A valuable and inspiring examination of what karma means and how it can be used.
This straightforward guide explains the concept of karma and its real-world applications to help readers move forward with purpose.
While karma is a popular term, many people misunderstand the idea of “cause and effect.” Goldberg touches on the history of karma’s popularization, from the “Hindu Renaissance” in the 18th century to a Taylor Swift title track in 2022. While some “tend to invoke karma only when something bad happens,” it “is not about reward and punishment…We set karmic currents in motion through our thoughts and actions.” Woven into the author’s descriptions of what karma is are the ways in which readers can incorporate its philosophies into everyday life. Serving others, for example, can help move the “karmic scorecard” while a focus on internal actions can ultimately steer one’s decisions in a more spiritually and emotionally fulfilling direction. Goldberg gives the example of someone trying to decide whether or not to do something “ethically or morally wrong” that will help the person in the short run without anyone ever finding out. When considering karma, the individual may realize that this decision would inevitably create negative consequences later on and ultimately decide not to do it. While some points may sound familiar to those even slightly versed in Buddhist philosophy (such as the idea that the individual self and “universal Self” are one), more complicated yogic tenets are included—like a detailed breakdown of the five niyamas (ways to cultivate a positive inner state) and the five yamas (behaviors that people should “refrain from doing”). The book’s smooth, personable narrative clearly explains these complex ideas through plenty of examples and a gradual introduction to a specialized vocabulary. It is an intriguing deep dive into karma that many readers should find enlightening. Goldberg ultimately breathes new life into an often overused concept by breaking down karma’s core principles and applying them to ordinary life.
A valuable and inspiring examination of what karma means and how it can be used.Pub Date: Oct. 14, 2025
ISBN: 9781958972991
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Monkfish
Review Posted Online: July 7, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A conversational, pleasurable look into McConaughey’s life and thought.
All right, all right, all right: The affable, laconic actor delivers a combination of memoir and self-help book.
“This is an approach book,” writes McConaughey, adding that it contains “philosophies that can be objectively understood, and if you choose, subjectively adopted, by either changing your reality, or changing how you see it. This is a playbook, based on adventures in my life.” Some of those philosophies come in the form of apothegms: “When you can design your own weather, blow in the breeze”; “Simplify, focus, conserve to liberate.” Others come in the form of sometimes rambling stories that never take the shortest route from point A to point B, as when he recounts a dream-spurred, challenging visit to the Malian musician Ali Farka Touré, who offered a significant lesson in how disagreement can be expressed politely and without rancor. Fans of McConaughey will enjoy his memories—which line up squarely with other accounts in Melissa Maerz’s recent oral history, Alright, Alright, Alright—of his debut in Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused, to which he contributed not just that signature phrase, but also a kind of too-cool-for-school hipness that dissolves a bit upon realizing that he’s an older guy on the prowl for teenage girls. McConaughey’s prep to settle into the role of Wooderson involved inhabiting the mind of a dude who digs cars, rock ’n’ roll, and “chicks,” and he ran with it, reminding readers that the film originally had only three scripted scenes for his character. The lesson: “Do one thing well, then another. Once, then once more.” It’s clear that the author is a thoughtful man, even an intellectual of sorts, though without the earnestness of Ethan Hawke or James Franco. Though some of the sentiments are greeting card–ish, this book is entertaining and full of good lessons.
A conversational, pleasurable look into McConaughey’s life and thought.Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-13913-4
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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