46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Author Gets a 5, The Publisher Gets a 1, 1 Nov 1999
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: When All You'Ve Ever Wanted Isn't Enough (Paperback)
The author takes you on a journey with Ecclesiastes to try to find the meaning of life. I will not spoil the outcome for you, but it is an outcome that many people who are monotheistic, agnostic or atheist eventually discover as did Ecclesiastes. The answer is applicable for any generation.
Although written by a Rabbi, the wisdom in this book is applicable to anyone of any belief. Although I don't believe that this is Kushner's most popular book, it just might be his best. He actually ends up answering several questions rather than just THE ONE - this is exceptional work.
As well written as the book was, the quality of the printed book was awful. It looked like the printer was short on ink and many pages (not just 2 or 3) were tough to read primarily at the edges. Since I generally rate a book based upon the author's work, I will give it five stars and hope that the poor quality print of the book I had is an isolated incident.
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the voice we need..., 25 Jun 2002
By M. Nichols - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: When All You'Ve Ever Wanted Isn't Enough (Paperback)
I have read and enjoyed all of Rabbi Kushner's books, and everytime I read a new one I'm sorry that voices like Kushner aren't the ones we hear blared through tv and radio. Why do the Jerry Falwells and Laura Schlessingers get a bigger audience than Kushner, who has a gentle and humanistic approach to spiritual matters? Is it because, as he says in this book, a life of value has nothing to do with fame or money, and knowing this, he doesn't have the desire to be a celebrity pundit? I wonder.
As with all of his books, "When All You're Ever" is gracefully written and brief, and thus hard to put down (I read it over a Sunday afternoon and evening.) Despite its brevity, it touches on many relevant themes, from ennui to materialism to biblical relevance in modern lives. He frames these discussions around the story of Ecclesiastes, which has always been one of my favorite books of the bible. Until I read Kushner's perspective, I didn't realize why. Unlike so many books of the bible, Ecclesiastes is written by someone who lacks purpose in life, and comes to appreciate the small pleasures. It lacks much of the fire and brimstone of other parts of the OT, and therefore has more to say to the modern reader than the more archaic (and spiritually immature) sections.
All of Kushner's books are wonderful. Read them!
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beyond any self-help book, 23 July 2000
By Kerri Eads - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: When All You'Ve Ever Wanted Isn't Enough (Paperback)
I wish everyone would read this book and the world would be a much better place! This book is so inspiring for the person with a negative outlook on life. I read this book and wanted to invest more time in bettering my relations with people who are important in my life, and it gave me a different outlook on the importance and the impact I can make on other peoples lives. To give more of myself in relations with everyone. It is so well written, I think Harold Kushner has a gift from God that he is sharing all his insight with us. Everything he says, is beneficial to anyones belief. Very, very inspiring I am buying it for all my friends and family to read.