Chicken Soup for the Soul Live! Volume 1: Love

In this live performance, inspirational speakers Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, coauthors of the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul book series, read enlightening anecdotes and case studies from their bestselling works. The life-affirming stories all have in common the theme of learning to love one's self, which opens up the possibility of spreading love to others. The individual tales include “One at a Time,” which reminds us that one purposeful person can make a big difference when it's least expected; “The Golden Buddha,” another example of the beauty that lies within each person; and “Puppies for Sale,” a heartwarming lesson on caring, revolving around a little boy. Interspersed among the anecdotes are short homilies aimed at boosting self-esteem and sharing love with friends, family, and even strangers. For many, Canfield and Hansen will come across as almost shamelessly manipulative, offering advice that seems a bit too facile to have much value, but only a dyed-in-the-wool cynic will be unable to glean something useful from this positive, upbeat program. Other titles in the series include Parenting, Living Your Dreams, and Eclectic Wisdom. Sure to be popular, this is a strong optional purchase. [Note: Ventura Entertainment also has a similar three-volume series dating from 1999, priced at $14.98 each: Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspirational Stories.] Aud: P. (E. Hulse)