No Ordinary Lives: One Man's Surprising Journey into the Heart of America

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable stories but tends to self-promote
Review: I found many of the stories enjoyable but the author tends to inject his own life into too much of the work which is distracting. The book would be better served by a cursory introduction followed by the many wonderful stories of everyday people (stories that I find much more enjoyable than any Hollywood could produce). Instead the author wraps his own life into many of the stories which creates more of a story about him instead of about the people. It would be better to get this book from the Library and try to skip over the self-promotion.

Rating:
Summary: Everyone really does have a story
Review: I have been a fan of David Johnson's newspaper columns for more than 20 years, but I always viewed them as isolated stories. By collecting them in a book -- and tying them together with his own life story -- Johnson shows them as part of a larger narrative. The setting is northern Idaho but the themes -- love, family, hardship, compassion and success -- are universal.

Rating:
Summary: a new appreciation
Review: I read this book in just two days! It's enjoyable to read with plenty of light humor, but it also touches on deeper issues like love, family, faith, and personal loss. The author relates the lives of the people he interviews with his own life, and he shows that seemingly 'ordinary' people have something important to share with others. This book gave me a new appreciation for the people I come into contact with everyday.

Rating:
Summary: Good writing that keeps your attention
Review: If your dream evening is to sit at a stangers diner table to pry into their greatest victories and defeats without the fear of having to answer the same questions then this book is for you. Its a fascinating read into the lives of many obscure characters. I agree that Johnson's book reads as an autobiography with sideline stories of others (the title tells otherwise) but he does have an interesting story to tell and can tell it very well. I would'nt pay a lot of money for it but I would read it and pass it on to others looking for a few evenings as a dining room guest.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable stories but tends to self-promote
Review: This book was very enjoyable to read. Having visited northern Idaho every summer since I was born, I can relate to and appreciate the descriptions of the area and the people in it. The format is ingenious, and I love how the author incorporates the stories of so many people into that of his own life. You can see how some of the random people he's interviewed have made such a significant impression in this life and his views. This creates a very good feeling, because it reminds us that no matter how insignificant we may feel or seem, just a simple conversation can stay with a person forever, if you are willing to open up. In addition to a wonderfully heartfelt story, the author uses vividly descriptive language to showcase both the characters and the setting, and writing that flows beautifully. You can really see the author's heart and soul on every page in this book. I would definately recommend it to anyone who's ever dealt with life, needs reassurance of themselves, or just wants to read a good book.