Have a Little Faith: The Story of a Last Request

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Have a Little Faith: The Story of a Last Request

by Mitch Albom (Goodreads Author)

4.13 of 5 stars 4.13 · rating details · 31,211 ratings · 2,871 reviews

"A masterpiece." --Publishers Weekly

"In the beginning there was a question. Will you do my eulogy?'
As is often the case with faith, I thought I was being asked a favor.
In truth, I was being given one..."

"An absolute wonder tender, transporting, and deeply moving."--Scott Turow, author of Presumed Innocent

"The nonfiction equivalent to Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist." --Sydney...more

Hardcover, 249 pages

Published September 22nd 2009 by Hyperion (first published 2009)

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Feb 23, 2010 Harun Harahap rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: punya, fiksi, terjemahan

Pernahkan Anda mengenal orang yang punya keyakinan (yang kuat ataupun tidak)?Apakah anda berlari menjauhinya?

Saya pernah , begitu juga dengan Mitch Albom. Rasa jengah kerap muncul saat berdekatan orang-orang saleh (bahkan dalam kasus saya adalah orang tua saya sendiri) tersebut. Rasa takutkah itu? atau rasa malu?? Tetapi takut atau malu dari apa? Namun, yang pasti saya merasa menjadi ‘salah’ dan ‘kecil’ di antara mereka hingga takut diri saya sendiri akan lenyap.

Mitch Albom berhenti berlari da...more Pernahkan Anda mengenal orang yang punya keyakinan (yang kuat ataupun tidak)?Apakah anda berlari menjauhinya?

Saya pernah , begitu juga dengan Mitch Albom. Rasa jengah kerap muncul saat berdekatan orang-orang saleh (bahkan dalam kasus saya adalah orang tua saya sendiri) tersebut. Rasa takutkah itu? atau rasa malu?? Tetapi takut atau malu dari apa? Namun, yang pasti saya merasa menjadi ‘salah’ dan ‘kecil’ di antara mereka hingga takut diri saya sendiri akan lenyap.

Mitch Albom berhenti berlari dan mencoba untuk masuk lebih jauh ke dalam kehidupan Rabinya yaitu Albert Lewis yang sering dia panggil Reb. Reb, menurut Mitch, adalah seorang Manusia pilihan Tuhan. Di tiap nafas, kata dan laku selalu pekat dengan aura reliji. Dialog keduanya memberikan saya pencerahan dari arti sebuah kehidupan dan kematian hingga konsep mengenai Tuhan.

Bagi Reb, kehidupan seseorang merupakan bagian dari kehidupan orang lain. Entah menjadi bagian yang terang ataupun gelap. Bagi saya kehidupan akan ada saat kita benar-benar hidup. Hidup tidak hanya untuk diri sendiri tapi untuk orang lain. Namun sayang, seiring bertambahnya tahun, individualisme pun semakin menguat. Kita hidup sendiri-sendiri dan tidak mempedulikan orang lain, bahkan ‘tidak ingin masuk ke wilayah pribadi seseorang’ pun diajadijkan alasan kuat untuk itu. Mungkin saja kata empati dan simpati sudah tidak akan pernah digunakan lagi di kemudian hari.

Hidup ini saya tujukan untuk Tuhan. Betapa baiknya Dia memberikan kita kesempatan untuk mengaktualisasikan diri. Tuhan juga memberikan kita kesempatan berkali-kali untuk memperbaiki kesalahan. Seperti kisah Pastor Henry di dalam buku ini yang telah melanggar seluruh 10 Perintah Allah tetapi Tuhan memberikan kesempatan untuknya berulang kali hingga akhirnya ia mencapai pertobatan. Bisakah saya mencapai pertobatan juga??

Jangan pernah membandingkan apa yang kita berikan dengan apa yang Tuhan berikan. Akan sangat jauh perbedaannya bagaikan setetes air di lautan samudra. Tuhan membiarkan kita bebas memilih jalan kehidupan, walalupun sayangnya jalan yang kita pilih salah. Lalu setelah itu kita biarkan diri kita mencaci Tuhan atas keburukan yang terjadi pada diri kita, dan Dia pun membalasnya dengan memberikan Kasih Sayang nya dengan memberikan kesempatan untuk memperbaiki hidup kita.

Saya pernah mengalami depresi karena beberapa masalah yang dating bertubi-tubi dalam jangaka waktu yang bersamaan. Segala macam obat antidepresan telah saya konsumsi. Tapi obat itu hanya menyembuhkan saya sementara dengan membuat saya cepat tertidur. Setelah terbangun, masalahnya pun tetap ada. Dan ketika saya mencoba untuk ‘terbuka’ dengan Tuhan, disitulah saya bisa melepas segala kegundahan hati. Sudah pantaslah saya terus bersyukur atas itu semua.

Banyak orang yang mencoba untuk membuktikan bahwa Tuhan itu tidak ada. Tuhan adalah sebuah hal yang konyol yang telah dibantah dengan berbagai kemajuan yang telah dicapai manusia. Namun seperti yang diucapkan Reb, “…seberapaun hebat hidup itu , hidup tetap akan berakhir. Bila kau sudah sampai di akhir, di situlah Tuhan pun mulai.” Akhir hidup banyak dikenal sebagai sebuah Kematian. Namun,bagi banyak orang pula Kematian merupakan awal kehidupan yang baru.

Mitch Albom dan Reb adalah Yahudi, Pastor Henry adalah Kristiani, sedangkan Saya adalah Muslim. Kita berbeda agama, namun kita mempunyai KEYAKINAN yang sama dalam memandang Tuhan. Kami yakin dan percaya bahwa Tuhan begitu baik kepada kami dibuktikan dengan curahan kasih sayangnya yang berlimpah.
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Aug 04, 2011 Shantelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

"In the beginning, there was a question.
"In the end, the question gets answered." - Mitch Albom

I just finished reading Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom. I'm not sure why I picked up this novel to read. Perhaps I was bored and needed something to do, perhaps I was looking for something to feel a void; or perhaps, just perhaps, I needed a little bit of faith.

Have a Little Faith is an amazing story about a Rabbi, a Christian Minister, and a man with very little faith. This book will take you thro...more

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Jun 10, 2011 Beatrice Masalunga rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: borrowed

In this book, Two people are involved (not including Mitch Albom), Mr. Albert Lewis- or "The Reb" as he called who is a Pastor, and requests Mitch to do his Eulogy when the time he will leave this world, and Henry Covington, who is a criminal and drug addict, he lost his faith that's why he is doing such bad acts until the time that he need God's Help and became a Pastor after realizing his sins. Also a little story from Cass who is homeless.

It's my first time to read a Non-Fiction book, but I...more

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Jan 22, 2012 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I assumed this would be a typical Mitch Albom book, sentimental with "profound" life advice. I feel like it's un-American not to read these short best selling books about finding what ever it is he is selling. I was correct. But I had forgotten how his simple story telling can get to your soul; the real reason these books are so successful. This one doesn’t disappoint. To me it was much less about the two men he learns from and more about his insight into himself. Maybe it’s because we are so cl...more

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Jan 03, 2010 dokie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

kayak baca Tuesdays with Morrie An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson lagi. banyak menggurui. seperti 'tuesdays with morrie', dari cerita kehidupan mereka, kita diajarkan bagaimana bersikap, bagaimana memandang agama dan kepercayaan, sendiri maupun orang lain.

Sinopsisnya banyak disebut tentang kasih eulogy, yang berarti mengenai si Albert, sang Rabi. tapi ternyata di buku itu ada 2 orang yang diceritakan. Albert dan Henry.

susah ngebayangin kalau ada orang yang sebaik Albert, se-'se...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Mark John rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, non-fiction

One of my favorite lines from this book is “No matter which road you decide to take on your life's journey, just make sure God is an intimate part of it”. God gave us the will to choose whether to be good or to be bad, he proved how good He is. Becoming good or bad is always a choice but what we need to remember is God is always there to accept who we are, even though we made sins and troubles from our past, we’re not perfect we all know that and God also know that. Like what is being introduced...more One of my favorite lines from this book is “No matter which road you decide to take on your life's journey, just make sure God is an intimate part of it”. God gave us the will to choose whether to be good or to be bad, he proved how good He is. Becoming good or bad is always a choice but what we need to remember is God is always there to accept who we are, even though we made sins and troubles from our past, we’re not perfect we all know that and God also know that. Like what is being introduced from the story, Henry Covington a man of God when he was a child, but because of too many circumstances he faced from his childhood, his path went wrong. His mother got jailed when he was 9 years old for shooting his father’s leg, his father died from suffering severe illness, he has too many siblings, he also got jailed when he was 19 for a crime he did not commit, and he saw the worst side of life, because of all those factors he easily learned how to use cigarettes, how to drink alcohol, and the worst thing was he learned how to sell drugs and how to use it. Henry’s past was very stupid to him but after a single night when his life was in danger he requested God to save him and he promised that he will start to change and start a new life. After that night, he started a new chapter of his life, he changed his path and he put God above all, he became a pastor on a church with hole on its roof and he served for his homeless brothers and sisters by giving them home. “God is good all the time” and this book proved that line is true. God accepted Henry despite of all the bad things he made from his past. God don’t judge us based from our past he looks from where we stand now. I hope that people will also do the same thing as what God did, we should not judge others from what they did from their past because God made the word “CHANGE” for us. Remember that there are no permanent things in this world but change; there is always space for us to change for the better.(less)

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Mar 02, 2011 Sheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

One word - Amazing!

I'm really glad I chose to get the book. It was a very insightful and thought provoking read for me. Many parts of the book moved me to tears, and I loved the sermons. I could relate them with everyday life! I don't believe in any religion, so I started reading with a little trepidation, afraid it would start talking about converting etc. But boy was I wrong! This book is about faith, not just any specific religion.. but believing in something bigger than yourself. It'll make...more

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Jun 16, 2013 Zach rated it 4 of 5 stars

Yes, it’s a Mitch Albom narrative novel. Yes, it’s a feel good tale by a sports columnist who has become so, so prolific, weaving his message into the consciousness of similar-minded mid-life people who have picked up his hand sized books. Whether it’s Tuesdays with Morrie, the 5 people you meet in Heaven, or any of his other books, you’re bound to feel better just a little more wonderment. It’s astounding to me that only one of the books got made into a movie, so far, and a TV movie at that. Ma...more Yes, it’s a Mitch Albom narrative novel. Yes, it’s a feel good tale by a sports columnist who has become so, so prolific, weaving his message into the consciousness of similar-minded mid-life people who have picked up his hand sized books. Whether it’s Tuesdays with Morrie, the 5 people you meet in Heaven, or any of his other books, you’re bound to feel better just a little more wonderment. It’s astounding to me that only one of the books got made into a movie, so far, and a TV movie at that. Maybe the tales are set adrift by the lack of special effects needed.
Really though, you’ve got to give a great deal of credit to Mitch Albom. He’s written this series of spiritual books, but always from the vantage point of someone else. He doesn’t wave the banner of a particular church or even a particular faith. Instead, he describes himself as a person of meandering faith. When you see him on TV, he’s not hanging out with ministers, rabbis or priests on Sunday mornings. Where will you find him on Sunday mornings? He’s hanging out with the seediest group of lowlifes you’d want to see – The Sports Reporters on ESPN.
Some would say that Mitch’s books aren’t realistic enough or too cotton candy. Not this one. Despite being ostensibly the story of two ministers, Mitch really does distrust one of the gents in the first half of Have A Little Faith. Pastor Henry Covington has dealt drugs for the majority of his life. Pastor Henry has lied in the past about his recovery. But once setting foot in the church with The Hole In The Roof (work in whatever metaphor you like here), he realizes that the ministry he serves is deeper than the single man he is interviewing throughout this narrative. As an author, he recognizes his influences and has gone on to set up a fund for Pastor Henry and hundreds just like him.
But the sweet old man who shines the brightest is the heart of the story, Mitch’s Rabbi from his childhood who asks Mitch to prepare the Rabbi’s eulogy for him. Rabbi Albert Lewis was like a superhero to Mitch and his childhood pals: the Rock, the Hulk or the Reb as he came to be known. Throughout the book we find the series of questions and answers that made Tuesdays With Morrie so enjoyable. The Reb has wisdom from all angles. The chapter on 2nd death was most startling to me. When the two of them probe what the fear of death is really pointing towards, the Reb gradually leans toward the death of the memory of the person being the most fear worthy. What is it like to be forgotten as 99.99 % of people will be? How soon before no one even knew you were here? It isn’t a wish for greatness, as the Reb is clearly not about himself, but a wish to have made some difference. A death whose underlying life had no meaning is the saddest death of all.
How does one rationalize our lives in the light of 2nd death? The Reb is a Rabbi after all, so the answers are folk tales along the lines of Fiddler on the Roof. It starts with tradition, the practices of our faith, an element of life that truly is passed down from generation to generation. He believed in community and the respect within a commuity, the kind of community where a neighbor could correct a little boy who was bullying another youngster and where the bully knew this neighbor was as good as his Aunt… or his own Mom. He knew of a marriage, not based on ideal compatibility, but seasoned with many arguments, tough choices, sacrifices, the kind that produce love beyond ideal conditions.
I would hear such wisdom growing up and it was nice to have a book that recaptures this. It’s almost from the Old World, well, the old ways of the New World when a generation was once removed from coming over on a boat and had a gratitude for just being here. A refreshing read, a good reset from our life of first world problems- a web page updating too slow or not getting a password right the first time. Inspirational without being dreamy, wistful without being sentimental, Mitch Albom’s words are a gift to all.
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May 18, 2013 Oriyah Nitkin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-things-jewish, jewish-culture, non-fiction, spirituality, books-i-own

Like Mitch Albom's other books, this one was an enjoyable easy read. It was, also like his other books, inspirational without being obligating. That is, it spoke well of people who lived their life(s) in an admirable way without a specific call to action or a nudge towards working to emulate this clearly desirable behavior.

I think therein lies his success (financially) and his failing (morally.) Certainly he'd have fewer readers if he included something about incorporating this inspirational pe...more

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May 01, 2013 Villate rated it 2 of 5 stars

Meh. Facile and cutesy, like his other work. There were a couple of touching moments, but the whole thing was pretty stock feel-good stuff that was easy to see coming. I would have preferred to hear more about the congregants - Cass seemed to have a much more interesting story to tell than either The Reb or Rebbie Reb. The wise, kindly old rabbi and the reformed thug preacher are such trite stereotypes - even the stories from the sermons were clichés. Seriously, who hasn't seen the "You're not l...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Francis Gahren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, christian

Albom’s first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have A Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.

Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor – a reformed drug dealer and convict – who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Maan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: inspirational

Book #3 for 2013: Another one from the library (borrowed last year). I've been a fan of Mitch Albom since Tuesdays with Morrie. I find his works insightful.

Have a Little Faith is all about a Rabbi and a Pastor. People might think that since this book delves on religion, it may be preachy or something. I assure you, it is not. The story was presented in such a way that a normal person would be able to relate to it and not be averse with it. Mitch Albom, as always, produced another touching and m...more

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Jan 27, 2013 Sherry Chow rated it 4 of 5 stars

“Will you do my eulogy?” Mitch Albom is asked by his childhood rabbi to complete his speech of farewell. To this, Mitch willingly agrees. This book brings readers through the real life experiences of Henry Convington and Albert Lewis as he and readers slowly get to know each of them as everyday people. The important lessons force Mitch to reconsider his past beliefs on faith and learn about the drastic changes people must face through life. It is a truly great book that touches the heart of rea...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Sally Kruger added it

A number of years ago Mitch Albom was asked by his Rabbi if he would provide the eulogy when the Rabbi passed. Reluctantly Albom agreed but suggested they meet so he could learn more about the man's life beyond what Albom could recall from growing up in the Rabbi's congregation.

What followed was eight years of meetings. Some of them brief and others longer. They had discussions about religion and life in general. Albom learned about the Reb's, as he called him, private life, hopes, dreams, and d...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Jim Hammond rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this book because Mitch Albom was holding a lecture in Bend and tickets ranged up to about $70-I wondered what about this author could draw people to a (basically) book signing at such ticket prices. I had seen a theatrical version of "Tuesdays with Morrie" and found the play moving in its description of personal relationships and the approach that the protagonists take as the impending death of one of them develops. Because of the great popularity of Albom, I was ready to find sentimenta...more I read this book because Mitch Albom was holding a lecture in Bend and tickets ranged up to about $70-I wondered what about this author could draw people to a (basically) book signing at such ticket prices. I had seen a theatrical version of "Tuesdays with Morrie" and found the play moving in its description of personal relationships and the approach that the protagonists take as the impending death of one of them develops. Because of the great popularity of Albom, I was ready to find sentimental platitudes abounding in his books. This book was the easiest one for me to get from the library.

As in TwM, this is a "true story" about Albom's connections to particular individuals. In this case, the Rabbi of the synagogue with which his family had been associated for his whole life. Some years before the Rabbi's (called the "Reb" by Albom and his childhood associates), death, the Rabbi asks Albom to deliver the eulogy at his (the Rabbi's) funeral. Albom sets about meeting regularly meeting and learning abut the Rabbi.

Meanwhile, he makes acquaintance with the pastor of a slum area church in Detroit, through a charitable outreach conducted by Albom. An apparently odd coincidence, as Albom finds out sometime into the relationship, this pastor is called "The Reb", by many of his church's members and others accepting the charity that the church provides.

Albom writes in a clear, entertaining way, which surely is one of the main reasons for his popularity. Sentimental platitudes can be found, but not in abundance. In this book, while his own faith is presented as tenuous and wavering, particularly throughout the years intervening from (probably) his Bar Mitzvah, till his years of knowing Morrie or even until he re-connects with his family's Rabbi, the faith of these two clerics is what drives the book.

With the power of the faith of these two men (The Rebs) demonstrated by their deeds and the effect they have on the many people they come into contact with, what is an atheist to make of the reality of the God they hold as a living concept (or personality) and whom drives their actions? In the case of the Detroit Reb, returning to his faith was the way he overcame years of profligate living and did quite noble things in the worst of localities. The New Jersey Reb could be termed a truly good man for his whole life and his faith was always realized in his living.

Daniel Dennett has used the term "belief in belief" that probably best describes the way an atheist can understand how belief in supernatural sources of strength is "real" in all senses of the word. Thus, I believe that such individuals as the Rebs truly believe in their professions of faith. Many others may be faking it but people like these are not. Most of my friends and family who are devoutly religious, I believe, also fall in this category. While I can't envy the belief in fantasy, I can see the power it has in people's lives. Maybe that is as real as anything can be. (less)

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Sep 26, 2012 Regina Lindsey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Although a return to non-fiction book, his first since Tuesdays With Morrie, Albom continues the theme of evaluating priorities while facing mortality.

After a speech, Albom's lifelong rabi ("Reb") asks a favor, "Will you do my euology?" Unable to refuse "Reb" Albom agrees and feels the only way to do this task justice is to get to know the rabi as a man rather than the enigma from his youth. With the intent of assigning a few weeks or months to the interviews Albom finds himeself making the tr...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Kendall rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mitch Albom, I have to say, never fails to impress me. His writing techniques are just incredible, drawing the reader into an immersing, emotional experience. The book itself is pretty dang short, only about 100 pages really if you consider the size of the pages and text. Right off the bat, you'll know that just like his previous novels you're in for a short, sweet, and potentially, life changing journey (which some critiques have said is arguably equivalent in potency to Tuesdays with Morrie,...more Mitch Albom, I have to say, never fails to impress me. His writing techniques are just incredible, drawing the reader into an immersing, emotional experience. The book itself is pretty dang short, only about 100 pages really if you consider the size of the pages and text. Right off the bat, you'll know that just like his previous novels you're in for a short, sweet, and potentially, life changing journey (which some critiques have said is arguably equivalent in potency to Tuesdays with Morrie, his all-time best-seller).
Have a Little Faith is a true story of two religious leaders that Albom had the opportunity to associate with, and his discussions with these two incredible men about life, lessons, and ultimately the message of hope that religion brings to billions of people worldwide. One of these preachers, his lifelong Rabbi, which he refers to throughout the book as "Reb" is entering his final stages of life after years and years of experience as a religious leader in a local synagogue.
As a quick side note, you shouldn't worry too much about the book repeating the themes of Tuesdays with Morrie. Have a Little Faith provides new, refreshing content that not only is original, but as equally rejuvenating as the wisdom of Mr. Schwartz. Anyway, just felt the need to clarify that.
Now on to the second of the men, a Christian minister who the reader is introduced to as Henry. Now unlike the good Rabbi, Henry didn't always lead a life of faith, he didn't stay to the right path. No, Henry, for one, was wrongfully convicted and sent to prison, after which he delved repeatedly into the business of drugs, even becoming addicted to them. The book follows his struggle throughout the crisis of his adult years, using the story of how he came to know Christ as a beautiful example of the book's message of hope. Henry at one point admits he broke every single one of the ten commandments, but at the point of this confession, he's looked to as an upright leader by Albom, and the congregants of Henry's ministry.
Personally, even as an atheist-agnostic, I found myself personally enlightened by the fortitude, the gratefulness, and the tolerance of the men in this book.
This is a book about the good side of faith, and not just Judaism and Christianity, but spirituality in all of its forms. READ IT!(less)

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Jun 25, 2012 Brian rated it 2 of 5 stars

For most of the time I spent reading this book, I hated it. It struck me as a simple, feel-good story about a journey to faith. It felt like Mitch Albom was encouraging people to accept religion because it made these simple people feel good and be happy. To me, he was encouraging people to throw up their arms and place everything on faith rather than taking a moment to come up with their own thoughts for once. I stand by all of those feelings.

However, at the very end, Albom’s message became very...more

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Jun 08, 2012 Holmes rated it 4 of 5 stars

Upon finishing Have a Little Faith, I was tempted to dismiss it as "just another typical Mitch Albom book", but with second thoughts I realized this book isn't just another inspirational non-fiction; it is a testimony of how two great persons - Rabbi Albert Lewis and Pastor Henry Covington - built two communities and saved lives of others, both in the physical and spiritual sense.

What I appreciate most is Henry's story: how he went from a wretched human filth to a beacon of light and hope for co...more

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May 11, 2012 Spencer D rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mitch Albom has put together a magnificent piece of work in follow up of his masterpiece Tuesdays with Morrie. Have a little faith incorporates an exciting, heartful plot line along with an original view on life’s question many ask each and every day. The story begins with one simple, but noteworthy, question. “Will you do my eulogy?” (1). The author, Albom is asked this after a speech he had given. The man asking was none other than his childhood rabbi.
Albom, who had run from his faith after...more

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Apr 08, 2012 Saritza rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: biographies, nonfiction

I devoured this book in less than 2 hours today; Easter Sunday, a fitting day for this read, I suppose. My mom had the book laying around in my old room and I must have passed it a dozen times, and read dozens of books and manuscripts before picking it up to read. When I found myself wanting to highlight and share long passages of the book on my Facebook page, I realized, I needed to just buy it for my Kindle app. My FB page today is filled with shared highlights from this book and I can't even...more

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Mar 03, 2012 Anne L. rated it 3 of 5 stars

I’m not a religious person, and was a bit reluctant to start in on a book that might be preachy and sappy sweet. Well, that is not this book. Mitch Ablom relates two stories here. The first starts when his childhood rabbi asks him to give his eulogy. Ablom agrees, suspecting that this is a short-term assignment, given the rabbi’s age, but it turns into a years-long conversation with the “Reb”, as Albom calls him, about things both religious and secular. The second story is about Henry, a man who...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Shelley rated it 5 of 5 stars

I cried.
5 hours ago I felt that this was one of the best books I ever read.
Now.......I question it, because I just had book club and this reaction was not felt by everyone else. But I question everything I feel, and this book did teach me not to do that.
This book taught me a lot about myself and about how to listen to others. That it's worth taking 10 minutes of your day to talk with a stranger, to listen to a friend, to call someone you haven't in a long time.
I wondered why this book touched me...more

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Dec 18, 2011 Christine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: english-412-reviews

This book fits into YA because it covers the topic of religion. It discusses the different races and different religions and the difficulty in blending them together instead of remaining isolated. In this book Mitch is asked to read the eulogy of his rabbi at his funeral even though he feels guilty for not being the perfect follower of his religion. He learns more about his rabbi in preparation for the eulogy and at the same time learns about other religions. All teen readers might enjoy this bo...more

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Nov 08, 2011 Claire Neugebauer rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Book to Believe In

~Then some people came, bringing a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made a hole in the roof.
~Mark 2:3-4

Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom starts out with Mitch being asked to write a eulogy for Albert Lewis (The Reb). He obliges. To find out more about the Reb, Mitch spends many months visiting him and hearing stories and experiences from throughout his life. But Mitch does more then learns about...more
A Book to Believe In

~Then some people came, bringing a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made a hole in the roof.
~Mark 2:3-4

Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom starts out with Mitch being asked to write a eulogy for Albert Lewis (The Reb). He obliges. To find out more about the Reb, Mitch spends many months visiting him and hearing stories and experiences from throughout his life. But Mitch does more then learns about the Reb, he also learns about himself. Spending all this time with the wise old man makes Mitch start to wonder about his own religious beliefs, as well as the beliefs of others, the gifts of giving and receiving forgiveness, and the power of believing. During his time seeing the Reb, Mitch stumbles into Henry Covington, Pastor of I am My Brother’s Keeper church. Henry was once a man who had nothing after being engulfed by heroin needles and cocaine and now is a changed man of God. How could this be a man of God? He lied, hustled, stole and committed more crimes he could even remember. And now he is the pastor of a church, sheltering and feeding the homeless. How does that even happen? Why would God let a man like that head one of his churches? Henry explains to Mitch that you are not your past. He was a changed man because of God, because he had faith. Mitch starts attending the church and realizes just how much faith can endure in people that have nothing. Henry preaches his sermon and everyone in the church lights up. Bums, druggies, all get a small beacon of light in their lives; all get something to believe in. People that had nothing now suddenly have something. Hope from faith.
Through his actions, examples, and words, the Reb taught Mitch and countless others many things. Love whenever you can as often as you can, except others for what they represent and believe even if you don’t agree with it, live for others and not for yourself, and most importantly, have a little faith. This book is definitely a must read. It will change the way you look at life and will truly inspire you to have faith.
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Oct 21, 2011 Sara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: religion

After enjoying Tuesdays with Morrie, I was looking forward to reading another book by Mitch Albom. Albom's writing style is inviting and compelling. I admit that I had a hard time putting this book down, but it was not as good as I expected.

Albom takes us through some of his religious background as he introduces the world to his childhood rabbi for whom he is asked to write a eulogy. Alongside this storyline, he introduces us to Henry Covington, a man who gets a rough start to life, makes many b...more

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Aug 12, 2011 Sanhita rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I like Mitch's books, especially his first "Tuesdays.......". This one is also in same line as his first and written equally well. Majority of my friends including my daughter, just do not like to read books of this genre, but then we all are different people!
Well written in very readable short chapters where he has brought out the core essence of two people, very different from each other, but they merge at some point, as their differences blur.
In life's worst situations, it's faith, may or may...more

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Jul 14, 2011 Leroy Seat rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book by Albom (b. 1958) is his first non-fiction book since his bestselling "Tuesdays with Morrie" (2002), and like the latter it is a sensitive, poignant tale about aging and dying.

The book is about conversations with his rabbi, for whom he was asked by the Reb to give his eulogy, and with an African-American man who became a Pentecostal preacher and servant of the homeless.

For those who want to think (and feel) deeply about faith, friendship, and the meaning of life and death, I highly re...more

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Jun 01, 2011 Diane Wilkes rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mitch Albom had been raised as a conservative Jew in South Jersey--he even attended a yeshiva as a youth. But after graduating from Brandeis, he considered himself a man on the rise and a "citizen of the world." His only gesture to his religious background was to attend the High Holy Day services with his parents at their synagogue, the synagogue of his youth. He had never felt the desire or need to seek out a spiritual home in Detroit, where he was now based.

When the now-retired Rabbi comes to...more

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May 05, 2011 Joo Young rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit, I was surprised as to how much I enjoyed this book. It made me realize, sometimes you read certain stories at a certain time in your life and it really magnifies your perception. I was a little weary of 'hopeful' books and 'tales of spiritual journeys' but I really fell in love with the simplicity and honesty of the Rabbi and Pastor of the tale. Although I remember reading "Tuesdays With Morrie" I don't think it was as poignant as this Albom story-telling.

In particular I really...more

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About Mitch Albom

Mitchell David Albom is an author, journalist, screenwriter, playwright, radio and television broadcaster and musician. His books have collectively sold over 35 million copies worldwide; have been published in forty-one territories and in forty-two languages around the world; and have been made into Emmy Award-winning and critically-acclaimed television movies.

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“Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe.” — 446 people liked it

“Nothing haunts us like the things we don't say.” — 404 people liked it

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