This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women - Compare Prices on New & Used Textbooks, Cheap Textbooks

“A welcome change from the sloganeering, political mudslinging and products of spin doctors.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer

Based on the NPR series of the same name, This I Believe features eighty Americans—from the famous to the unknown—completing the thought that the book’s title begins. Each piece compels readers to rethink not only how they have arrived at their own personal beliefs but also the extent to which they share them with others.
Featuring many renowned contributors—including Isabel Allende, Colin Powell, Gloria Steinem, William F. Buckley Jr., Penn Jillette, Bill Gates, and John Updike—the collection also contains essays by a Brooklyn lawyer; a part-time hospital clerk in Rehoboth, Massachusetts; a woman who sells yellow pages advertising in Fort Worth, Texas; and a man who serves on Rhode Island’s parole board.
The result is a stirring and provocative trip inside the minds and hearts of a diverse group of people whose beliefs—and the incredibly varied ways in which they choose to express them—reveal the American spirit at its best.

		This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women by Jay Allison (Editor), Dan Gediman (Editor) ISBN-10: 9780805086584 ISBN-10: 0-8050-8658-7 ISBN-13: 9780805086584 ISBN-13: 978-0-8050-8658-4 Paperback 2007-08-21 Holt Paperbacks Find Lowest Price
Editorials

Product Description “A welcome change from the sloganeering, political mudslinging and products of spin doctors.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer Based on the NPR series of the same name, This I Believe features eighty Americans—from the famous to the unknown—completing the thought that the book’s title begins. Each piece compels readers to rethink not only how they have arrived at their own personal beliefs but also the extent to which they share them with others. Featuring many renowned contributors—including Isabel Allende, Colin Powell, Gloria Steinem, William F. Buckley Jr., Penn Jillette, Bill Gates, and John Updike—the collection also contains essays by a Brooklyn lawyer; a part-time hospital clerk in Rehoboth, Massachusetts; a woman who sells yellow pages advertising in Fort Worth, Texas; and a man who serves on Rhode Island’s parole board. The result is a stirring and provocative trip inside the minds and hearts of a diverse group of people whose beliefs—and the incredibly varied ways in which they choose to express them—reveal the American spirit at its best.
Reviews

Choking on the Pith Here I found This I Believe to ultimately be a little pithy and heavy-handed at times. Which seems only natural when people are passionately expressing their "personal credos." I wonder if it would be more interesting to ~hear~ the essays, which is the originally intended format on NPR. There is a pseodo-soapbox feel to this book. I still think Believe is worth reading, and I love that NPR invites anyone to submit their own essay.
A VERY GOOD READ I bought this for my dad for his birthday a few months ago because I consider him to be a remarkable person as well. He thoroughly loved it and is having my mom now read it. If my dad says it's good than it is so.
Didactic I have to agree with another reviewer...this is banal and boring. Most of the essays are highly repetitive (i.e. be good to others, have faith in God, be a good role model, make peace not war...blah,blah,blah). Sure, people have a right to their beliefs and I do not presume to argue against those; nonetheless, the beliefs are uninspired and typical, revealing little more than "Wow, we all want the world to be a better place, and it can only come about if you believe what I believe." This ties into my final point: virtually all of the essays had a didactic tone. Growing up in the midwest, I have no desire to be taught what I should believe.
Inspirational Great collection from ordinary to famous people - from the series titled "This I Believe" on Public Radio. Bought as a gift to inspire a young writer.
Good Read! Short stories that share the reality and persistence of the common American. Some really hit home. Others are lighthearted and yet profound. Recommended.