Rating: 
Summary: Didn't help my ping-pong... or did it?
Review: I like a book that helps me with my ping-pong game. Or should I say "table tennis"? You see, I'm not sure. I need a good book to help me with questions like that. Unfortunately, this one didn't. Nor did it tell me whether that odd looking "pencil grip" the Chinese often use is really any better than the good ol' fashioned tennis style grip. Due to these shortcomings I can't say much good about this book. For some inexplicable reason, though, my ping-pong game improved a bit after reading it. So what the hey; I'm giving it 5 stars!But seriously folks, the paragraph you just read is there only to illustrate that any nut can say almost any inane thing they want about a book on am$zon, and if it doesn't fall miles outside some vague and inadequate "guidelines," it is typically allowed to stay despite complaints from readers, authors, publishers, and God knows who. For example, I recently saw a review from some time ago, still on the site, of Harper Lee's classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. It said, "Well if this is a classic then so could the Charlies Angel's movies. All the book consists of is a middle-class family in the south with a few weird neighbors. I mean come on..." (sic) Sigh. These grossly ill-informed reviews do affect sales (a wash for the site as some of these reviews are positive but equally silly), authors' and publishers' reputations, and the quality of information available to book buyers. But the site doesn't care, and its unwillingness to remove even the most absurd reviews means they stay. This is why there was the recent scandal wherein it was learned that many authors had countered ridiculous bad reviews with their own anonymous reviews of their own works. All of this must stop! And the way to stop it is to pressure am$zon to improve the policies and methods by which it administers the reviews. I encourage you to get this message out in your own reviews. Perhaps write some ridiculous "demonstration reviews" such as this one, including comments to the effect that the review is intended only to highlight the need for am$zon to reform its review policies. Sadly, nothing else seems to get their attention. (BTW, nothing in this "review" should be any reflection on the book listed on this page. It is hoped the author will support this effort to reform am$zon's review policies.)
Rating: 
Summary: Not so great...
Review: I thought this book was boring. I didn't shed any tears or learn any life lessons. I hope that if I die I won't be greeted by a little blue man from the circus. Never the less, I don't reccomend it- to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty darn depressing!
Review: I finished this short easy read quickly. I immediately went on to something a bit more uplifting as I found this book VERY depressing.
Yes, each of the 5 people he meets explain their impact on his life or vice versa but the impact was always negative.
It seemed to be a book about a guy that hated his life (except for his wife), hated his job but never did anything about it. Something really awful happens on each of his birthdays (his father's death, his wife's car accident, etc.)
Then when he gets to heaven he finds out from his 5 people that he caused a man's heart attack, was responsible for a 5 year old burning to death, etc.
I don't care for this much negativity.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best in a long time
Review: We're all searching for answers, especially in today's world with the myriad problems we have, and this is all the more reason to experience "The Five People." No, Mitch Albom doesn't have all the answers (who does?) but he's made a valiant attempt to try and explain some things in this little book. The writing isn't literary (like McCrae's "Bark of the Dogwood" or "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings") but rather it is simple in approach. But lest the reader think this is a simple book, think again. Albom has given us a remarkable book that is part "It's a Wonderful Life" part "Christmas Carol." Inspirational and heart warming, this is the type of thing you'll want to give for a Christmas present or at least pass along to your friends.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting premise, thought-provoking, and sincere . . .
Review: Mitch Albom's "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" is one of those books that's easy to read and makes for a nice break from larger, more imposing novels. It possesses a brisk pace (about a 2-3 day read, though I read it in a day), and the writing style is simple and easy to get behind. This is really a book that almost anyone with a comprehension of the English language could read and enjoy. When some authors write in a simplistic, 'broken-down' style, I become infuriated (re: James Patterson), but with Albom, and with this book, it just seems to work. Even for those individuals who don't seem to find themselves to be religious, this is a book that, in reading, they'll get something out of. I believe there to be a Heaven, and hope that Albom has stumbled upon the true version in his book. The depicted Heaven seems like a perfect place, explaining to you your purpose in life, and the impact you made on five important people. I can't see anything more pristine than that. However, with all that said, the book is at times a bit over-the-top and a tad bit preachy. It's an enjoyable read, but don't expect too much out of it.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book I've Read in a While
Review: This is the best book that I've read in a while. I was afraid it would be a very spiritual book because of the title, but it really focused on the story and not so much on religion. The author really developed the characters well, and I felt like the ending was a surprise, although other people that I discussed the book with were did not find it as surprising as I did. This is a good story for an afternoon read. It only took me about 2 hours to finish it.
Rating: 
Summary: Lack of style compensated for by inspirational writing.
Review: I am a recent high school graduate and upon my departure one of my teachers gave me a copy of The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
I couldn't put it down. I read it in 3 short days (it's an easy read).
The book was insightful and very inspirational. It makes for a good "life's lessons" book. The book is based on the premise that "our lives are more important than we actually know." I did something with this book that I've never done, cried while reading. It teaches important lessons in life, love, loss, and sacrifice.
Albom's writing style is amazingly simple, I guess I'm too used to Shakespeare :)
The style isn't bad, it actually makes the book easy to read.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING...................
Review: I have read so many books over the years and none have shook my very soul like this one. It reminds us all that nothing is coincidental...........everything happens for a purpose........like it or not. Life is not by chance......we are all part of one big plan.
Rating:
Summary: AN EYE OPENER
Review: Eddie is the head of maintenance for the local carnival "RUBY PIER". As he's out walking through the park he sees that a ride is in trouble. He tells one of the operators to help the people out. After the riders are safe, he tells the other worker to cut the cable. As the cable is being cut. Eddie sees a little girl under the car that is getting ready to fall. He tries to get the attention of the other worker, but can not. So he tries to help the little girl out of the way. In the process Eddie is hit by the falling cart. He dies. He feels little hands in his hands.
Eddie wakes up in a tea cup. He realizes that he is at the carnival of his youth. His first instinct is to grab for his cane. But he does not need it. He feels great.His back does not hurt or his leg.He can run. He hasn't been able to run since the war. Eddie meets five people along the way. Five people who made difference in his life.
When you die who do you think you will meet along the way? This book will make you stop & think about "HEAVEN".
Rating:
Summary: Not very profound, but OK nonethteless
Review: The idea itself is novel: meeting five people whose lives in some ways, whether you know it or not, were related to yours. The book is extremely easy to read (and I am saying this as someone whose first language is not English). At times, the author changes his style of writing to a high school teacher-like style; way too much clarification for the obvious. Not much of a challenge for the brain!
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