The Pursuit of Happyness Reviews

• Deserves its top ranking and about to be a movie

  
  By A1ER5AYS3FQ9O3 on 2006-05-29
  I hear Will Smith is in the lead role in the movie based on this book. It is truly an incredible story of one man's rise from homelessness to being a millionaire! Not only that but he is forced to show up for his first important job interview on Wall Street in paint-spattered shoes, having been evicted - and he still manages to talk himself into the job!
  This is one of those stories that is so incredible, so "making it against all odds". The author has a strong, passionate voice and he doesn't flinch from telling the truth, including the fact that when he lived in hotels with his young son, they played a game called, "Shhh..." which involved keeping quiet when people knocked on the door or tried to find out if they were there (to evict them). But he didn't let the trauma, the hard times, defeat him. He simply faced up to the fact that he'd have to dig himself out of a hole, hard as it was....and, miraculously, he did.
  If you're feeling down, this book ought to inspire you!
  
  

• If you like the movie, don't read the book...

  
  By A2IKUV3201CU1H on 2006-12-30
  I loved the grace and dignity which Will Smith portrayed in the movie, so I was inspired to read the book. To my dismay, the real Chris Gardner writes with anger, some of which revealed his pettiness, especially surrounding perceived racial issues. I am a minority who has overcome many challenges. While I applaud Gardner's mental strength and perseverance, I was disappointed that the real Gardner was cocky and brassy, lacking humility in situations which were enacted poignantly in the movie. By the way, Gardner reveals way too much information about his sexual life. If you want a good pick-me-up, buy the DVD and skip the book. Thank you.
  
  

• Unimpressed and Uninspired!

  
  By A3B8AN3ZNC6X87 on 2007-03-15
  ***This is a discussion about certain points in the book, and may be considered to some a spoiler, so please do not read if you want to remain surprised about the book's high points and/or outcome.***
  
  I expected to read this book and feel inspired by the obstacles that were overcome by Chris Gardner as he rose from a poverty-stricken child living the hard knock life to a successful adult with many moral achievements. However, this was not the case. Shortly into the book, I came to realize that most of Mr. Gardner's problems were self-created. Sure, his upbringing was a contributory factor to some of his issues. But mostly, he made some very bad choices that resulted in some very bad outcomes.
  
  First, I disliked how he constantly put his mother, the woman who allowed herself and her children to be beaten time and time again by her husband, on a pedastool. This was a woman who went to prison twice, once for welfare fraud and once for attempted murder, yet we are to believe she was the epitomy of moral conscience? In all fairness, it is respectable that Mr. Gardner continued to idolize his mother, even after his rough childhood and the abuse to which he was subjected at home. However, this woman exemplified so many reasons why she was the complete opposite of an ideal role model for a child.
  
  Second, I thought it extremely irresponsible of Mr. Gardner to discuss not being able to afford to put food on the table for his wife and child some days, and in the next sentence to talk about getting high with his buddies to "take the edge off". Certainly the drugs were not always free. Was he spending the family's grocery money on drugs?
  
  Third, I disliked how he rationalized listening to jokes containing the infamous "N" word from the rich oil tycoon, simply because this same man was fattening his pockets at the time. This tells the world that such a situation is acceptable, so long as someone benefits enough to overlook the insulting word. I also found it absolutely disgusting how Mr. Gardner, immediately upon hearing of this oil tycoon's death, sold every bit of stock in the man's portolio, even though he himself admitted that all stock sales should immediately halt once an estate is in probate. Mr. Gardner stated that the oil tycoon, in the days before his death, had requested that all of his portfolio assets be liquidated (never mind the history of 30-35% capital gains), and that Mr. Gardner was only carrying out his final "orders". I call Mr. Gardner's bluff on this one - he sold that stock just to make a final commission. Mr. Gardner showed a true lack of ethics in this situation.
  
  Finally, and most disturbing, was how Mr. Gardner sent his son to live with Jackie after she had already once abandoned the child. She had proven herself once to be an unfit mother, yet Mr. Gardner sent his son across the country to live with her after he starting achieving personal financial success in Chicago. If his main concern was the welfare of his child, why did he not keep little Chris with him?
  
  Overall, I am completely dissapointed with this book. Mr. Gardner may be hailed as a hero to some, but he is most certainly not a hero to me.
  
  
  
  

• Starts A Little Slow - But What a BANG at the end

  
  By A3FREESYH2D4OA on 2006-12-03
  Bottom line - this guy bares his soul... the good, the bad, and the in-between.
  
  Only someone who has had a dream so strong the'd go through any obstacle to attain it can really understand.
  
  What he did was completely, by the book, exactly what you're supposed to do if you REALLY want something... not just paying lip-service to a dream, but actually going for it with your entire being.
  
  Most people "settle" and then do everything from drink themselves into oblivion, beat their wives, and blame life for what others did *TO* them.
  
  Those few who dare... despite all odds... to do great things and never give up... those are the real heroes.
  
  Those people who see something and want it so badly they can move mountains.
  
  He followed the "magic" formula that gets us all everything - good or bad - that we have in our lives.
  
  1. He knew EXACTLY what he wanted...
  2. He knew WHY he wanted it...
  3. He BELIEVED he could achieve it...
  4. He had FAITH that it was on its way...
  5. And he took MASSIVE action on every level towards its achievement.
  
  He could have glossed over areas of the story... he could have cleaned up his actions and made himself a little more saintly... but he spent the time he did on what happened to him becaue it SHOWS that we are all WHERE we are as the SUM total of our thoughts and actions to that point.
  
  He didn't end up on the street because of ONE decision... everthing he had came from everything that came before... the good and the bad.
  
  I respect him and his story more because he told the WHOLE story.
  
  You want to know the secret of his success? It's easy. He believed he could do it... he had no choice but TO DO it... and he took so much action (200 calls a day) that he HAD to do it...
  
  If you've got a dream - read this book. It will show you that you don't have any problems... you only have opportunites or excuses.
  
  You get to choose which one you accept as reality - I suggest you choose the opportunities.
  
  Read the book - hear the message - let it show you that no matter how bad things get, there's light at the end of the tunnel if you only believe, have faith, and take as much action as you can with what you have where you are.
  
  PEACE!
  
  

• The Pursuit of Happyness is Wonderful...As Inspiring as it is Entertaining

  
  By A3UUEX0EL51MP8 on 2006-05-24
  This memoir is a shining example of the rags-to-riches story and the triumph of embracing a shot at success in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
  
  Mr. Gardner's tale is riddled with challenges, despair, and even violence, but it is foremost one of hope and love. It offers up a reminder that the "American dream" still exists, that given the chance, anyone can find it in themselves to reach up and climb to new heights. And this story goes well beyond professional or financial success, even that as impressive as Gardner's, to show that really, the deepest form of motivation is found in our love for another.
  
  Whether you are facing or have overcome your own hurdles, or just need to be reminded that the demons of the past are no match for the human spirit, this book is for you.
  
  
• Move was Great! Book was a BIG disappointment
  By A19L5K9T6ZPQID on 2007-01-26
  After seeing the film and joining in the chorus of those who were inspired by the story of his life, Chris' book was such a disappointment. At the end of the book I kept wondering if he ever learned from his mistakes, if he still sleeps around, if he still does drugs, if he is still violent with other people. I was hoping to recommend this book to my employees (in the brokerage business), but it is filled with one sexual exploit (in great detail) after another. The movie role model was a terrific image of who a man should/could be. The real man in the book is no role model. Watch the movie, skip the book
  
  
• Happyness
  By A35KLF5GWUXS60 on 2006-08-05
  I definitely would not say this is the best written book I have ever read; far from it. I think he lingered too long on his abusive childhood and his sexual prowess and less on his struggle from being homeless to becoming successful. I understood his desire to be with his son, but knowing you didn't have a decent paying job and appropriate living arrangements, why would you put your child in that situation? Maybe if more explanation was given, it would have made more sense to me.
  
  I commend Chris Gardner, I just didn't like the book.
  
  
• Incredible and Inspirational!
  By A2M3TCVHH83X4J on 2006-12-24
  This book is a true story of an individual believing in himself and chronicles the journey he took to reach his dreams.
  
  Chris Gardner's life experiences exemplify courage, strength and willpower. He never gave up on his dreams for a better life for him and his son - even though he struggled to find a place to live, food to provide for his growing boy, and a stable job. Gardner lived in the Oakland BART station bathroom, among other places, and just kept getting right back up every time something knocked him down.
  
  What I personally find to be admirable about this story is the incredible and inspirational journey Gardner trekked down in an amazing turn from rags to riches. He is now an extremely successful businessman and a mighty wealthy one too!
  
  The power of the American dream still lives on. One only needs to think that they can do it. Gardner is an example for us to follow - to have a dream and to find ways to reach it, regardless of the hurdles and obstacles which are put in our way.
  
  Congratulations, Chris, on your magnificent success in life!!
  
  
• Healthy ego, for sure
  By A2KDQAUG8VUVMM on 2007-01-27
  My husband met Mr. Gardner when he was a keynote speaker at a corporate event. He was so impressed by this man's story and the way he tells it. He bought the book at the event, got an autograph, and ended up bumping into him and speaking to him later, in another city. He is a huge admirer of Chris Gardner, and rightly so. But all the things he has said about him/his speaking, and the movie, do not match most of this book! I was on page 200 and wondering when he would stop complaining or bragging (especially bragging) and get to the crux of the story. After reading about yet another public sexcapade in an airport baggage claim area, I put it down and haven't gone back. His story is inspiring; he has overcome much, but the book dwells too much and too long either on things that were out of his control, or that I simply do not want to read about. I wish him well and I'm glad he has done extremely well, but I would not recommend this book.
  
  
• Disappointing
  By AUBANG0G6LAB2 on 2007-04-10
  I wanted to read the book before watching the film. I have heard how inspirational the film is. The book should be, but is too full of excuses and bragging. When Chris Gardner eventually started to make a sucessful career for himself, he sent his son away to live with the mother who abandoned him. Not very inspirational. I would not recommend this book.
  
  
• Warning
  By A34S1XZ57AM8FG on 2007-01-24
  I am going to write the warning I wish I had read before I started The Pursuit of Happyness. I read an article in a magazine about the movie and Will Smith. I was so intrigued by the idea of this self made man I asked for the book for Christmas. I was excited to start the book and it did start out well. When the author switches to Chris's childhood, it goes down hill rapidly from there. Graphic and disgusting language begins. By the time the book gets to Chris's puberty, it is all over for me. I am surprised that the editor did not clean up the lanugauge or edit graphic descriptions for clarity and readibility. There was so much grossness in description, that the story line was lost. I think as a work of literature, this book failed. There is definitly a story to be shared by Chris Gardner, but he chose the wrong co-author and editor to help him tell his amazing story.
  
  
• A Glimpse into the world of the "haves" and "have-nots"
  By A3EZ0PPXZVINM on 2006-12-28
  Recently I saw the film, "Pursuit of Happyness", starring Will Smith and his son. It moved me emotionally, spiritually, and paternally. Consequently, I purchased the book thinking it could not match the intensity of the movie. I was mistaken on many levels.
  
  If you love a good story that is challenging, inspirational, and uplifting, The Pursuit of Happyness will take you on a tenacious journey that will break your heart at startling moments - then give you pauses for celebrations when you are beginning to feel all hope is lost. An example of this is in Chapter nine, entitled: "Turned out". This was a revealing and fascinating look into the "corporate jungle" which left me riveted, captivated, and "turned on".
  
  The mother of his son plays an integral role in developing the author's character. She will remind the reader of the classic examples of tough love, suffocating passions, and denigrating support, all rolled into one. Mr. Gardner took these circumstances and refused to accept them as limitations.
  
  In the earlier stages of her pregnancy, she would repeatedly ask him: "How can you hope to be a good father when you never had one yourself?" He faced this challenge not with experience but with a love, I believe, that is inherent in all mothers and fathers since the time of Adam and Eve.
  
  The book covers the gamut of trials and tribulations, including dysfunctional parents, illiteracy, child abuse, drug addiction, and ultimately, homelessness. In spite of these hardships along the way - it is still a riveting, heart-pounding, and marvelous story of what one man can do for himself and his child.
  
  Chapter three, page 59, is called: "Where's Momma?". It is a question asked by Mr. Gardner when he was eight years old. You will have to read the book for the answer. This section reminds us all; it takes more than a village ... it takes a mother, it takes a father, it takes time, it takes commitment, if we are to get it right for the ones we love.
  
  I loved this book from beginning to end. If you are in pursuit of a good read, "The Pursuit of Happyness" is where you should start.
  
  Reviewed by Reginald V. Johnson, Upper Saddle River, NJ
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Not as good as the movie
  By AO6GB5J5TT6ZQ on 2007-03-19
  After being inspired by the movie, I was disappointed with the actual book, which is quite different from the movie. It focuses a lot on the years before Chris became a father--including many (more than necessary) descriptions of his sexual exploits, drug use, etc...ultimately proving Chris to be less of a hero than was portrayed by Will Smith. Didn't leave me with the heartwarming feeling that the movie did.
  
  
• PSDs are Real!
  By A3R8D4VO580AIL on 2006-11-09
  The Pursuit of Happyness--it was a long journey--all the way from the ghetto streets of the poor inner city of Milwaukee to the greatness of Wall Street and all of its' money. Chris Gardner grew up with a loving mother and the evil stepfather--almost the Cinderella story in reverse. Without a strong mother with plenty of values to instill in her son, Chris would not have grown to become the person that he did. Having attended and graduated from one of Wisconsin's best schools of "Hard Knocks," he stayed on a steady track, sometimes up and sometimes down, but always moving on his journey from rags to riches. Gardner's determination and dedication kept him on the path to success--regardless of the many obstacles in his way. Chris Gardner was determined to be the father that he never had. And raising a son alone on the streets of San Francisco was just another notch in his $2 belt, until he could trade it in for a $400 one. His success inspires both men and women alike. Chris Gardner tells "his" emotional story about growing up poor, male and black in America!
  
  
• An inspiration for single parents - fast read
  By A32LOVU22OVGZ1 on 2006-12-18
  Definitely buy, this is a fast read and you will be an expert on the real story before you go see the film. This is not a book for kids under 16.
  
  Gardner with his ghostwriter tells a great story about a deprived child who strives and succeeds, keenly aware of his guardian angels in the form of gracious and intelligent individuals who step in and out of his life at the right moments. Gardner happens to be black but it is more the love and self-preservation instincts he draws from his mother and his hatred for the abuse she and the rest of the family suffer at the hands of his illiterate stepfather that form the molten core of his identity.
  
  Don't expect Chris Gardner's book to resemble the Will Smith movie all too religiously. Many important distinctions have been smoothed over, such as Gardner's extramarital fling that leads to his becoming a father; the fact that his son is not five years old but a toddler still in diapers; the product placement of the Rubik's cube; the "unpaid" internship at Dean Witter. Did I mention he liked to smoke weed?
  
  While Gardner's message is one of hope, not rage or vindication, you may find yourself pausing in the latter quarter of the book to wonder how deep his self-examination really went. You wonder how he reconciles the deep desire to be a model father with the deprivations and real dangers he subjected his infant son to. Or why he never secures his possessions and car from the idiot mother who stole them when she kidnapped his son. Gardner only once gets revenge, on his stepfather nemesis.
  
  This young man had a dream that could be written off as purely materialistic, but that would ignore the fact that he had a poor family model to work from and little expectation of a warm, safe environment for his son "back home." The steep slide down to homelessness is totally plausible. Perhaps it didn't occur to him to abandon San Francisco - one of the most expensive cities on the planet - and find work somewhere he could afford an apartment, from where he could safely grow. You also have to wonder - how many people in 2006 would get away with this? Dragging your kid around from daycare to shelter and back, hanging out in the Tenderloin, while holding out hope that eventually you would strike gold?
  
  Gardner suffers some very real trauma and is not maudlin or sentimental in his accounts. You flinch in self-defense and seethe with rage at the violence and stupidity of his mother's boyfriend. You wince at his mile-wide self-destructive streak while he rolls his eyes at his own folly, retelling his rampant sexual engagement with his mistress.
  
  Get a copy, then lend it to a single parent you know. It's not a prizewinner but a competent auto-bio with a poor kid's version of what happiness is realized. It ain't perfect, but his heart is definitely exposed.
  
  
• Pursuit of Happyness
  By A2ZOA6FTKL3OE on 2006-11-10
  Our bookclub read this selection, and like myself, most of the members found it an inspiring and well written selection. It showed how life can stack up against you at the most inopportune times. Yet Chris Gardner with tenacity and dogged determination overcame the odds. The difficulties Chris overcame revealed the depth of his courage. How he escaped the emotional and physical abuse of his earlier days is a wonder. I would recommend this book to others as an interesting and informative biography.
  
  
• Not worth reading
  By A1AN85H9LI55OP on 2007-01-24
  I usually read lot of biographies and was interested in this book because of the movie. It didn't take long time to finish reading this and after reading it, I found it was not worth reading. I agree with some other people who gave 1 star for this book. I was expecting story which was inspiring and motivating, but this book had none of those. It contains too much sexual story about author and a very little story about how he achived his life. I have been waiting for something I was expecting until the end and I couldn't find anything what I have expected from the title.
  I've bought this book after I have read reviews at amazon.com. I should have taken advices with 1 star reviews.
  
  
• Determined and Driven
  By A1IFYNA9AXLZPW on 2007-03-06
  In his memoir, The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner describes how he went from an impoverished childhood to becoming a wealthy stock broker and entrepreneur, all while being the sole provider and parent to his young son. Gardner spends a lot of time recounting his difficult childhood which included being in foster care, witnessing the constant abuse of his mother by his stepfather, and the mental and emotional abuse he endured from his stepfather. He then takes the reader into his transition to the military and the time he spent working in medicine. The reader is then brought to the point in Gardner's life when he is living in San Francisco. Although he becomes homeless, he remains determined to raise his son while going through the process to become a stock broker, despite having never gone to college.
  
  This reader was emotionally drawn to the determination that Gardner had in wanting to be a constant in his son's life, since that was something he never had as a child. However, the motivation behind his choosing to be a stockbroker (to buy a Ferrari) and the motivation to be an active provider in his child's lives (his troubled childhood) posed a bit of a conflict for the reader because although the two goals are not conflicting; the process it takes to reach both at the same time may cause some tension that Gardner does not touch upon in this memoir.
  
  The memoir was a good enough effort to attract the major motion picture industry because it is surely a notable, feel-good story. At times it seemed that the writing was a little more complicated than was necessary, making the story hard to follow. Notwithstanding, The Pursuit of Happyness was very inspirational and an enjoyable read.
  
  Lena Willis
  APOOO BookClub
  
  
  
• Not Like the Movie - VERY GRAPHIC
  By AN5QAZ3UM1WUJ on 2007-08-15
  I had been wanting to read this book since I saw and really enjoyed the movie. To my delight, my boyfriend's ex-wife purchased the book for their 9 year old son (he is an avid reader) while stuck in an airport nearly a month ago (so, that would save me from buying the book -- I would just borrow his when he was finished). She too had watched the movie and thought that the book would be appropriate for a child of that age due to the fact that the movie wasn't bad other than a minor cuss word or two. Unfortunately, she did not scan any of the pages and much to everyone's shock and surprise, and after the child was nearly finished with the book, I picked it up and scanned a few of the pages. The book is FILLED with graphic profanity (e.g., GD m-f'er and MF'er appear on almost every page), drug use, criminal activity, explicit and sexual scenes, a male rape scene, instances of adultery and many many depictions of graphic violence. This book is NOT like the movie. As a matter of fact, the Movie appears to be based on only about the last 50 or so pages of the book. I am not saying that the book is not a good read -- it is -- for an ADULT. I believe that some adults probably took their kids to see the movie and may think that the book is relatively harmless based on the movie. It is not. This is an adult book filled with adult topics and issues. I give it 4 stars because it's a very good book -- but definitely not a book to be read by a child.
  
  
• Better at the end
  By A1T8UKCPQIHVIS on 2006-07-30
  1) Part 1 was long and difficult to endure. Happyness was the name of the child care center that he had to take Chris Jr. too when he was working at his first job -- it had nothing to do with spelling this incorrectly.
  
  2) The book began as a whirlwind of repetitive quotes and hard to follow stories at the beginning. The story telling confused me until Part 2 of the book when he enlists in the Navy.
  
  3) The ending (Part 3) is wonderful and was worth the wait just hearing what he did. Very inspirational and touching but I had to force myself to get to that point during the torture of going through part 1
  
  
• The American Dream in Action
  By A158JPADX707D0 on 2006-12-04
  This book is the epitome of the Human Spirit and what we are all capable of when we focus and take action. Everyone should read this book and especially those of us whom were born and raised in America. This is the American Dream in action and the irony is that most of us Americans (I'm part of this group as well) don't really understand how fortunate we are to live in this country where if you're willing to do the work, you can achieve your dreams. As an African American male this is the book my peers MUST!! Especially those in similar and worse situations.
  
  
• Great Lesson in Cause and Effect
  By ALCEMOQUZ2ZEX on 2006-12-19
  I only want to add that though Mr. Gardner describes fighting the odds and overcoming obstacles (many of which he laid in his own path), a very important lesson is teaching us that bad decisions lead to bad outcomes and good decisions often lead to good ones. He candidly shares the mistakes he made as well as the decisions and actions that moved him closer to success. Accepting responsibility and moving forward, rather than denying one's role and dwelling on what might have been, is the most effective method of moving onward in upward. Mr. Gardner also does and excellent job of illustrating this principle.
  
  He shows us that though nobody's perfect, with a plan, some persistence and a sense of urgency, we've all got a chance.
  
  
  
• Stunned, a read without overpowering over-emotion
  By AGG9C66TOLJZB on 2006-12-20
  Having read a few stories about truly horrific childhoods and their aftermath, this one stood out. This is really about someone who is more than a product of his upbringing, it is someone who realised that beyond all else he was responsible for his destiny. It is almost like he wanted more challenges sometimes to prove that he COULD overcome anything.
  
  As a child he experienced deprivation from his ex-convict mother and step=father who clearly loathed him. He escaped when he could into the Navy, but clearly while he was driven to succeed, he was still driven to fail and made some clearly self-destructive choices. Maybe this is a product of being male, but his smoking Marijuana, and having a child out of wedlock cannot have helped him along.
  
  However, in truly inspirational form, he overcame these, with his son, and has proved that no matter what the odds - whether obstructions from outside or internal, he does have the will to overcome them - and this is the truly inspirational part of this story. Is that he is prepared to take responsibilty for his own faults, and work past everything else.
  
  It is a well written biography, with some sobering messages. I see there is a movie coming out of this book and I am interested to watch it having read this.
  
  
• Engaging
  By A1CYAHMXNB91EI on 2007-01-02
  Once I commenced reading this book, I couldn't put it down and finished it very quickly. This book was extremely engaging. Chris Gardner is inspirational because he overcame many hurdles to become a success, personally and professionally. Chris endured many bad childhood experiences including physical abuse by his brutish step father, rape by a stranger, racism and poverty. The result of all this was a person with low self-esteem and self hate issues due to the absence of a father and complexion issues. He tried cocaine, petty crime, was addicted to sex, was a womanizer, smoked cigarettes, smoked weed and had dysfunctional relationships with women. Through it all he always had a glint of self-belief and his mother, though a victim of domestic violence, continued to encourage him. While pursuing his dream of becoming a stockbroker he suffered through financial troubles and homelessness. He made it though all this and eventually started his own firm, met Nelson Mandela and invested in South Africa. This is a story of triumph and is very inspiring. The book was well-written as the descriptions allowed me to visualise and be present in the scenes. At times I felt sorry for him and sometimes I hated him. The book brought out all the emotions. The bottom line of this book is that regardless of the circumstances, the human spirit can triumph and overcome anything.
  
  
• inspiring and uplifting
  By AU7CQGYUH0SWY on 2006-09-14
  Going through a tough time? Looking for a way out? Wishing you could just "do" something to change your life? Read this book and know you are not alone. Read this book and know you CAN do it. Believe there are difficult days, accept that life is not a bed of roses, and follow Chris as he grows from a confused little boy into a deservedly respected man. What a powerful message to send to boys and young men in this United States. Thank you, Chris Gardner... I look forward to the movie!
  
  
• The Pursuit of Happyness
  By A3QMK8N2JFJQC3 on 2006-10-31
  While I would recommend this book, I was expecting a more detailed story of his life as stockbroker. Chris Gardner's story is certainly motivational and serves as a reminder that with persistence and sound morals and choices you can make "IT" and make a difference.
  
  A nice story compounded by the reference to giving back.
  
  John Larkin
  
  
• Not in Kansas anymore Toto
  By A1V052TM1D5BDM on 2006-12-22
  Those that have seen the movie adaption of Chris Gardner's life undoubtedly left with a warm, fuzzy feeling, but I must say that after reading the book one can see how fast and loose the movie played on the book. While the movie focuses on Gardner's struggles with homelessness while raising a son, it also assimilates a number of the events into one and also streamlines the story to make for a better movie.
  In the book, we learn more of the backstory with Chris Gardner and how he dealt with an abusive stepfather and growing up poor in Milwaukee. In short, the book tells how Chris Gardner got to the point of homelessness and taking care of his son. It also points out, several times, how Gardner fell to temptation through sex and drugs. And, as several other reviewers have pointed out, it talks about his infidelity. It also makes you wonder how credible Gardner's story is (run-ins with Leon Spinks, Samuel L. Jackson, and Danny Glover before he hit the big time, so to speak).
  Nonetheless, Gardner's story is still a good read and we know that he did rise from poverty to become extremely successful. If the movie can be considered indicative of the typical "Disney" feel-good story, the book should serve as the adult, film noir version.
  
  
• Taking it for What its Worth - Gardner's Real Story!
  By A22YACPAQYWMVF on 2007-01-14
  There are many books out there that if you're looking for inspiration and motivation you can find. However, there are few that are written with such stright-forward intensity as 'The Pursuit of Happyness'.
  
  With co-author Quincy Troupe, Chris Gardner has given us more than a glimpse of his life. He has given us a detailed description that is so rich, vivid, and detailed that we almost forget that this is a real man's journey and not a Richard Wright/James Baldwin masterpiece.
  
  Chris' story has all the ingredients of what makes a biography inspiring: struggle, conflict, pain, failure, hope, light . . . and finally of course - success. To compare this story to the movie does not do the book nor the movie justice. It's clear that when they say the movie was inspired by the book - it was indeed inspired; the book must be judged on its own merits. This review is about the book and not a contrast and comparision between the two.
  
  First, Chris had it rough no doubt. However, he was no angel himself. Like many children that grow up in single family households, Chris loved his mother. His love for her was unconditional and inspirational. She is the source of his journey to pursue happiness. In any great story there is one common element: The Why. Chris had two "whys": his mother and his son.
  
  Second, the book is so well written that you can picture every struggle and feel the pain. The relationship with his stepfather represents struggle and hate. It's a hate so strong that Chris doesn't mind telling you that he thought (and tried) to do bad things to his stepfather - many of us have a relationship this intense, but dare not address the honesty in a manner that Chris does within this story.
  
  Third, this book highlights his journey to Wall Street, but it's not the book. Instead it's a well woven piece that brings the story together. This is a book more about preseverance and responsibility - yet it doesn't hide the fact that sometimes we are our own worst enemy. There are times when I ask myself: 'Why did he do it that way.' But this is his journey and his life and his story.
  
  Lastly, when you have your "why" in place you still have to find a passion and apply focus to that passion. The passion is not his profession per say, but rather his journey to be the best he can be in the business world. This story has all the elements common to all of us -men or women that want something so much that they not only see it but they actively pursue it starting with what Dr. Covey would call: "The End in Mind." He had to overcome racism and his lack of education of credentials -- but wait: This is not a victim book. Chris is not a victim. He is a success story that goes to show that no matter where you come from - with focus, persistence, determination, and a "why" you can get to where you are going - if you just don't give up.
  
  This is story that should be read by anyone that has a dream of living a better life. It is not a black man's story; it's a man's story that happens to be black. It's a story of a man that kicked down doors, faced and conqured his demons and made it happen. Give this book to anyone you care about (above the age of 18 of course - some parts are graphic) that has a vision of living a better life and/or have made it, but may need to see that we all have something in common when pursuing happiness.
  
  
• An inspiring story of courage, motivation, and believing in yourself!!!
  By A1J55NZKY9WBUP on 2006-08-05
  I'm not very much of a book reader, but the story of Chris Garnder struck a curiousity in me to learn more about him. I loved it! It was an easy read. The book was beautiful, sad, funny at times and enjoyable. The struggles and successes of Chris Gardner are truly amazing and inspiring. Throughout the book he stayed focused, motivated, and hungry for a better life for him and his son. I have nothing but respect, and admiration for him. He has truly inspired me to be the best I can be, and to NEVER give up on my dreams. I highly recommend this book, and I can't wait until the movie is released ("The Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith).
  
  
• Character Counts
  By A3BVNYJROJ7UAV on 2006-12-19
  I'll rank Chris Gardner up there with Tyler Perry in their ability to see beyond their circumstances and into their potential. The book is fantastic and so is the movie. Will Smith deserves an Oscar and so does Will's son as best supporting actor!
  
  In my area, 60% of black teens do not graduate from high school. Many quit because they don't have a strong father figure like Chris Gardner is. These kids need to read this book and see the movie. Both point out an unpopular truth - success requires persistent hard work; and even then there's no guarantee of success. Yet if you only play at life, you're guaranteed to fail.
  
  Chris Gardner admits that his child and his faith are what made it possible to overcome challenges that would have broken most of us. Perhaps the scariest thing is that God would allow one of His own to lose everything - be they material or relational - and still require of them an extraordinary effort such as that put forth by Mr. Gardner. I've lost homes and cars and strained relationships to the point of tears and couldn't sleep because of worry and fear - but never to this extent. Mr. Gardner is a better man than I am. And he's the kind of example America's young people need; and this is the kind of movie that Hollywood needs to produce more of. It would change our world for the better.
  
  
  
  

• The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography (Oprah's Book Club)
• The Pursuit of Happyness (Widescreen Edition)
• A Hand to Guide Me
• The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Vintage)
• Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance