Act as if:

No matter what was in my pocket or how much my suit cost, nothing could stop me from acting as if my problems were being solved. Soon, my acting was so convincing that I began to believe it myself. I started to think futuristically, as if I had already passed the test and was weighing what would happen next.

Believe:

My mom, standing at the ironing board in the next room just behind me, said very clearly, as if she had been sitting next to me the whole time, "Son, if you want to, one day you could make a million dollars." The encounter with the driver of the red Ferrari showed me the way to discover my arena and learn how to apply myself. But it was my mother's earlier pronouncement that planted the belief in me that I could achieve any goal I set.

Mentors:

At the age of twenty-nine, I realized that I was extremely fortunate to have been mentored, either directly or indirectly, by extraordinary individuals who were true role models.

Lessons:

- Act as if. Discover your arena, find out how - through books and mentors.
- If you want to, one day you could make a million dollars. The could and the how.
- Military: "If there was anything that helped me survive the dehumanizing effect of incarceration, it was my time in the military."
- Focus: "It seemed that whenever an idea got into my head, I had an ability to focus on it exclusively."
- Thick skin.
- Discipline: "What I know is that you've got a lot of self-discipline."
- Books. Read to learn. Use mentors to accelerate learning.

From the heroic stories of struggle... The pursuit of happiness is the most important and enjoyable thing rather than attaining happiness itself.

We often find that in the journey of life, the efforts we make towards achieving happiness are what truly shape us and bring us a sense of fulfillment.

The process of striving involves facing challenges, learning from failures, and不断 growing and evolving.

It is during this pursuit that we discover our true potential and develop qualities such as perseverance, determination, and courage.

Moreover, the anticipation and hope that come with the pursuit of happiness add a special charm to our lives.

Even if we may not always immediately achieve the happiness we desire, the experience and growth we gain along the way are invaluable.

So, let us embrace the pursuit of happiness with enthusiasm and dedication, knowing that it is through this journey that we can truly experience the richness and beauty of life.

This book is truly remarkable. It has had such a profound impact on me that I now find myself always saying "thank you" in various situations. Whether it's when someone is helping me transfer my commuting fee to the jeepney driver, a service crew hands me my meal, or a customer service agent provides me with some directions. I vividly remember writing a series of reviews about this book on Friendster.

The story of going from rags to riches is truly inspiring. You can even watch the film adaptation starring Will Smith and his real-life son Jaden, although there are just a few changes to fit it into a 117-minute film. The experiences that Chris had as a boy were heart-wrenching. He lost an uncle who he regarded as a father-figure, endured beatings from an abusive step-father, was raped by a punk on the street, worked as a medic assistant in the navy, and finally became a father himself, which ultimately led him to become a stockbroker. The part about their homelessness in San Francisco was particularly moving, and I also learned some valuable lessons about business. I can sense the honesty in the author's words, which makes the story even more engaging and relatable.

This book is not just a story; it's a life lesson that teaches us the importance of perseverance, gratitude, and hard work. It shows us that no matter how difficult life may seem, there is always hope for a better future.

I was interested in reading this autobiography after watching the film years prior.

Just like the Will Smith portrayal, Chris Gardner had to confront the incredibly arduous challenges of homelessness, single parenthood, and attempting to break into a commission-based financial services job - all simultaneously!

However, what I wasn't ready for when delving into this book was the numerous other hardships that Chris endured from his childhood onwards. Gardner experienced abandonment, lived in foster homes, had a mother who was in and out of prison, suffered from poverty, and endured various forms of abuse while growing up in the ghetto.

His life could have easily spiraled into countless disastrous directions, and it almost did. But he managed to tenaciously hold onto the hope that several individuals along his path had instilled in him. His determination to overcome setbacks and achieve success is truly remarkable and inspiring.

Gardner also made his fair share of mistakes. Some of them, he admits, he regrets, while others he simply explains as what he desired to do. I would caution anyone who might be triggered by rather detailed descriptions of abuse, sexual promiscuity, or violence.

Finally, I believe he leaves a couple of significant questions unanswered. Although Gardner has associated with some influential individuals and has contributed in his own way to some praiseworthy causes, he doesn't provide any higher purpose for striving for success or for attempting to make the world a better place through his sphere of influence. The book delves deeply into what success and philanthropy mean to him personally, but fails to consider whether there is a higher calling for all of us.

This book was not what I expected.

When I started this book, I had two expectations. First, I thought it would be mostly the same story as in the movie, with just a few changes for cinematic effect. For example, no Rubik's cube, no night in the subway bathroom, and no showing up shirtless and covered in paint for the interview. Second, I was told that the book would show that Chris Gardner was not a good man, that he went to jail for domestic abuse against his wife, not unpaid parking tickets. I thought I would appreciate his motivation but dislike the man.

However, both expectations were mostly wrong. I was surprised to find that the movie only covers about 1/3 of the book's contents. The first half of the book is all about Chris Gardner's upbringing. It shows the horrors he endured, like the constant abuse he received and having to watch his mother get beaten regularly. It also shows him wanting to kill his step-dad, being raped by an older man, stealing and going to jail, and learning right from wrong from the stable women in his life. It gives a vivid picture of what life was like for a young black boy from a broken home in a bad neighborhood.

I was also very surprised to read about his first marriage. He married a successful woman from a wealthy family. Despite being raised in the poor part of town, Chris was a genius. He worked in a medical research lab and, without any college, was teaching medical students what to do. He planned to go to medical school but wasn't sure if it was worth it.

The story then gets to the part we know from the movie. After leaving his wife for another woman and openly describing his sexual interests and the trouble they got him into, his new girlfriend gets pregnant and they get married. A while later, he meets a stock broker and decides that's his destiny, but his wife laughs in his face.

Here's where I was really surprised. The timeline is very different from the movie. Chris has many interviews with brokerage firms but can rarely get a second interview due to his lack of formal education. He finally gets a second interview with Dean-Witter, but two weeks before, he argues with his wife in front of their house. He grabs her wrists, she struggles, and when he lets go, she falls into a rosebush and gets scratched. Thirty minutes later, the police come to his door asking about domestic battery. He's shocked. The cops run his ID, see the unpaid parking tickets, and take him to jail. He's never charged with battery but has to pay the tickets or serve 10 days in jail. He takes the 10 days. When he gets out, it's the day before his second Dean-Witter interview. He goes home to find everything gone - his wife, his belongings, and his son.

He has no business clothes, just what he was wearing when arrested - bell bottom blue jeans, a t-shirt, a windbreaker, and paint-speckled Adidas sneakers. So how does he pass the interview? He tells the interviewer everything except the jail part. He talks about his wife running off with their son and taking all his possessions. The interviewer, who's been married and divorced three times, says he can totally relate. He talks for 45 minutes about his own marital problems and, without really asking any questions, welcomes Chris Gardner to the internship. The first $1000 stipend will arrive after 30 days of work.

At this point, I thought, "WHAT!?" So he gets paid and his son isn't with him for the whole internship? That's not how the movie showed it. What about being homeless and sleeping in the subway bathroom with his son? Well, that happened 3 months later. Even though he was hired, he still made very little as he built his clientele. Then his wife showed up, dropped off their son, and left. Chris was still very poor and couldn't afford much. That's when they became homeless and had to sleep in the subway bathroom many nights. He had to rush to make it to the family shelter on time, and when they didn't, they slept somewhere else. It's really devastating.

The story is sad but also encouraging. It shows not only his first success as a stockbroker but how far he went - up to the time he met Nelson Mandela, bankrolled a $50 million inner city development for kids, and made well over $1 million per year. It's a great success story, and I really enjoyed it. I wish Chris Gardner well and hope I can learn from his experiences by reading about them instead of having to go through them myself. I'm not sure how I would have done it.

In the end, I judge books by the effect they have on me. When I finished this book, I reevaluated my life and thought, "I CAN DO ANYTHING!" Any book that leaves me with that feeling is definitely worth recommending.

This was truly one of the most remarkable books I've read in quite some time!

I was filled with a sense of sadness when I finally finished reading it. It has this wonderful ability to leave you with that warm and fuzzy feel good feeling, and the powerful notion that you can achieve absolutely anything you set your mind to, as long as you are willing to put in a little hard work and determination.

After reading the book, I decided to watch the movie. I have to admit that I really love Will Smith's performance in it. However, I couldn't help but feel that the movie only managed to highlight a mere fraction, perhaps only 1/10, of the rich and detailed novel. It really holds true to the old adage: The book is always better than the movie. The book allows you to fully immerse yourself in the story, to understand the characters on a deeper level, and to experience all the emotions and nuances that the movie simply can't capture.

I am truly glad to have read this book. It has been an eye-opening experience that has left a profound impact on me.

The author's vision, discipline, and determination are truly remarkable and have served as an inspiration. I find myself wishing that I could possess even small bits of these qualities.

This memoir is not just a story; it is a source of motivation and a guide for personal growth. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for inspiration and a deeper understanding of what it takes to achieve one's goals.

Whether you are facing challenges in your career, relationships, or personal life, this book has something to offer. It will encourage you to believe in yourself, stay focused, and persevere through difficult times.

So, don't hesitate to pick up this memoir and embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. You won't be disappointed!

The movie was truly great. It managed to captivate the audience and leave a lasting impression. However, I must admit that I did not enjoy the book as much.

Kudos should definitely go to the screenwriter for taking what was perhaps a flawed source material in the book and polishing it into a real gem. They did an excellent job of cleansing the filth that was present in the book.

Christ Gardner's story of his efforts to raise his son and succeed in the face of so many obstacles is truly wonderful. It is an inspiration to all who hear it. I applaud him for his unwavering determination and hard work.

However, one aspect of the book that I could have done without was the excessive details about his sex life. It just wasn't something that I needed or wanted to read about. It was simply not my cup of tea.

Overall, while the movie was a great success, the book had its flaws that prevented me from fully enjoying it.

Like Dr. Ben Carson's, this was a remarkable rags to riches success story of an African - American man.

However, unlike Dr. Carson, this particular story was driven by a sense of swagger rather than the sweet humility that Dr. Carson is known for.

Once one manages to look beyond the brash, and at times even crude, language that Mr. Gardner uses, and also abandons the idea that he will have a repentant heart regarding his sexual promiscuousness, there is, in fact, a humble heart that can be discerned.

This is truly Mr. Gardner's greatest strength. He has an open and willing attitude, eager to learn how to be the best from everyone he encounters.

He doesn't let his flaws overshadow his ability to grow and improve. Instead, he uses every opportunity as a learning experience, constantly striving to better himself and achieve greater success.

His story serves as an inspiration, showing that even with a rough exterior and a checkered past, one can still find success and make a positive impact in the world.

This book took me a little over 5 years to read. I started reading it at a very good pace. Then, it got to the part where he was going to be homeless - well, we all saw the movie - and I preferred not to continue reading. I didn't feel like reading that at that moment in my life.

Now, as I'm clearing up some pending things, I saw the abandoned book on the bookshelf and picked it up again. It took me 2 days to read the almost 120 pages that I had left, which shows that it is quite fluid and simple to read.

The story is already well-known, but there are quite substantial differences with the movie - there may be some possible spoilers of the real story here -:

Chris was very intelligent, very dedicated to his son, and a very, very bad partner. He had to leave his wife to go live with his pregnant girlfriend. He even ended up in jail on some occasions due to domestic violence. And well, he wasn't the most faithful man in the city.

The mother of his son initially took the child away and after several months of raising him, she left him with his father. She never disappeared from the family scene. She simply had her own problems and saw the child whenever she could.

Chris did end up sleeping in his office under the desk, on the street - in parks - with his son, who was around 20 months old and not 4-5 years old as in the movie. And several times they were able to eat because prostitutes gave Chris Jr. a "Sunday" of 5 USD when they went to their motel, which was where the girls "worked". That's how bad things were for them.

His economic growth wasn't sudden. After being admitted as a stockbroker, he still had his months of hard times while developing his client directory.

If there's one thing that's clear to me, it's that his persistence and dedication to his goal are incredible, as is his love as a father. And that he is definitely a human being with a lot of flaws who is very far from the rosy image that the movie sells us.

Chris Gardner's 'The Pursuit of Happyness' is truly an extraordinary book.

It defies the norms of a typical feel-good story. Instead, it presents a brutally honest account, using raw and unfiltered language.

The movie adaptation, starring Will Smith, only scratches the surface of what the book has to offer.

After reading the book, it becomes evident that the movie was tailored to meet the expectations of a mainstream audience.

The book, on the other hand, delves deep into the dark and painful past of Chris Gardner.

He openly shares the abuse he endured from his stepfather, the trauma of being raped by a neighbor, his struggles with lust and sexuality, and the mistakes he made in life.

One might wonder why a public figure would choose to reveal such personal and potentially damaging information.

But in doing so, Gardner earns our love and respect for his courage and honesty.

He shows us that he is human, with all the flaws and imperfections that come with it.

Despite the strong language and graphic content, the book传达了一个清晰的信息:生活并不完美，我们也不是完美的。

However, in the end, we must find what makes us happy and hold onto it.

Overall, 'The Pursuit of Happyness' is a beautiful, honest, brutal, and captivating book that showcases the incredible power and resilience of one man.

I highly recommend it and rate it an 8+ out of 10. It is a must-read for anyone looking for an inspiring and thought-provoking story.

This book is the autobiography of a person.

He has the courage to face life from childhood to his thirties.

However, he is always striving to improve his own life, the lives of his children, and the lives of other people.

Throughout his life, he has encountered many difficulties and challenges, but he has never given up.

He has always believed that as long as he works hard and perseveres, he will be able to achieve his goals.

This book not only records his personal growth experience, but also reflects the social reality and people's living conditions of that era.

It is a valuable literary work that can inspire people to face life bravely and pursue their dreams.