All of Hal's Books

Hal Urban has been writing about good news, positive words, and good character for more than thirty years. This may be his best, and most timely, work yet. Even before the staggering losses of 2020, we were starving for GOOD NEWS. His main point is that there’s actually far more good news in the world than there is bad. It just needs more exposure. It has the power to uplift and enrich our lives.

“If future teachers and those already in the classroom were to read one book to help them become the best teacher they could be, they could do no better than Lessons from the Classroom 20 Things Good Teachers Do. There’s wisdom, inspiration and nuts-and-bolts guidance on every page.”
-Dr. Thomas Lickona, Author
Educating for Character

A short, uplifting, and enjoyable read about being a good person and discovering the real meaning of success. This is Character Education at its best!

Life’s Greatest Lessons is a wise, wonderful book. In it, Hal Urban, a parent and an award-winning teacher, presents twenty principles that are as deeply rooted in common sense as they are in compassion. The topics, gathered from a lifetime of teaching both children and adults, span a wide range of readily understood concepts, including attitudes about money, understanding the real meaning of “success,” and the importance of having fun. The book will help you find the best—in the world, in others, and in yourself. Classic in its simplicity and enduring in its appeal, Life’s Greatest Lessons helps us all rediscover that the desire to live a good life is timeless.

People love Hal Urban's books because they're easy to read and are always full of sound, practical advice. Now comes the update of his much-loved bestseller Life's Greatest Lessons. Hal reminds us anew that there's a direct connection between good character and the quality of life. And once again, readers will find clear and simple guidance for increasing purpose, meaning, and joy in their lives.

Although we live in an ocean of words, we rarely acknowledge their power to uplift or put down, to inspire or discourage, to help or hurt. But in this jewel of a book, Hal Urban — parent, award-winning teacher, and author of the classic Life's Greatest Lessons — shows us simple and immediate ways that we can use language to change lives — both our own and those around us.

With Choices That Change Lives, Hal reminds us that our lives are the result of our choices and the most important choices we make become our character traits, the ones that lead to fulfillment and peace of mind. He illuminates fifteen character traits that help us more fully develop our capacity to live rich and rewarding lives. He assures us that it's never too late to change, to break the chains of self-defeating attitudes and habits, and challenges us to dig a little deeper — to grow in such qualities as humility, patience, empathy, and courage — and to renew ourselves daily.

Urban draws on his own lifelong spiritual search — which has included Protestant churches, the Catholic church, some Eastern philosophies, and human potential psychology — to produce an ecumenical and nondogmatic examination of the Scriptures, finding in them clear and simple guidance for increasing both purpose and joy in our lives. Five of his principles are do's, as in "Keep a positive outlook on life" and "Bring out the best in other people." The other five are don't's, as in "Don't be seduced by popular culture" and "Don't judge other people." These ten commandments of timeless wisdom will inspire people of all faiths who are searching for more meaning and direction in their lives, no matter where it comes from.