When Bad Things Happen to Good People

By: Harold S. Kushner

Narrated by: Harold S. Kushner

As a young theology student, Harold Kushner puzzled over the Book of Job. As a small-town rabbi he counseled other people through pain and grief. But not until he learned that his three-year-old son, Aaron, would die in his early teens of a rare disease did he confront one of life's most difficult questions: Where do we find the resources to cope when tragedy strikes?

"I knew that one day I would write this book," says Rabbi Kushner. "I would write it out of my own need to put into words some of the most important things I have come to believe and know. And I would write it to help other people who might one day find themselves in a similar predicament. I am fundamentally a religious man who has been hurt by life, and I wanted to write a book that could be given to the person who has been hurt by life, and who knows in his heart that if there is justice in the world, he deserved better. . . . If you are such a person, if you want to believe in God's goodness and fairness but find it hard because of the things that have happened to you and to people you care about, and if this book helps you do that, then I will have succeeded in distilling some blessing out of Aaron's pain and tears."

Since its original publication in 1981, When Bad Things Happen to Good People has brought solace and hope to millions. In his new preface to this anniversary edition, Rabbi Kushner relates the heartwarming responses he has received over the last two decades from people who have found inspiration and comfort within this book.

©1981 Harold S. Kushner (P)1987 Random House Inc., Random House AudioBooks, a Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

“Whether religious or not, this book will speak because it touches–profoundly, but simply–on questions no parent and no person can avoid.” —Harvey Cox, Harvard Divinity School

“When Bad Things Happen to Good People offers a moving and humane approach to understanding life’s windstorms.” —Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

“This is a book all humanity needs. It will help you understand the painful vicissitudes of this life and enable you to stand up to them creatively.” —Norman Vincent Peale

THIS IS A MUST HEAR AUDIBLE BOOK

I can see why this book was the best seller.

In all our lives we wonder why God, why?

Too often we blame God for bad things that happen to us, our families, our friends even our pets. We blame God for the minor things, and also for the major.


The author of this audiobook has written a better book Why Bad Things Happen to Good People The Book of Job.

It is another book that I have listened to and it goes into further details.


The author has a calm reassuring voice, and is well read.

This book makes sense.

I am not usually a reader of books, so I am going to make this statement that God put into the author's mind to do an audiobook to help people like me who listen to books.

I am also going to blame God for helping me finding this author as this book has definitely changed the way I think about blaming God.

This is the book that I am definitely going to gift to my son who often blames God for things that have happened in his life, and also to a friend whose wife is dying of cancer.

Superb analysis of faith and grief.

He puts suffering and faith in the context of a God made universe where there are only probabilities and the self transformation that is possible from faith when you accept life”s absurdities, accept grief and gain strength from critical thinking, courage to embrace life and aligning your concerns with God’s spirit.

Excellent & very helpful

This audiobook was very helpful to me during a terminal illness of a loved one. It helped me understand "why"...

Comfort Food for The Soul - Highly recommend

Read book a few times over the years, and the audio a few times since purchase. The perspective from this book is comforting and with each read I find different wisdom based on what injustice I witness or experience in this world and feel my faith slipping away. God is alive and powered by our faith in Him. This isn't just for the religious type of person. I will keep this book in my shelf probably for the rest of my years because it is a keeper.

I'M GRATEFUL!!!!!! THANKS RABBI

INCREDIBLE WISDOM!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!! NEEDS TO BE LISTENED TO OVER AND OVER!!!! THANKS RABBI!!!!! REWARDING!!!!!!

THIS IS A MUST READ!!!

I was told about this book some time ago and decided to download this smaller one before going all in. I'm now going to download and listen to the full version. This book has a fresh take on the issue of suffering!

When Bad Things Happen to Good People

I was very moved by this book. It gave me such comfort to know that I am not alone. The Rabbi gives his views on strength which has given me much more. In these troubling times, it is good to know that such a book exists.

So touched

I read this because it is a suggested book for my home bound ministry. I am so touched by this book especially with the shooting in Las Vegas and what is happening this in this world.
Thank you Rabii Kushner

MUST READ

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS DEALT WITH A LOT OF TRAGEDY IN MY LIFE, THIS BOOK PUTS THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.

Very insightful and inspirational...

Rabbi kushner's examples and story are very moving and easy to understand. I am able to apply his insights to my daily life.