BeePrashant: Fantastic read .
Inflicted with loss or misfortune when we feel sad and gloomy, just then comes the wisdom of years narrated through stories, parables to act like a pathfinder in its resolution.
The narrative ability of the Author as a professional story teller serves to illustrate the maxim his mother was fond of quoting: When God( Destiny) closes a door ,She/he opens a window “
A must read.
“People think that Success will somehow turn into happiness, If only they get exactly what they want, they will be happy. Then they get it and they’re miserable, bellyaching like the monkeys in Morocco.”
India on Feb 17, 2021
PollyAnna Joy: Maybe that is the secret of happiness...that there is no secret. But yet, we find ourselves searching all the days of our lives in a thousand, million different ways for what makes us each Happy,
Well done, Joel. Well done.
United States on Jan 30, 2021
David Kessler: I was given a copy of this book after having had surgery and waking up (unexpectedly) with a tracheostomy in my neck -- paralleling the author's experience. So, although the beginning of the book didn't grab me, I was motivated to keep reading. Once I passed the initial story, the book got a lot better. The memoir was interesting and engaging.
The reason I purchased the book was to give to my surgeon as a gift. I guess that is really an indication of my liking the book.
United States on Dec 04, 2020
John O'Brien: Very enjoyable read
United Kingdom on Nov 27, 2018
Deirdre Mullaney: This book is simply wonderful ... for anyone who has suffered a loss affecting one's belief in one's purpose and talent this is the book to read ... it is fearless and beautiful... it is a triumph wrapped in one man's story which translates to all our stories ... perfect
United Kingdom on Oct 12, 2017
eam: Fabulous book. Good condition.
United Kingdom on Jun 10, 2017
apoem: This book is the one you will refer back to several times during the course of your life. It is a good reminder of what happiness and contentment in this life really is and how you really get to that point in your life. It is about bad things happening to good people. It is about perception and reality. It is about learning from life and taking charge of your situation.
I really enjoyed this book. It was not a long read - maybe a 2-3 day read. It was interesting.
The format was this story of Joel Ben Izzy and his story as a story teller who lost his voice. Sprinkled through out this story though are other stories that he uses to help drive the lessons he's learning home to the reader.
There is so much to say about this story and so much to love. I will end with just saying it has a place on my favorites book shelf and I have bought several copies for friends now.
United States on Aug 17, 2016
Maria: This book is a wonderful mixture of stories interwoven with the autobiographical story of Joel ben Izzy. Each chapter starts with a short story and then we follow how the author started his storytelling career and what happened when he lost his voice.
This book was recommended to me by a fabulous storyteller and I didn't regret buying it. It was warm and delightful and life affirming, and I also really enjoyed the short stories within the book.
United Kingdom on Dec 12, 2012
Katherine Cameron: This book is more than a read. It is an experience. On the broadest level, it is a quest story: the hero loses something precious, comes to grips with the loss after much struggle, and obtains the gift of insight as a result. Woven into this tale are tales from all over the world, which show what Joel ben Izzy is telling all along: there is one large story, and each of us has a story within it, and there are many ways to tell the story, so one might as well make it interesting. I found this profound, and even life-changing: why not "tell my story" (at the end of each day to a spouse), or when seeing a friend, in a more meaningful and funny way?
But - as they say on TV - "there is more!" ben Izzy is terrifically funny and self-deprecating, and at the same time moving and poignant. Especially, note the story of his father, the promising young violin player, who contorted with arthritis over the years and never found a successful calling. There is a kind of 'laugh til you cry' quality in this book, as in some of the greatest theater and novels. To be able to capture this delicate and rare balance is - well - genius. I yearn for more of this in my life.
OK. I have two...
United States on Nov 15, 2009
| Discover the Inspiring True Story of The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness | The Wit and Wisdom of Oscar Wilde: The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays | Uncovering the Creative Process Behind Broadway Musicals: A Look at the Making of American Musical Theatre | |
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| B2B Rating |
93
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97
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95
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| Sale off | $6 OFF | $5 OFF | |
| Total Reviews | 9 reviews | 53 reviews | 19 reviews |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5/5 stars of 264 ratings | 4.5/5 stars of 4,542 ratings | 4.6/5 stars of 509 ratings |
| Memoirs (Books) | Memoirs | ||
| Language | English | English | English |
| Item Weight | 5.6 ounces | 11.3 ounces | 9.6 ounces |
| Dimensions | 5.05 x 0.7 x 7.05 inches | 5.1 x 0.77 x 7.76 inches | 5.45 x 0.85 x 8.25 inches |
| Drama Literary Criticism | Drama Literary Criticism | Drama Literary Criticism | |
| Best Sellers Rank | #39 in Drama Literary Criticism#2,373 in Motivational Self-Help #3,648 in Memoirs | #362 in British & Irish Literature#373 in British & Irish Dramas & Plays#8,927 in Classic Literature & Fiction | #49 in Drama Literary Criticism#51 in Broadway & Musicals #62 in Musicals |
| Motivational Self-Help (Books) | Motivational Self-Help | ||
| Paperback | 228 pages | 464 pages | 336 pages |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1565125124 | 978-0140436068 | 978-0374536893 |
| Publisher | Algonquin Books; 52841st edition | Penguin Classics | Sarah Crichton Books; Reprint edition |
| ISBN-10 | 1565125126 | 0140436065 | 0374536899 |
United States on Oct 02, 2023