Finding Wonderful

Hopeful Lessons from Jimmy Stewart and It's a Wonderful Life

Add to my list

by Matt Mikalatos

Type

Essays

Subject

One Film > It's a Wonderful Life

Keywords

Frank Capra, James Stewart

Publishing date

2026 (November 03, 2026)

Publisher

Running Press

Language

English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Hardcover • 192 pages
5 x 7 ¼ inches (13 x 18.5 cm)

ISBN

979-8-89414-411-5

User Ratings

(0 vote)

X

Average rating:

0	rating	= We can do without
0	rating	= Good book
0	rating	= Excellent book
0	rating	= Unique / a reference

Your rating: -

Book Presentation:
It's a Wonderful Life impacted the lives of many, but no one got more from it than star Jimmy Stewart, who credited the film with giving his life new purpose post-World War II service. Learn the lessons on faith, community, kindness, and more from Stewart and the iconic film with this inspiring gift book.

Beloved star and one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, Stewart achieved fame, fortune, and acclaim―but found that none of it guaranteed happiness. Leaving it all behind to serve as a combat pilot in World War II, he returned home changed by loss and searching for meaning. But while filming the perennial Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life, Stewart learned how to heal and live with gratitude and grace with the help of friends, faith, and purpose. Drawing on his life and words, as well as iconic moments from It’s a Wonderful Life, this book explores how the actor who embodied decency on screen lived it off-screen, too.

Endorsed by the Stewart estate and featuring little-seen photos throughout, Finding Wonderful is a heartfelt series of essays that capture the virtues and values of a man who discovered that the secret to a wonderful life has nothing to do with fame―and everything to do with love, service, and simple goodness.

About the Author:
Matt Mikalatos is the award-winning author of more than 15 books, most recently the graphic novel God With Us and the nonfiction book Rescue at the Reef. He and coauthor Aaron Burns have worked together previously, with Matt writing the script for Aaron’s movie Legacy Peak, and the pair collaborating on a book about the life of Saint Patrick, Praying with Saint Patrick. Matt lives in the Portland, Oregon area with his wife Krista and their three daughters. Aaron Burns is a writer, director, and producer. He directed and produced the western Birthright Outlaw and the adventure film Legacy Peak, both for Sony. His producing credits also include the record-setting film Beyond the Mask, the #1 box-office hit War Room, and many others. He is the director of the film Jimmy, starring KJ Apa as Jimmy Stewart. Aaron lives in Michigan with his wife Andrea and their five children.

See the publisher website: Running Press

See It's a Wonderful Life (1997) on IMDB ...