Chicken Soup for the Soul of America (Chicken Soup)

Read this when you need a good cry or a smile.

I picked a great one as the first "Chicken Soup" book to read from start to finish. I read the majority of this uplifting book as a metro train commuter to and from my duty station, the Pentagon. Having known three of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon, I had personal reasons to read this book. I found the many short, direct, and moving stories from common people, and their sharing of their deepest emotions, very comforting. I consider this book to be another step in my continuing personal program of coping and healing. I believe many others would also find reading it a great spiritual and emotional experience.The only flaw with this outstanding book is that it is almost exclusively devoted to or focused on the World Trade Center heroes, victims, survivors, and volunteers. The book has very few stories about what happened at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. I commend the authors for their tremendous job in compiling these great stories from the thousands received and for publishing such an important book in such a short time to help so many. Tragedy and devastation were equally shared by friends, family, and acquaintances in New York, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. I believe this book should have included a few more Pentagon and Pennsylvania specific stories since the book's cover proclaims, "Stories to Heal the Heart of Our Nation."

When I was shopping in Sam's with my mother and nephew and fiance I was looking for a dvd. I found nothing I really wanted to buy. Seemed to me I can no longer really buy a good flick these days. So there I was walking the aisle getting bored out of my mind when I stumbled on this book. At first I was a bit angered that the Chicken book series would sink so low to print a book about the September 11, attacks to make a quick buck. I started to read just to see what they printed and I came across the poem "I AM THE AMERICAN FLAG", by: Howard Schnauber on page: 206. There I was reading and feeling some pride about to burst through me and I wanted to cry. The partiot in me shed some tear. My fiance asked me what I was reading that was making me cry. I showed him. In turn he asked me why not buy it. I did. It'll be worth it. Some of the stories are beautiful and some will make you grateful we live in the greatest country in the world. But this patriot who believes in God and Jesus is proud to say that I am proud to be an American living in the Republic of United States of America.

BRAVO TO THE AUTHORS OF CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL OF AMERICA!!!!!I just purchased this book yesterday, started reading it last night and cried after the first three stories. What a touching and heart breaking way to immortilize those that were lost. My heart bled and I shed tears once again for those that I did not know and for those that are fighting for our country. As I sat and watched the memorial service today, 6 months after the initial attack I cried again. This is just what we need to heal the wounds and the heart. I just want to say thank you to all of the firefighters, police officers and everyone that helps protect us every day. You honestly are not forgotten. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Truly remarkable!! The horrible events of September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten, but the way Americans, as well as most of the world , reacted to these events will need to be told over and over again. This book shows you the best of America through personal stories of rescue workers, survivors, and victims families, as well as reactions from people around the world. It is clear from these stories that out of America's worst tragedy emerged the greatest nation in the world. This book should be required reading. "Wir alle sind Amerikaner"!