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The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
16 posts | 12 read | 14 to read
The astounding yet true rags-to-riches saga of a homeless father who raised and cared for his son on the mean streets of San Francisco and went on to become a crown prince of Wall Street At the age of twenty, Milwaukee native Chris Gardner, just out of the Navy, arrived in San Francisco to pursue a promising career in medicine. Considered a prodigy in scientific research, he surprised everyone and himself by setting his sights on the competitive world of high finance. Yet no sooner had he landed an entry-level position at a prestigious firm than Gardner found himself caught in a web of incredibly challenging circumstances that left him as part of the city's working homeless and with a toddler son. Motivated by the promise he made to himself as a fatherless child to never abandon his own children, the two spent almost a year moving among shelters, "HO-tels," soup lines, and even sleeping in the public restroom of a subway station. Never giving in to despair, Gardner made an astonishing transformation from being part of the city's invisible poor to being a powerful player in its financial district. More than a memoir of Gardner's financial success, this is the story of a man who breaks his own family's cycle of men abandoning their children. Mythic, triumphant, and unstintingly honest, The Pursuit of Happyness conjures heroes like Horatio Alger and Antwone Fisher, and appeals to the very essence of the American Dream.
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review
Cinfhen
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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Pickpick

Wow! What an amazing story of success and humility. Chris Gardner who grew up under dire circumstances with a loving mother but without his biological father, vows when he becomes a parent he will never abandon his children. What follows is his unbelievable journey from homelessness to incredible wealth without ever compromising his integrity. An emotionally powerful story. Extra points for sultry voiced narration.

Centique Have you seen the movie? I haven‘t read the book but the movie was beautiful 😍 5y
Centique And now I see the many other people who‘ve talked to you about the movie! Sorry for being a bit slow 😂 5y
Crazeedi Great review! Sounds awesome, you're definitely reading a lot! Good for you 💖 5y
Cinfhen I‘m benefiting from my audiobooks @Crazeedi 🥰and I‘m looking forward to watching the movie @Centique ☺️ 5y
90 likes4 comments
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Cinfhen
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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I‘m loving this book!! It had a bit of a rough patch but now I‘m hooked...this memoir was recommended to me by my son and he totally nailed it!!! Chris Gardner is a rock star 🙌🏻His determination and diligence are inspirational. Can‘t wait to watch the movie after I finish the audio🍿 #Hoopla

TrishB This does sound good 👍🏻 5y
erzascarletbookgasm I‘ve not read it but I‘ve watched the film (Will Smith) 3 times, each time I cried buckets at certain scenes! 5y
Cinfhen My son told me he ugly cried too @erzascarletbookgasm It‘s a good one @TrishB I had bought the Kindle version on a recent deal but I‘m loving the audio much more ❤️ 5y
72 likes3 comments
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Cinfhen
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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My son has been encouraging me to read/listen to this book, it‘s a personal favorite of his ...#AudioBaking so far it‘s great 🎧it‘s sad but not as difficult to listen to as the Maya Angelou memoir

MicheleinPhilly Have you seen the film? It‘s my favorite Will Smith performance. 😭😭😭 5y
Cinfhen No but I promised my son I‘d watch the film after the book @MicheleinPhilly the memoir is not really a #TearJerker yet 🤷🏼‍♀️ I mean his childhood was total shite but not tear inducing 5y
Cinfhen Ok, the tears have sprung @MicheleinPhilly 😭😭😭 5y
71 likes3 comments
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Cinfhen
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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My son has been telling me to read this book for ages... it‘s a #KindleDailyDeal today ❤️I took that as a sign #BoxingDay

TrishB Lots of great deals on kindle U.K. today. 5y
MicheleinPhilly Just woke up. Will look at BOTH sites. 😉 @TrishB @Cinfhen 5y
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TrishB @MicheleinPhilly that‘s the spirit 😁👍🏻 5y
MicheleinPhilly @TrishB Did some serious damage. 5y
Lmstraubie The movie was very well done (although I didn't read the book - didn't realize there was a book until now 😖) 5y
erzascarletbookgasm I loved and cried so much watching the movie! 5y
TrishB @MicheleinPhilly but you can keep it quiet on your kindle! 😁 5y
Cinfhen Yes, distribute the wealth @MicheleinPhilly 💕💕💕 5y
Cinfhen My son said to watch movie AFTER I read the book @erzascarletbookgasm @Lmstraubie 5y
Cinfhen Hi Lisa 😘😘😘 @Lmstraubie 5y
Cinfhen Best part about owning a Kindle #InvisibilityShield @TrishB @MicheleinPhilly 🤫😉 5y
Lmstraubie @Cinfhen Hi Cindy 👋 😘 5y
91 likes13 comments
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MrBook
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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Replenishment for my #HighSchool & #College Lit Display! 😁 I‘ve already had to add 8 titles over a few days, and a patron borrowed 3 more off the college list that isn‘t on the display. I picked a good theme ☺️!

Have you read any of these?!

#LitsyLovesLibraries #MrBooksDisplays

Zelma Things Fall Apart in high school and My Antonia on my own. I love Willa Cather. ❤️ 5y
Lindy @Zelma I've read the same two as you have, both on my own. Another Cather fan here. 5y
Zelma @Lindy My Antonia is perfection. 5y
BookNAround Things Fall Apart and My Antonia were both fabulous. I read Walden in high school and it bored me silly but then again, so did all the transcendentalists. 5y
72 likes4 comments
review
Clutterbucks_Queen
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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Pickpick

#Top6Reads
So far in 2019 these have been my top reads! Definitely 100% rate The girl with all the gifts as a top read! 💯👌

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Clutterbucks_Queen
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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'Yet in spite of this abject poverty, there is a sense of hope everywhere i go'

I very much admire Chris Gardner 🙏

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Clutterbucks_Queen
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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'More important, it was about creating a plan to provide for them in the future so we didnt have to live paycheck to paycheck'

Never thought i would experience what this feels like but I'm currently going through this myself right now and it's so difficult to not give up trying.

review
Clutterbucks_Queen
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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Pickpick

An absolutely beautiful real life story!
It's been fantastic reading about the life before, during and after Chris Gardners homelessness in the film featuring Will Smith.
I have a whole lot of new found love for this man that i didn't have before! What an inspirational person to follow in times of poverty and struggle!
Reading this definitely gave me hope for my little world and family. ❤️

brit91 I have to read this I loved the movie so much!! 5y
Clutterbucks_Queen It's lovely! Definitely worth the wait from the library! I think i may read it again infact! 😍 5y
2 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Booksnchill
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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Littens - for “reasons” I am about to need distracting happy books to read or TV or movies to watch. What are your “go to” recommendations? Whiskey and I thank you in advance!❤️

Redwritinghood I always like the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fford when I need a distraction. They are especially good on audiobook. 6y
Shvonne Penelope and Stardust are cute movies. After scrolling through my goodreads page I realize, I don‘t read happy books. 6y
CallMeIshmael Thursday next yes!! Also big trouble by Dave Barry is the funniest book ever 6y
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Booksnchill @Redwritinghood I second that- have listened to all of Jasper Fford on audio- good rec! 6y
Booksnchill @CallMeIshmael i will try Big Trouble 6y
Booksnchill @Shvonne haven‘t seen either so they are now on the list! 6y
BookwormAHN The Princess Bride book or movie 🌻 6y
BookwormM What about Terry Pratchett for a humorous read and Mamma Mia ad a feel good movie 6y
Booksnchill Where would you start with Pratchett? Mamma Mia great pick! @BookwormM (edited) 6y
62 likes10 comments
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LtDaaan_ICECREAM
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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Going to our favorite place for a morning date- Barnes N Nobles! Gonna see what titles call our names....
He never used to read before we got together & six years later he has turned into an even bigger book worm than me 😏💕💋

Rebesta This is where my hubby takes me whenever I‘m in a sour mood or feel neglected. A caramel macchiato and a book is better than flowers any day of the week! 6y
LtDaaan_ICECREAM @Rebesta he sounds like a good man to me! Haha ☺ & I absolutely agree- books are better than a lot of gifts he could give. My favorite thing he does is when he goes to my book list & will buy the titles off of there to surprise me. 6y
Rebesta @LtDaaan_ICECREAM - I've never thought to give him a list. What a wonderful idea! 6y
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LtDaaan_ICECREAM @Rebesta he actually took it upon himself to find my pinterest board & for a while I was like really impressed he had such a good memory for book titles haha & then he came clean. Still sweet though. 😊📚🤓💕 6y
Rebesta @LtDaaan_ICECREAM - Yours sounds like a keeper! ❤️❤️ 6y
RadicalReader @LtDaaan_ICECREAM nothing better than book binging happens to me when I use Libby and inevitably I indulge in adding endless books that I just HAVE TO READ 6y
13 likes1 stack add6 comments
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KirstieE
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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Excuse my #LitsySelfie but I'm just having a really good day. I've tried some new makeup , I've done some reading and I've found out I've lost 5kg ✨✨

You need to appreciate the little things in life to get through all the bad, and y'all remind me of that everyday 💕

wanderinglynn Love your makeup! Looks fantastic. 🙌🏻 6y
JoScho Get it girl! 6y
sprainedbrain 😍😍😍 6y
51 likes4 comments
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Matilda
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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🔔📚🔔 because of the oscars tonight amazon is having an 80% off sale on ebooks that were adapted to films. Lots of good ones you might want to check out: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=sr_vs_grid?rh=n%3A7533915011&ie=UTF8&qid=1488...

(I didn't check if any other stores are having the same sale)

ErinC Thanks for the tip! I got Z so I can fulfill part of my #litsyreadingchallenge! 8y
Aurora0044 Thank you! 8y
42 likes2 comments
blurb
Sarahr875
The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner
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This book has one of my all time favorite quotes but of course it's longer than 451 characters. Maybe I'll break it up in the comments. #somethingforsept #septemberphotochallenge #pocauthors

Sarahr875 "Others may question your credentials, your papers, your degrees. Others may look for all kinds of ways to diminish your worth. But what is inside you no one can take from you or tarnish. This is your worth, who you really are, your degree that can go with you wherever you go, 8y
Sarahr875 that you bring with you the moment you come into a room, that can't be manipulated or shaken. Without that sense of self, no amount of paper, no pedigree, and no credentials can make you legit. No matter what, you have to feel legit inside first." 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I saw him speak several years ago. He was fantastic! 8y
Sarahr875 @BarbaraTheBibliophage I bet that was a great experience! 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Sarahr875 He was compelling! 8y
12 likes3 stack adds5 comments