This I Believe: Life Lessons by Dan Gediman

This I Believe: Life Lessons Reviews

• 
  Jay French

  This wasn't as inspiring as I'd hoped - maybe it just got me in the wrong mood. The essays are certainly varied, but they have the feel of writers trying very hard to be pithy in few words, and ended up sounding repetitive because of that. Easy to read. I might try number 2 in this series, but I probably won't...
• 
  Abigail Spracklen

  This was a fast and easy read. I have to admit It was kinda cheesey. I liked most of the essays, but they didn't really resonate with me like I thought they would.
• 
  Jeff Scott

  I’ve always enjoyed the NPR series This I Believe. It provides great perspective and can provide some great life advice. I remember the first book that came out. I got it in audiobook from the library, each story read from the author. Great leaders, thinkers, everyday people, and even some from the original series in the 1950s participated. Over time, I stopped listening and reading them. I think the stories from everyday people are just as powerful, sometimes even moreso. In this edition, it’s all stories like that. While many of them are very powerful, there are also many that seem to be reaching. Some seemed to make their story more than what it was. It reminds me of the early years of MTV’s The Real World. After the first few seasons, it was less a documentary about different people trying to live together and more about getting on the show to be a big star (and now it’s infected all sorts of reality shows). While many of the stories are illuminating, there are just as many that fall into this latter category.
  
  Favorite Parts:
  (From Caring Makes us Human)
  “There’s a lot of talk about what’s wrong with prisons in America. We need more programs; we need more psychologists or treatment of various kinds. Some evern talk about making prisons more kind, but I think what we really need is a chance to practice kindness ourselves, not receive it, but give it.”
  
  “…but by simply saying, “I need some help here,” he did something important for us. He needed us—and we needed to be needed. I believe we all do.” (p24)
  
  (from Peace can Happen)
  “Peace starts right here. Peace starts with you and me. It starts today.” She was right. I didn’t have to suffer personally in order to understand the pain of others. I believe that through compassion, peace can happen. It echoes from the heart of a single individual.” P. 31
  
  (from Walking in the Light)
  
  “I started to believe that no one is capable of knowing God’s specific identity, so I decided to seek him down my own path, because I believe that’s what he wants me to do.”
  
  “The higher power I now pray to gives me love, joy, and comfort. And I’m not afraid of him. I had to break away from the God I was supposed to believe in to find the God I could believe in.” p. 44
  
  (from I Could be Wrong)
  
  “The real error is to be too certain to see my mistkaes. Certainty becomes a prison for my mind. Humble uncertainty lets the truth emerge.” P. 69
  
• 
  Terri Floccare

  I read this book as a part of summer reading for my school. I appreciate that a variety of people are willing to share their core beliefs with the public. I enjoyed reading many of the essays, but I found them to be uneven in quality and content. I was able to read this in one sitting on my deck on a beautiful summer day. Nothing to complain about there.
• 
  Julie N

  This is just one in a series of essays published by NPR from people across all walks of life describing their belief systems. This edition focuses on life lessons. Each author describes a life lesson they feel has been most significant for them in approximately 2 to 5 pages. They're short and easy to read and, frequently, profound and motivating.
  
  My personal favorite revolved around the idea of repurposing instead of purchasing. As I've been cleaning and organizing my home, I've been working hard to employ this. Instead of rushing out to the store to buy storage and organization items (which is SO tempting and would be SO much fun), I'm trying hard to use things I already own that could function just as well.
  
  Writing
  Obviously, the writing style and skill varies by author. Some of the authors are authors and some are scientists and some are housewives - you get the idea. I think the skill in writing was less important in this book than it was the ability to convey the life lesson in an inspiring way. For me, the book succeeded pretty much across the board.
  
  Entertainment Value
  This makes for a perfect bedside table (or back of the toilet) book. It can be read in bits and pieces and it doesn't require a lot of time to complete an essay - they are all very short. At the same time, I think it makes for a fine book to sit down and read all at once as well - that's how I read it.
  
  Overall
  I recommend giving it a try. It's pretty cool to read about what other people consider their most important life lessons and, as with the repurposing essay, I think there's something for everyone to glean some insight from.
• 
  Allan

  Okay, full disclosure - I have an essay included in this book so I'm one of the many, many contributors. I'll let you decide for yourself about that essay - "I Could be Wrong." I found the book to be better than I expected. Some of the essays are simple (I believe in a good night's sleep) while others are more profound - "Caring Makes Us Human" written by a long-time prison inmate or "The Grace of Silence" written by a minority man who needed silence to be in touch with his own self. Some are unexpectedly empowering like the life lessons learned doing Roller Derby.
  
  This is an easy read; but don't hurry. Read one or two. When a thought strikes you as new or worth considering; put the book down, walk away, give it some time to simmer. Then come back for another taste when you've digested that one.
• 
  Richard

  A book full of personal philosophies of many people, all under 600 words. Some I really liked. Simple advice about talents, walking, parenting among others. Much of the advice is of things I believe but it was refreshing to have someone else put it in words. The following are just a few of the titles of these brief essays: The Artistry in Hidden Talents, A Daily Walk just to Listen, Unleashing the Power of Creativity, No Job is more important than Parenting. The book contains 70 or so two page essays. I would recommend this book. I've ordered my own copy. Lynnette is going to use this book for her book club soon.
  
• 
  Fatimah

  I read this book for my college class.
  When I first looked at the book, I was like "Oh my god. This is so boring..." But then I realized my mistake, I judged it by the cover. Overall, this book is great and very inspirational. It has opened my eyes to see life through different lenses. The book changes authors almost every two pages and that's what scared me the most at first. I hate reading books that switch characters every couple pages, but this book was an exception. I can't wait to write my own This I Believe essay. I would recommend this book to anybody. It is a good read, it won't disappoint.
• 
  Michael David

  As poignant as they are brief, these essays effortlessly prove how invaluable we can be to each other. As everyday people share lessons that shaped their life and worldview, one quickly realizes that the impact of our intentional learning and subsequent acts can go from our inner circles to our communities and, possibly, our world. You'll want to read all the "This I Believe" collections you can get my hands on.
• 
  Pamela

  This is an amazing book of essays! I enjoyed every essay -- they were reflections on life that helped me define mine a little more clearly. It was so interesting to read about a small encounter/happenstance that helped shaped someone's life. It This should be read by everyone! As the editor states, it is truly about what it means to be human. I am so glad that these people took the time to share their innermost thoughts.
• 
  S.l. L. Lipson

  Full of viable writing prompts for teachers of teens! I can have students turn an essay into a story that illustrates the same message, or reply to the essay with their own essay on the same or a similar theme. Most useful, I can help them explore their own passionate beliefs and wishes, and have them write their own essays to submit to ThisIBelieve.org online.
• 
  Betsy Daniels

  I listened to this book, savoring each writer's voice narrating their own life lesson. The stories illustrate a significant person, life event or loss that transformed each life and created a life "belief" that has changed them. I was often moved to tears. Uplifting, inspiring and touching, I am reminded to savor life even more... all of it.
• 
  Elaine

  Not that I loved every one of the stories, or that it is well written...but I throughly enjoyed this book and walked away with some added insight from these peoples personal experiences and I thank them for that! It is so nice to learn something new or to be reminded of things that we so easily forget each and every day!
• 
  Ryann O'Neal

  Some of the stories were inspiring and inspirational. I enjoyed reading the stories about people's beliefs. If you are looking for something to make you happy and cause some inspiration in your life, I recommend reading this book and stopping after you read about something that sinks in so that you can absorb the information.
• 
  Jared Anderson

  This is a perfect bedside table book. Reading a few of these a day will inject gratitude and thought-provoking moments. I loved how positive they all were. I've read "This I Believe" and heard them on the radio before, but reading dozens of them in just a few days really made my heart get in a good place. I feel inspired to write my own "This I Believe" in the coming days. Really good stuff.
• 
  Cara Ball

  Just what I needed. I always looked forward to these segments on the radio and I didn't realize how much I missed them until I began listening to this audio. Sometimes I just need to hear other people state what they believe in. Even if I don't completely agree with their statement, there is at least a nugget in there for me to examine and perhaps incorporate into my worldview.
  
• 
  Denise

  More touching and powerful stories about what people believe. I was touched by the stories, "Just Say, No," "Semper Fidelis," "The Act of Giving Thanks," "A Grace of Silence," and "Here Come (the real) Santa Claus."
• 
  Jen Jen

  Well I certainly didn't realize how short this was! It was a lovely little pick me up. I really enjoyed the short stories and the different lessons people shared. I think my favorite line was "What do I have the courage to change today?" Definitely recommend. :)
• 
  Graham Lemon

  This I believe is a compilation of well known people telling a story about their life and how it has impacted them. The great thing about this book is that you can read in whatever order you want and it will not matter.
• 
  Daniel

  I really enjoyed this collection of essays, which although they can come off as cheesy or hokey, they resonated with me. The format of ordinary people sharing their life lessons felt very personal and heartfelt, which I'm excited to try in my classes.
• 
  Jennifer

  I need to start listening to NPR. This was a great anthology.
• 
  Kerry

  A great listen!
• 
  Danielle

  So many of these stories resonate through my mind days and weeks after reading. Love how the spirit of "belief" can make a change worth writing about and publishing.
• 
  Teri G

  A collection of inspiring essays, quick and easy to read. Nice to be reminded to be thankful from time to time.