Rating: 
Summary: fairly interesting
Review: a variety of essays of varying degrees of wisdom, all more or less related to people's desire to be important, to matter to someone. One phrase I liked: "a church or synagogue that only admitted saints would be like a hospital that only admitted healthy people. It would be a more pleasant place and easier to run, but that's not what we're in business for." Another example: I liked his explanation of the destructive impact of crime (i.e. that it robs victims of their feeling of power and significance) -- but Kushner's argument against the death penalty did not persuade me. He writes: "we don't have to kill criminals to reclaim power over them" -- but the primary victim of a murder is unable to reclaim power, because he or she is dead, dead, dead.
Rating:
Summary: fairly interesting
Review: a variety of essays of varying degrees of wisdom, all more or less related to people's desire to be important, to matter to someone. One phrase I liked: "a church or synagogue that only admitted saints would be like a hospital that only admitted healthy people. It would be a more pleasant place and easier to run, but that's not what we're in business for." Another example: I liked his explanation of the destructive impact of crime (i.e. that it robs victims of their feeling of power and significance) -- but Kushner's argument against the death penalty did not persuade me. He writes: "we don't have to kill criminals to reclaim power over them" -- but the primary victim of a murder is unable to reclaim power, because he or she is dead, dead, dead.
Rating: 
Summary: A book for the times.
Review: I bought this book in an airport a few days after the terrorist attack. I wanted a diversion but it was much more than that to me. My plane landed just as I read the last page. In just two hours, my outlook on the world was completely transformed.
At a time when our country is agonizing over the distinction between justice and revenge, this book puts it all into perspective. This book is a must read!
Rating: 
Summary: Book That Matters
Review: I guess I expected more from this book....but I just don't buy that living a life that matters can be as simple as having one relationship that matters.....I came away wanting more.MR
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: I picked this up at the Sheboygan Public Library a few months ago and I couldn't put it down. It has many excellent messages about life and living. One can see positive experiences in almost any life venture, even the scary life ventures. In his own special way, Kushner helps your life be more special when you read this book. Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: I picked this up at the Sheboygan Public Library a few months ago and I couldn't put it down. It has many excellent messages about life and living. One can see positive experiences in almost any life venture, even the scary life ventures. In his own special way, Kushner helps your life be more special when you read this book. Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"
Rating:
Summary: An engaging conversation.
Review: If you could spend some time with an elder who is passionate
about the topic of how to find meaning in one's life, it would be
Harold S. Kushner. In his book, "LIVING A LIFE THAT MATTERS,"
Kushner, a rabbi, draws extensively from the Old Testament to
examine the course of one's lifetime as a series of ever-changing
challenges. He explores greed and generosity, dishonesty and
truthfulness, all the while striving to find the lesson, the kernel of
truth that he can share with his readers to re-affirm that life has a
purpose. In the end, the "Life that Matters" is one in which we
make a positive difference to others, a life guided by care,
compassion, courage, and faith. We all think about what we want
to do with our lives at one point or another, and good authors can
help us see possibilities we may have overlooked. For those who
want to strengthen their ability to live fully and make a difference
in the quality of living in their world, I wholeheartedly recommend
Ariel and Shya Kane's "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" -
another booked which truly moved me.
Rating:
Summary: An engaging conversation.
Review: If you could spend some time with an elder who is passionate
about the topic of how to find meaning in one's life, it would be
Harold S. Kushner. In his book, "LIVING A LIFE THAT MATTERS,"
Kushner, a rabbi, draws extensively from the Old Testament to
examine the course of one's lifetime as a series of ever-changing
challenges. He explores greed and generosity, dishonesty and
truthfulness, all the while striving to find the lesson, the kernel of
truth that he can share with his readers to re-affirm that life has a
purpose. In the end, the "Life that Matters" is one in which we
make a positive difference to others, a life guided by care,
compassion, courage, and faith. We all think about what we want
to do with our lives at one point or another, and good authors can
help us see possibilities we may have overlooked. For those who
want to strengthen their ability to live fully and make a difference
in the quality of living in their world, I wholeheartedly recommend
Ariel and Shya Kane's "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" -
another booked which truly moved me.
Rating:
Summary: A book that truly matters
Review: In my years of ministry, I have held the hand of many dying persons. And you know what? Never has one said "I wish I had spent more time at work", or "My life would have been complete if I had got that promotion." Nope. They talk about words of love unsaid, words of anger they wish they could unsay, time that should have been spent with their kids and family that they wasted on chasing an ephemeral ideal of 'success'. In Living a Life that Matters, Kushner has given us a timely examination of why it is that so many in our culture spend their valuable time striving for a culturally defined success that doesn't really matter, and how to reevaluate and reorient for a meaningful life. Kushner's wonderful stories and examples, as well as clear entertaining writing make this a gem. It's easy to read, and as deep as the night sky. If you are a person with an unsettled feeling in your soul, wondering what your life really means after all, Kushner's book is a great place to start looking for answers.
Rating:
Summary: A book that truly matters
Review: In my years of ministry, I have held the hand of many dying persons. And you know what? Never has one said "I wish I had spent more time at work", or "My life would have been complete if I had got that promotion." Nope. They talk about words of love unsaid, words of anger they wish they could unsay, time that should have been spent with their kids and family that they wasted on chasing an ephemeral ideal of 'success'. In Living a Life that Matters, Kushner has given us a timely examination of why it is that so many in our culture spend their valuable time striving for a culturally defined success that doesn't really matter, and how to reevaluate and reorient for a meaningful life. Kushner's wonderful stories and examples, as well as clear entertaining writing make this a gem. It's easy to read, and as deep as the night sky. If you are a person with an unsettled feeling in your soul, wondering what your life really means after all, Kushner's book is a great place to start looking for answers.
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