Chicken Soup for the Soul of America: Stories to Heal the Heart of our Nation, by Jack Canfield, Mark Hansen and Matthew Adams (Health Communications, 2002, $12.95, 336pp PB) Review by Skye Anderson
Every American alive today remembers where they were when they heard of the happenings of 911, something we will never forget. But have we forgotten? I picked up this book a few days ago and memories flooded back: of misunderstanding the news at first - at work. Of leaving work to go home. Of calling my mother on the other side of the country. Of not going to work for the next two days because we thought our agency was on the list. Of thinking of one colleague stuck in Japan, another stuck in the midWest and renting a car with two others to drvie back to the Washington, DC, area. Of neighbors congregating on a nearby corner with candles.
You have probably read a Chicken Soup book or at least seen one but did you know there is a whole slew of them - For the College Soul, For the Nurse's Soul, For the Veteran's Soul, For the Traveler's Soul, For the Golfer's Soul. Would you believe there are 232 books?
Add 911 to chicken soup and stir: the result is memories and inspiration and even tears that are especially valuable this week as we keep the survivors of the Texas flood in mind.
Organization
The book is organized into short 'stories' and poetry and cartoons (political and the Family Circus) under the following groups:
911
The Responses
Renewed Patriotism
United
Reflections
The Future
You can start reading anywhere, even at the beginning but be prepared for heart-felt stories from around the country and around the world and hope the inspiration of these memories stay with us to make our country stronger, more resilient and more together.
I especially liked how each selection was prefaced by a quote from a famous someone to set the stage. And I'll wager after finishing The Soul of America, that you will want to pick up another Chicken Soup and then another and . . . .
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