Book Review- The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews

A quick read, along the lines of gift books, The Butterfly Effect by Andy Andrews attempts to remind the reader of the importance of every moment, every action. From the back cover: "Every single thing you do matters. You have been created as one of a kind. You have been created in order to make a difference. You have within you the power to change the world". Andrews references the work of scientist Edward Lorenz to explain the butterfly effect or as it is more scientifically known, The Law of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions, to lay out this premise.

Andrews tells the Civil War story of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain of Maine and his heroic role in the battle of Gettysburg and explains the importance it played in a chain of future events. However, Andrews then links a list of assumptions to the extent that he claims that because of Chamberlain's actions the United States was victorious in World War II and in saving Europe from the clutches of Adolf Hitler and the continent of Asia from the advances of Emperor Hirohito and his Japanese forces!

The book also shares the linkages between Moses Carver, a Missouri farmer in the 1800's and the feeding of billions worldwide. This story is also shared in a children's book, "The Boy Who Changed the World".

The concepts that every life impacts others and that every life matters should not be forgotten. However, although an interesting take on the "six degrees of separation" or "ripple effect", Andrews' book "The Butterfly Effect" makes some assumptions that are a bit stretched.

I reviewed this book in conjunction with Thomas Nelson's BookSneeze program, was not compensated for this review and the opinions expressed are solely mine.