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This I Believe II: More Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women | 
 enlarge | Authors: Jay Allison, Dan Gediman
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Category: Book
List Price: $23.00
Buy New: $13.80
You Save: $9.20 (40%)
New (43) Used (11) from $11.32
Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 2773
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
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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 12 more reviews...
 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.
Inspirational but overwhelming November 20, 2008
I am a solid fan of NPR radio (they are associated with the production of this compilation), and for years I've enjoyed hearing the 3-4 minute spots similar to the essays in these CDs, as part of their daily programming. So I thought I would enjoy these CDs, but I found that too much of a good thing is indeed too much. The essays are basically back-to-back with a short introduction to the next speaker in between, and this creates run-on that can be mind-numbing after a while.
Whereas the essays are certainly inspiring and interesting, I believe that a slightly longer and more definite break between each would be a better format. This would allow the listener to more fully absorb what was just heard without the editor's next intro and the following speaker interrupting that process. Maybe more music cues? Also somewhat confusing was when the editor commented on the previous speaker, and then went right into the intro for the next speaker -- there was a lag a few times for me in knowing which speaker he was talking about.
I gave the compilation 4 stars simply because of the format -- I would give the content a strong 5 stars.
Infuriating, Moving, Inspiring and Annoying - Almost Always Surprising November 19, 2008
This I Believe has a simple premise: put down your fundamental belief in 500 words or less. Inspired the 1950s radio series by Edward R. Murrow, Jay Allsion & Dan Gediman have created a collection of belief statements from a wildly diverse group of people.
The people who might catch your attention are the celebrities, the famous writers and world leaders. But don't you already have an idea what those people believe? You may be surprised, but the famous essays on this collection are usually continuations of the beliefs that these well-known people are know for in the first place.
The real gems are the ones from unknown people. People who work anonymous jobs, who lead unremarkable lives. These essays show the extraordinary variety and depth of the human experience, covering all sorts of topics.
As a testament to the diversity of these essays, I was enraged as much as I was touched. I'm not sure what that says about my own beliefs, but some of the essays in this collection drove me insane with their inanity. Others moved me nearly to tears with their humanity.
But that's kind of the point, isn't it? Not everyone believes the same thing, and a huge amount of the conflict and tragedy in the world comes from our lack of understanding other people's beliefs. Sure, I'm not going to adopt them as my own. I may even consider someone stupid for believing something. But, most of the time, I can respect their passion, even if I do not share it.
The one suggestion that I would give to people who are considering writing their own beliefs for the This I Believe website: don't give us an autobiography. This is about your beliefs, not your experiences. You only have 500 words, don't waste them talking about what you've done instead of what you believe.
Best Taken in Small Doses November 10, 2008
I have enjoyed listening to the series, "This I Believe" by NPR for several years now. I have always found it very interesting and thought provoking, so I was very excited to receive the CD compilation of essays.
Although very enjoyable, I quickly realized that this was a difficult format. After a very long and unnecessary introduction, (anyone who would buy the CD would already be familiar with the series) the essays come in rapid fire succession. There is no time to absorb what one person says before the next essay comes. You must be quick to stop the CD player if you want time to mull over what you just heard. I think that is why the radio series is so enjoyable. You have plenty of time to think about and absorb what the person has said.
Having said that, the quality and content of the recordings are obviously good as expected. It's just best taken in "small doses".
Also, you can visit the website, /www.thisibelieve.org/ and read many other essays, or write your own and submit it!
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