| This I Believe II: More Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (based on 20 reviews)
Sales Rank: 6459
Category: Book
Authors: Jay Allison, Dan Gediman
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Studio: Henry Holt and Co.
Manufacturer: Henry Holt and Co.
Label: Henry Holt and Co.
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1
ISBN: 0805087680
Dewey Decimal Number: 170.44
EAN: 9780805087680
ASIN: 0805087680
Publication Date: September 30, 2008
Release Date: September 30, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
A new collection of inspiring personal philosophies from another noteworthy group of people This second collection of This I Believe essays gathers seventyfive essayists?ranging from famous to previously unknown?completing the thought that begins the book?s title. With contributors who run the gamut from cellist Yo-Yo Ma to ordinary folks like a diner waitress, an Iraq War veteran, a farmer, a new husband, and many others, This I Believe II, like the first New York Times bestselling collection, showcases moving and irresistible essays. Included are Sister Helen Prejean writing about learning what she truly believes through watching her own actions, singer Jimmie Dale Gilmore writing about a hard-won wisdom based on being generous to others, and Robert Fulghum writing about dancing all the dances for as long as he can. Readers will also find wonderful and surprising essays about forgiveness, personal integrity, and honoring life and change. Here is a welcome, stirring, and provocative communion with the minds and hearts of a diverse, new group of people?whose beliefs and the remarkably varied ways in which they choose to express them reveal the American spirit at its best.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...
 Too Many Bible Thumpings December 22, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Presented on five CDs and with 79 essays, THIS I BELIEVE II is both interested and perturbing in that it focuses on beliefs of individuals but often goes overboard in terms of religion.
The most interesting one - for me - was Alice Brock, whom most probably know as the famous Alice of the song Alice's Restaurant. Speaking about her belief in simplicity and understatement really struck me as something most Americans (in which I include myself) couldn't fathom believing in ...which made it all the more poignant. It also helped that she didn't thank "God" or "Jesus" or some other deity like the other 90% involved in this collection did.
Some might find my comments about belief and religion to be offensive and if you do, I apologize for the nerve this may have struck in you. But belief isn't the sole domain of religion. One can believe in humanity, general goodness, and other things that don't require a belief in the unknown and unseen.
Probably the biggest issue I had with this collaboration was that there were scientists and war torn victims of Vietnam who ended their beliefs firmly within "God's grace". I was highly interested in the story of the young girl who was the focus of a famous Vietnam War era photo; you know the one, the one with the burned, naked girl running down a street after her village was napalmed. Initially I found her story riveting as she explained the intensity of the war and her villages suffering at the hands of the American military machine. But then her focus shifted to that of her newly acquired christian faith, something that completely turned me off considering christiainity was not a part of Southeast Asian culture until the West arrived. It struck me as ludicrous and contrived.
Still, the larger issue of this series is that it shows us belief structures across socioeconomic, race, and many other barriers. It's just too bad so many of them ended up within biblical contexts and didn't range further afield.
 OPENING THE HUMAN HEART; TOUCHING THE SOUL December 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"This I Believe II" is the second offering based upon the NPR Radio series, which in turn is based on the original series by the late Edward R. Murrow. There are 75 "essays" from both famous people and everyday people, many of the latter caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Offered in their own voices, these oral essays provide a glimpse into the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual core of men and women, whose experiences and relationships have shaped them to the persons they are today.
The common theme running throughout the 5-CD collection is the uniqueness of the individual soul. There are celebrities, craftsmen, poets, scholars, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, and children of all ages. There are achievers, addicts, persons in pain and suffering, those who have learned from their mistakes and those who continue to struggle with their demons.
These voices remind us of the diversity of the human heart and the gift of human relationship. THIS I BELIEVE is a worthy companion on any journey.
 Has something for everybody December 15, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is the second NPR issue of "This I Believe". I've been listening to NPR's "Most E-mailed Stories" podcasts for a couple of years now and every Monday they include a "This I Believe" essay. I've always felt that generally speaking the stuff NPR puts out is of exceptional quality and this CD demonstrates that. You're not going to like every essay on this CD but I do think every essay will get you thinking/philosophizing about yourself and life predicaments that you have faced or are likely to face.
Another bravo to NPR.
Great listening November 20, 2008
I love this collection of personal philosophies. It's really cool to hear what people--both celebrity and non-celebrity--think is important in life. The vignettes are pretty short, so it makes for easy listening while driving or working (I put the CDs on my iPod so I can listen while doing anything). A lot of life lessons here, for sure.
I Wish it Were November 20, 2008
I have been listening to THIS I BELIEVE on and off during the experience that is NPR over the last few years. Whilst the original THIS I BELIEVE dates back many years, the current version has been given a digital age immediacy by its ability to be there in a quick manner. The cycle between composition and broadcast has been seemingly made quicker, and often more poignant, such as the Author on disk two, Michelle Gardner-Quinn, who was murdered before broadcast, so that someone else had to read her meaningful story, and it had a vast impact at many large events because of the death of the author.
On disc one, Mary Chapin-Carpenter was taught how to live one day at a time by the simple but meaningful greeting of a Store clerk as she was recovering from some problems.The Diversity in origins of the authors is evident with the inclusion of Tony Hawk, a hard working skater who is sometimes seen as someone who is still in his adolescensce . But Tony conveys his point. Susan Cook Kitteridge, daughter of Alistair Cook on disc three, heals, mends, hopes, searches, and conveys a great point.The Diversity continues on disc four with Yo Yo Ma the Musician, Criagslist founder and Faith beliefs that varies greatly.
Disc 5 is far and away the best of the 5; there is an Astronaut recorded in the Space Station. Studs Terkel is recorded in his apartment only days before heart surgery. Elie Wiesel is an amazing speaker and speaks with passion, although briefly.
In many respects these wishes provides utopias, or confirmation, and affirmations of current situation , or affirmations for future situations. All in all, these essays are brief, positive, to the point, and wonderfully delivered. A must for any fan of the series, or for anyone who likes positive work from people who have been through rough times and know what hard times are for the life we live.
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