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Book Reviews of The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happyness
Author: Chris Gardner
ISBN-13: 9780060744878
ISBN-10: 0060744871
Publication Date: 11/1/2006
Pages: 320
Edition: Film Tie-in Ed
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 180

3.6 stars, based on 180 ratings
Publisher: Amistad
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

30 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

scrapbooklady avatar reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 472 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
"The Pursuit of Happyness" is a great inspirational story. It's a quick, entertaining, easy read. The language is colorful and Chris's life is graphic. If you read the book after seeing the movie, you may be a bit surprised. The 2006 movie focuses mainly upon Gardner's homelessness and struggle within the world of stocks, that portion of his life, however poignant and powerful, is but a small section of the book. Overall,"The Pursuit of Happyness" is a true journey from rock bottom to success.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The book gives you much more of the story than the movie. Very interestng.
5ducksfans avatar reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 92 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
An amazing story about a man who refused to give up and dedicated his life to making it work for he and his son. It is amazing what a positive spirit can accomplish in life.
Barry1776 avatar reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 72 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A great story; much MUCH more compelling than the film!
poohnbearz avatar reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Different from the movie. Enjoyed the book, much more informative. What a struggle he went through and what an awesome man, father, and human being he turned out to be.
Caryn9802 avatar reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 91 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I wasn't sure where this was going halfway through, but then the pace really picked up. An excellent memoir told as a "rags-to-riches" story. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie!
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The movie looks great, so I was hoping this would be a really engaging read, but I found it a bit boring.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
It truly is a rags to riches story and was an enjoyable read.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
It is a bit different than the movie. The book begins and develops his childhood for the reader in greater detail than the movie did. I found it interesting and well written.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 7 more book reviews
Better than the movie, this book goes into great detail about the struggles of Chris Gardner and his son. Based on a true story.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on
I thought this book was decent. I was certainly routing for a devoted dad!! It was really difficult to not feel empathy for the man trying so hard and constantly being kicked while he was down. All the ingredients of a great David and Goliath tale.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 65 more book reviews
Great book. Glad I didn't read the book before I saw the movie. Much grittier and deeper than the movie but just as enjoyable. It's amazing what this author had to overcome to get to where he is today.
missyw avatar reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 4 more book reviews
Look up 'rags to riches' in the dictionary and you'll find Chris Gardner's photo. Chris tells of his extremely difficult childhood circumstances but through it all maintains a keen desire to get out of that life and make a new one for himself. This is a very compelling story told in a very straight forward manner. I highly recommend it.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 15 more book reviews
excellent true story
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 14 more book reviews
This book devled deeply into Chris Gardner's childhood and gave much more background than the movie did regarding his life. I loved this book, what a great guy!!
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on
Interesting book about Chris Gardner. Not at all like the movie. The movie starts at around page 200 of the book and was clearly embellished. The book is more about Chris's past life and how he coped with poverty. I like his style and it feels very "real" to me as far as memoirs go.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 17 more book reviews
Good Book way better then the movie.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 7 more book reviews
This is a great book and an easy read.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 504 more book reviews
Great story before or after the movie. Photos included. Motivation and positive attitude.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 57 more book reviews
very good
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 132 more book reviews
Driven narrative, many good points to ponder how to live by.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 213 more book reviews
This book is very different from the movie. It is worth reading!
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 26 more book reviews
A very good book, a little different than the movie, it told more of his life as a child that the movie did not.
jedihanyou avatar reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 46 more book reviews
The movie, which I saw in theaters, reminded me in many ways of my own life (seeing myself in the author's son, not the author himself) - parental abuse, homelessness, and overcoming adversity. I thought the book would perhaps be a not-so-graphic way to convey this touching story to my own children when they were ready to learn about and discuss such matters.

Unfortunately, the book is far more graphic than the movie; as with so many other real stories, it was "sanitized" for the masses. I would not want my children to read this book until well into adulthood, simply on the basis of language and sexual situations. I'm not saying it's a bad book, or not worth reading - if you have a strong stomach - just very, very disappointing as it will not be able to fulfill the purpose for which I bought it (thankfully second-hand).

Please pardon me while I go vomit.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on
I saw the movie and wanted to know more about how got where he was. The book gives much more detail and covers his whole life from childhood. The movie cast him as only a hero in a bad situation and to some extent a victim. The book makes him a whole human being and I like that much better. It just makes more sense to me. It is a good read, especially if you like those "overcomming adversity" type stories that I am such a sucker for.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 18 more book reviews
I was disappointed in this book. Perhaps the movie is better
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 130 more book reviews
Amazing true story!
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 28 more book reviews
"A truimphant, modern-day Horatio Alger story--based on the life" of Chris Gardner, "The Pursuit of Happyness is a memoir that will have you rooting for the underdog as it stirs you to pursue your own dreams." It was interesting to read, but I wouldn't put him on my list of heroes.
reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 14 more book reviews
I thought this book was ten times better than the movie....and the movie was pretty good!
kermitreads avatar reviewed The Pursuit of Happyness on + 53 more book reviews
Wow- lots more information about his life than the movie. Kind of fell flat in the end- the movie is really enough that you need to know.