Steve Pemberton (1)

In this stirring follow-up to his memoir, Steve Pemberton gives practical encouragement for how you can be a "human lighthouse" for others and through these inspiring stories will renew your hope for humanity.

The Lighthouse Effect is not my usual choice, but I found this book to be rather interesting and stimulating. I identified with with much of what the author writes, and found it stuck with me even after I’d finished reading. The book is about us as human beings, the importance of how show more we treat others and the power of how one kind gesture can completely change another persons life. It was an inspirational read that I really do recommend to everyone out there. I'm sure like me that you too will identify with at least one "lighthouse" that has made a significant change in your own life and may even inspire you to be a "lighthouse" for someone else?! show less

The Lighthouse Effect: How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Impact in the World by Steve Pemberton is the follow-up book to his highly successful first book, A Chance in the World. Steve had a horrible childhood, ending up in foster. Those experiences fostered his need to write these inspiring books and bring hope to many people. It's amazing how certain people in our lives show up at the right time, providing solace and a positive force. In the author's experience, these people show more kept him going, even in very small ways, by giving books to him, and being mentors as well. This is an emotional and inspirational read and one worth delving into. You will find that you can relate easily to the author and what he went through. You may even be a lighthouse in someone's life, without even realizing it. Highly recommend. show less

I wish I could give this book more then five stars, it deserves more than that. The Lighthouse Effect brought me so much peace and a reminder that, although I didn't realise at the time, my life has been touched by many "lighthouses" in the past, for which I am eternally grateful. For as it was partly the actions of those individual that have led me to where I am today!

The Lighthouse Effect made me sit and reflect on these people "Lighthouses" and yes, they are the real heroes. The kind of show more people that probably didn't know just how important their kind acts, words and advise were in helping me succeed.

The book is very well-written and I love how author Pemberton brings out very practical encouragement that anyone can use to become a beacon of hope for others. I very highly recommend this, and will definitely reread again in the future. show less

I cannot honestly say that this book grabbed me from page one. Actually, the first 3 or 4 chapters made me wonder if I would stick with it...but then it grabbed a hold of me and I mean a tight hold! God help anyone who interrupted my reading time once I fell in love with the story of this young abused boy! I'm quite sure that no other book has made me feel so angry before - angry with "The System" and bureaucracy in general. The events in this true story took place in the early 1970's and show more while I hope that the foster care system has improved dramatically since then, I am not convinced that it has. This young boy, Steve (Klakowicz) Pemberton, was failed repeatedly by so many people that we now call 'Mandated Reporters'.

What I like the most about this book is the lesson that small acts of kindness can mean more to the recipient than we ever know. A kind neighbor's gift of a box of books may sound small or insignificant to some, but to Steve the books were an escape to other worlds and the hope of making a new reality for himself someday. The books provided a critical coping mechanism that helped him survive in his harsh conditions.

Also notable about A Chance in the World is the historical perspective captured during a racially tumultuous time. This book could be used in a classroom setting and would teach volumes about determination and endurance as well as history.

Please note that I received a complementary advance reading copy from the publisher which has not influenced my review. Thank you. show less