Rating: 
Summary: practical advice with a wide appeal
Review: As he has done in his previous, well-received books, Rabbi Kushner offers us practical, well-reasoned advice about universal life issues. "Living a Life that Matters" deals with making ethical decisions in everyday matters, and learning to listen to one's conscience and to trust one's best instincts. Kushner's book is deceptively simple, written in a warm, conversational style, as if the good rabbi were sitting across from the reader at Starbuck's sharing an afternoon coffee. He presents anecdotes drawn from real life, familiar and easily identifiable, to make his points about living well and doing good in the world. Christians will be comfortable with every page of the book, although they may get a sense that Kushner's extremely rational portrayal of God makes Him emotionally distanced.
Rating:
Summary: practical advice with a wide appeal
Review: As he has done in his previous, well-received books, Rabbi Kushner offers us practical, well-reasoned advice about universal life issues. "Living a Life that Matters" deals with making ethical decisions in everyday matters, and learning to listen to one's conscience and to trust one's best instincts. Kushner's book is deceptively simple, written in a warm, conversational style, as if the good rabbi were sitting across from the reader at Starbuck's sharing an afternoon coffee. He presents anecdotes drawn from real life, familiar and easily identifiable, to make his points about living well and doing good in the world. Christians will be comfortable with every page of the book, although they may get a sense that Kushner's extremely rational portrayal of God makes Him emotionally distanced.
Rating:
Summary: practical advice with a wide appeal
Review: As he has done in his previous, well-received books, Rabbi Kushner offers us practical, well-reasoned advice about universal life issues. "Living a Life that Matters" deals with making ethical decisions in everyday matters, and learning to listen to one's conscience and to trust one's best instincts. Kushner's book is deceptively simple, written in a warm, conversational style, as if the good rabbi were sitting across from the reader at Starbuck's sharing an afternoon coffee. He presents anecdotes drawn from real life, familiar and easily identifiable, to make his points about living well and doing good in the world. Christians will be comfortable with every page of the book, although they may get a sense that Kushner's extremely rational portrayal of God makes Him emotionally distanced.
Rating: 
Summary: A thought-provoking little book!
Review: Enjoyed the taped version of LIVING A LIFE THAT MATTERS by Harold S. Kushner, a rabbi . . . but the author's occupation shouldn't deter anybody from reading this thought-provoking little book that according to the subtitle, will help you in RESOLVING THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CONSCIENCE AND SUCCESS.
Kushner, also the author of WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE (one of my all-time favorites), skillfully blends examples from the Bible, movies and literature into this effort
that got me thinking about the significance of my life.
He gave lots of useful suggestions, too . . . such as this one, in particular: if you ever had a teacher who made a difference in your life, drop that person a note to that effect . . . you'll be
amazed at how rarely that is done and, also, how positive the impact will be.
I also liked the following passages:
Most people are not afraid of ding; they're afraid of not having lived.
Goodness and love show us that we've got it [life] together.
People die, but love does not die. It is recycled from one life to another.
According to the Bible, a good person--even if dead--is still alive.
Rating:
Summary: Another solid effort from the gentle rabbi...
Review: Few authors writing today offer the kind of comfort that Harold Kushner does. In all of his books, including his latest "Living a Life that Matters," he deals with the big issues in life, and does it in a simple writing style that manages to be both profound and soothing. Like his readers, Kushner lives in a dual world: a world of commerce and competition, and a world where he desires to be a good person, and feels guilt when he isn't. How does a person integrate these two worlds? As in his other books, Kushner draws on biblical stories that illustrate the universal and timeless nature of this conflict. In Genesis, Jacob is a character at first wily and ambitious (he steals his brother's birthright, among other things) but also a character who has the famous wrestle with an angel. Kushner sees this image as being a perfect symbol of man's struggle with his dual nature. Throughout the book he returns to his struggle of duality, which he believes is inherant to human nature. We all desire to be good, while needing our competitive side to survive in this world. Kushner encourages that balance between the two is key to living a life that matters. With that resolved, Kushner delves into why life has meaning in spite of our nature. He believes, as do many religious people, that every life has value to God, and even the smallest decisions we make can affect others' lives for the good. There is a nice sentiment to his spirituality, and he is gifted at handling broad topics with grace --he references sources as diverse as the Old Testement, the movie "Witness," and the Jeckyll and Hyde story to illustrate his points, and does it without seeming heavy handed or moralizing. Somehow religion makes sense when Kushner explains it -- even something as baffling as eating kosher makes perfect sense when he is done explaining it. I've enjoyed all of Rabbi Kushner's books. This one is on par with the rest -- graceful, moving and impactful.
Rating:
Summary: Love The People Closest To You
Review: Having recently read, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," I was ready for more. But then, because of the strength of the messages that will be with me for a long time, as a result of having read that book, I was at first impatient with "Living a Life That Matters." Though there was something that called me to this book, I needed read other things first. And I'm pleased to have found my way back to this book, to finish it, knowing that this too has many lessons that have imbued my pyche. In chapter order, here are some messages of this wonderful book: 1. The Two Voices of God
To be good and to matter.
2. How to Win By Losing
"When we defeat the still small voice of God inside us, we lose." The lesson here is to face your "fire-blowing dragons in life," knowing that there are lessons for you in doing so. Ride out your pain, knowing that you are weeding outyour garden, and preparing to plant sucess, love and happiness seeds in the garden of your mind. 3. What kind of Person Do You Want To Be?
In this chapter there were 2 places in which I disagree with Rabbi Kushner: One, he describes a person, on page 38, who did some horrible things are being, "a good man tormented by urges he knew wre wrong but could not control." And the other place, on page 39, he say's, "It may be that some people are born without the ability to develop a fully functioning conscience, in the same way that some people are born ith a malfunctioning limb or organ or lacking an enzyme that is necessary for normal life." Wouldn't recognition of someone's short-comings, and loving support around this person solve these problems? Muh. Questions and thoughts to ponder for some time. An excellent point in this chapter is that to be human is to never stop asking ourselves, "What kind of person do I want to be?" As we ask this question, it becomes easy to endlessly grow, and to see a reflection of our love in others. 4. Wild Justice: The Seducive Pleasure of Getting Even
"The ambivalence in getting even is that our consciences condemn it even as souls crave it." The challenge of revenge and mattering are beautifully explored in this chapter. The solution can only come from within yourself. 5. Shalom: The Quest for Integrity
Becoming a person of integrity occurs when you surrender to life, on life's terms. 6. Family and Friends: We are Who We Love
Questions that are explored in this chapter are:
Where am I going with my life?
What kind of person will I grow up to be?
What is the point of falling in love?
What are genuine friendships?
Where is God? 7. Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Give someone else's life story a happy ending 8. Why We Matter to The World
"...Ralph Waldo Emerson: 'To ve the world a bit beter, whether by a healthy child, a gardn patch, or a reemed social condition; to know that even ne life has breathed easier because you lived - that is to have succeeded.'" I hope that the survival of Rabbi Kushner's ideas increase meaning in the lives of billions of people's lives.
Rating:
Summary: Love The People Closest To You
Review: Having recently read, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," I was ready for more. But then, because of the strength of the messages that will be with me for a long time, as a result of having read that book, I was at first impatient with "Living a Life That Matters." Though there was something that called me to this book, I needed read other things first. And I'm pleased to have found my way back to this book, to finish it, knowing that this too has many lessons that have imbued my pyche. In chapter order, here are some messages of this wonderful book: 1. The Two Voices of God
To be good and to matter.
2. How to Win By Losing
"When we defeat the still small voice of God inside us, we lose." The lesson here is to face your "fire-blowing dragons in life," knowing that there are lessons for you in doing so. Ride out your pain, knowing that you are weeding outyour garden, and preparing to plant sucess, love and happiness seeds in the garden of your mind. 3. What kind of Person Do You Want To Be?
In this chapter there were 2 places in which I disagree with Rabbi Kushner: One, he describes a person, on page 38, who did some horrible things are being, "a good man tormented by urges he knew wre wrong but could not control." And the other place, on page 39, he say's, "It may be that some people are born without the ability to develop a fully functioning conscience, in the same way that some people are born ith a malfunctioning limb or organ or lacking an enzyme that is necessary for normal life." Wouldn't recognition of someone's short-comings, and loving support around this person solve these problems? Muh. Questions and thoughts to ponder for some time. An excellent point in this chapter is that to be human is to never stop asking ourselves, "What kind of person do I want to be?" As we ask this question, it becomes easy to endlessly grow, and to see a reflection of our love in others. 4. Wild Justice: The Seducive Pleasure of Getting Even
"The ambivalence in getting even is that our consciences condemn it even as souls crave it." The challenge of revenge and mattering are beautifully explored in this chapter. The solution can only come from within yourself. 5. Shalom: The Quest for Integrity
Becoming a person of integrity occurs when you surrender to life, on life's terms. 6. Family and Friends: We are Who We Love
Questions that are explored in this chapter are:
Where am I going with my life?
What kind of person will I grow up to be?
What is the point of falling in love?
What are genuine friendships?
Where is God? 7. Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Give someone else's life story a happy ending 8. Why We Matter to The World
"...Ralph Waldo Emerson: 'To ve the world a bit beter, whether by a healthy child, a gardn patch, or a reemed social condition; to know that even ne life has breathed easier because you lived - that is to have succeeded.'" I hope that the survival of Rabbi Kushner's ideas increase meaning in the lives of billions of people's lives.
Rating:
Summary: Love The People Closest To You
Review: Having recently read, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," I was ready for more. But then, because of the strength of the messages that will be with me for a long time, as a result of having read that book, I was at first impatient with "Living a Life That Matters." Though there was something that called me to this book, I needed read other things first. And I'm pleased to have found my way back to this book, to finish it, knowing that this too has many lessons that have imbued my pyche. In chapter order, here are some messages of this wonderful book: 1. The Two Voices of God
To be good and to matter.
2. How to Win By Losing
"When we defeat the still small voice of God inside us, we lose." The lesson here is to face your "fire-blowing dragons in life," knowing that there are lessons for you in doing so. Ride out your pain, knowing that you are weeding outyour garden, and preparing to plant sucess, love and happiness seeds in the garden of your mind. 3. What kind of Person Do You Want To Be?
In this chapter there were 2 places in which I disagree with Rabbi Kushner: One, he describes a person, on page 38, who did some horrible things are being, "a good man tormented by urges he knew wre wrong but could not control." And the other place, on page 39, he say's, "It may be that some people are born without the ability to develop a fully functioning conscience, in the same way that some people are born ith a malfunctioning limb or organ or lacking an enzyme that is necessary for normal life." Wouldn't recognition of someone's short-comings, and loving support around this person solve these problems? Muh. Questions and thoughts to ponder for some time. An excellent point in this chapter is that to be human is to never stop asking ourselves, "What kind of person do I want to be?" As we ask this question, it becomes easy to endlessly grow, and to see a reflection of our love in others. 4. Wild Justice: The Seducive Pleasure of Getting Even
"The ambivalence in getting even is that our consciences condemn it even as souls crave it." The challenge of revenge and mattering are beautifully explored in this chapter. The solution can only come from within yourself. 5. Shalom: The Quest for Integrity
Becoming a person of integrity occurs when you surrender to life, on life's terms. 6. Family and Friends: We are Who We Love
Questions that are explored in this chapter are:
Where am I going with my life?
What kind of person will I grow up to be?
What is the point of falling in love?
What are genuine friendships?
Where is God? 7. Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Give someone else's life story a happy ending 8. Why We Matter to The World
"...Ralph Waldo Emerson: 'To ve the world a bit beter, whether by a healthy child, a gardn patch, or a reemed social condition; to know that even ne life has breathed easier because you lived - that is to have succeeded.'" I hope that the survival of Rabbi Kushner's ideas increase meaning in the lives of billions of people's lives.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Start, but Fizzles Out
Review: I bought Living a Life that Matters after watching an interview with Rabbi Kushner on a local television program. Kushner cited psychological theories and shared interesting anecdotes as he discussed the need individuals experience to feel they are good people and that they matter to the world. Kushner mentioned god only a few times - and based on some of his comments, he seemed almost to be agnostic. I was intrigued, so I bought his book. The first sixty pages or so did not disappoint - Kushner discusses the psychological need people have to feel both that they are loved unconditionally and that they are loved because they are good people - because they deserve to be loved. He offers the interesting view that being good does not have to be a struggle: that we can "give in" to our better nature; sometimes we resist for fear of appearing foolish, but perhaps it is better to take a risk and do something good. Finally (for me), Kushner discusses the human tendency to defer to authority, and he implores us to think for ourselves - sound advice. However, all of this is discussed prior to page 60, at which point the book degrades into idealism and a poor defence of hokey, simplistic values: never seek revenge; make poor business decisions in order to keep local people employed instead of employing people elsewhere; it's okay to be stupid and to be severely abused if you love god, etc. If you are a very strong theist, this book could serve as chicken soup for your soul, but if you are a non-theist, as I am, save your money. I recommend "Can We Be Good Without God?" by Robert Buckman instead - it doesn't offer chicken soup for your soul, but you will find heartier food for thought.
Rating: 
Summary: Warm and Fuzzy.
Review: I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Rabbi Harrold Kushner's LIVING A LIFE THAT MATTERS. It had an interesting title; one that suggests a deep message, and I had heard good things about the book in reviews. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed. Being a Christian, I knew that there would be some things that I would not agree with Rabbi Kushner in his book. I was surprised to find how many things I did not agree. For starters, Kushner uses the story of Jacob wrestling with an angel throughout his book. I have no fault there. However, Kushner views the story in a total non-literal point of view; suggesting that Jacob didn't actually wrestle with the Angel of the Lord, but instead just had a struggle with his conscience. He doesn't consider or suggest once that maybe Jacob actually, literally wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. The book also talks alot about duality, the duality between one's "regular" or "commercial" life and one's "spirtual" life. Kushner ignores the idea that there is no difference between the "two" lives; that they are both one and the same. Reading these parts in the book I was reminded of the Apostle John and how much of his writing and preaching was aimed at eliminating the dangerous duality of Gnosticism. Finally, this is a warm and fuzzy book. It is not challenging in any way. It stirs very little emotion and presents God as a grey-beard man sitting on His throne who only mixes with His people when necessary. The book suggests that even though Rabbi Kushner is a Jew, Judaism isn't the only religion that will lead one to Heaven (a view that contrasts with what God spoke to the prophets). The book ends on a note of feel good happiness and universalism. Though those things in themselves are not bad, they are dangerous when discussing matters of eternal importance. Overall, what disturbed me the most about LIVING A LIFE THAT MATTERS is that it lacked emotion. There was no passion. I don't mind reading a book and disagreeing with what the author writes. In fact, I enjoy that. It makes us better readers, thinkers, and people. However, when an author presents a viewpoint and is very politically correct about the whole thing and shows no passion or emotion, fearful someone may become upset with what has been written, it irritates me. Have the courage of your convictions.
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