Rating: 
Summary: The Right Book at the Right Time
Review: Katie Couric interviewed Marlo Thomas about this book on the Today show a month or two ago, which is what sparked my interest to read it---the interview was great. I'm not a big Marlo Thomas fan or anything, and in some way, I expected a fluff piece when I read it. I am pleasantly surprised. It's motivational. It contains a comprehensive list of people who've succeeded in various fields. Each tells their own individual story of a moment (or moments) in time that somebody said exactly what they needed to hear to move them to the next phase of their life and spurred them on to excel. It's uplifting. I will definitely consider buying this book to give as gifts to different people in my life, young and old.
Rating: 
Summary: Great concept, weak result
Review: If the essay writers had followed the concept of rights words at the right time, this would have been dynamite. In reality, only a few did that (and they were the strongest writing); the others rambled on about their philosophy of life, or what they have learned in life, or how they developed. In sum, a big bore.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, the power of words!
Review: It's sometimes better to learn from the experiences of others. We can often avoid unnecessary pain by learning from other people's mistakes. This is great summer read. Other recommended summer books include In-Law Drama and A Guide to the Scriptures.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book reflecting numerous points of view
Review: I found many -- but not all -- of these stories inspiring. And that's what I liked about it. Everyone from William Goldman to Vladimir Pozen to Cal Ripkin weighs in here, and they haven't written "one size fits all" essays. The variety of experiences and points of view was as valuable and educational to me as inspirational messages themselves. Because the authors are so diverse, this book probably does have something for everyone. But please beware of some of the more negative reviews on this board. I fear not everyone who has commented on the book has actually read it. To the reviewer who commented that often the right words can be negative and why doesn't this book contain any examples -- please read the A's and B's of these alphabetically compiled essays, for both Muhammad Ali's and Tom Brokaw's reflect that point exactly. And when you read reviews that bemoan this book as a mere act of Thomas self promotion, please remember that all proceeds of this book go to St. Jude's, not her wallet.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational mentoring...
Review: We have all had mentors who have given us timely advice, which if we had followed would have provided us with THE RIGHT WORDS AT THE RIGHT TIME. This book should be compulsory reading for all high school students. The lessons learned from these inspirational narratives written by over 100 famous and not so famous personages tell of advice learned early in their life or career which made a difference. They are more important survival skills than most mandatory academic classes. Not only are they short, and inspirational, they have been proven by these "friends" of Marlo Thomas. They have lived the lessons and consider them important life skills. Ms. Thomas herself is an inspiration...from her earlier writings, her acting career and dedication to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This is a "must read."
Rating:
Summary: Good Message but a shallow approach
Review: The overall message to this book is positive, but it is really a shallow volume. There are no deep thoughts here to contemplate, so don't worry about bringing your thinking cap to the material. The book would better serve as a large paperweight.
Rating:
Summary: Trite and Unmoving
Review: Most of the stories have a PR bent to them and when I was reading them I felt they had been edited to make everyone look good. This is an overly postive book that is unrealistic and does not work in the real world. For example, could the right words be harsh words with a negative tone that made the person act in a certain way? The answer is yes, but not one example exists in the book and this makes the book feel like a press release rather than a credible biography. Finally, the quality of the writing is not that great, so don't expect Charles Dickens here.
Rating:
Summary: Famous People Who Write Poorly
Review: What struck me most about the book was how badly written many of the stories are in this large volume. Ms. Thomas has been on every show in America promoting her book, but when I sat down and just read the book I was not impressed. There will be no literary prize here and this book is a sad commentary on how publishing houses have moved away from good writing and focused on good salesmenship.
Rating:
Summary: Very moving collection
Review: I am not a fan of Marlo Thomas or Phil Donahue or their politics, so I picked this book up w/ some skepticism. I was in tears by the end the of the first essay. This is collection is very moving, and a good reminder about what's important in life. Perhaps Ms. Thomas's publishers could have selected a less "ME" kind of cover, but the book stands on its own, and the cause is worthy.
Rating:
Summary: This is a Ten Star book......
Review: Marlo Thomas has a home run with this one of a kind book that will hold the attention of readers of a variety of age groups. Because I come from a family of many men I was really impressed with the men who share their thoughts on words that have changed their lives so profoundly. From Tom Brokaw who admits he was a screw up and who had a professor tell him he needed to get his act together, to Jay Leno who had a school tell him in front of his parents that school wasn't for everybody. And Mohammed Ali who was told by a teacher that he wouldn't ever amount to anything and how he won a Gold Metal at the Olympics and came back to school and placed the medal on the teachers desk and said the teacher was wrong. Very wrong. Willie Nelson who while at law school (yes law school) was once again reminded that no one ever encouraged him, but the hymn Amazing Grace did and does to this day. And is the song he includes in every performance he does. And Paul McCartney who shared that his Mom had died when he was a teen and one night she came to him in a dream and told him to let it be....... that all would be ok. Her name was Mary and all these years most listeners of the Beatles song Let It Be have assumed it was the mother of Jesus, Mary whom the song speaks of, but it isn't. It was his Mother. It was so surprising, yet refreshing that Marlo who is a well known feminist would go out of her way to ask conservative women/men to share their stories of words that changed their lives. Like Barbara Bush whose advise came from her parent and had to do with being a good example and listening well to ones children. And Laura Bush whose words came from her parent and involved laying on a blanket and looking up at the sky and being told that science was important even for a girl. Or how about the actor Al Pachino whose words had to do with his alcoholism and how it was a good friend who said the right words at a time when he was drinking to much? Rather than words of condemnation and shame words that made him literally think about how often he lifted the glass of alcohol to his lips. This is book that I am giving as a graduation present as well as a [present to a friend in a mid-life crisis since the stories are so varied and prove that words can either build a person up or tear them down. That thinking before you speak and speaking wisely, can be like lighting a candle in a dark world. The book literally left me in awe and even made me think about words that have changed my life. Words that were so positive and came from my parents. Oh and ALL the proceeds of the book go to St Judes Hospital which cares for children whether their parents can afford it or not.
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