The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Rating:
Summary: What a great little book
Review: A very short read that I couldn't put down. I think it's a nice "break" and it gives you the warm fuzzies. It wasn't overly hokey or sugary. And you really like Eddie - you just can't help it. It's nice sometimes just to read something light, easy, and uplifting. If you want to smile - read the book. If you enjoy being cynical and mired in misery, this book is not for you.

Rating:
Summary: Another life-defining book from Mitch Albom
Review: To tell the truth, after reading Tuesdays with Morrie from Mitch Albom, I did have high expectations for this follow-up.
And I must say that my expectations were more than surpassed by another winner from him.
The interweaving of Eddie "Maintenance"'s various aspects of life from his childhood, teenage years, courtship, military service, marriage, middle age to old age and finally the beginning of his journey through heaven was beautifully and intricately spun in this short tale.
The poetic descriptions of the various "steps" in heaven that Eddie traversed through in search for inner peace before his final resting destination and the 5 lessons he had to learnt brought to mind the eternal existentialistic questions of why we are here and what our life purpose is, in a quiet and non-intrusive manner. So much so that we can be prompted to examine our own lives more sympathetically.
The message I got from Mitch Albom at the end was that Eddie could have been anyone of us and that we do not need to wait for our turn to meet our five people in heaven to recognise that whatever we are doing now has meaning and has purpose in wonderful and beautiful ways and that we should never allow ourselves to belittle our lives.
Not quite the tearjerker as Tuesdays but Five People has certainly touched my heart and a few others in more ways than one. I hope that you will allow this beautiful book to touch yours too.
Kudos to Mitch Albom and a big thank you to his uncle Eddie for being the source of inspiration for this would-be classic.
God bless

Rating:
Summary: Go Along For The RIde
Review: This is a lovely little book. Take it seriously or don't, but just enjoy the original and thought provoking story. Readable in a few hours, the author doesn't ask you to invest a lot in his tale of Eddie, the ride maintenance man at an amusement park called Ruby Pier, and the five people and ensuing five lessons he learns upon his accidental and heroic death.

With "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," Mitch Albom attempts to tackle the oft-mused subject of what happens to us after we die. I, for one, appreciate it when creative people-writers-spin their yarns and offer their own, unique versions of heaven. Who, after all, hasn't thought about "life" after death? There are probably as many versions as there are people who attempt to create them. And Albom's presentation is an exercise in simple language and has a very pleasant voice.

Not at all morbid, or even overly emotional, this tale made me feel good about my life and my loved ones. My recommendation is to read it, enjoy it, and pass it on.

From the author of "I'm Living Your Dream Life," McKenna Publishing Group.

Rating:
Summary: A Big Disappointment
Review: Save your money! I can't believe the same person that wrote the wonderful book "Tuesdays With Morrie" wrote this book. It's boring, unimaginative, uninspiring, and for such a short book, seemed to take forever to read. So disappointing! Tuesdays With Morrie was exactly the opposite, a terrific read. I think Mr. Album pumped this book out hurriedly and it's selling on his name. He can do so much better.

Rating:
Summary: This book gives mediocrity a bad name
Review: Albom's conception of heaven is trite and unoriginal. Other reviewers seem to disagree. Other reviewers also seem to think that "Chicken Soup for the Soul" is the word of God. If you like books that are humorous (e.g. Catch-22) or profound (e.g. Siddhartha), then reread one of those because you're not going to find any of that here. On the other hand, if you want something sappy and serious, but upbeat, then you've found your bathroom-reading here.

This is a fast read but a short book. You're probably paying about a dollar a word here. Albom pulls out all the college student tricks (e.g. small pages, half-blank pages) just to stretch his pamphlet into 198 pages. Still, in his defense, the book shouldn't be any longer. It already starts to wear thin in parts. 2 stars.

Rating:
Summary: A book I recommend
Review: This is an excellent book. It is somewhat difficult to explain but it is a very unique and inspiring view of heaven. The end is particularly inspiring. Keep a box of tissues handy. This book is a weeper.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Respite
Review: Read it all on one plane ride cross-country. A wonderful break from all the bad news out there.

Rating:
Summary: Pretending Christains might not make it to Heaven!
Review: The reason for such a commit is that I read a Book where a mother had to watch her seventh grade son,take on a school Corp. that protected a H.S. Coach that had abused him with a punishment of 'Twenty Naked Pushups!' in front of his entire class( this coach is sick) to me and my way of thinking (which could also be wrong) is that what we dont acomplish here on earth by standing up for ourselves and our loved ones(like what this mother is doing)what makes you think anyone on the other side and I mean anyone will stand up for you.{you reap what you sew}The Book is called "Sam's Fight For Justice"

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing.
Review: In ordering this book, I made the mistake in thinking that I would learn something about Which five people you meet in Heaven and why.
Instead, it was a story about a veteran and people he met in his life. It was not illuminating for my life.

Rating:
Summary: This book called out to me
Review: I am a teacher, so usually the only things that I have time to read are lab reports and essays. But somehow this book caught my eye and I was drawn to it. I am so glad that it did. It confirms the belief that people move in and out of your life for a reason, which at the time you may never even know. A true gem.