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2,287 ratings,
3.82
average rating, 991 reviews
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published
November 11th 2008
by Threshold Editions
binding
Hardcover, 256 pages
isbn
141659485X
(isbn13: 9781416594857)
description
If you could change your life by reversing your biggest regrets, sorrows and mistakes...would you? New York Times bestselling author and renowned rad...more
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| The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck | 2 | 55 | 01/01/2009 02:01AM |
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 3,249)
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5 stars (642)
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4 stars (829)
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3 stars (623)
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2 stars (159)
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1 star (34)
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avg 3.82
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Has a copy to sell/swap
All I can say is at least I didn't waste too much time reading this. The story was formulaic, the dialogue painful, and the writing lazy. The story is based on a personal experience, and it would have been a much better book if he would have simply told the real story instead of trying to embellish it to create a sense of pathos. While there is undoubtedly a good message, it comes across as a quick way to make a buck by preying on people's sentimentality this time of year.
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11 comments
Read in December, 2008
recommended to Kate by:
book club bookrecommends it for: People who like sappy Christmas stories
Glen Beck may be a well-known radio host, but he writes with all the finesse of a high school sophomore. In this semi-autobiographical "heartwarming Christmas tale", Beck tells about 12-year old Eddie who, along with his mother, has had some hard times since the death of his father a couple of years before. Eddie just knows that getting a new bike will make things better.
It will come as no surprise to any reader that, instead of the hoped-for bike, Eddie instead receive...more
It will come as no surprise to any reader that, instead of the hoped-for bike, Eddie instead receive...more
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Read in December, 2008
While this book was emotional and intense in a lot of places, and the story pulls at your heart strings, it is SO WORTH the read! The story draws you in, because there are elements to it that I think everyone can relate to on some level. I especially love the message of redemption, atonement, forgiveness, and love! It is powerful without being overly preachy. I think this will become a traditional Christmas read for me!
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4 comments
Read in January, 2009
I put this one on reserve at the library before Christmas, hoping it might come in in time to enjoy during the holiday season. It didn't but when it arrived in early January, I hoped it might be close enough to the holiday that I'd still enjoy the story and get the Chrismtas spirit all over again.
I suppose if I'd read this story during the holiday season, it might have had a greater impact. Or I might have felt more forgiving of it since it's pretty clear from page one exactly where...more
I suppose if I'd read this story during the holiday season, it might have had a greater impact. Or I might have felt more forgiving of it since it's pretty clear from page one exactly where...more
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Read in December, 2008
Here's an idea - what if we read Christmas books ANY time of the year, and not just at Christmastime? Around Christmas there is an emphasis on gratitude, charity, kindness, and love, which is wonderful, but there's no reason to focus on those things only in December. This book helped to remind me how much I truly have to be grateful for. Wonderful story.
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Read in December, 2008
recommends it for:
Everyone
I am a huge Glenn Beck fan and can relate to his quirky sense of humor. I didn't know what to expect from this book. I was pleasantly surprised. Very quick read with a wonderful message about family, faith and the things that are important. It will be one of those books that will be read over and over any time of the year.
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Read in December, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone
Wow!! The last two chapters found me sobbing like a baby...okay quietly sobbing at night. I had very little sympathy for the main character until the end of the book. The storm that inevitably gets us is a "doozy." Luckily my faith carries me through the storms of life, sometimes easily, sometimes not. This book made me think about the gift given to all of us, whether we want to accept it or not. Great book!!
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Read in November, 2008
I am such a fan of Glenn Beck and was excited to buy this book on its release date. I also read it all on the same day. A compelling story that everyone can relate to and connect with on many levels. I'm giving it five stars; not because it is on the same level as many of the great works of literature but because it was so thought provoking. His spiritual insights touched me deeply and I hope that many will read this and really take it to heart. Now that would be a way to bring change to this wo...more
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Read in December, 2008
This book has some powerful messages. Some that hit home the most for me: I am worthy of the journey AND the destination I'm in. Forgiveness is happiness. The atonement makes it possible for me to start over anytime I need to.
I highly recommend this book for everyone this Christmas. Thanks, Dad, for the book!
I highly recommend this book for everyone this Christmas. Thanks, Dad, for the book!
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Read in January, 2009
You should read this book 1) because it's short and requires minimal effort; 2) because it teaches you something about yourself; and 3) because it will leave you with that warm, and yes, sappy Christmas-time feeling that so many elitist readers seem to think is somehow beneath them.
Here's the thing: you know going in to a book like this that your heartstrings are going to get a good tug. Add to that the back cover blurb claiming the style is reminiscent of Mitch Albom, and that's all I nee...more
Here's the thing: you know going in to a book like this that your heartstrings are going to get a good tug. Add to that the back cover blurb claiming the style is reminiscent of Mitch Albom, and that's all I nee...more
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Read in November, 2008
I wasn't sure if I would like this book but it was great. This book has so many truths about growing up and figuring out who we are. That forgiveness is always available to us, even for the big sins. There were times when I wasn't sure where the story was going or why, but in the end I was quite pleased. I've handed it off to my 11 year old son, because I feel it has some very important lessons, that are better learned from books than your own experience.
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Read in November, 2008
recommended to Karl by:
Gleen Beckrecommends it for: Anyone
The Christmas Sweater is an amazing book it is full of emotions. I was amazed at how Brother Beck was able to capture what I have tried to for years. Thanks Gleen I am not a reader. However when I pick up a book and read it cover to cover in one sitting that is saying something for that book. BTW it has only happened once
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A phenomenal book. Glenn Beck takes the reader through his life and experiences he had that helped him discover many of the same lessons that we must all learn: 1.) Life is not fair. 2.) God wants us to be happy. 3.) While God wants us to be happy, whether or not we ARE happy depends entirely on how we live our life in comparison with those events which God sees fit to subject.
While some may not appreciate the obvious comparisons to the Gospel, the author uses the story to sha...more
While some may not appreciate the obvious comparisons to the Gospel, the author uses the story to sha...more
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Read in December, 2008
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Read in November, 2008
Twelve year old Eddie is very, very angry. His dad has died and then his mother dies at Christmas after Eddie stubbornly refuses to stay overnight at his grandparents. Eddie has to live with the guilt for years. Did he cause her death? That's pretty tough for adults to live with, but for a twelve year old, nearly impossible. (I strongly disagreed with the one professional review I read. Glenn Beck has opened up his soul. The professional reviewer ought to try it). The path Beck had to ta...more
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Read in December, 2008
"The Christmas Sweater" had a lovely message about life, gratitude, and spirituality. I enjoyed the point the author was trying to make about how people need to value what they have and less of what they they think want. There was also a very poignant message conveyed about being less self-involved, as all too often we fail to see those around us and what is going on in their lives as well as what they mean in our lives. Any reader can take away a valuable moral from Beck's story. Howe...more
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Read in November, 2008
recommended to Becky by:
church book group
Good book for any time, not just Christmas time. Although it's message does remind us why we celebrate Christmas.
At first I was disappointed at the ending but as I read on (to the events of Glenn Beck's life that shaped this novel), I appreciated it more.
It's full of good quotes - most of which are very similar to those I've heard my parents tell me one time or another.
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"Most times we're so focuse...more
At first I was disappointed at the ending but as I read on (to the events of Glenn Beck's life that shaped this novel), I appreciated it more.
It's full of good quotes - most of which are very similar to those I've heard my parents tell me one time or another.
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Most times we're so focuse...more
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Read in December, 2008
Glenn Beck is a laughably poor writer. I haven’t read his non-fiction stuff, but it sells pretty well. I cant imagine it’s this hard to read, or else it wouldn’t have sold so well, right? I think the last book I read that made me cringe at how badly it was written was Da Vinci Code. This book rips off every Christmas book and movie cliche you can think of, and he doesn’t try to hide it.
I thought I’d choose a Christmas book to help get me in the Christmas spirit, but ins...more
I thought I’d choose a Christmas book to help get me in the Christmas spirit, but ins...more
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Read in November, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone.
Some of the story is based on events in Glenn Beck's young life in a working class family that didn't have much of material value. Glenn wants the things other kids have, like a shiny new red bike for Christmas. Glenn learns that he doesn't always get the possessions he wants or his circumstances, but he learns about what is really important.
If anyone other than Glenn Beck had written this, it would have been predictable, sickeningly sweet, and cheesy. Glenn is able to express his f...more
If anyone other than Glenn Beck had written this, it would have been predictable, sickeningly sweet, and cheesy. Glenn is able to express his f...more
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Read in February, 2009
Sometimes it is hard to read a book you've heard a lot about with an open mind. When I read this book I kept wondering what was actually from Glenn's life and what was fiction. I have to admit when I got half way through I stopped reading and just skimmed it. I found it too frustrating and depressing. I am glad other people have liked it and found inspiration from it but for me I just didn't like it that much.
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