping a couple of copies in my lending library for the agents.

Very Inspirational

If their was ever a book, that could inspire someone to become success in whatever it is that they wanted to do, this is the book. It is our perserverance that makes us who we are, and it is The Pursuit of Happiness (not Happyness,LOL)that we each strive for in this world. You dont have to be rich to be success, it's doing what you love, to the best of your ability and beyond. I can say, that this book has opened my eyes and I can now see that any one can become and do what they dream to be.....it's out there, all we have to do is grab it and never let go.... Dave

Not like the movie!

I was a bit disappointed with the amount of the content that contained explitives. Although the story contains an inspiring message, it was frustrating to wade through the many curse words, sexual content, and incredibly bad decisions that Chris Gardner made in order to find the story about the man who picked himself up by his boot straps. I'm not sure it was worth it.

would give it infinite stars!!

this is a truly inspiring book for anyone. to be kept on bookshelves for all time.

There is a little but of Chris in all of us!!!!

If you have any type of goal, any type of vision to become anything in life, this is a guide to get through knowing that in the end you will win this race.

Excellent read, could not put the book down till done

I recommend this book for a read for every young person that thinks their life is tough. The book will detail tough for them. Excellent read. john d. gwazdosky Augusta, Maine

A FAST READ

This book draws you inside the author's world and takes you on a fast ride. I enjoyed this book. It is easy to read and to understand. The author gives new insight on race and manhood. The language is strong and explicit, but it has to be in order to tell the story. Because the author's tale is not entirely atypical, this will not be an instant classic. However, I encourage you to buy it in hardcover.

An inspiring story of courage, motivation, and believing in yourself!!!

This book is beautiful! The struggles and successes of Chris Gardner are truly amazing and inspiring. Throughout the book he stayed focused, motivated, and hungry for a better life for him and his son. I have nothing but respect, and admiration for him. He has truly inspired me to be the best I can be, and NEVER give up on my dreams. I highly recommend this book, and I can't wait until the movie is released.

A must read for struggling single parents

As a single parent, with two grown children, I can empathize and greatly admire your personal and professional accomplishments. Found this gripping, encouraging and honestly portrayed. Look forward to the movie. Hope you read this, Chris! You make all 'Moms,' who have 'been there,' very proud!!! I really look forward to the movie.

review

A good read although slow at first. An uplifting story, showing the power of determination. Chris Gardner was obviously smart and intelligent man to acheive the things he did with the education he had. Inspirational reading for everyone! All fathers should have a copy for Fathers Day.

This book will be A tear jerker

I can relate to be author. I too was abuse as a child an talk about . By the same man.