Rating: 
Summary: Money Driven Life? I don't think so.
Review: Let it be noted, those of you who believe that Warren was doing this for the money, that every last penny of profit made on this book was and is invested in evangelism and mission charity. He sees absolutely no profits personally. This man practices what he preaches.I myself wondered about some of the plugs he had in the book and what he was doing with the profits on this book that has sold more than Harry Potter, Atkins, and Hillary Clinton combined, but when I investigated and realized the great good he is doing, I was very moved. God has truly blessed this man with great influence and thus great responsibility.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to read, and understand for new Christians, and starter
Review: I am a new saved christian, and I found this book to be extremely helpful as a starter. I have been doing bible study starting from John, NT, however, it has gotten too deep, and long issues of discussion came up between me, and my study partner. I still have a lot of doubt, question, and confusion. This book guide through these issues on daily basis to a point where you grow at the end of reading. It is very well organized book, and each chapter gives you what to focus for the day. I am sure I will be much better understanding Christian by next 40 days. I am very thankful for this book, a perfect book I just needed, more than bible itself. I recommend reading this book along a "king James" version of bible side by side, and look up verses in each chapter what the author is referring to.
Rating: 
Summary: MacTheology for a culture weaned on superficiality
Review: Churches have been buying this book by the crate to hand out to their parishioners as evangelicals scramble to clamber aboard the latest bandwagon to roar through the aisles of the local church. This book isn't the worst book I've read, but it misses the top 1000 by a long shot. One of its most serious failings is the failure to adequately articulate the essence of the Christian faith - Christ's atoning sacrifice for mankind's sin. Instead, Christianity is packaged as a way to discern your "purpose". It sounds like the book was vetted in focus groups rather than built from a serious consideration of Scripture. This perception is strengthened by the book's cavalier use of Scripture, employing a dizzying array of translations and paraphrases in order to find verses that use the various buzzwords used by the author in a given chapter. Often, the Bible versions used bear only the vaguest resemblance to the actual meaning of the Scripture being paraphrased. This work is therefore a prime example of rampant proof-texting, and the author, as a graduate of a reputable seminary, should know better. That having been said, some of the content is okay (which is why I can't give the book a 1-star rating), although it's all been said better in other, less vigorously marketed books. It's just disappointing to see the kind of massive effort that has been put forward to get people to read this when there are thousands of better books, including, of course, the Bible. If the effort that was put forth to get churches to spend 40 days reading this stuff (and watching Warren's companion video, which is often howlingly -- and unintentionally -- funny) had been spent on getting people to study and discuss the Bible, it would have been a more worthwhile project.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT IN A PUBLIC LIBRARY IN NYC
Review: I was amazed that I went to a public library in NYC traying to get a copy of this book and there was not one!! Can the author and the publisher provide some copies of the book to the public library in NYC for people that want to read it in a public library?
Rating:
Summary: OK, but don't let this be the only book you read on subject
Review: There have been some good reviews on this book that zero in on both its positive and negative aspects. Because of all the hype, mass marketing and "Purpose Driven Clubs" out there, I wasn't going to read the book at all. But, I was talking to a friend about a new "mega-church" being built in my city. All we're hearing about the church is how big and resplendent it is, what local celebrities the ministers have become (leaders in the community!), what a big recreational facility it houses, etc. I was telling my friend that a good chunk of the $40 million the gawdy church cost could have gone to truly serving God's purpose instead, not man's. She agreed and suggested I read this book, so I did. I have mixed feelings, not sure it's part of the solution or part of the problem. Hmmm... The thing I do like about this book is that in an era in our society in which most of us, Christians included (IMO sometimes even the worst offenders), are obsessed with material wealth, with "one-upping" our neighbors, with superficial achievement,social status, ego, etc., Warren's book reminds us why we are here and why these pursuits lead you away from God. It's a message we need to hear. The book gives readers much to ponder. I can see it being used as a springboard for further individual and group study. I agree with many reviewers who chastise Warren's use of a variety of translations of the Bible and for lifting single sentences and verses that support his view. It's a dangerous practice. Read this book with a well-translated (you decide) Bible by your side and refer to it often to keep the scripture in proper context. I also believe Warren takes some of the one-liner quotes from famous authors/speakers out of context from time to time and presents them in a way that supports his point without including the portion that explains the point of view of the person actually speaking the quote. This book has so many gimmicky marketing "toys" associated with it (and with the Purpose Driven Church), that, to me, erode its integrity. It seems to be one of those Christian books that come around from time to time, tries to start a trendy "movement" makes the auther a ton of money and then disappears off the radar screen. I guess I'd have more trust if it didn't have all the associated money-making bells and whistles being marketed with it, and if this wasn't a well-marketed "movement" book. To the "yaa" person saying the money goes to the ministry. I live in the Bible belt and am familiar with how this generally works - the money always goes to the ministries and missions. But those involved in these efforts always seem to live quite well. The LA church associated with this book is an affluent mega church. I'd like to see the salaries and benefits associated with all this - that's all I'm saying. I don't know Warren personally, so I'll not judge. Just have a bit of an uncomfortable feeling about these slickly marketed "movements." One other thing that bothered me, maybe I'm misinterpreting...as a woman, I believe telling someone to just turn themselves over completely and that you should take little to no power to control your life's direction, that you are just a pawn for a greater purpose (?) can be a dangerous thing if misinterpreted. I would have like to have seen more clarification. Many churches have pushed women (and men) to accept abusive relationships, submissiveness, as part of their duty in fulfilling their role in God's plan. I think this book could easily be twisted by some and used to promote this mindset, which I believe flies in the face of God's plan for women's lives (look at Mary Magdelene, for example). Not saying the book promotes this, but it could easily be used by someone with this mindset to try to keep someone from using their God-given power to make life better. Just be careful. The book is not without flaws. That said, though, this book could be very valuable to some people. If you are beginning your exploration of Christianity or of spiritual development, if you feel you've been pulled into the trap of apsiring to wealth and ego over service and spiritual pursuits, this book could be a good starting point of study. Just don't read it without refering to an actual Bible, don't let it be your only resource, realize that much of it is interpretation, and don't let someone with an agenda take this somewhat overly-simplified book and twist it to meet that agenda. If you're starting out with this book, fine. I do think, though, there are better books out there on the subject. I agree with the reviewer who suggested C.S. Lewis and "Mere Christianity." And Thomas Merton. I also like Eckneth Easwaran's books, especially "Original Goodness, "Love Never Faileth" and "Your Life is your Message." Then, of course, there is the Bible itself. Use "A Purpose-driven Life" to start, but don't rely on it as your sole source of study.
Rating:
Summary: Simple, but Great Veiw on Life
Review: Even though this book is very easy to read, written with very simple sentences through out the whole book and has a catch-phrase in (probably) every chapter, it still is very useful. This book will give you two of the most important insights on Christian living. First of all- obviously it talks about what people are here on earth for. (It can also help non-Christians that are struggling in life and wonder if there is a point to living) Warren gives real advice on why your life has significance and how to make it significant. This book is not like other self-help books (be it religious or secular) that makes up reasons for you to have a good life, but shows you why your life should be good. The second aspect Warren shows is what true Christianity is. Many times he provides the truth of the fact that Christianity is a relationship with God not another religion that gives instructions on how to "earn" your way to Heaven. If you are looking for a book that shows you the true meaning to life, that will show you how to live that life and why you would want to, there is no other book more to the point, that gives you the truth of authentic joy and salvation than this.
Rating:
Summary: Caution...
Review: I picked this book up because I heard a lot about it. It contains a lot more bible quotes than I thought it would. I mean Deepak Chopra wrote about how to know God without quoting half as much scripture. Somehow I expected something different. Not a bad book at all though. Some readers may also like "Treat Your Own Knees."
Rating: 
Summary: question the content
Review: I read some of this book. Must say, I'm troubled by the way the author uses the bible to support his views. If one were to believe what he has written one would be disconnecting themselves from the world and from helping others. Is that what you really want? I'm a born again Christian and Lutheran. My upbringing has taught me to question and to be helpful and loving to others. This book talks about gossipers. In short it says you should put these people away from you and if they can talk about others, they will talk about you. Well if you lead a clean life is anyone talking about you going to be a problem? These people talk for a reason. The author says you should inform them you don't listen to gossipers. I say you should listen to them and keep the door open for God to work through you to help those in need. The gossipers will suffer their own trials, you can provide an opportunity to show what a loving God can do. Did God cast people away for wanting to listen and talk to him? No. This book uses "scripture" supposedly. It'll say... "In the bible it says..." but it doesn't say Daniel 5:1. No specific pinpoint or direction to look at in the Bible. Please be very very careful if you decide to get this book. It may not be the best reading material for you.
Rating:
Summary: I would recommend it to any one
Review: Very good book! You are supposed to read this book in 40 days, but I couldn't read just one chapter per day like the author sugested. Actually, I would read one chapter per night and then read AGAIN the next night before reading the next one! That is how interesting this book is!! Excellent!
Rating:
Summary: What are these other reviews talking about?!?!?
Review: I was appalled at some of the reviews that people typed about this book. They were not only full of total self-righteousness, but a lot of harsh, undue, criticism.
Someone said it was like koolaid? What? Were you trying to just write a really great sounding essay or be honest about a book without trying to sound really smart and clever?
This book is awesome. I have been a Christian my whole life but this book seriously excited me about living for God. It made me want to be a better Christian. It made me realize what we are here for. I am sorry some of us who read it did not get this. I don't know how someone could read this book and not come out of it, saying, "Wow, that was such an awesome book." I am very educated and very intelligent, and I enjoyed this book. It is not for only new Christians, it is for everyone. Read it. Please. Ignore the ignorance of others who are lost in their search. I highly recommend this book over any other Christian book I have read lately. And, hey, maybe it is a fad for certain people because that is how they live their life...the latest thing. I had this book before it was BIG and I still have it and am reading it again. And it is not just a book you read but a book you live and pray.
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