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: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Spiritually Uplifting!
Review: Living a Life That Matters by Harold S. Kushner is a spiritually uplifting book. Kushner emphasizes that the important things in life are not always in a material form but rather the relationships we have with other people. Recognizing this he speaks of the importance of being a good person and it's challenges. Kushner notes that even good poeple make mistakes and that's part of being human. Many of the parables are based on Jacob. The book leaves you with the feeling that being succesful in life is achieved by knowing that you are not alone in the world because the people that you love and the lives that you touch make you important and succesful no matter what your income is.
Rating:
Summary: LIVING A LIFE OF LOVE AND COMPASSION!
Review: Living a life that matters can be easily translated into living a life of love and compassion for one's fellow man. As a result of the terrible tragedy in New York City on September 11th, there are many people searching for answers to life's meaning, and asking why...why this senseless tragegy? The unexplained mysteries of life, however tragic, are often attributed to the fact that the universe is unfolding as fate intended and that all things happen for a reason. Somtimes, it is very difficult to find "good reason" in such a time of horror. Tragedy has a way of bringing people together in time of need, and hopefully from that we find strength, understanding and love for humanity. Through all of this we struggle to find spiritual and emotional peace within ourselves and while "Living a Life That Matters" does not have all the answers, it is a book which instills goodness, understanding and compassion within us. The book helps us to see that revenge and quest for power are destructive, that material gain is really very insignificant in life's overall plan, and that love, kindness, compassion and personal strength enrich our lives a thousand times over. Each and every person we reach out to touch leaves a mark on the world and in our hearts. Harold S. Kushner has written a book that causes the reader to look deep within themselves and decide for themselves just what kind of person they truly want to be. Chapter eight was my favourite part of the book as it points out the influence we have on others. Each and every chapter reveals an important message to us so that we may do our part in making the world a better place and, by doing so, finding solice and peace within ourselves.
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