Chris Gardner (1) (1954–)

It's a short book with only 208 pages but it has big, thoughtful words.

I enjoyed the movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness"so I picked this book to get some more life incentives. His friend and mentor, Dr. Maya Angelou, told him once, "People might not remember your exact words but they'll remember how you made them feel" for his motivational speeches. That is the reason I wrote down some of the phrases in the book to keep each one close by for those rainy days.

This is a story about his conversation with his super smart 7 year-old granddaughter, Brooke, with a glimpse of his journey through life with ups and downs. He went from being a homeless single dad to a wealthy successful businessman and proud father. He didn't have a college degree or wealthy family to help him. But he had dreams and a plan.

He presents questions for not only Brooke but the reader: "How would your life change if a miracle happened in the middle of the night?" He gives all types of pointers to move forward in a positive direction with career and life goals.

This is a book for everyone. At any age, it shows how we all need to plan and prepare for the next day ... and the next. He tells Brooke, "You can do or be anything...Nobody can stop you but you." I wish I could take it a step further and hear him speak.… (meer)

this is a great example of those books that prove that just having a good story, or a story worth telling, is enough. there are a few good sentences here and there throughout, but in general it isn't well written and is missing just about everything that makes a book a good read. certainly i'm impressed by his work ethic and ability to do so many different things so well, including navigating homelessness with a toddler. but that alone doesn't make a good rags to riches story. he went through a lot, and i'm glad that he's successful and giving back, but that doesn't automatically make for a good book.… (meer)

I liked this book, but beware, the movie this book is not.

Mr. Gardner had a hard upbringing. He was in and out of foster care or living with relatives. When he did live with his biological mother, he had to endure a insanely emotionally and physically abusive step-father. My heart broke for him during those periods of his life.

Later in life, Mr. Gardner became homeless and a single father. This period was also heartbreaking, yet Mr. Gardner kept fighting. I think that's the ultimate message of this book - never give up. Gardner bettered himself through education and hardwork and overcame. Every story is different, but this is definitely a case study on rising from the ashes.

Luckily for Gardner, his mother instilled in him a fortitude to continue and wisdom to survive. This book may be an inspiration for other people going through similar experiences. If Mr. Gardner can make it, so can you.

I hear many reviewers complain about the coarseness of this book; they say the profanity and situations are too much to stomach (sigh). I disagree. Mr. Gardner's life was no "tip toe through the tulips". Occasionally, using profanity as a descriptor is the best way to convey mood and setting; It isn't a lack of intelligence; it isn't depraved; it's keeping it real. It's a way to relate. I do not think the book should be judged on how clean of a life Mr. Gardner had; It wasn't clean; it wasn't pretty.

Overall, I would recommend this book. It's an inspiration, and in these pages, Mr. Gardner just let's it go and always keeps it real.… (meer)