When Bad Things Happen to Good People
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"This is a book that all humanity needs. It will help one to understand the painful vicissitudes of this life and stand up to them creatively."-- Norman Vincent Peale"Offers a moving and humane approach to understanding life's windstorms. It raises many questions that will challenge your mind and test your faith regarding the ultimate questions of life and death."-- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross"Almost every great novelist has dealt with the theme of inexplicable illness...Harold Kushner deals with this question with deep insight and provides invaluable reassurance"-- Norman Cousins"A touching, heart-warming book for all those of us who must contend with suffering, and that, of course, is all of us."-- Andrew M. Greeley
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'Out of a faith-shaking and senseless waste of a life comes this remarkable and caring book, which will help many. It has sensible and unorthodox and mind-opening things to say about God - and about ourselves. Its author has wisdom and no bitterness. We can learn from him, about acceptance and guilt and despair and the helplessness we all feel when 'none of it makes sense' when we say 'why them?' or worse 'why us?'. We owe him our thanks David Kosson 'Rabbi Kushner writes from a wealth of Jewish wisdom and pastoral devotion, but his theology is, I find, is wholly in keeping with contemporary Christian thought. So far as there is an answer to the conflict between the goodness of God and the bitterness of suffereing, this is it' Gerald Priestland 'It will bring new meaning, strength and hope to many' Dame Cicely Saunders, DBE, FRCP
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First Sentence
There is only one question which really matters: why do bad things happen to good people? Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
There is only one question which really matters: why do bad things happen to good people? Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book 4 weeks after my 17-year old son, Ibrahim Ditto, died on 24 November 2010.
My son was feeling very well and went to play basketball. He felt dizzy and next we knew he was in intensive care. Doctors could not find what was wrong with him and neither did the autopsy. We had to wait weeks before his body was released to us for burial.
I had some big why questions.
This book was very easy to read so that made it easy for me access at a time when my concentration levels were probably not at their best.
The book does present quite a paradigm shift which I continue to struggle with. Before I read the book I believed that God was all powerful and that he pre-planned everything. So in that sense what happened to my son was pre-ordained and there was nothing we could do about it. It was his destiny. This held some consolation for me (no guilt) but did leave me with the question why would God plan this for me - even if there is a higher purpose - it does seem quite cruel.
Kushner introduces a kinder God who does not necessarily pre-plan everything. In fact I finish the book with a much clearer definition of God ...God is the good in all of us, God is love.
As to whether my son died because it was his destiny - yes to some extent, but not pre-ordained by God. Rather, I believe it was due to chance and some bad luck - he happened to have suffered from something which we don't yet understand and therefore could not diagnose or treat. It is this same chance that has brought us a lot of luck in our life including the blessing of having a son like him.
I hope this review helps people with questions, to make the choice about whether this book will be helpful for them.
My son was feeling very well and went to play basketball. He felt dizzy and next we knew he was in intensive care. Doctors could not find what was wrong with him and neither did the autopsy. We had to wait weeks before his body was released to us for burial.
I had some big why questions.
This book was very easy to read so that made it easy for me access at a time when my concentration levels were probably not at their best.
The book does present quite a paradigm shift which I continue to struggle with. Before I read the book I believed that God was all powerful and that he pre-planned everything. So in that sense what happened to my son was pre-ordained and there was nothing we could do about it. It was his destiny. This held some consolation for me (no guilt) but did leave me with the question why would God plan this for me - even if there is a higher purpose - it does seem quite cruel.
Kushner introduces a kinder God who does not necessarily pre-plan everything. In fact I finish the book with a much clearer definition of God ...God is the good in all of us, God is love.
As to whether my son died because it was his destiny - yes to some extent, but not pre-ordained by God. Rather, I believe it was due to chance and some bad luck - he happened to have suffered from something which we don't yet understand and therefore could not diagnose or treat. It is this same chance that has brought us a lot of luck in our life including the blessing of having a son like him.
I hope this review helps people with questions, to make the choice about whether this book will be helpful for them.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book many years ago and often recommended it to friends undergoing tragic events in their lives. Recently I decided to buy it and read it again. It is a truly wonderful little book. Rabbi Kushner does not attempt to answer the "why" questions at all really. He is more concerned with reaching out to those who endure unbearable sufferings with words of comfort and consolation. The message applies to people of all religions and none ..... Essential reading for anyone who just doesn't know what to say when faced with the pain of a loved one that they feel powerless to alleviate - buy it!!!
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a very comforting book. I read soon after our beloved angel-daughter was diagnosed with a fatal disease and it did offer some feeling of peacefulness till the end. Although written by a religious man it was usefull for me who is not religious at all.
All of you who are going through a very difficult patch in their lives - this is one book for you.
It is a great book also for those who would like to learn more about handling their friends' or relatives' tragedies. This book gives you tips what to do and what to say and most importantly what not to say (the dreaded 'It is better that way et al'.) Although written by a rabbi, it should be mandatory for all priests of all religions to teach them how to handle grief and pain.
All of you who are going through a very difficult patch in their lives - this is one book for you.
It is a great book also for those who would like to learn more about handling their friends' or relatives' tragedies. This book gives you tips what to do and what to say and most importantly what not to say (the dreaded 'It is better that way et al'.) Although written by a rabbi, it should be mandatory for all priests of all religions to teach them how to handle grief and pain.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
helpful book
I think a great many grieving people would find this book helpful. Written out of experience it does give a reasoned explanation why bad things happen to good people. Read more
Published 5 months ago by raykiln
The Rabbi who understands.
I read this book many years ago, when it was a huge best seller around the globe. But I was younger then and a carefree teen, having seen hardly any tragedy in life. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Joan
When Bad Things Happen to Good People
I found this book very easy to read and made a great deal of sense. I found it confirmed what I a Christian already believe. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Penny
A bit theologically different
I bought this book because it wasn't very expensive and I thought it would be worth a look, not in response to any tragic occurrence. Read more
Published 16 months ago by William Cohen
Finding comfort
At a time of crisis many of us don't know where to turn to, what to think, say or do.
This book doesn't give 'the answer' but it gives support at a time of need. Read more
This book doesn't give 'the answer' but it gives support at a time of need. Read more
Published 18 months ago by tammy
when bad things happen to good people
This book was brill recommend you should buy it. Show me a different way to life i alway blame god when things happen to me but relise god can only guide us we have a free will... Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2010 by Bernadette Mcaleenan
Finally I feel I have answers!
This question nagged at me time and time again.... "why do bad things happen to good people". Nothing I read answered these questions until I read this book. Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2010 by S. Tickle
When bad things happen to good people.
Sensitive and supportive for anyone who is suffering bereavement and trying to make sense of it. He has such a clear sensible way of describing the place of God in it all.
Published on 26 Jan 2010 by Reader Smith
A help through difficult times
Harold S Kushner's book, 'When bad things happen to good people' is a must read for anyone who has had a difficult time, due to a bereavement, illness or traumatic experience. Read more
Published on 2 Oct 2009 by A. Smith
Get your life back
We have had two completely unexplicable, unimaginably tragic suicides in our immediate family. This book has helped us to cope where friends and church have lacked the capacity to... Read more
Published on 30 Sep 2009 by Mr. D. Treagust
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