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The Pursuit of Happyness
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The Pursuit of Happyness
Author: Chris Gardner

Book Information
Publisher: Amistad
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780060744878 - ISBN-10: 0060744871
Publication Date: 11/1/2006
Pages: 320

Book Description:

A triumphant, modern-day Horatio Alger story—based on the life that inspired the major motion picture—The Pursuit of Happyness is a memoir that will have you rooting for the underdog as it stirs you to pursue your own dreams.

Abandoned by his own father and left to the vicious rage of a mean-spirited and abusive stepfather, Chris Gardner made a vow that no matter what happened in his life, he'd be a committed father figure to his children. Yet even the most well intentioned would have been excused for breaking that vow if confronted by the challenges that Gardner faced, circumstances that left him and his toddler son homeless, living on the streets of San Francisco. But rather than give up his son, Gardner continued to pursue his dream of becoming a successful stockbroker—despite having neither Wall Street experience nor even a college degree. Now a successful broker and the founder of Gardner Rich & Company, a multimillion-dollar brokerage firm, Gardner epitomizes what it takes to claim the American Dream, even when others would doubt you.


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Top Member Book Reviews

Janis K. (scrapbooklady) wrote on 10/15/2007...

5 member(s) found this review helpful.

"The Pursuit of Happyness" is a great inspirational story. It's a quick, entertaining, easy read. The language is colorful and Chris's life is graphic. If you read the book after seeing the movie, you may be a bit surprised. The 2006 movie focuses mainly upon Gardner's homelessness and struggle within the world of stocks, that portion of his life, however poignant and powerful, is but a small section of the book. Overall,"The Pursuit of Happyness" is a true journey from rock bottom to success.

Melody B. (5ducksfans) wrote on 5/8/2008...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

An amazing story about a man who refused to give up and dedicated his life to making it work for he and his son. It is amazing what a positive spirit can accomplish in life.

Melanie W. (LeleRoulant) wrote on 5/3/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

The book gives you much more of the story than the movie. Very interestng.

Lisa W. (poohnbearz) wrote on 9/14/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Different from the movie. Enjoyed the book, much more informative. What a struggle he went through and what an awesome man, father, and human being he turned out to be.

Patricia P. wrote on 5/9/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

It truly is a rags to riches story and was an enjoyable read.

Barry B. (Barry1776) wrote on 5/6/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

A great story; much MUCH more compelling than the film!

Heather R. wrote on 4/30/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

It is a bit different than the movie. The book begins and develops his childhood for the reader in greater detail than the movie did. I found it interesting and well written.

ANDRE' E. J. (Expeditious) wrote on 4/8/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Great story before or after the movie. Photos included. Motivation and positive attitude.

Caryn S. (Caryn9802) wrote on 1/27/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I wasn't sure where this was going halfway through, but then the pace really picked up. An excellent memoir told as a "rags-to-riches" story. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie!


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Missy W. (missyw) - Tampa, FL wrote on 9/20/2009...


Look up 'rags to riches' in the dictionary and you'll find Chris Gardner's photo. Chris tells of his extremely difficult childhood circumstances but through it all maintains a keen desire to get out of that life and make a new one for himself. This is a very compelling story told in a very straight forward manner. I highly recommend it.

Jody H. wrote on 8/5/2009...


I saw the movie and wanted to know more about how got where he was. The book gives much more detail and covers his whole life from childhood. The movie cast him as only a hero in a bad situation and to some extent a victim. The book makes him a whole human being and I like that much better. It just makes more sense to me. It is a good read, especially if you like those "overcomming adversity" type stories that I am such a sucker for.

Leslie P. (kermitreads) wrote on 6/21/2008...


Wow- lots more information about his life than the movie. Kind of fell flat in the end- the movie is really enough that you need to know.

Bernadette B. wrote on 2/5/2008...


I thought this book was ten times better than the movie....and the movie was pretty good!

Barbara S. wrote on 10/8/2007...


A very good book, a little different than the movie, it told more of his life as a child that the movie did not.

Christi J. (bing) wrote on 9/20/2007...


Better than the movie, this book goes into great detail about the struggles of Chris Gardner and his son. Based on a true story.

IONE L. (zaneygraylady) wrote on 6/13/2007...


very good

Nancy B. (kdgteacher) wrote on 4/25/2007...


"A truimphant, modern-day Horatio Alger story--based on the life" of Chris Gardner, "The Pursuit of Happyness is a memoir that will have you rooting for the underdog as it stirs you to pursue your own dreams." It was interesting to read, but I wouldn't put him on my list of heroes.

Julie E. wrote on 4/4/2007...


This book is very different from the movie. It is worth reading!

Susan W. (scaddybo) wrote on 4/1/2007...


Amazing true story!


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